<p>Can someone give me some tips on how to increase my chances of getting into Duke with a low gpa (3.3-3.4 UW)?</p>
<p>What kind of EC's
Hooks?
SAT scores?
Essays?
Anything?
ED?</p>
<p>Is it possible?</p>
<p>EC’s that you will pursue to the fullest extent and show leadership in. There is no right or wrong way to go about this. Find things you love, and try to excel in all of them, or even just your favorite. Don’t take clubs to throw it on an application. </p>
<p>Most hooks are things that are out of your control, such as URM and first-gen. Others, such as being a world-renowned musician such as yoyo ma, are near impossible to achieve. I wouldn’t rely on hooks. Most applicants to top universities don’t have them. </p>
<p>For an unhooked, white/Asian applicant, you should be aiming for a 2200/1450 SAT score. Slightly under this will yield diminishing returns, most likely on a sliding scale. </p>
<p>Your essays are supposed to show a piece of you, and they essentially give you a chance to reveal your character and who you are. You would typically do these on various topics such as your favorite EC, a life-changing event, how you could bring diversity to the campus, and just what type of person you are. </p>
<p>If I were you, I would only apply ED if financial aid is not a concern to you. Typically, this means that if you make more than 60k (the EFC cutoff limit for Duke), it might be in your best favor to apply RD. Of course, this is unless you are willing to risk possibly a lot of loans, or if your parents obligated their financial resources to pay for your education. </p>
<p>Regarding the GPA, that is already putting you at a disadvantage. A 3.3ish GPA is weak for duke, but this does not ruin your chance. They will take into consideration the rigor of your school, as well as the class rank. I would highly suggest working on that GPA, because that could be a major detracting factor.</p>
<p>However, it is still very possible! Good luck, and I hope you decide to go Duke ED! I’ll be going through that exact process as well. PM me if you have further questions.</p>
<p>What Redknightmare said lol</p>