<p>I got an email a couple of hours ago saying that Duke has shortlisted me as a finalist for the AB Duke Scholarship, and that they want me to come for a visit and interview on April 5-7. Since I am an international from India, and in dire need of all the money (and all else) that the AB Duke offers - and since Duke is footing the bill for the visit - this is really a Big Deal, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. BTW, the email mentions that I have already been accepted for admission.</p>
<p>But, here comes the crunch. <em>sigh</em></p>
<p>My final school leaving exam, starting in a week's time, actually ends on - OMG - April 5! :( And unlike a school test, this is a public exam, involving 6,00,000 students, so dates are FIXED!!!! :( :(</p>
<p>Even if rush out of home that evening after the exam, and take the loooooong flight, the earliest I can reach Durham is April 7 morning - most likely pack-up time for the 41 other students called for the interview.</p>
<p>Why, oh why ... :(</p>
<p>As I wait with fingers crossed to hear about whether there is still a way to keep my candidacy alive, any suggestions from anybody out there?</p>
<p>Maybe talk to the school about it, they might understand.
Also congrats on the AB Duke scholarship!!! You obviously have a very impressive resume!</p>
<p>@Mondo - Thanks, but this is only an interview call, and if I can make it to the interview, I will have a 15/42 chance of actually getting the scholarship. The problem is, my school doesn't have any control over the schedule of this public examination, which is managed by a government council that sets dates several months in advance. I will try to persuade Duke to offer me some flexibility, but am not sure if that will work out.</p>
<p>@keeper545 - yep, 42 is the number they mentioned in the email.</p>
<p>1.) Don't take the exam and go to Duke that weekend. I have no idea how important this public exam is or what it determines. Perhaps it is required to graduate and thus this option is not viable. Also, it seems as if you can't take the exam any time later or earlier, but perhaps months later? What about people who take courses over the summer? Do they not have an option of an end of summer exam so people can proceed on to college? Maybe they have to take it before they graduate....</p>
<p>2.) Ask Duke if you can come earlier. If there really is no way to move the exam date and it is required to graduate, you have to ask Duke if you can come earlier for the interviews. Later is most likely not an option because they will not want to wait to evaluate you.</p>
<p>3.) Conduct interviews over the phone? Don't know if this is possible, but I'd suggest it to whomever you speak with.</p>
<p>I'd really suggest you do EVERYTHING in your power to get an interview for the AB Duke scholarship. This is an amazing opportunity of a lifetime and you will immensely regret it if you pass it up.</p>
<p>@bluedog - Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I really appreciate it. I have now heard from Duke, and fortunately they are still keeping me in running for the scholarship (which from this year is not only full-tuition but full-ride). I could have reached Durham on April 6, but as luck would have it, the meetings / tours / interviews will be over by 6th evening. They said they will arrange a video / telephone interview. I will give it my best shot - that's the only thing I can do now.</p>
<p>As it happens, I cannot travel earlier, because of other exams through that week. And I can't take that exam later - there are no make-up dates. Basically it means you take it or leave it (= you don't graduate from H.S.). Too bad, but that's the way it is.</p>
<p>I am a current AB Duke senior and have been involved in some of the discussions surrounding scheduling, etc. International students who require special travel arrangements were notified via email, but the remaining students will be notified via mail later this week. I believe the notifications will be sent Friday.</p>
<p>Who needs to graduate from high school if you get a full ride for college :-D Seriously, though, my feelings are that The Powers That Be at the ABD's "get" this, so just make sure you are communicating with them. Though he might be loathe to admit it, egw4's kinda a big deal around here.</p>
<p>Thank you. I am actually doing just that. And everybody at Duke has been very considerate in accommodating my situation. So I am in the running and keeping my fingers crossed. And yes, you are absolutely right, the ABD is so much more than a "mere" full-ride that one wishes one could ignore trivialities like writing a high school examination :D.</p>
<p>I have also gotten a email about the admission and the scholarship. Wannabe, if we attend the interviews in april, does it mean we have chosen Duke as our final decision? Or can we decide to go to a different school because it is too early to make a decision when the deadline to sign to for the interviews is march 21st. I wont be hearing from other school until the 1st of april</p>
<p>moongurl - Congrats! Attending the interview doesn't mean of course that you are committing finally, though you have already been accepted for admission to Duke. I assume once you know about the scholarship competition outcome soon after the interview, you can compare all your offers and make your final choice by May 1.</p>