<p>Recently, I've been getting into crunch-time for colleges. ED will be due in 5 months or so for me. I'm pleased to say that Duke still stands as my #1 choice of school. But I've been thinking a lot about things lately, and been observing my competition. Today my friend found out that he got into SSP or some other program, in which 9/10 kids who do that program and apply to Harvard/Stanford/Yale/MIT are accepted. You can imagine how this feels, to know that a friend of yours is hauling ass while all you have is some research position at OHSU and some classes at a community college for the summer.</p>
<p>This isn't quite a "chance me", but more of a "do I stand any chance at all" type thread. It seems to me that competition is getting a hell of a lot harder, and being above-average just isn't good enough. What do most people who get into Duke have for ECs? So far I've got a one year engineering position at Intel, coming up I have a one year biomedical position at OHSU, and I've got athletics/speech-debate/science-club-thing/piano/communitycollege. This doesn't seem like it'd give me a chance against people who have done ISEF three years in a row and participate in prestigious programs over the summer.</p>
<p>I'm wondering if it would be worth applying ED to Duke? The only out-standing thing I can see going for my is legacy through my sister. The acceptance is ~33% for ED (I plan to apply to Pratt; biomedical engineering all the way :) ), but realistically speaking, what would you need to get in?</p>
<p>With what you have posted along with good/above average stat, I see no trouble of you getting in. If your heart is set on Duke, apply ED.</p>
<p>You seem to have overestimated the difficulty of admission a tad bit, most people are not ISEF, UASMO, USNCO, Siemens, Intel, etc (which is what I am picking up as your guesses of the backgrounds of other ED applicants)</p>
<p>I think it's good that you're a bit paranoid. I was a lot like you this time last year. Admissions are getting a lot tougher, I'd imagine. Eight kids applied to Duke this year from my school, and only two got in (I was waitlisted). Give it everything you've got, and see how you can bolster your chances. Just keep doing what you're doing, keep up your grades (although don't stress too much about it...). </p>
<p>If Duke's really your #1, then by all means, apply ED. The semi-legacy should definitely be a plus, too.</p>
<p>You do not need those amazing ecs. I applied to several top schools this year(probably the most competitive being Stanford, Duke, WashU), and I was accepted to all of them. Let's see I play baseball, and I have a part-time job. Nothing amazing. That's pretty much all I have time for. But I will tell you what I did do. This time last year, I was working on my application essay for the common app. I have said it a million times that the essay is SO important in college admissions now when you have about 5,000 2300+ "clones" to choose from in your applicant pool. Find something that sets you apart and is something that you are passionate about. Write a great essay about it and hope for the best. Good luck in your admissions!</p>
<p>By all means APPLY! Yes the competition is tough, but to have a chance you must apply. Your EC's are very impressing, if you write a good essay you will have a good chance. God luck!</p>