<p>i know i still have some time before college apps are due, but i really, REALLY don't know what to do!!! </p>
<p>duke has been my first choice college for as long as i can remember. i practically bleed blue! i really really want duke but i dont think my grades are really up to par. </p>
<p>i heard that if u apply early, u have a slightly better chance at getting in.. but i also heard that if u apply early, u have to be at the top of ur academic game w/o senior grades, which i know i wont be. </p>
<p>i want to apply early decision to show my commitment to duke, but i'm scared that i may have a better chance getting in w/ regular. HELP!!!</p>
<p>You will NOT have a better chance regular. Apply to Duke early early early. You seem sure about Duke, so....GO FOR IT!</p>
<p>Well I would suggest taking a step back and looking realistically at your chances. </p>
<p>A) If you feel that your grades are not on par, use the fall semester to boost your GPA and apply RD. Also, if your ACT or SAT scores are not what you want in Fall, take time to prepare and apply in RD.</p>
<p>B) Tell us your current stats. We could advise you on whether to apply ED.</p>
<p>i'm half black, half filipino
i go to a ridiculously small private school ( about 300 ppl!)</p>
<p>Test Scores:
ACT: 30
New SAT: 2050
PSAT: 185
havent taken any SAT II's </p>
<p>AP Classes ( my school doesnt offer too many!)
-English Language
-English Literature
-Statistics
-French </p>
<p>Class Rank: 1st quintile (3.83 GPA W, 3.6 UW) </p>
<p>EC:
-Student Council member
-Co-editor of school newspaper
-President of school's Math & Science Club
-" " Mu Alpha Theta
-" " Anime/Sci-Fi Club
- CSF (California Scholarship Federation) member
- Reporter for Planet Exile (an anime magazine : paid position)
- French tutor for 3 yrs
- Youth Adult Minister (YAM) at my parish
- volunteered over 100 hrs @ Braille Institute
- interned at Western Law Center for Disabilities
- Fencing team
- play club golf and tennis
- Listed in " Who's Who Among High School Students" and "National Honor Roll"
- National Society of High School Scholars Member</p>
<p>i know i may seem really underqualified for duke, but i know someone who got in from my school w/ a weighted GPA of 3.33 and didn't have too many extra-curriculars or alumni connections. i'm soo confused!?!</p>
<p>Dont worry if your school doesn't offer too many AP Classes. Duke, along with other elite universities, wan to see that you took the most challenging courses available. That being said, do not slack of senior year with simple courses. You will be tempted to. Take as many challenging courses as **you can handle<a href="we%20dont%20want%20you%20to%20be%20burnt%20out">/b</a>. Your unweighted GPA is ok, not stellar. Those AP Courses that you just listed--is that your current workload or your predicted workload for senior year? I would advise boosting your GPA--that really is the most important aspect.</p>
<p>Your ACT scores is within the 50th percentile so that is good. 30 is a good score so you wont need to take SAT subject test, unless you opt to take the SAT I. If you think you can improve your ACT scores, though they are decent, by all means do it.</p>
<p>You like anime!!! Awesome...ok sorry for the tangent. The important thing is to let Duke know that you are passionate about something. The essay, in my opinion, is the 2nd most important thing of the application. Start thinking about what you are really passionate about. The essay needs to reflect this. Duke places great emphasis on the essays.</p>
<p>I am not so sure about listing in " Who's Who Among High School Students" and "National Honor Roll". Those awards are a dime a dozen.</p>
<p>Also, with your other ECs, delve into what you were able to accomplish as a member of each. Showing comittment is far more important than just listing memberships. Quality over quantity.</p>
<p>Also, if Duke offers you an interview. Take it. It is an opportunity to put a face on your application.</p>
<p>I just wanted to add a few words of caution about applying ED. Unless you're willing to fork out a lot of money for Duke, you might want to consider RD. There were more than a few people that loved Duke but did not get a large enough financial aid package- if you need a lot of FA, ED is not the best option. </p>
<p>That said, I'm not sure what your chances are. Duke has become very selective, so it's hard to tell. I think you have a decent chance, though. Awesome essays and teacher recs will definitely give you a boost, as will senior grades. Showing interest (essays, a visit, communication with admissions, etc.) is also important. Good luck!</p>
<p>YOu are a URM and I say go ahead and apply and make sure that you show your gnuine interest in the school....go the school and talk with some professors and talk about that with the admissions people</p>
<p>do you think its too late to establish relations with the admissions office? i'm already a junior!!! but i have joiined ALOT of Duke's mailing lists.</p>
<p>Also, i've attempt writing to the admissions office about the whole pocess, but i really dont know what to ask, or if i do ask, i'm scared they can't answer it or will just tell me to join a mailing list.::sigh::what can i do?</p>
<p>I would apply early. You're from Cali, so most likely if Duke doesn't work out you'll end up at a UC, which doesn't even have the early option. Your status as an URM will help, especially early, because Duke likes boasting about how its ED admits are not all privileged white legacies. You are within the score ranges to be a competitive applicant. Though nothing is certain, you definitely have a shot--especially early.</p>
<p>PS-Do you happen to go to Brentwood?</p>
<p>nope. i go to immaculate heart high ... btw.. what's an URM?</p>
<p>URM=UnderRepresented Minority</p>
<p>obviously no one knows for sure, but i would bet quite a bit of money that you would get in to duke.</p>
<p><em>shrug</em> college adcoms can be so random.</p>
<p>All I can say is:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Display passion in your essay and take advantage of an interview (I LOVED my interview. Great lady. We talked for about 90 minutes) I would also do all of the optional essays. (I did)</p></li>
<li><p>Stay focused during your senior year. Avoid senioritis....who are we kidding....suppress senioritis.</p></li>
<li><p>Your standardized scores are good. It is in the range of Duke's 50 percentile. I would only take it again if I knew I could do better.</p></li>
<li><p>Start considering who you want for teacher recommendations. These are really important. Make sure you ask people who will write positive and informative recommendations. Generic letters are unappealing.</p></li>
<li><p>Make sure the application reflects your accomplishments and puts you in the best light.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Good luck!!! Maybe I'll see you in my sophmore year. :)</p>