<p>is that a book? im assuming the 54 comes from the combined score of the two readers…jeez. how hard is it to get a 5?</p>
<p>Will certainly pick up the book; however, how does a Duke Admit Officer know about what other schools do? Obviously schools don’t remain isolated from each other, but I doubt–at least from my knowledge–that private schools have a unified system of admission; the application of these categories assumes this that each school follows this system strictly.</p>
<p>As of the present moment I do not have the book, I ask that you humor me by answering my questions (or lack thereof).</p>
<p>My primary concern lies at the fact that admission decisions can be unpredictable, even for private school sometimes. There are some applicants that appear to be a shoo in and fit the categories you mentioned perfectly, yet fail to be admitted; and others, with deficiencies in areas without making it up for them, are admitted. </p>
<p>In the end, the admissions “game,” (entertain this use of the word), not even a tell-all book by a Duke admit officer can result in an absolute establishment of admission criteria when private schools are loosely organized, if organized at all. Though I don’t question the validity of the book nor the insight it may provide applicants, it troubles me that your posts suggest uniform application of these standards. Perhaps I may have misinterpreted your post, but yet when you use such phrases as “[h]ere’s the truth” and “[t]hat’s the formula for getting in,” there leaves no doubt; a healthy does of skepticism must remain.</p>
<p>The categories you have mentioned are plainly posted for all to see on Stanford’s website; no “confidential[ity]” there and they are typical of what a university seeks. These are standards that are common in all universities.</p>
<p>Certainly an applicant that fits these categories may be likely to be admitted, but for certain? Therein lies my doubts.</p>