<p>If Duke is your #1 choice (and you can afford it), then apply there ED. In addition to the general statistics, 25% or so sions ED ersus 10% or so RD, I have a personal anecdote. Each of my twins applied to Duke this past year, with very similar credentials except son had done 110 points better on the SAT (1540 v 1430 on CR plus M, with both getting 750 on W). Daughter appplied ED and was accepted. Son applied RD and was wait listed (did not get in off wait list)</p>
<p>If you need FI as we did (have three in college at once), to apply ED you will need to look more closely at the financial trade off and have faith in Duke’s aid process. FI worked out for daughter pretty well, and I have no reason to think she was disadvantaged by her ED status.</p>