UNC or Duke???

<p>I really dread the idea of posting my information in the Chances forum; however, I would really like some opinions from others regarding my situation as to applications next year. Let me give you the basics:</p>

<p>Live in NC
Junior (11th); Valedictorian -> 1/200
SAT = 1900; shooting for 2000.
EC's: Leo Club (all four years), Competitive Card Club (all four years), and Varsity Wrestling manager (lame, I just keep score and settle judging disputes), National Honor Society (11, 12)
Going to Governor's School this summer
Taking toughest course load - all AP's and classes at UNC-Greensboro
Very poor student; 4 children, single mom situation; hoping for lots of aid</p>

<p>So, those are the basics. I would really like to know should I shoot for Duke or UNC-Chapel Hill next fall. If I go for Duke, I am going ED; however, what if they don't offer me enough aid? Can I back out? My ultimate preference is to attend Duke for the name recognition, but I feel UNC has comparable academics. Do you think I could even get into Duke with my stats as it is? I am iffy on Duke; however, I feel that I could easily get into UNC as it is. What do you think? </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>honestly i don't think it would be worth EDing at Duke with a flat 2000 even if you are val. You have to be careful with Early Decision if money is a big concern. The ED contract is binding, but keep in mind UNC has an early action option.</p>

<p>Yes, my auspicious nature desires a nice scholarship that many of my school's past valedictorians have gotten. Hopefully, I will get some sort of nice aid. (just an hour ago I was working on an application for a scholarship of 30,000 dollars)</p>

<p>Would a 2000 SAT be more fitting for Regular Decision? I was under the assumption that it is easier for lower SAT-scorers in the ED department.</p>

<p>if you have your sights set on Duke then definitely go for it, but the typical unhooked applicant has about a 2200. Your val status should make up for some of the difference. also Duke doesn't pay attention to the writing section</p>

<p>Well, that blows. Writing is my best section! I am very good at critical reading as well, it is just that damn math section that I do so average on. </p>

<p>As of late, I am really feeling that my hopes at Duke are pretty hopeless because of my SAT scores. Although I know the admissions process is holistic, I feel like a 2000 or whatever may not be good enough for "just another valedictorian" or whatever. Hopefully when I take my AP tests at the end of this year and build up my EC's I will be "hookable." </p>

<p>By the way, does anybody know if Duke accepts credit from UNC-Greensboro? I read on their site they don't accept any form of community college credit; however, UNCG is a university. I will come into university with about 18 credits from UNCG. I would really like to have them accept those as I have put a lot of work into my college classes with nothing below an "A-" I am taking/will take</p>

<p>Philosophy 121
Sociology 101
Western Civ 101 & 102
Principals of MacroEconomics
Some other class</p>

<p>Study up and get a 2100 on the SAT. I bet it's possible. Or take the ACT. A 31+ on the ACT and I think you'll have a good shot at Duke. They're a bit less strict with instate applicants at Duke. I think you have a great shot at both, especially if you get the SAT/ACT up a bit. Anyway...where do you go to school?</p>

<p>Governor's school will help a lot I bet. What are you going in?</p>

<p>I was stupid as a junior and only applied in music and had a bad audition that day....wish I applied in social studies. oh well, can't do anything about it now i guess.</p>

<p>Duke loves valedictorians, and in-state valedictorians even more! That said, could someone confirm about Duke not looking at the writing portion of the SAT? I looked all over the website but could not find that information.</p>

<p>actually i just messaged one of the adcoms there and was replied to with the following:</p>

<p>Thanks for your message and your interest in Duke. Since we do consider the Writing section of the SAT, I'd suggest you check with the College Board about your score report. </p>

<p>We'd be glad to consider any scores reported by your school as official, too. Please keep this in mind if you have any trouble with College Board or want to avoid the expense of sending scores again.</p>

<p>Best wishes,
Anne Sjostrom
Associate Director, Duke Admissions</p>

<p>hmmmmm....that's different than what they told me when I visited this summer.</p>

<p>I am going to Governor's school for English! :P </p>

<p>I was nominated in pretty much everything except math, though.</p>

<p>Your SAT is not too low for Duke, especially considering your situation. Yeah, it would help if it were higher, but I've seen students get in and get nominated for scholarships with your scores and without your mitigating circumstances. (UNC-CH gives out a lot more merit scholarships than Duke, but unfortunately those seem to depend a lot more on test scores.)</p>

<p>Anyway, I feel I might as well go about raising my SAT score above 2000; however, I don't want to waste a lot of time studying for some crazy exam that is not indicative of much of anything. I would much rather spend my spare studying time taking a look into philosophy or some other field I am interested in. Random google searches ftw! However, as the above poster stated, higher scores will get better merit aid and whatnot.</p>

<p>(Hi Sligh)
How much would legacy status affect admissions at Duke and UNC-CH? </p>

<p>I'm considered a Legacy at Duke, I'm considered a double Legacy at UNC-CH and Hinton James (the first student at UNC-CH) is my great-great uncle. (I heard they made a big deal about the relationship to Hinton James when one of my relatives applied there.) </p>

<p>From what I see by looking it up, Duke has a 21% acceptance rate, and UNC-CH has a bout 34%. </p>

<p>I think you could get into either. (Unless NCSSM calls UNC... j/k)
~James</p>

<p>hinton james? only a great great uncle. geez more like great great great great uncle. he enrolled in 1775</p>

<p>My dad got it wrong. (I just asked him a few minutes ago.) </p>

<p>Hinton James was his Grandfather's uncle... so that would make him my dad's father's Great Uncle, his Great Great Uncle, and My Great Great Great uncle. He may have that wrong though. LOL But I'm related to him nonetheless.</p>

<p>you're valedictorian and you only have 1900? my schools bottom 50% get 1900</p>

<p>but dukey baby all the way!</p>

<p>Well then you must go to a very good school I guess.</p>