<p>I know that decisions will be posted online in a few days or a week, and all decisions have most likely been made already, but I just wanted to bring up one topic.</p>
<p>23 students from my school (including myself) applied to Duke this year. That number is up 5 from 2010 and 15 from 2009. This sounds reasonable, because Duke has consistently seen increases in application totals and seems to be gaining more and more prestige each year.</p>
<p>Anyway, my question is: Do you think Duke is more likely to accept those who have good/great stats and are well rounded overall, or those who have shown considerable interest in the school, even though their stats may be lower? I've shown a lot of interest in Duke, as it is one of my top choices, and I know that, of the people who applied, only 2 others are as interested in Duke as I am (maybe 3, at the most). I have lower scores than some of the high-end applicants, but I just wanted someone's input on this question as to how much of a role interest plays.</p>
<p>I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure there are 3 people or less from my school (and I may well have been the only one) who applied to Duke this year, out of a class of 370+, and I do know that only 29 have applied to Duke in the last 5 years total… so weird to see schools where 36 people are applying. Also, it’s not like I’m from the West Coast either- I’m from Northern Virginia, and one of the wealthiest counties in the nation (read: people value education very highly and can pay for it). My guess is that around here, most engineering students apply to Va. Tech, and top students looking for other things go for UVA or William and Mary? </p>
<p>But anyway, staying on topic, I’d say demonstrated interest is kind of over-rated. I demonstrated next to no interest at WUSTL and got a 20K per year scholarship. Then again, I DID show interest at Rice and got accepted there (no scholarship though)… make of it what you will, but I’d say demonstrated interest has little impact, especially if bluedog’s statement is true.</p>
<p>Thanks, guys, for all the responses. jgorman450, I was waitlisted at Rice, despite all the interest I showed. Hoping for some sort of better luck with Duke.</p>
<p>“I feel like if you wanted to demonstrate your interest, you should’ve applied ed.”</p>
<p>Very true!</p>
<p>I was waitlisted from Wash U after multiple campus visit and on campus interview.
But, I got accepted from Georgetown and Rice with no demonstrated interest.</p>
<p>Deter - That would assume that the OP had unlimited funds. Applying ED is great for the extremely wealthy or those with limited funds. However, those in the large void in between do not have the luxury of being bound by a decision regardless of cost.</p>
<p>People often misinterpret the contract of an ED application. Every school I have ever heard of has allowed students to break the contract after being accepted, if the financial aid is not adequate. One of my friends was accepted to Columbia ED and given very little financial aid. He appealed their financial aid offer and told them he would have to break the bind from ED if they didn’t give him sufficient aid (he intended to and they agreed), until they came back with a much better offer. </p>
<p>This is not ruthless negotiation. It is accepted with ED applications, so the notion that ED is a tool solely for the well-off is not entirely true.</p>
<p>If you look on Duke’s website (I have no link) it says they don’t consider interest in the school. Also, they are legally not allowed to have quotas. However, Duke looks at applicants based on their environment. Basically, Duke will take the most qualified applicants.</p>
<p>If you look on Duke’s website (I have no link) it says they don’t consider interest in the school. Also, they are legally not allowed to have quotas. However, Duke looks at applicants based on their environment. Basically, Duke will take the most qualified applicants.</p>