There wasn’t a thread for RD applicants so I decided I would create one. Discuss anything here. From asking what your odds of getting accepted are to talking about what Duke means to you.
When are Duke decisions being released?
@bigarmer There are a few threads on this question already, and after anxiously checking them for updates since January 1st, I’ve learned that most people are speculating that decisions will be released on Thursday, March 26th or Ivy Day. Last year, decision were released on Ivy Day, which just so happened to be the Thursday before April 1st. Princeton and Penn have both confirmed the 31st, so there’s a slight possibility that Duke might release decisions then. Ultimately we don’t know! But regardless, we should know within a week or two.
Next Thursday at 7pm! Good luck everyone!
Seeing all the likely letters has made me more nervous than ever!
So, in an email this morning announcing the decision date, the second paragraph reads:
“Since we deliver our decision letters to applicants, we expect only the applicant will be checking his or her decision online. When you decide to check your decision online, we strongly encourage you to do so in the privacy of your own residence, not at school. We believe your decision is a private matter, and for many reasons we have found it is best for applicants to be away from friends and classmates when they check their decisions.”
Did everyone get this text? Even the likely letter recipients…this almost sounds like an “unlikely” alert
Yeah that’s just the stock email. I don’t think it means anything. Unless we both got rejected, in which case go us.
Reading comprehension skills are key, y’all. I totally skipped over the first two paragraphs and went straight to the portal. 5 minutes of anxiously clicking around to find it, come to find out that I’m not stupid, the results just aren’t there yet. So maybe I am stupid. It’s chill.
@Calculemus: Same notice as sent last year to all applicants. Either way, that decision hits hard.
7 ET ?
^I think so.
I’m going to be at work so hopefully that distracts me… But I don’t know. Getting into Duke is like a lottery and you never know. I’m just hoping that I’m right above their ‘cutoff’ line haha XD
BTW, does Duke put interviews into their admissions process? My essays were tad on the boring side (I have a tendency to sound EXTREMELY pedantic on essays & I tried to sound as okay as possible but I think I failed) but I nailed my interview… 
@gamink348 I feel the same way about my essays and interview!
The Duke interview was by far my best; I just had a great time getting to know my interviewer and talking about my passions and interests. It was exciting- something many of the others were not…
Sooo I hope they’re taken seriously along with everything else!
Since we have all submitted our applications, I would like some feedback on my essay. It is beyond necessary to correct grammatically I simply want feedback on content. I would appreciate it so much, thanks. I chose the question of Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
The nurses gossiped and chatted about nothing in particular, a young man paced back and forth across the room, machines faintly beeped in the distance, but I perceived none of this. I was numb, shocked, and nervous. My grandfather laid in an operating room somewhere across the hospital and all I could do was sit there helplessly and wait. At the young age of thirteen, I witnessed my grandfather undergo quadruple heart bypass surgery. My grandfather was involved in my life from a very young age. He would always be there for me when I needed him. He was my rock. The one event, that has been the most influential in molding my life into what it is today, would be the story of my grandfather’s complicated heart surgery and the results that came after the procedure. His lifelong dream of moving back to his family ranch was crushed by the monumental surgery and the further deterioration of his health.
I decided to leave my friends and family and move to the ranch with him. At the ranch I took care of him, as well as myself, for three years. His poor health and frequent dialysis treatments prevented him from functioning independently. My typical responsibilities for the day ranged from preparing his breakfast to feeding the cattle to doing anything else that could ease the load that lay upon my grandfather.
Caring for my grandfather allowed me to become a more responsible person, as often I had to focus not only on schoolwork and myself, but also on the work that needed to be done around the house and helping my grandfather in every way possible. I grew more empathetic because I had experience dealing with great adversity. I also learned how to manage with stress; there were nights were I had to stay awake to continually check on my grandfather’s breathing and then get myself up and go to school the following morning. Some nights I was so exhausted from school that I would barely be able to function, yet I would put a smile on my face and help my grandfather and make sure that he was happy even when I myself wasn’t.
My grandfather’s ordeal changed my life and helped me become the person I am today because it taught me how to make it through the hard times. It taught me the value of relationships and the strength of love, and most importantly it taught me that I could change the world through the smallest of actions. Recently, I moved back to my grandfather’s ranch to care for him while his health continued to deteriorate. Although I have been through three high school changes and many sleepless nights, I do not regret caring for my grandfather. My sacrifices seem minute when compared to the opportunity to help my loved one and if given the opportunity I would not change anything.
On many occasions throughout this difficult ordeal I had thought about moving back to my hometown, but my deep love for my grandfather prevailed every time. Throughout the entire endeavor I stuck it out because of my deep love for him. He inspired me to persevere through every challenge and I’ll never forget the day he told me “Austin, you have such an amazing heart. Make something with your life and get into a good college and then you can really make this world a better place.”
I like the 7 PM release time. Actually, I think a later time would be even better if it is a weekday. The last thing a kid needs during a stressful class, is getting rejected from colleges. Imagine applying to all the Ivies, and getting rejected from them all within a few minutes of each other, And, during the school day. So many kids know where their classmates applied, so they will be asked about the outcome while the kids have classes or riding the bus. Depressing! Thank you MIT for releasing both EA and RD on non school days.
@Austin96 probably not the best idea to put your essay here where everyone can see it… T
Everyone has already submitted so I don’t necessarily see the problem with it.
@austin96 Your story is lovely, but you shouldn’t post it here. As you said, applications have already been submitted so posting the essay is pointless.
Edited to add; some unscrupulous person will take it to use for him/herself.
Alright. Also what are these “Likely letters?”
Duke just released their likely letter for Latinos today! I got one.
Can someone post what the likely letters say
@k4vglitcher Congrats!!! I just got one too!!!