<p>While browsing through blogrings on my xanga, I ran in to the class of 2009 blogring for the specific college I wanted to go to. I commented on 8 or 10 of their xangas asking for advice..and what they thought stood them apart from other candidates. It is surprising how random people are excited that you are interested in their school and give you tons of realistic advice. Advice on college confidential ..what are my chances...are often unrealistic, but when you ask someone who actually got accepted this year the answers you get are definitely right on target. As for myself I learned a lot of factors that play a role in Dukes admissions..factors that are alot more emphasized on college confidential, but is relatively not important as other factors. For example..many of the students I asked..no legacy, urm status, athlete..said that they didn't really have any leadership positions or a long list of ec..one or two that they really put their heart into, but sat scores, gpa, and rigor of courses is more important. So go now and blog away...go to the sources..and find out what really matters! Hearing it from people that actually got accepted really gives me hope!</p>
<p>There are a lot of people on CC who have gotten into the schools you're interested in too...
But I wouldn't rely on Xanga comments either...</p>
<p>But how can you actually tell...most of these people are highschool students or parents, who are trying to get their children into the top colleges.</p>
<p>Well I don't think ANYONE can judge your chances accurately, but if you really wanted to get the most accurate information, you should venture into the 2009 forums of the schools and establish an emailing/PMing relationship. A lot of people are really eager to tell you more about the school...</p>
<p>Really..I've seen the 2009 forums, so those are the people that have already been accepted?</p>
<p>imacrazyscientist, no. they are fake.</p>
<p>thats what I thought..I mean anyone can post anything in the 2009 forums.</p>
<p>What? They're not all fake! That's an awfully pessimistic thing to say...how do you know that those Xanga people are for real?</p>
<p>I post the most in the Princeton 2009 forum and there are not only at least a dozen of frequent (for real) 2009ers posting but also some people who are already at pton (I can name five off the top of my head). They have been very helpful and reliable and I wouldn't doubt their authenticity for a second.</p>