Sibling of current "Deans List" Duke student:
White male, high school junior - not in North Carolina
Plan to apply to Duke ED this coming fall
SAT: 2320 (M-780, V-750, W-790)
PSAT: high enough for NMF
Haven't taken ACT or SAT II's yet (in a couple of weeks)
Ranked # 2 in public high school junior class of 300+
3 year varsity tennis letterman (district singles champ, 1st team all-district; team MVP)
3 years in band (drum major next year; state-qualifer in ensemble)
UIL number sense team (district individual and team champs)
Boys State delegate
HOBY delegate (also selected for and attended World Congress in DC)
Duke TIP - three years (two on West Campus)
NHS, Spanish Honor Society
Working on Boy Scout Eagle Service Project
BSA National Heroism Award (for lifesaving)
What are your stats like in comparison to your sibling when he applied? I know kids who were not accepted to Brown and Duke this year with sibling doing well at those schools. So I don't think sibling power is that strong. certainly not official, as legacy is. TIP does not matter much, it seems to me seeing some strong kids denied at Duke with it.
Higher SAT score than older sibling by 50 points. However, older sibling graduated #1 in high school class. Greater success in tennis than older sibling (who never won district singles title or made 1st team). Otherwise, fairly comparable stats and ECs.
To clarify: I thought siblings of current Duke students WERE considered "legacies."
Some selective school make sure they do not reject a sibling with a profile equal or better than the accepted kid. Don't know if Duke does that. Why don't you call and ask if there is any preferential treatment of sibling apps? I know some schools give a little preference, some do not even care.
first of all... i dont think your siblings current academic standing matters a lick - i dont think the admissions office as access to that information.
you are probably in - write good essays and get good recs.
Duke loves siblings attending together - builds more of a family attachment and more likely to donate $$. I think you're in especially if you apply ED. And yes, they could care less that your current brother is a "dean's list" student....I HIGHLY doubt they compare your high school stats to your brother's stats. That would be just ridiculous. Siblings' legacy may not be as important as parents, but it still can be a significant factor.
I think your chances are great! 1530/1600 and a strong interest in Duke will both play in your favor.
Sibling legacies don't matter so much. I know of many people at Duke whose younger siblings didn't get in to Duke.
in! Duke is very stats oriented it seems, does like siblings (more likely to stick out all 4 years) and you look like you've earned the right without a sibling so I would be surprised if you arent accepted...especially ed!!!
UPDATE: Okay, getting ready to send in ED application next week. In addition to all the information listed in the first post above (from last May):
* 34 on ACT (will go with 2320 on SAT)
* SAT II scores of 800 Math and 680 Physics (shoot!)
* National Merit Semifinalist
* Named captain of tennis team
* Strong teacher recs
* Well-written essay highlighting that Duke is only school ever wanted to attend
i think your chances are good on your own merits...I know of a great sibling though that did not get in...her stats were not quite as good as her bro's..and I know of a sibling who did get in who was very comparable..in recent class.
write an essay that places you firmly in the Duke community as a contributor...and all best
Okay, ED application submitted yesterday. Fingers crossed! Incidentally, older sibling wrote letter of rec as optional family letter permitted by Duke Supp.
Close friend who is a Duke alum tells me that Duke does like siblings and will usually accept a sibling with stats equiv or better than what the sibling there had. So it looks good.
