Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS got in.

- 3.92/4.0 GPA, 4.45 wGPA
- 1540 SAT
- plays two varsity sports (not recruited)
- captain of debate team
- part time work for 1 year in fast food

FCPS HS, UMC, no hooks.

Congrats! For 2026? Which major?

Are you rich or poor?

2026, economics. Our income is $360k, so not quite poor I think

The advice that I think helped was for DS to work 6-12 months to demonstrate humility, "not a jerk", etc.

PP. I asked which major and year, but not income. Thanks for responding. Congrats again. My kid also ED for economics. I think it is a very competitive major for Duke. Keeping fingers crossed for my kid (no hook, not pointy, well-rounded, well-liked, high-stat, great ECs kid)

Anonymous wrote:My kid just got back from study aboard where there was a mix of kids from other schools. Said the Duke kids were insufferable and cliquey as a group (only wanted to be with other Duke kids). YMMV.

who'd they say the nicest kids were??

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS got in.

- 3.92/4.0 GPA, 4.45 wGPA
- 1540 SAT
- plays two varsity sports (not recruited)
- captain of debate team
- part time work for 1 year in fast food

FCPS HS, UMC, no hooks.

Congrats! For 2026? Which major?

Are you rich or poor?

2026, economics. Our income is $360k, so not quite poor I think

The advice that I think helped was for DS to work 6-12 months to demonstrate humility, "not a jerk", etc.

MY DH was a TA there while getting his PhD. He said the kids were the smartest, most self-directed, most motivated he's ever seen. Cliquey, sure, insufferable, probably. But also very very competitive.

There's a very prestigious "school of math and science" public highschool in durham adjacent to Duke. I wonder if it's a major feeder.

My kid just got back from study aboard where there was a mix of kids from other schools. Said the Duke kids were insufferable and cliquey as a group (only wanted to be with other Duke kids). YMMV.

My DC got in ED last year. No hooks.

How do people not understand what a 5% acceptance rate means? Yes, people get in. The majority do not.

https://admissions.duke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2029ClassProfile.pdf

Helps to have a great jump shot. Or play lacrosse.

Anonymous wrote:I only know of legacies - and only the kids of big donors

This is who I know and they are probably both.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS got in.

- 3.92/4.0 GPA, 4.45 wGPA
- 1540 SAT
- plays two varsity sports (not recruited)
- captain of debate team
- part time work for 1 year in fast food

FCPS HS, UMC, no hooks.

Congrats! For 2026? Which major?

Are you rich or poor?

Anonymous wrote:Stephen Miller.

Reason enough not to go there.

Anonymous wrote:It is nearly impossible.

This. I know people will riot for me saying this, but it's almost like a HYPSM situation and there's a chance you're throwing away your ED.

Not the same level- but also Vanderbilt rejected a lot of ultra high stats kids ED this year, where they haven't in the past.

Seinfeld

Anonymous wrote:DS got in.

- 3.92/4.0 GPA, 4.45 wGPA
- 1540 SAT
- plays two varsity sports (not recruited)
- captain of debate team
- part time work for 1 year in fast food

FCPS HS, UMC, no hooks.

Congrats! For 2026? Which major?

DS got in.

- 3.92/4.0 GPA, 4.45 wGPA
- 1540 SAT
- plays two varsity sports (not recruited)
- captain of debate team
- part time work for 1 year in fast food

FCPS HS, UMC, no hooks.