Pratt or Trinity? ED or not?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
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<p>I'm a rising senior planning on applying to Duke and I found that this site was very helpful for many people with similar situations to mine. My test scores are well below the Duke averages and are by no means impressive by their competitive standard, but I'm a well-rounded student and would like to know what school I should apply to and if I should do ED or not. I'm very math oriented and am interested in pursuing engineering but from what I've heard Pratt cares more about test scores so I was considering applying Trinity and then potentially transferring to Pratt after a year if my chances of admission would increase with Trinity. As for ED, I plan on retaking my SAT's this fall and my new scores would have no effect if I applied ED so I want to know if an increased SAT score would increase my chances more than applying ED would. With all of this in mind I'll post my basic profile, any feedback would be greatly appreciated!</p>

<p>SAT:
Math:730, CR:680, Writing: 660
Math II: 730, Physics: 670</p>

<p>Current GPA (Weighted/Unweighted): 4.65/4.00</p>

<p>High School Core Classes:
Freshman: Hon Bio, hon English, hon Spanish 2, AP World History, hon Alg II
Sophomore: Hon chem, hon English, hon Spanish 3, AP Euro, hon Trig, Hon Math Analysis
Junior: AP Micro, AP English, APUSH, AP Calc AB, Hon physics (AP not offered to juniors), hon Spanish 4
Senior (Upcoming): AP Chem, AP Physics B, AP Literature, AP Gov, AP Spanish, AP Calc BC</p>

<p>Sports completed by graduation: 2 years varsity cross country, 2 years indoor track, 4 years varsity soccer</p>

<p>I also have lots of other EC's and volunteering but I'm not posting them as I don't think that they will have much influence on which school I apply to. Any recommendations on specific EC's and community service that would look really good would be welcomed though.</p>

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<p>Also forgot to mention that I will be captain of both cross country and soccer</p>

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<p>Why wouldn’t you apply ED if you really want to go to Duke? It’ll really boost your chances of being accepted.</p>

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<p>Your stats might be a bit on the low ends for Pratt, which mainly looks at the numbers. If your ECs are diverse and interesting, I suggest Trinity. But what majors are you interested in?</p>

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<p>Also, it’s difficult to transfer from Trinity to Pratt from what I’ve heard. You’ll be behind on requirements after your first year.</p>

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<p>Yeah that’s what they told me on my tour but my scores truly are just too low for Pratt right now and I wasn’t sure if I’d still make the ED deadline if I had to take SAT’s in the fall. MBV I am interested in an engineering major but I agree with you that my application would probably fare better with Trinity which is why I posted this topic.</p>

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<p>Duke will take test scores from the October ACT or the November SAT even for ED applicants. And you should apply to the program you really want, not the “strategic” one. You’ll write a better application about what you really care about. </p>

<p><a href=“http://admissions.duke.edu/application/timeline”>http://admissions.duke.edu/application/timeline&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>drewwol1129: I believe you’ve received some excellent advice. Misanthrope1 is absolutely correct; on an annually demonstrated basis, ED will marginally improve your opportunity to be accepted (and with near 33K applicants and only approximately 1735 freshman, every little bit helps). SomeOldGuy’s suggestion is also entirely sound; if you want an undergraduate engineering education, apply to Pratt, however, if you want an "arts and sciences"degree, apply to Trinity. You might want to ask yourself a simple, but critical question: if I am not admitted to Duke, in what area do I want to concentrate?</p>

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<p>It’s actually rather easy to transfer from Trinity to Pratt. Very doable. </p>

1 Like
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<p>I transferred from Trinity to Pratt at the end of my freshman year. It’s as difficult as filling out a sheet of paper.</p>

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<p>^Well, I assume you planned your curriculum accordingly (took math, science, intro engineering perhaps even) and did well enough to make it not an issue. So, yes, it’s not hard if you plan. It’s not like some schools where you really have to “apply” to the other college to get in - Duke basically requires you to simply fill out a form as you described. But Pratt to Trinity is even easier as you don’t have to plan ahead. You won’t be that behind on requirements and they don’t even care if you got a couple D’s in math - Trinity will still accept you as long as you’re still a Duke student. ;)</p>

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<p>But I didn’t get a couple D’s in math. Math is my strongest subject my far and my test scores show that, but everyone in Pratt has even better scores. I have a solid all-around application and a really strong essay which seems to appeal to Trinity more. If I were to apply Trinity I would definitely plan my classes so that I could transfer to Pratt my second year and it sounds like that wouldn’t be a problem, but I just want to know which school would give me a better chance with my application? Also I’m interested in knowing if I were to go to Trinity would the prerequisite engineering classes be as available to me as they would be for Pratt students or would I just have to hope that they don’t fill up?</p>

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<p>Also just got in my AP Scores. Calc-5 APUSH-5 English-4 Micro-4</p>

<p>Not really sure how AP scores factor into the admission process if they do at all but if so then I would think that this would help my chances.</p>

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<p>My college counselor used to be an admissions officer at Brown and according to him, AP scores are important, but less so than GPA/course load --> SAT --> SAT II</p>

<p>Those are great scores and should help with your chances. Your GPA is great. BTW, if you take the October test, those scores will be used for admissions. </p>

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<p>So right now my plan is to take the SAT in October and then the SAT II’s in November and if I improve my scores I’ll likely apply to Pratt and if they don’t go up I’ll consider applying to Trinity as the transfer sounds pretty simple. I’m also going to spend a day and night down at the campus with a friend who is a current student this fall so I’m sure he’ll be able to help me make a decision based on his personal experience. You guys have given me some great feedback I really appreciate it. If anyone else has any further advice I’d love to hear it.</p>

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<p>One further piece of advice: essays and recommendations can be crucial, distinguishing your application from the large and excellent “pack,” especially if they explain – and document – why and how your inclusion in '19 will benefit your classmates, the faculty and Duke’s many constituencies, both during your undergraduate tenure and thereafter. They merit hard, innovate thought. </p>

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<p>I transferred from Trinity to Pratt. Your scores are a bit low. If you’re still scrambling to find EC’s, then I think your chances are slim. </p>

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<p>Pratt is unlimited AP credits and has no foreign language requirement. I think Trinity only allows 2 AP credits and requires a foreign language. And with some AP credits Pratt has some great programs that allow you to double major with a discipline within Trinity like econ or computer science.</p>