Is there a point in applying to Duke?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

3.6 gpa (unweighted)
3.8 gpa (weighted)
No class ranking

Currently have a 2130 SAT but superscored its 2230
780 Math
700 Reading
750 Writing

SAT 2
750 Math 2
730 Chem

AP Stuff
AP Chem (4)
AP Euro (4)
AP USH (5)
AP Econ (this year)
AP Gov (this year)
AP Psych (this year)

EC:
-Year round swim team senior group.
-4 years varsity swim team high school.
-Completed Android programming nanodegree.
-Work as both lifeguard and swim instructor at swim school.
-Worked at family business for most of my life.
-A ton… and I mean a ton of volunteer hours at local sailing club.
-Junior leadership camp (for swimming).

Essay: I’m getting it reviewed right now but personally I thinks its pretty good at showing where I’m coming from as a person.

Other stuff: Mixed race (Asian Jewish), male, am gay which apparently matters.

So at this point you are probably wondering why the f–k is this kid trying to apply to duke. Well basically my dad went to Duke and since I’m not EDing anywhere at the moment he said I should use it for Duke. I realize that I’m not a viable candidate for Duke so I’m just wondering if there is any chance at all that I get in. So is doing ED as a gay legacy actually going to do anything?

2

Your chances are better ED. Legacy gives you a boost. Your SAT is very respectable. I say go for it

3

You might as well. You’re underestimating yourself a bit. You have a small amount (but they are quality) of quality ec’s that definitely display a passion. Legacy will help. GPA is a bit low, but you still have a chance I would say.

4

Unfortunately, I think Duke is a long shot based on your GPA alone. Being a legacy can only go so far.

5

But remember gpa is dependent on the quality of the hs. A 3.6 at a great hs is better than a higher gpa at a mediocre hs

6

Aside from being a legacy, why do you want to go to Duke? Does it have specific programs are characteristics that interest you? What are you interested in studying?

I agree with others that you are underselling yourself, but first I’d consider what your overall plan is and whether Duke is a good fit.

7

How involved is your dad with DAA? Did you attend any of the DAA workshops for alumni kids?

Your stats are within range. Legacy + ED will place your chances at 30% or higher. Compare this to the RD accept rate of 10%.

8

Just apply ED, because as a legacy, you have a good shot.

9

@sgopal2 My dad did alumni interviews last year and he donates every year. Will this affect my chances?

10

Your dad being involved with DAA will certainly help. They do certainly take this into account. Some alumni are more involved than others, and they recognize this. Since your stats are within the range, I think you have an excellent shot.

11

Don’t sell yourself short. That one piece (3.6) does not define you. If it does, then you don’t want to go to that school anyway:)

If you want to go, 1st choice for sure, then go for it. If there is another school you like better and ED boost would help, do that.

On CC, kids act like a 3.6 is a 2.1 or something. It is not!! It’s a solid A- avg.

Good luck to you!

12

@HRSMom thanks for the insight, I definitely have been feeling the weight of CCs “average” stats.

@sgopal2 I had no idea alumni activity was a factor. I just told my dad to do alumni interviews so we could see what students who got into Duke were like. Perhaps ironically, the sheer amount of people I saw getting rejected is what made me second guess my application to Duke. Of course I’m not becoming delusional, I know that my gpa still makes duke a far reach school.

13

Books have been written on just how strong the legacy / developmental admit factor is at Duke. 3.6 UW GPA is on the low-end of admitted students but not ridiculously so. My advice is to go for it and apply ED to Duke