***Official Duke 2021 ED Results ONLY Thread***

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

I thought I would start this with less than 2 days left! This thread’s purpose is to help future generations of Duke ED applicants see the type of applications that get accepted, rejected, and deferred (but of course there is much more that can affect an admissions decision than what is stated below) . If you get accepted congratulations for your hard work and dedication, if deferred remember you still get another shot, and if rejected please remember that there’s always another place waiting for you around the corner. Please provide as much relevant detail as possible! Thanks and good luck for wherever you may go. - PP

Here’s the generic template that’s been used over the years:

[noparse]
Pick one:
Decision: Accepted
Decision: Deferred
Decision: Rejected

Pick one:
Trinity College of Arts and Sciences
Pratt School of Engineering

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown):
ACT:
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis):
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities:
Essays:
Teacher Recommendation:
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec:
Interview:

Other

State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s):
School Type:
Ethnicity:
Gender:
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:

General Comments:
[/noparse]

2

Accepted.

3

Accepted, Pratt School of Engineering.

4

Denied. Most likely because my test scores were too low.

5

My daughter just got denied. Probably because of test scores. Im sorry to everyone that got denied and congratulations to everyone that got accepted.

6

Decision: Accepted

Pick one:
Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT: 34 C. 32M 33S 36R 36W
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 91%
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis):
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: Honors Arabic, Honors Calc, Honors Eng
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Williams College Award for Science

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Managing Editor of Newspaper, Bridges Tutoring Program, Writing Center Tutor, Football JV (2yrs) V (2yrs),
Job/Work Experience: Compiled baseball stats for local sports newspaper
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities:
Essays:
Teacher Recommendation: 10
Counselor Rec: 10
Additional Rec:
Interview: 9?

Other

State (if domestic applicant): MD
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s): Poli Sci
Intended major(s):
School Type: Private all boys
Ethnicity:W
Gender:M
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): third generation legacy. Grandfather was a double dukie (Trinity and Law School), both parents attended Duke Law, cousin and brother (2018).

Reflection

Strengths:Legacy, recs, essays
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:legacy was definitely a factor. My recs were great and I think my essays were pretty good. I wrote my “Why Duke” essay about a class I attended at Duke and how Duke has a niche poli sci minor that few schools have.
General Comme

7

deferred…still crying

8

Decision: Accepted

Pick one:
Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:
SAT: N/A
ACT: 35 (35 E, 36 M, 34 R, 36 S)
SAT II: 760 Math 2, 750 Biology
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 8/305
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5s in all except for bio which was a 4
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc Bc, AP Physics, AP Gov, AP Stats, AP Lit, Envio
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar (not really major?)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Computational Economics Research, FBLA President, 5th in Nation, DECA 1st in State, 1st in a regional technology fair, founded a charity
Job/Work Experience: Internship in Digital Marketing at a local startup
Internship at a startup
Volunteer/Community service: Mainly with my charity, and a few things in my local library
Summer Activities:
Essays: Played it safe
Teacher Recommendation: Amazing
Counselor Rec: Alright
Additional Rec:
Interview: never got one!

Other

State (if domestic applicant): VA
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s): CS and Econ
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian Indian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 100K
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):lol none!

Reflection

Strengths: ACT Score
Weaknesses: Being Indian and Male…
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: ACT Score and Research into Computational Economics (Duke has a strong program called “CS-Econ@Duke”

General Comments: Take focused action in pushing up your grades, being high impact in the classroom, with standardized test prep, following your testing plan, deepening your academic focus, and creating a big bang activity tied to your interests. Go for the win.

9

Decision: Accepted!!

Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1500, DNS
ACT: 34 Composite (2 score reports, 34E 34M 36R 35S 28W)
SAT II: 780 Math 2, 770 Literature
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.942
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 21/325
AP (place score in parenthesis):
AP World (4), APUSH (4), AP English Language & Comp (5), AP Calc BC (5), AP Chem (3, DNS)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load:
AP Gov, AP Physics 1, H Genetics, AP Compsci A, AP Psych, AP English Lit
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
National Merit Scholar Semifinalist, AP Scholar w Distinction, Junior Marshal, National Honors Society, Beta Club

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Student Council (President of Student Body 12, Secretary of Student Body 11, Class Officer 9/10)
Young Activists Club, a social justice and activism club (Founder and President 11/12)
Women’s Rights Club (President 12, participant 10/11)
Roy Cooper Campaign Volunteer (12)
Science Olympiad (1st Place Regionals 11, State Qualifier 11, Varsity 11/12)
Reading (I read about an hour a day so listed it)
Job/Work Experience:
Private tutor, nine hours a week (11-12 and summer)
Volunteer/Community service:
ASL interpreter at my church for a mute and disabled 3rd grader, practice ASL an hour a week as well (so 2hr/week) (12)
Peer tutoring twice a week with NHS (12)
Summer Activities:
N/A, Tutoring I guess.
Essays:
CA: 8/10- I wrote about overcoming my shyness when I found my passion for politics.
Why Duke: 6/10
Diversity: 6/10

Teacher Recommendation:
10/10 English Teacher (Former Duke prof., loved me), 7/10 APUSH & AP Gov Teacher (He has terrible grammar but knows me well and has seen some of my best work)

Counselor Rec:
7/10 She loves me but probably generic, she is very overworked :frowning:

Additional Rec: N/A

Interview:
Went well! About an hour, said she would write good things. Probably a 4/5

Other

State (if domestic applicant): NC
Country (if international applicant): USA
Intended major(s): Political Science
School Type: Highly ranked public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: Very complicated with divorce and remarriage. My EFC ended up being $21k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none

Reflection:

Strengths: Well rounded but very focused on my field and passion, high scores, essay
Weaknesses: Took weird language courses (one year of Latin, two of Spanish, and one of German) which hurt my weighted GPA and therefore rank. Weak ACT writing. Not ranked super highly.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I shaped my entire application to show my passion for politics and show parts of me not typically shown through ECs, tests, etc.

General Comments:
I’m so excited to be a blue devil! My family loves Carolina so they might not feel so strongly :wink:
To everyone who didn’t get in-- please know that no matter where you go, you will achieve great things! You should be proud of yourselves for just applying!

10

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1570 superscore New SAT (800 math, 770 CR)
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II: 790 Math II 720 Physics
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): N/A
Weighted GPA: 4.4750
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): US Government (5) only AP class offered
IB (place score in parenthesis): IB Business SL (6)
Senior Year Course Load: Computer Science, IB Theory of Knowledge, IB French SL 2, IB Topics HL, IB Physics 2 SL, IB English Lit HL, Multivariable calculus/Linear Algebra
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): nothing much, some school stuff, MYP diploma, honor roll

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Model UN (Secretary General), Young Democrats (VP, founding member), Varsity Soccer (4 years, second team all conference), Club soccer (team captain)
Job/Work Experience: Work at water park/government facility 3 summers (promoted from lifeguard to assistant supervisor), working at a swim school teaching kids to swim
Volunteer/Community service: Relay for Life (Team captain 4 years), youth triathlon (swim chair)
Summer Activities: worked 40+ hours a week
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Why Duke- 8, talked about IB program and how it relates to interdisciplinary study
Optional essay- 7
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1 (rating 1-10, details): math teacher, did not read, have had teacher for the past 3 years, assuming it is very good 9/10
Teacher Rec #2 (rating 1-10, details): english teacher, have had for past two years, offered to write my rec, assuming very good as well 9/10
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details): very nice women, I answered a full questionnaire on myself to help her write my rec, 7/10
Additional Rec (if any) (rating 1-10, details): N/A
Interview (if any) (rating 1-10, details): 8/10 interview went very well, about 1 hour, she seemed very interested in me and thought i was funny

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major: Mathematics (trinity)
State (if domestic applicant): Virginia
Country (if international applicant): N/A
School Type: public
Ethnicity: white/middle eastern
Gender: Female
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): slight URM, STEM female

Reflections:
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:

General Comments (if any):

11

Decision: Accepted!!!

Pick one:
Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): n/a
ACT: 34 C (35 E, 32 M, 36 R, 33 S)
SAT II: n/a
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Euro (5), Psych (5), APUSH (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: AP French, AP Bio, AP Lit, AP Macro, AP Calc AB, Syracuse Public Policy H
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar, submitted to Regeneron STS and JSHS (results not released)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): social studies club (pres), model congress (vice pres), school newspaper (editor), school yearbook (editor), Hebrew culture club (vice pres), senior class officer (secretary), wrote a monthly column in community newspaper, national honors society, social science research, math mentors
Job/Work Experience: junior counselor at my sleepaway camp summer '15, lifeguarded at a beach club summer '16
Volunteer/Community service: rock and wrap it up (donates leftover food from events to needy, wraps/donates presents to children in hospital for holidays, serve/prepare/cook food for needy at a church on Thanksgiving), Pantene Beautiful Lengths donated 18 inches of hair (3 years in a row, lol yes my hair grows very fast), helped out during high holidays at my synagogue, walk to end Alzheimer’s (raised $10,000), NY blood donor
Summer Activities: junior counselor at my sleepaway camp summer '15, lifeguarded at a beach club summer '16
Essays: common app (9/10), why duke (9/10), community essay (9/10) (my writing is my best skill)
Teacher Recommendation: English teacher was probably amazing because he is a great writer and we are very close, and bc he is the advisor of newspaper (9/10), ap euro teacher was probably great as well bc it is my all-time favorite subject and he really liked me (8/10)
Counselor Rec: I go to a small-ish school so I assume it was okay (8/10)
Additional Rec: social science mentor let me read his and it was absolutely beautiful. we are close after many years of working together (10,10)
Interview: (10/10) lasted 45 minutes and she said she was going to give duke the “highest possible review she could of me”

Other

State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s): psychology & history
School Type: public
Ethnicity: white
Gender: female
Income Bracket: 140,000<
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none in this aspect

Reflection

Strengths: essays, extracurriculars (and leadership), volunteer work, recs, AP scores, GPA
Weaknesses: no hooks, from NY, no subject tests
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I think my writing skills in my essays really showed how passionate of a person I am, and how much I wanted to go to duke. My AP scores and ACT being in their 75th percentile probably helped

General Comments: I CRIED SO HARD WHEN I GOT THE LETTER!! I visited Duke in June and fell in love with it immediately. The research facilities, the infectious school spirit, the academic opportunities, and the location stood out to me. I cannot wait to be down there this August! Congrats to everyone who got in, and GO BLUE DEVILS!!!

12

Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown):
ACT: 26
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): we don’t have that but conversion says it’s about 3.98 or something
GCSEs: All A’s and As except a B in maths,
A-level predicitions: AAA
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): don’t rank
AP (place score in parenthesis):
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AS level Politics, A-level English Literature, A-level Philosophy and Ethics, Cambridge Pre-U Chinese

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Philosophy society (founder and leader-- I am obsessed with philosophy but the society goes beyond that), Directed a play in Junior year, Co-ordinator and director’s assistant for a play that was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Chinese student ambassador and mentor, Trinity Guildhall Performing Arts Exams Grade 7 with Distinction (working on Grade 8- gold medal), Equality and Diversity Committee rep, long theatre resume, Lacrosse Top division

Job/Work Experience: Culture centre, art exhibit
Volunteer/Community service: in the process of organising an arts (theatre and art) empowerment program in Nigeria for disadvantaged young women
Summer Activities: Columbia University Advanced Topics in philosophy course, LEAP Africa youth leadership program, helping other Nigerian creatives, filming in my spare time
Essays: common app- 10 why duke- 9.5 optional- 7 (not sure, did this in the last few hours just for the sake of it)
Teacher Recommendation: 9.5/10 (Chinese and Philosophy teachers, both heads of departments, both taught me since I started at the school)
Counselor Rec: 10
Additional Rec: 10
Interview: absolutely 10
Other

State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): From Nigeria, go to school in England
Intended major: Maybe Political science, Chinese and Documentary Studies, Maybe Program II
School Type: Private, boarding, all-girls
Ethnicity: Black, African
Gender: F
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I don’t know it probably helped that I’m an international student who is also black (African) and is obsessed with arts and theatre, philosophy, awesome deep convos and has been learning to speak Chinese at an advanced level for 5 years

Reflection:

Strengths: recommendations, essay, interview, extracurriculars, additional arts supplement just for the heck of it (very detailed essay about process, research, approach and outcome for a play I directed)
Weaknesses: ACT scores
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:

tons of research which helped with the interview and when I met the director of admissions. Both kept emphasising I would be perfect for the school but I didn’t want to get my hopes up since they weren’t aware of my scores. Interview was 2 hours long, deep, personal and just fun meaningful discussion. I was just as me as I could be tbh and it clicked and I guess they saw that

talked a lot about Duke’s generous boundaries both metaphorically and physically speaking, vibrant arts scene, Duke Kunshan and wanting to just dive in and see the things I learn have real world impacts, especially in Nigeria. Also about the importance of community, at home and at boarding school since those are huge parts of my life.

General comments:

I’m still in shock but I am so freaking happy! I think being super passionate and dedicated to not just the stuff I’m interested in but the people around me played a big part in everything. Being introspective and having opinions and having visions for the future in the sense that i may not necessarily know exactly what I will do with what I learn at Duke or while I’m there but i have a lot of ideas and I know what they are directed at! Be honest! Clearly it is about hard work but it’s not all about scores! I kept saying they wouldn’t accept me because my scores were terrible and i haven’t done anything spectacular, even though I plan to, but it happened!!

13

[noparse]
Pick one:
Decision: Accepted

Pick one:
Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:

ACT: 33 C (32 E, 34M, 32 R, 34 S)
SAT II: 790 Physics, 770 Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 97.65 weighted

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): A lot

State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s): Economics
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: >100,000

14

Decision: Accepted

Pratt School of Engineering

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1540, 800 M, 740 CR
ACT: 34, 36 E, 35 M, 30 R, 36 S (29 Writing)

SAT II: 800 Math II, 790 Bio M, 770 Physics, 770 Math I, 770 Chemistry

Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.977
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 12/678
AP (place score in parenthesis): 16 Courses
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: 2 Dual Enrollment (Calc III/ Linear Algebra), AP Chem, AP Physics C: Emag/Mechancs, AP Lit, AP Micro and Macro Econ
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Questbridge National College Match Finalist, Questbridge College Prep Scholar, National AP Scholar, National Merit Commended Scholar, Department Award at school in
Physics

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Math Club (Pres, VP, Sec), Sci Oly, SNHS (Sec), Volunteering Club (Sec), Tennis
Job/Work Experience: Kumon Math and Reading Center (2.5 years, 10th-present)
Volunteer/Community service: Science museum, school honor societies, school volunteering club
Summer Activities: Summer Research Internship at Emory Medical School, Completed MOOCs (Cousera, edX)
Essays: ~7/10 wrote about solving a physics problem and what it meant to me.
Teacher Recommendation: 10/10 , 8/10
Counselor Rec: 10/10
Additional Rec: 10/10 (lab prof), 10/10 (employer)
Interview: 4/5

Other

State (if domestic applicant): GA
Country (if international applicant): USA
Intended major(s): Biomedical Engineering
School Type: Public Competitive
Ethnicity: Asian (Indian)
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Low
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First Gen Immigrant, Low Income, Questbridge

Reflection

Strengths: Scores, Grades, STEM focus
Weaknesses: Essays, no crazy awards

Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I think I just had a solid app.

General Comments:

15

Decision: Accepted

Pick one:
Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1400 (720 CR, 680 M)
ACT: 31 composite (31E 26M 36R 31S)
SAT II: 770 U.S. History
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 21/215
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Lang (5), AP Chem (3), APUSH (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis):N/A
Senior Year Course Load: Calculus, Molecular Bio, Honors English, Yoga & Aerobics, Health, AP Bio, Conceptual Physics, AP Gov, Honors Spanish IV
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Hispanic Scholar

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Competitive cheerleading (National/World titles), Varsity Cheer (Captain), Biology Club (President), Badminton Club (VP and Co-founder), Women’s History Month Committee (Officer), Chorus/Piano (Performed at Epcot in Florida)
Job/Work Experience: Babysitting
Volunteer/Community service: Teach local elementary school kids Spanish, Volunteer monthly at soup kitchen
Summer Activities: Spent 2 weeks with family in a Mexican pueblo and volunteered at their local hospital
Essays:
Common App: 9/10, wrote about how my failures define me and perceptions, it was super rhetorical and I spent a lot of time crafting it
Why Duke: 8/10, took a risk and it totally paid off
Diversity: 8/10, impactful, yet again another risk that turned out well
Teacher Recommendation: 10/10 English Teacher (She is my adult bff), 7/10 Chemistry Teacher (Knows me pretty well as a student and person, but not like my English teacher)
Counselor Rec: ?/10 I’ve only had him for 2 years but it was still probably decent
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: didn’t get one

Other

State (if domestic applicant): MA
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s): English and Biology
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Hispanic/Latino (Mexico)
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: >100K
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM (?)

Reflection

Strengths: My passion really shined through and I took extra care with my essays considering I want to be an English major. My extracurriculars are kind of unique as well. Lots of leadership
Weaknesses: Standardized testing, borderline/below
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I strongly believe that whoever read my application was able to tell how much I love Duke and how hard I am willing to work.

General Comments:
If you love Duke and find a way to show it, Duke will know. I am not the strongest applicant, but I am arguably one of the most passionate. Make something about yourself stand out and really stick with the things you love. Can’t wait for Blue Devil Days and for the next 4 years!!! Congrats to everyone else who got in!!

16

Decision: Accepted

Pick one:
Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

Just wanted to share the objective portion with people. Stats aren’t everything!

SAT I (breakdown): Composite: 1370 Math: 650 Reading/Writing: 720 Essay: 8
ACT: 27
SAT II: Biology: 670 Literature: 710 US History: 670
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.96
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 30/542
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP World (5) AP Environemenal (4) AP Lang (4) APUSH (5)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Macro/Micro, AP Computer Science, AP Calc AB, AP Biology, AP Literature, Concert Choir, German III HN

17

Decision: Accepted

Pick one:
Pratt School of Engineering

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1490; 780 CR; 710 Math (did not send)
ACT: 34 (35 E, 34 M, 33 R, 35 S, 26 W) - single sitting
SAT II: 700 Chemistry; 690 Math II (did not send either)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.98
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2 of 458
AP (place score in parenthesis):
Human Geography (5), European History (5), Psychology (4), English Lang (5), US History (5), BC Calculus (4), Chemistry (3), Environmental Science (4), and French (4)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics 1, AP Statistics, AP English Literature, AP Biology, AP Art History, AP US Government, Cinema Studies, Madrigal Vocal Ensemble
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National AP Scholar, National Merit Semifinalist, NatureBridge Alcoa Scholar, Girl Scout Silver Award, Girl Scout National Convention Delegate, Girl Scout Leadership Institute Attendee, Virginia Girls State Delegate

Subjective: (I am only including the things I included on the CommonApp; I did many more things)

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Theatre (Honor Thespian, Troupe Vice President, multiple lead roles in musicals, 2 time qualifier for competition at International Thespian Festival); Chorus (District chorus representative, student director of elite singing group, department Treasurer); National Honor Society (Treasurer); Girl Scouts (1st grade through present, Ambassador Scout, working on Gold Award, earned Silver Award, National Convention Delegate); Student Council (Executive Board, Media Director, Director of Morning Announcements, Citywide Representative); National English Honor Society (Secretary and VP); and Beekeeping Club (Officer of Science and Outreach)
Job/Work Experience: Babysitting, no real job
Volunteer/Community service: did not include much in my app, but I have completed over 700 hours of service since 9th grade; most community service in my app came from my mission trip and my Girl Scouting experience, as well as NHS
Summer Activities: 3 week mission trip to Hawaii as a member of a touring choir; 2 week grant-funded backpacking and research trip to Yosemite; 3 week French immersion program
Essays:
Common App: mine was very risky; I wrote about growing up through the lens of my experience with a bed bug infestation. I tried to keep it as creative and lighthearted as possible and formatted it almost satirically, relating it all to the five stages of grief.
Why Pratt?: I wove my entire essay around the concept of compassion and how its directly integrated into every facet of Duke, including the engineering curriculum.
Diversity: did not complete
Teacher Recommendation: very strong from 3 teachers (one chemistry, two English)
Counselor Rec: very strong; I got to know my counselor well throughout my time in high school
Additional Rec: strong, from my school’s Gifted Resource teacher/my 9th grade English teacher
Interview: was not offered one

Other

State (if domestic applicant): Virginia
Intended major(s): Environmental Engineering
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: (did not include) Asian & White, Mixed Race
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: over $100k per year
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): did grant-funded research in Yosemite National Park as one of 43 international students; girl in engineering

Reflection

Strengths: depth of many extracurriculars, ACT score, grant-funded research in Yosemite; self-studying AP course and getting a 4 on the exam (evidence of intellectual initiative/vitality), strong/creative essay
Weaknesses: too many recommendations(?), no interview, no sports, white/asian, 3 on chem exam
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: honestly, I saw Duke as a match school for me. I had been set on Stanford, but I fell in love with Duke at the Pratt Open House this fall and decided to apply ED. My parents and I were both pretty confident I would get in, so I was attentive to my application and worked to ensure that the final product wasn’t too polished and was entirely me. I did not have anyone proofread my app, and submitted the first draft of my CommonApp essay. I really wanted to make sure that I was being the truest version of myself and I think it worked!

18

Accepted!

19

Decision: Accepted

Pick one:
Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 2330 single sitting
ACT: Didn’t take it
SAT II: 790 Math II, 800 Chem, Waiting on Lit
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top decile
AP (place score in parenthesis):
IB (place score in parenthesis): HL Math, HL Chemistry, HL Economics, SL Literature, SL Theatre, SL Spanish, TOK
Senior Year Course Load: HL Math, HL Chemistry, HL Economics, SL Literature, SL Theatre, SL Spanish, TOK
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Scholar Commendation

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Varsity Basketball, Varsity Baseball, Three Plays (Lead Actor), Theatre Honor Society, Amnesty Club, Economics Club, Investment Club
Job/Work Experience: Interned at Small business, Interned at Insurance company, Interned at Government Think tank
Volunteer/Community service: Leader of Club which teaches math and English to underprivileged kids
Summer Activities: All my Job experience
Essays: Really good. 9/10 got them read by admission officers who were friends
Teacher Recommendation: Really good
Counselor Rec: She was new and didn’t know me so I assume good
Additional Rec: From one of my bosses and it was very good
Interview: Went for an hour and a half and went vert well

Other

State (if domestic applicant): Residence in NC, but currently living abroad
Country (if international applicant): India
Intended major(s): Economics and Public Policy (Double Major)
School Type: Private International School
Ethnicity: Indian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: >$250,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths: I think my SAT scores and course rigor were really good. I also had good essays
Weaknesses: My extracurriculars were nothing special besides my job experience
Why you think you were accepted: who knows? I’m sure the above info will give some insight on that.

General Comments:
So happy do be done with applications already!

20

]Decision: Accepted

Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:

SAT I none
ACT: 35, one sitting Sept of junior year
SAT II: 800 chem, 800 bio, 800 math 2, 790 world history, 740 lit, 610 Spanish -didn’t submit Spanish
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0 uw 4.68 w
Rank : high school doesn’t rank. 850 kids in class. Very strong class. #1 unweighted. Probably top 1-1.5% weighted
AP ): World History (5), Calc (5), Bio (5), Lang (5), Comp Gov (5), US Gov (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): none
Senior Year Course Load: AP Lit, Calc 3, Diff Eq, AP Physics C- E and M, AP Macro, AP Micro, Debate, mid-level Orchestra, PE
Major Awards : National Merit Semifinalist, some minor school stuff

Subjective:

Extracurriculars: Policy and a little other debate (Captain 2 years and did well at Nationals) summer debate camps, Orchestra (average Joe at best on the violin- but consistent over 13 years,) National Honor Society (leadership role,) Cross Country 4 years, Young Men’s Service Club at school, other good clubs at school
Job/Work Experience: taught debate for about 4 years at local middle school
Volunteer/Community service: little bit-- but really not a lot at ALL
Summer Activities: Summer Debate Institutes
Essays: Teacher and other good source said Common App was one of best ever seen. Why Duke was chock full of stuff that really is why I want to go to Duke. Diversity was about my community.
Teacher Recommendation: I hope they were good. I picked two excellent teachers I love.
Counselor Rec: I think it was good. At my school parents and students fill out questionnaire to help counselors. Did thorough job on that for counselor.
Additional Rec: none
Interview: It was so great. Nicest interviewer. It just so happened that she studied one of the current debate topics-- so lots to discuss.

Other

State : Colorado
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s): biology, political science
School Type: huge public
Ethnicity: white
Gender: male
Income Bracket: no financial aid requested
Hooks : Strong legacy. Both parents and one brother went. Parents have lots of time-giving for Duke, interviews etc. Not fancy connections, but lots of genuine involvement with Duke.

Reflection: whew

Strengths: academics, essays, probably recs, legacy
Weaknesses: activities were strong but nothing shocking
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: solid academics, essays, legacy

General Comments: yay