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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Duke:

So unlike the Ivies, Duke, has a strict numerical point system in which applicants are rated on six distinct criteria, as opposed to the two ratings given by the Ivies, so that when you apply to an Ivy League school, they give you an academic rating and a personal grade, those are the two ratings. When you apply to Duke, they have six different distinct ratings that they give you:

"For applicants to Trinity, applicants are rated on six different criteria, and each criteria is weighted 10 points for a total of 60 points maximum.

- Strength of curriculum (AP courses, etc.) = 10 points
- Grades and class rank = 10 points
- SAT/ACT scores = 10 points
- Extra-curricular achievement with focus on national awards = 10 points
- Essays = 10 points
- Letters of recommendation = 10 points"

And so generally, you wanted your overall composite score for these six different criteria to be over 45 to really have a serious shot of getting in.***

NOTE:  Duke no longer giving numerical rating to standardized testing, essays in undergraduate admissions as of this year - so the scoring has changed to a max of 40 points instead of 60.

According to Guttentag, the only categories given numerical ratings now are the four categories that remain: “the strength of a student’s curriculum, their grades in academic courses, their extracurricular activities and the letters of recommendation.” Many people think this makes ECs MUCH MORE IMPORTANT at Duke than other T10s.

https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2024/02/duke-university-undergraduate-admissions-changes-numerical-rating-standardized-testing-essays-covid-test-optional-ai-generated-college-consultants[/quote]

I'm looking ahead at my kid's RD application to Duke and questioning which essays DC chose in the draft application.
Shouldn't the essays be focused more on the ECs or intellectual curiosity/academics (vs. community or identity) given the way the scoring works? OR am I overthinking this?

There are two optional essays - and the choices are:

[i]We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. Feel free to answer one or two if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already shared elsewhere in your application. Five optional questions are available – a maximum of 2 can be selected.[/i]

1.  We believe a wide range of viewpoints, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to maintaining Duke as a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.

2.  Tell us about an experience in the past year or two that reflects your imagination, creativity, or intellect.

3.  We believe there is benefit in sharing or questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?

4.  Duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community.

5.  We recognize that not fully “fitting in” a community or place can sometimes be difficult. Duke values the effort, resilience, and independence that may require. Feel free to share with us circumstances where something about you is different and how that’s influenced your experiences or identity.
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