hailmary wrote:
kple12 wrote:
For those of you who really want to make an impression, definitely sign up for the "Group Greet and Meets" if Duke comes to your city.
I think it varies who hosts the events, but for my city (Chicago), I got lucky and spoke with the Senior Associate Director of Admissions. She pretty much told me bluntly she will see my application and will more than likely review it so I got very lucky and was able to talk to the person who will play a huge role in my application.
Not too many surprises though but I did hear how the admissions process goes. If you apply Early Admissions, they categorize people into 3 groups:
1. DFD - Dying for Duke (Self Explanatory)
2. Those who might have "some" holes in the application and want to play it safe.
3. Those who are well prepared
She also told me if there is a something that you think will be an issues (low GPA, low GMAT, etc.) make sure to disclose it! They try to advocate for everyone but she told me if it's a lot easier to admit someone with a 2.6 GPA who justifies it than someone with a 2.7 who doesn't say anything. The more information the better.
Nice. Thanks for sharing this. Did she tell you that, out of these three, which group of people has the best possible chance? I personally think I fall in every category
.
Pretty obvious the DFD. She made it very clear they want people who WANT to go to Duke and they can sniff out those who want to go to Duke and who have Duke as their back up. From what I could tell, she really liked that I had already visited Duke and that I knew some of the current students and professors. If you do talk with an admissions director, name dropping in this case is a GREAT idea (just make sure to have some legitimate interaction with the names). She knows almost all of the students extremely well since she reviews their applications so showing you have some familiarity with the university helps. Here are the highlights of my conversation:
1. Know the Duke culture. Try to visit Duke. If Duke is truly your number one, no need to be reserved about it. They want to see that.
2. They really, really, really enjoy the 25 random things. Be creative but have fun with it. Make it interesting and if it's in your wheelhouse, make it funny. The ones she remembered the most were the funny ones when we asked her.
3. Don't force it, but they really love their basketball at Duke. If it's something you follow or are interested in, make it known.
4. I will not guarantee this will improve your chances, but if your objective is to stand out, then do these events and make sure they remember you. She had an extremely sharp memory and when I told her my visit date for interview, she told me to contact her beforehand. Very cool~
I also asked her about the mechanics of the admissions process. Here is what I gathered (do NOT quote me on this):
1. After reviewing applications in a round, applicants are separated into four groups. Positive Admits (ideal candidates), Strong Candidates, Good Candidates (Waitlist range), and Not Admissible. I think she said about 70-80% fall in the Strong and Good categories.
2. Out of the Strong and Good, they interview those who they want to make sure it's a right fit OR if they want to find out more about something. The admissions director has looked at your profile at this point I believe.
3. After the interview, the admissions member who first reviewed your profile then reads the interviewer evaluation to make sure everything jives with the rest of the application. Another admissions member does this. If both members say yay, your respective director will review it again but at this point, you're pretty much in the clear. If both say nay, then it's pretty self explanatory.
4. Now if they get 1 yay and 1 nay, then it goes back to the admissions director and they scrutinize every detail and take notes. At this point, there is a ton of back and forth and the director has seen a profile about 4-5 times.
5. The next step is the director lays out the profile and all their respective notes to the Board. At this point, the admissions director will try to vouch for a profile (not always but more than likely), hence she told me to make sure you give them as much information as possible. It's basically ammo in the gun at this point.
So from what I gathered, the more information you give Duke, the more you make yourself "known" to admissions members, and the more you show you want to go there, the better. Show them you're a fit before they even have a chance to look at your application I think helps too. I know it's common sense, but I got the feeling from her that at Duke, it goes a LONG way.
08 Aug 2013, 04:08
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