<p>When I look at admission outcomes it looks as if Duke turns down many applicants with high grades and/or high scores. Are there other qualities Duke values?</p>
<p>Grades and sat scores are really on the bottom of the list for Duke. Duke wants the leaders of tomorrow, not just in politics but in art, dance, design, science, philosophy, service etc. Duke looks for people who have a passion and run with it. They want people who will make a difference OUTSIDE of the classroom! Good luck and ask me any questions you have!!</p>
<p>DUKE '15 :)</p>
<p>Duke “scores” applicants on a 5 point scale in each of 6 areas (for a total possible of 30 points). Grades and standardized scores fit into 2 of the 6 categories. So, yes, they are important, but so are the other areas…</p>
<p>[Duke</a> Magazine-Admissions 101-January/February 2006](<a href=“http://www.dukemagazine.duke.edu/dukemag/issues/010206/crop-admissions1.html]Duke”>http://www.dukemagazine.duke.edu/dukemag/issues/010206/crop-admissions1.html)</p>
<p>“Using a five-point scale, he or she rates you in each of six areas: rigor of high-school academic program, academic performance, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities and personal qualities, personal statement and essay, and standardized testing.”</p>
<p>This may be so, but according to my daughter’s school naviance, the average accepted SAT and GPA for Duke, from her high school, is higher than any similar school with enough data to post. (D goes to a northern, public, well-regarded school. There were 8 applicants; four were accepted; average SAT 2338, GPA 4.0.)</p>
<p>Of course, I’m sure that the accepted students were also fabulous in all the other areas, and it’s just a coincidence that their scores were so high. :)</p>
<p>I’m sorry, I take that information back; it was from the College Match section of Naviance, which was adjusted to reflect a very high SAT and GPA. When the SAT was lowered to 2100+, there were 16 applicants, 6 of whom were accepted, with an average SAT of 2260 and a 4.0. When it’s lowered to 2000+, there were 24/7/2226/3.9–8 more applicants, one more acceptance, and still the average scores are quite high. Which is not to say that you can’t get into Duke with SATs below a certain point, just that it seems to be a lot more statistically unlikely.</p>
<p>In the Naviance data I looked at several high GPA’s and high test scored were denied admission. So it seems leadership does play a substatial role in selection. It doesn’t seem like Duke is interested in research accomplishments.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses.</p>
<p>Actually, Duke is very interested in outside research, if it is significant. They have an optional essay question on their supplement that specifically asks about research. See question 23b…</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.admissions.duke.edu/jump/applying/DukeSupp2012.pdf[/url]”>http://www.admissions.duke.edu/jump/applying/DukeSupp2012.pdf</a></p>