How competitive is Duke Ellington to get into?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are interviews for all departments pretty much done?

*family interviews

yes

How do you know?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you apply to multiple Departments at Duke and go through the interview process for both? My DD is very good at her instrument and I honestly think she’d be a shoe-in for admission. However, she would prefer to do drama. She’s a good little actress, but so are lots of kids, so I don’t think she stands out in the same way. Could she list Drama ahead of Instrument so that the latter could be a backup? Or does she have to pick?

Your child can apply to up to 2 of the programs.

Thanks for the info!

[Anonymous]

lol no.

[Anonymous]

Why is it that the theater department family interviews are at the end of March 2025?

[Anonymous]

My son received all the callbacks and was pretty confident up until now. He knows people that received the family invitation but not for the theatre department. We haven’t heard received anything as far as a family interview. Has anyone else received a callback from the theatre department?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son received all the callbacks and was pretty confident up until now. He knows people that received the family invitation but not for the theatre department. We haven’t heard received anything as far as a family interview. Has anyone else received a callback from the theatre department?

We had our family interview for the theater department last week and know a family that had theirs the week before. I’m not sure if they’re still going on. Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son received all the callbacks and was pretty confident up until now. He knows people that received the family invitation but not for the theatre department. We haven’t heard received anything as far as a family interview. Has anyone else received a callback from the theatre department?

My DD’s bestfriend had their family interview for the theater department the week of March 3rd. Im not sure if they are still doing family interviews but you could possibly reach out to someone in the department to see if they are done. Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the feedback!

[Anonymous]

Anyone else have a kid super bummed that they didn't get to the family interview stage? Is it right for them to assume that they won't be admitted and lottery results will be "ineligible" this week?

My kid is assuming the worst, though I've tried to just listen and present as much neutral response as possible because truly I don't understand how this all works for all of their different departments. I just say we can't assume anything at this point, but I understand the anxiety. (I feel it, too.)

[Anonymous]

Very empathetic with your situation. My kid made it to callbacks but we didn’t get invited to a family interview while others did, so we moved to the conclusion that it’s a no. My kid is so disappointed after all the effort. I’m bracing myself to see “ineligible” on Friday but to some degree welcome some closure as it has been a drawn-out process of high anxiety, abetted by not having a lot of information from the school. Good luck to everyone waiting to hear about DESA or other schools!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone else have a kid super bummed that they didn't get to the family interview stage? Is it right for them to assume that they won't be admitted and lottery results will be "ineligible" this week?

My kid is assuming the worst, though I've tried to just listen and present as much neutral response as possible because truly I don't understand how this all works for all of their different departments. I just say we can't assume anything at this point, but I understand the anxiety. (I feel it, too.)

I am wishing the best of luck for all of the students who put in ALL the effort to apply and go through the steps at DESA (and any other selective school). I keep hearing don't assume anything whether you got to the family interview stage or not, so all types of anxiety are kicking in. Nuetral responses are your best way of parenting at this point and we all are in the same boat. And not really knowing exacts make room for anxiety to creep in also. Some have said there doesn't need to be a family interview, while some say its mandatory. It's nerve wrecking at a minimum. Parent to parent, I feel like you are doing the best you can with what you have!

[Anonymous]

Vocal department applicant mom here — and we are sitting on pins and needles. Rumours were that there were only eight or ten slots for that program . . . How can that even happen? I DID count the day we did first call backs (half of alphabet in that applicant pool) and there were maybe 24 or so students. The second call back, maybe half of that . . .

Any idea on when Duke will post tomorrow?

How many kids have it in them to apply a second time if they do not get in the first . . . ? And if it is THIS hard to get into as a freshman, what could you possible do that whole year at a public school to make one’s self a good applicant for sophomore year? Eek!

Golly but this is SOOO hard. God save us ALL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vocal department applicant mom here — and we are sitting on pins and needles. Rumours were that there were only eight or ten slots for that program . . . How can that even happen? I DID count the day we did first call backs (half of alphabet in that applicant pool) and there were maybe 24 or so students. The second call back, maybe half of that . . .

Any idea on when Duke will post tomorrow?

How many kids have it in them to apply a second time if they do not get in the first . . . ? And if it is THIS hard to get into as a freshman, what could you possible do that whole year at a public school to make one’s self a good applicant for sophomore year? Eek!

Golly but this is SOOO hard. God save us ALL!

In another post, people report seeing lottery results online the night before — around 10pm, I think is what they said.

I’m planning to keep refreshing so I can check and be prepared to share news with my kid.

It really is hard waiting for acceptance decisions for this opportunity when all the kids have all worked so hard!

Good luck to your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vocal department applicant mom here — and we are sitting on pins and needles. Rumours were that there were only eight or ten slots for that program . . . How can that even happen? I DID count the day we did first call backs (half of alphabet in that applicant pool) and there were maybe 24 or so students. The second call back, maybe half of that . . .

Any idea on when Duke will post tomorrow?

How many kids have it in them to apply a second time if they do not get in the first . . . ? And if it is THIS hard to get into as a freshman, what could you possible do that whole year at a public school to make one’s self a good applicant for sophomore year? Eek!

Golly but this is SOOO hard. God save us ALL!

Right there with you!! Very hard indeed and there is absolutely NOTHING we can do but wait! SMH
I have heard that sometimes they post the night before. I don't know the validity of that but I can say that I understand your anxiousness with all the questions that you asked. I asked my kid what they would do if they didn't get in and at first they said, cry until they had no more tears and then they said "if at first you don't suceed try try again." But like you asked, how many usually have that in them. This was no walk in the park by any means for any student that auditioned. And to go through this again would be... WOW! I feel so helpless so I too have sat on the pins and needles you are referring to. Sending positive vibes your way. Good luck to your kid!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vocal department applicant mom here — and we are sitting on pins and needles. Rumours were that there were only eight or ten slots for that program . . . How can that even happen? I DID count the day we did first call backs (half of alphabet in that applicant pool) and there were maybe 24 or so students. The second call back, maybe half of that . . .

Any idea on when Duke will post tomorrow?

How many kids have it in them to apply a second time if they do not get in the first . . . ? And if it is THIS hard to get into as a freshman, what could you possible do that whole year at a public school to make one’s self a good applicant for sophomore year? Eek!

Golly but this is SOOO hard. God save us ALL!

In another post, people report seeing lottery results online the night before — around 10pm, I think is what they said.

I’m planning to keep refreshing so I can check and be prepared to share news with my kid.

It really is hard waiting for acceptance decisions for this opportunity when all the kids have all worked so hard!

Good luck to your kid.

I have also been trying to figure out HOW to share the results with my kid. I don't know why this is a major issue in my mind but I guess it is part of the process.