<p>I'm an international and I was wait listed last year.</p>
<p>I had applied RD and I got WL'ed at Duke and was eventually rejected, but Duke was my first love and I really haven't moved on. As a result I did not enroll in college, and just so that I'm doing something and not nothing over the next one year, I have enrolled in a year long diploma course from London School of Economics.</p>
<p>But my question is that how do I NOW project myself as an applicant worthy of a place at Duke. I plan to apply ED this time round but not much has changed since the last time I applied except-</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I ended up doing exceptionally in the final public examinations students in my country take (which is a contrast from my performance in the ones at the end of junior year)</p></li>
<li><p>I MIGHT retake the SAT. I had a 2100 last time round (with an appalling 610 in CR.) I want to stretch that to 2200, at least. Is is worth retaking the SAT for just 100 points? (even that isn't assured, really)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I'm seeking advice as to how I can project myself this time round since apart from these two factors, my profile remains just about the same as last year.</p>
<p>And also, can/should I mention in my application about how badly I love Duke and how near yet so far I was last year when I was WL'ed last time round and that I'm applying ED this time.</p>
<p>My fellow students and their parents alike, please help me. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>I may not be the most helpful source but I feel that if you emphasize your love for Duke again and your renewed commitment, you’ll have a better chance.</p>
<p>You are at London School of Econ, thats uber prestigious, so I’d look into going there for college (even if it is a back up plan). Will you have to transfer though because you are at a year long diploma course or does that not count and you still can apply as an undergrad (I know you said you didnt enroll, but isn’t LSE a college?- I don’t really know about diploma programs and all sorry)</p>
<p>Alright I just thought because LSE is SO prestgeous when it comes to Econ and Polsci, why don’t you try and enroll there for a year and transfer to Duke? It will help that you are coming from a comparable school</p>
<p>I have enrolled in their distance education program. I have to study their curriculum by myself and if I score well, I might be allowed to transfer directly to LSE in year two.</p>
<p>If I leave after a year (which is my priority as of now), I’ll get a diploma in Economics from LSE.</p>
<p>Also, if I don’t leave at all. I’ll have to continue to study on my own and I’ll get a degree from LSE itself; the very same degree which students AT LSE will be getting after studying the very same curriculum, but this is obviously something that I don’t want to do.</p>
<p>Why I mentioned about this LSE program is because I wanted to give a slight background about my app. My priority is to go to Duke and I’d do anything to make it happen. The question is, what do I have to do!?</p>
<p>Wait, I think I’m misunderstanding your question. So basically, is it possible for you to not leave, stay in their program, and continue studying, but at the same time apply to Duke? If so, obviously, I think that would be the best option. </p>
<p>While you’re writing the application though, I think it’s pretty apparent that you should focus on Duke, and how badly you wanted to attend, and the heartbreaking news that you were waitlisted, and then rejected, etc. and how you’ve changed/grown a lot since that time. Basically, forget about LSE while you’re doing the application, and talk about Duke (but don’t lie). Also, make sure you’re thorough in your application, because people will pay attention to those small details. </p>
<p>Then, once you’ve gotten the acceptance, at that point you can start to decide which school you really want to attend, because you’ll have a clearer vision with the acceptance “green light”. LSE is also a very prestigious school. Dont’ know if this helps at all, but good luck!</p>
<p>I think it is important to demonstrate your deep interest in Duke and how it’s your number one choice, but, at the same time, don’t come off as desperate. That’s an important balance that needs to be struck.</p>