<p>@galiforce: I’m nearly out of 3G, so checking out Duke is hard for the moment… Is Duke considered a good school? The financial aid you describe sounds great, but I’m not sure whether I count as a “meritorious” student 
Those Bs and Cs… I think I’m going to apply to Duke as well! Fingers crossed.</p>
<p>@rishav17: All my ECs are geared towards community service and writing (starting a charity, writing a novel, all those outreach activities, editor in chief of school newspaper…) which makes me REALLY worried. Will they look bad on me if I say that I’m passionate about physics (which I really, really, really am) but not have anything that shows this passion, other than the essay?</p>
<p>The above poster has convinced me to apply to Duke as well. I’ll check out the rest of the schools when I’m at a library (free net!) which sound better than LACs.</p>
<p>I’m so happy that you keep replying! What school did you end up at? How are you finding it?</p>