<p>thank you incollege88 and everyone else for your opinions? any others?</p>
<p>In terms of ED & RD, I think it works more so like this...</p>
<p>Applicant A: A guy who is ranked in the top 10% but not the top 5% in his class with a 2000.
Applicant B: A guy who is valedictorian with a 2390.</p>
<p>Applicant A will have an equally tough time with ED & RD.
Applicant B will be a sure-admit ED but could get waitlisted or rejected RD just due to the higher number of applications. </p>
<p>In your case, I'd say your chances are good and that you should definitely apply. If you show a strong interest in Duke.. your chances won't be bad.</p>
<p>I just wanted to update you on some of my scores</p>
<p>I just took the ACT and I got a 31.</p>
<p>I am taking it again in June and am aiming for a 34/35.</p>
<p>But with my scores of a 31 and 1400, if I apply early decision (I am from Washington State, so not many people apply to Duke compared to Mid-East, South, and East), do I have a decent shot (my extra-curriculars have stayed the same except:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>National Qualifier of Chem Olympiad (one out of 1,000 students nationwide-with 10,000 students who first entered Chem Olympiad).</p></li>
<li><p>President of my Advisory Board (that the mayor appoints)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks for all your comments; I really appreciate it!</p>
<p>Please do not worry about the legacy business. It really is not important, as I think it is fair to say that most Duke students are not legacies.</p>
<p>I am not worried so much about legacy, its more of if I can get in. I have heard that Duke is not as big on legacies as other universities. I just really want to go and I want to hear your guys' opinions on my chances.</p>
<p>A 31 Composite on the ACT won't be the reason you're deferred or rejected ED, but a 32+ puts you in the 99th percentile of ACT takers. See how it goes in June. </p>
<p>Scores are only one aspect of your application, and I think CC puts way too much emphasis on standardized testing just b/c it is the easiest way to compare applicants over the internet.</p>
<p>thanks madboy! anyone else?</p>