Early Decision: Duke

[leh1387]

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Hey Guys!

I'm thinking of doing Early Decision for Duke this summer. My stats are:
Cumulative GPA: 3.2
Prerequisite GPA: 3.6
GRE: retaking it in June after I complete the Kaplan prep course but shooting for a 1200-1300

Do you think this is good enough for ED? The other program I was thinking about applying to for ED is Elon. It's about 4,000 dollars more expensive, but they don't use PTCAS GPA's. They calculate their own and use replacement grades. When they do that, my GPA is a 3.4 and my prerequisite GPA is a 3.8.

Which do you think I should do?

Thanks for any help!

 

[hopefloats7]

Hey Guys!

I'm thinking of doing Early Decision for Duke this summer. My stats are:
Cumulative GPA: 3.2
Prerequisite GPA: 3.6
GRE: retaking it in June after I complete the Kaplan prep course but shooting for a 1200-1300

Do you think this is good enough for ED? The other program I was thinking about applying to for ED is Elon. It's about 4,000 dollars more expensive, but they don't use PTCAS GPA's. They calculate their own and use replacement grades. When they do that, my GPA is a 3.4 and my prerequisite GPA is a 3.8.

Which do you think I should do?

Thanks for any help!

Hey! I don't really know much about Duke but I applied to Elon with a Pre-req of about 3.3 and cumulative of 3.63 and I was accepted. Elon's interview and acceptances are pretty early anyway (around December). I got a 1280 on the GRE the second time and I think that really did help me at a lot of schools, so if your aiming for that your stats will look pretty solid! Especially with your pre-req GPA being so high. Good luck! If you want any more information about Elon just let me know!

Also, I think you should apply to both schools, for sure. But when it comes down to it, research the programs and see what you are looking for. At first I was all about getting in wherever they would take me, so I applied to several schools. But, as it turned out I was accepted to a lot more than I thought so I really had to look at a lot of other factors. So, my advice is to apply to wherever you are interested, keeping in mind that can be expensive and there was no way I could have applied to more than the 6 I did, and see what happens and focus on the interviews and really seeing what each school has to offer.

 

[leh1387]

Thank you so much for your advice and response! It is very helpful. I don't know anyone else who has been to Elon so I may be asking you a few more questions about their program, tuition, etc. when it gets closer to time to apply! I'm trying to get my applications out early.

Did you do Early Decision for Elon? If not, did you apply early in the application process (like August or September) and get accepted then?

 

[hopefloats7]

No problem! This forum REALLY helped me, so I'm happy to do the same! I still have a lot of their information from the packet I got during the interview. My biggest piece of advice is to definitely apply as early as possible! I did not do early decision for anywhere because I just didn't have my application ready in time. If you think you can, and are sure about that school if you are accepted, I think it is definitely to your advantage! I did apply early, though. I think I sent my PTCAS through at the end of September. I think the earlier you send it the less time it takes to actually go through because there aren't as many applications to process. I remember a lot of people freaking out because it was taking so long around october or something. You also just have to look at your program dates. I think Elon's was relatively early so I just applied early to all my other schools since it was all sent in at once. After I applied I heard back from Elon relatively fast about interview dates and knew by December I was accepted after my interview earlier that month.

 

[kcrat21]

Hey Guys!

I'm thinking of doing Early Decision for Duke this summer. My stats are:
Cumulative GPA: 3.2
Prerequisite GPA: 3.6
GRE: retaking it in June after I complete the Kaplan prep course but shooting for a 1200-1300

Do you think this is good enough for ED? The other program I was thinking about applying to for ED is Elon. It's about 4,000 dollars more expensive, but they don't use PTCAS GPA's. They calculate their own and use replacement grades. When they do that, my GPA is a 3.4 and my prerequisite GPA is a 3.8.

Which do you think I should do?

Thanks for any help!

Hey there! I just want to give you some info on Duke! I applied early decision this past cycle with a 3.55 gpa and a 3.89 prereq GPA and I was accepted. There were only 11 ED applicants this past year and as far as I can tell all of us were accepted. I thought there would be hundreds of ED applicants and was shocked to see just 11 of us at the ED interview date. I think because there is a lot of pressure to pick the one right school for you, ED is not a widely chosen option because its binding. If you feel really strongly about Duke, go for it! They have an optional essay, "why duke?", that I highly recommend writing. It gives you the opportunity to explain all of the reasons why you want to go to Duke specifically, while most schools just require the standard essay. I guess it gives them a chance to gauge your true interest in their program.

Have you been to an open house yet? That's really what sold me. I was waffling about applying ED, and then that open house just nailed it for me and I HAD to go there. The current students really love the program and I'm looking forward to starting later this summer.

If you have any more questions, let me know! Good luck to you! 🙂

 

[leh1387]

hopefloats7-okay thank you for the advice! i'm definitely applying early, and i have an open house at elon next saturday. i've never been so i'm really excited. I'm already getting everything together and trying to prepare my professors/PT's that i've shadowed so that they're ready to send in their recommendations when PTCAS opens in july.

kcrat21- thank you for your advice as well! i've been going back and forth between Duke and Elon. i just emailed Anita today to ask her if there is an upcoming Open House that i can attend. I used to go to UNC and we went to Duke's campus a few times, and i love it, but i think i need to see it with a guide and hear more information about their program. i'll more than likely have more questions so thank you for offering, and thanks for the info!! congratulations on getting in!

 

[Quad72]

leh1387:
Did you apply ED at Duke? Looking for anyone who is waiting ED like me.