Thanks for the clarification.
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Same as my previous comment, I suppose Iāll have to either sacrifice the higher admission rates for Duke ED if I want to do Georgetown EA, or take the gamble that Georgetown RD works and pray Duke ED also works out. I guess the first option is more likely.
ED is not a game. If Duke is your top choice, then thatās where you should apply.
Of course, itās not next to the French embassy - which is something above you seemed to think was why Gtown was #1.
Iām still not sure about Duke, but I know its a wonderful school, my parents would be ecstatic, and its closer to home than Georgetown. Its history program is ranked about the same as Georgetownās, but my biggest concern about Duke is the lack of opportunities compared to Georgetown. Duke is quite literally in the middle of no where, at least for humanities. Although, it is quite close to Raleigh, and there are plenty of government opportunities there.
Also to clarify, depending on the school I go to, I will probably choose different paths for what I want to do. For example, if I end up going to UNC, Iām commited to joining the Tar Heel battalion for their ROTC program (Iāve also reached out to Gerogetownās Hoya Battalion coordinator, and I might do ROTC there as well, havenāt decided) but if I went to Duke, Iād probably stay on a normal 4-year college plan. Thatās why its hard for me to rank my top 3 pics, since all three of them would put me on different paths for what I want to do based on the opportunities I have access to and the amenities I have at my disposal
Also ā can you clarify what you mean by āED is not a game?ā Iām not sure I understand what you mean.
If you have a favorite school, thatās where you should ED.
You shouldnāt say - I have a favorite, hard to get into school - but thereās another school thatās still hard to get into but not as hard - and maybe I should use my ED there because the odds are better.
If you want to go to Duke, then ED to Duke. Theyāll likely say no and so will Gtown.
Why would you commit though to a school thatās not your top choice.
By game, I mean - youāve worked hard - apply to where is the best fit for you, assuming itās affordable.
Applying to #2 or #3 instead is gaming the system, seeking the best chance of admission vs. where you actually want to be for four years.
You donāt even need to ED if unsure or affordability is an issue.
ED should be used for the top choice, assuming itās affordable period.
If you were a 3.5, sure you could see it as wasting- but thereās likely little discernible ED admission difference between these two.
Gtown will likely defer you.
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Luckily both Georgetown and Duke would be affordable - considering my parents financial situation.
Now that you say that, I see your point. But to your 4th point, both Duke and Georgetown would make me equally happy, just in different ways.
Also, on your last comment, what do you believe doesnāt get me into Georgetown? Is my application as a whole just subpar compared to other applicants to Georgetown? Or is a specific piece of my application, perhaps my GPA or my SAT scores not meeting the mark? Or in general do you just think that even if I was qualified, there are so many other qualified candidates that admission would be unlikely?
Also, for Duke ED, the acceptance rate is around 13%, whereas regular decision is around 6.3% So it would make a big difference for Duke, whereas for Georgetown EA is actually a little lower, 12% compared to 13% I believe.
Id agree with what @tsbna44 has said so far especially concerning the differences. Really, the only advantage is that you would be competing against a smaller applicant pool. I myself applied to Georgetown REA, and was deferred. Per sources, they admitted 10% (884 applicants) out of a pool of about 9000. Interpret that as you wish - but it can be argued that EA pools arenāt as competitive as the RD round is. Regarding choosing ED Duke and REA Georgetown, the way that these policies are structured are to ensure an applicants interest. By choosing to apply ED and commit if accepted, or REA and give up ED to another school, both Georgetown and Duke know that whoever applies there is intent on attending their institution (from my viewpoint).
To your point about getting into Georgetown or Duke, and any top ranking school in general, can arguably be chalked up to chance. Each year, thousands of applicants apply to these institutions, all of whom are well qualified and academically strong. There simply are not enough spots for these students, and thus many are rejected. I do hope that I phrase this correctly - schools do not deny students based upon a specific statistic, GPA, ACT or others. However, these differences come into play when youāre competing against over well qualified students, where your stats may place you in different āareasā of the applicant pool. By this, I mean that you may be an incredibly strong applicant, but compared to the other applicants in the pool, you may not rank as high as them.
This is how Georgetown, for example, alerts deferred students to this. Here you can see the 10% statistic I was referring to, and their rationale behind their choices.
But regardless of how your stats compare to other applicants, you are an extremely qualified person for both Duke and Georgetown - any school for that matter. Your ECs are excellent, and your LORS are solid. With a holistic viewpoint, you will have a shot at both institutions.
ETA: Read some more after sending this reply. Concerning applicants, Georgetown does not deny from the REA round, everyone not accepted gets deferred to RD (like me). Georgetown and Duke alike are extremely hard to get into, but applying early will boost your chances. Duke RD this year was sub 5%, whereas Georgetown was about 12-14%. ED or REA to whatever your #1 choice is, and donāt look back.
Iād also counsel applying early to your favorite. Whatever you decide that to be.
Thank you so much. This is extremely well done and comprehensive advice Iāve gotten on this topic. I will try my best to show demonstrated interest in both Duke and Georgetown, and I suppose by June Iāll have to decide whether Georgetown or Duke is my top pic, and as you said, apply early and donāt look back.
And I guess at the end of the day its whether or not I get lucky. And I appreciate the holistic take.
I appreciate the input! I guess that will be the challenge of June-July.