<p>Keep in mind that Duke only admitted about 40% of the valedictorians who applied, as well as only about 40% of the applicants with SAT's (M+V) of 1550 or higher. So, unless you're a URM or athlete, the odds are greatly against you getting in if you're not at or near the very top of your senior class... unless you do something truly spectacular like cure cancer or end the war in Iraq. I'm sure there are exceptions. Hope springs eternal...</p>