Duke this year or retake/reapply? Forum

[AnaMariana42]

Hi guys,
I'm pretty much all set to go to Duke (deposited, have an apartment, getting ready to move in about a month), but I figured I ought to bounce it off TLS wisdom one more time. I'm 3.55 from a top LAC/169 currently, and wound up getting about half-tuition scholarship at Duke, but waitlisted at Penn, Virginia, and Columbia. My GPA obviously locks me out of HYS, but I feel like a few more points on the LSAT (I underperformed my practice tests, was testing 171-175) would have given me a much better shot at Penn/Columbia. Given my situation, is there any reason for me to be thinking about the retake/reapply route? Is my best case outcome, given my GPA, enough "better" than what I'm currently looking at to be considering it?

Thanks!

[Presidentjlh]

Retaking is definitely a good idea, but Duke at that price with your numbers isn't bad.

See what the rest of TLS says, but, I think you're fine if you stick with Duke. But a retake still is a good call.

[jbagelboy]

First, congrats dude that's an amazing scholarship from Duke with a 3.55/169.

Second, with your GPA, I would just go to Duke. you might not be able to replicate that scholarship in another year, and unless you were 175+, you couldn't guarantee admission to CCN anyway (and as you said, HYS are out).

Congrats and enjoy!

[Presidentjlh]

First, congrats dude that's an amazing scholarship from Duke with a 3.55/169.

Second, with your GPA, I would just go to Duke. you might not be able to replicate that scholarship in another year, and unless you were 175+, you couldn't guarantee admission to CCN anyway (and as you said, HYS are out).

Congrats and enjoy!

Yep, seems like the best call.

Duke's a great school. Enjoy.

[AnaMariana42]

Thanks guys. Was about 99% sure that sticking this year was the right decision... just figured that getting validation from TLS would make me feel a lot better

[rickgrimes69]

First, congrats dude that's an amazing scholarship from Duke with a 3.55/169.

Second, with your GPA, I would just go to Duke. you might not be able to replicate that scholarship in another year, and unless you were 175+, you couldn't guarantee admission to CCN anyway (and as you said, HYS are out).

Congrats and enjoy!

+1. That's more $$ than I got with worse stats. Take it and run.

[PRgradBYU]

Hi guys,
I'm pretty much all set to go to Duke (deposited, have an apartment, getting ready to move in about a month), but I figured I ought to bounce it off TLS wisdom one more time. I'm 3.55 from a top LAC/169 currently, and wound up getting about half-tuition scholarship at Duke, but waitlisted at Penn, Virginia, and Columbia. My GPA obviously locks me out of HYS, but I feel like a few more points on the LSAT (I underperformed my practice tests, was testing 171-175) would have given me a much better shot at Penn/Columbia. Given my situation, is there any reason for me to be thinking about the retake/reapply route? Is my best case outcome, given my GPA, enough "better" than what I'm currently looking at to be considering it?

Thanks!

You must've had a pretty impressive application to get a half scholly with your numbers. Definitely take Duke.

[Clearly]

Are you a URM?

[BigZuck]

Enjoy Duke. Congrats

[AnaMariana42]

Are you a URM?

Nope. 22yo white girl.

[Clearly]

Duke.

[bruin91]

Duke!!!!

[envisciguy]

As others have pointed out, you got an amazing scholarship considering your GPA, so I'm not sure a higher LSAT would make that big of a difference. Duke at half price is a pretty good choice, especially when you can't be sure it will be there next year.

[Ti Malice]

First, congrats dude that's an amazing scholarship from Duke with a 3.55/169.

Second, with your GPA, I would just go to Duke. you might not be able to replicate that scholarship in another year, and unless you were 175+, you couldn't guarantee admission to CCN anyway (and as you said, HYS are out).

Congrats and enjoy!

Yeah, fully agree with this and everyone else. You are way overperforming your numbers. Your GPA is too low for any realistic chance of a full ride at any T13, and even if you added four or five points, it's far from guaranteed that you would get an offer better than this one. Congrats!