<p>Would designating Duke as my first choice college increase my chances (if even slightly)?</p>
<p>I kind of doubt it but it can’t hurt.</p>
<p>^I agree. Duke (and other top schools) doesn’t consider the level of an applicant’s interest in it’s admissions decisions.</p>
<p>I didn’t think that the NMSF told colleges anything until after admissions decisions were made… I could be wrong about that though.</p>