Should I E.D. or R.D. with these stats?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>Hi! I'm currently debating whether to E.D. to Duke or not, since the acceptance for E.D. seems to be considerably higher (almost two and half times!!). E.D.-ing makes me uncomfortable, but if I don't have a chance in R.D. I'll definitely regret not E.D.-ing. </p>

<p>Here are my stats. Will E.D.-ing be necessary/helpful in getting me in? Thank you! :) </p>

<p>Applying to: Pratt School of Engineering</p>

<p>Academic:
GPA unweighted: 3.92/4.0
School doesn't rank. </p>

<p>SAT: 2280 (CR: 800 Math: 740 Writing: 740)
SAT IIs: Math II 800, Chem 770, Chinese 760, Bio 710</p>

<p>AP Courses and Scores
Freshman Year: AP Chinese - 5
Junior Year: AP Calculus BC - 5, AP Chemistry - 5, AP English Language - 5</p>

<p>Senior Course Load:
- AP Statistics
- Contemporary Literature
- Leadership (must take class if on student government)
- AP Physics
- Economics/AP Government and Politics (second semester)</p>

<p>Awards:
- National Merit Commended Scholar
- FBLA Bay Section - Marketing - 8th place
- AP Scholar - With Honors</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>STUDENT GOVERNMENT:
- ASB Executive Council: Recognition commissioner, junior prom committee
CLUBS:
- Teen Health Awareness- President and co-founder, held Lupus Walk and raised over $1,000
- Youth Acting for Kids - Treasurer, Vice President
- Future Business Leaders of America - Public Relations
- Japanese National Honor Society
SPORTS:
- Tennis - JV two years, Varsity two years, Captain senior year
VOLUNTEERING:
- Hospital Information Desk Volunteer</p>

<p>Work Experience:
- Kumon Learning Center Tutor: 3 hours a week (2010-present)
- Ikain Intern : 3 hours a week (2009 until 2010)</p>

<p>Essays:
Common app - decent
Short answer - pretty good
Duke supplement - Haven't written, should be pretty good</p>

<p>Recommendations: US History teacher & AP Calculus Teacher. Both should be good!</p>

<p>Other:
•State (if domestic applicant): California
•School Type: Medium sized, very competitive public high school (Won Intel School of Distinction, with 6 Intel Semi-finalists)
•Ethnicity: Asian-American
•Gender: Female</p>

2

<p>Compare yourself to last year’s ED applicants:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/duke-university/1042708-official-duke-2015-ed-results-thread.html?highlight=ed+2015[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/duke-university/1042708-official-duke-2015-ed-results-thread.html?highlight=ed+2015&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Also, if Duke is your #1 choice, then why not give ED a shot? If you get rejected, there is a good chance that would have happened RD anyway.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the link! </p>

<p>I don’t know, Duke is actually my #2 choice after Stanford (LOL but I’m not getting into that), but still I kind of want options. (Especially since I live in California and UCs are a great deal for me, I don’t know if I’d want to give that up) I don’t know, I’d rather not ED if I don’t have to.</p>

4

<p>As discussed on other threads, ED does help, but that 2.5x consists of athletes and legacys along with other in the know people too. You seem very qualified, great scores and you are involved, so I think you would be very competitive for RD. ED does give you the slight advantage, but if you are uncomfortable with it, I still think you look like a very solid applicant for RD.</p>

<p>So in short it is not necessary, but it can help you a bit. Why not try for Stanford though SCEA, who knows what will happen? You seem qualified in every area, so you should be competitive.</p>

5

<p>Ohh, wait why do athletes/legacies tend to be in the early pool? O: And thank you for your help!</p>

6

<p>Legacy helps a lot more if you apply early decision, so most do. Athletes apply ED because it helps them a lot. Some sports have a lot of scholarships, but others have some and then some “spots” where the athlete still needs some academic minimums, but are encouraged to apply ED because the coach can help them more in the admissions process if they go ED.</p>

7

<p>ED wouldn’t hurt you but really there’s not a major difference between RD and Ed if your not a legacy or athlete.</p>

8

<p>If you want options, then you probably shouldn’t apply ED. What if you have regrets later?</p>