I’m trying to decide where I should apply early next year. Harvard is my first choice, but I don’t have any connections there and it’s obviously extremely hard to get in to. However, my high school typically sends a good number of kids there. On the other hand, I’d love to go to Duke and I’m also a legacy. The thing is, I would rather go to Harvard, but at the same time I don’t want to “waste” my early app and end up not even getting into either. Thoughts?
What makes you prefer Harvard over Duke? Just curious… is it the name or a specific major or anything?
And Harvard as you said is extremely tough but not much tougher than Duke.
Mind posting stats and ECs or nah?
Go with your heart. If you really want Harvard and are only luke warm about Duke, definitely apply early to Harvard! You can also apply to Duke in the regular decision round. 
@chris17mom But your heart is the organ full of emotion and whim, not the best combination for decision making. The brain is the one with reason.
@ZucchiniSoup Yes, but the college admissions process is so crazy and convoluted anyways. There seems to be no predicting it. So if the original poster really wants Harvard he/she might as well apply where they really want to be, since neither Harvard nor Duke is a sure thing. Just my opinion, but that’s what I’d tell my son. (He actually did apply to Harvard regular decision and we have not heard back. His heart was with Stanford where he was not accepted. 
)
We debated the exact same thing this year in our house. We ended up going with Duke ED – and frankly could not be more happier. Ties to both schools were strong… my son has published research under Harvard faculty and loved Cambridge. In the end, Duke’s overall school spirit won us over and the Pratt Engineering school itself has some very innovative programs. You should also not forget that ED at ANY school is a significant boost; so, the question you should ask yourself if you think you would be equally happy at both Harvard & Duke – if you went with SCEA Harvard and DID NOT get in, are you ok with your safety school or some other options that are less selective than DUKE? Getting into Duke RD is extremely hard as well, don’t take the decision lightly.