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Don’t get fixated on a “dream school.” You’re only a rising senior, and you haven’t yet explored all the options out there. Duke’s great, yeah, but there are many, many great colleges. What are your stats (test scores, grades, etc.), and how much financial assistance will you need? Be aware that getting adequate financial aid as a transfer student can be tricky. </p>
<p>I found Rhodes to be very similar to Duke in many ways (minus the D1 athletics) but less selective and with more attention to undergraduates. It may be worth a look. </p>
<p>In your home state, UNC Asheville is a terrific school and a great financial bargain. Don’t overlook the other UNC schools either. UNCC in particular is almost unrecognizable these days with brand new or newly renovated facilities virtually everywhere on campus, and the extension of the light rail will make it extremely easy for students to get downtown. With the addition of a football team, it’s trying to be more traditionally collegiate than the commuter school it used to be. App State would also be worth a close look and has a lot to offer. </p>