Duke c/o 2017 Applicants (2013-2014 Cycle) Forum

[Catherinelo365]

Got priority reserve today.
Went complete on 10/09. 172+3.83
Is this priority reserve thing just a waiting list under a better name?
So heartbroken.
The email terrified me a lot: applicant pool is "exceptionally strong"and the competition is "particularly fierce".
OMG, are my other applications doomed?

Did you send a Why Duke? Your stats look solid for Duke, they will likely want more commitment.

Didn't write a why Duke. Should I send them a LOCI about why I want to go there? I kinda don't want to write any more essays since it's winter break and I don't know what to write about.
I was expecting Duke would give me plenty of $$ :(:(

[drawstring]

Got priority reserve today.
Went complete on 10/09. 172+3.83
Is this priority reserve thing just a waiting list under a better name?
So heartbroken.
The email terrified me a lot: applicant pool is "exceptionally strong"and the competition is "particularly fierce".
OMG, are my other applications doomed?

Did you send a Why Duke? Your stats look solid for Duke, they will likely want more commitment.

Didn't write a why Duke. Should I send them a LOCI about why I want to go there? I kinda don't want to write any more essays since it's winter break and I don't know what to write about.
I was expecting Duke would give me plenty of $$ :(:(

172/3.83 is awesome for an URM (though being an international student may affect the typical URM boost). They are probably playing YP and will offer you a spot if you show them you want to go there.

[Catherinelo365]

Got priority reserve today.
Went complete on 10/09. 172+3.83
Is this priority reserve thing just a waiting list under a better name?
So heartbroken.
The email terrified me a lot: applicant pool is "exceptionally strong"and the competition is "particularly fierce".
OMG, are my other applications doomed?

Did you send a Why Duke? Your stats look solid for Duke, they will likely want more commitment.

Didn't write a why Duke. Should I send them a LOCI about why I want to go there? I kinda don't want to write any more essays since it's winter break and I don't know what to write about.
I was expecting Duke would give me plenty of $$ :(:(

172/3.83 is awesome for an URM. They are probably playing YP and will offer you a spot if you show them you want to go there.

I'm not sure if I'm URM or not because I'm Chinese and I heard that Asians are technically non-URM.

[drawstring]

Hmm....that changes things because I don't think Chinese students are considered URMs. However, your stats are strong for Duke regardless of whether you are an URM or not and they may still be playing YP, in which case something like a "Why Duke" would probably help.

There could be other issues with your application that are holding you back despite your strong numbers, but if you want to get into Duke a short essay wouldn't hurt.

[Catherinelo365]

Hmm....that changes things because I don't think Chinese students are considered URMs. However, your stats are strong for Duke regardless of whether you are an URM or not----they may still be playing YP, in which case a "Why Duke" would probably help.

There could be other issues with your application that are holding you back despite your strong numbers, but if you want to get into Duke a short essay wouldn't hurt.

Thx! I'll do some research and see if I can send one tmr.

[Theopliske8711]

Got priority reserve today.
Went complete on 10/09. 172+3.83
Is this priority reserve thing just a waiting list under a better name?
So heartbroken.
The email terrified me a lot: applicant pool is "exceptionally strong"and the competition is "particularly fierce".
OMG, are my other applications doomed?

Did you send a Why Duke? Your stats look solid for Duke, they will likely want more commitment.

Didn't write a why Duke. Should I send them a LOCI about why I want to go there? I kinda don't want to write any more essays since it's winter break and I don't know what to write about.
I was expecting Duke would give me plenty of $$ :(:(

Don't get lazy; you've gotten so far. As a urm with those stats, you're Harvard material and duke knows that. Show them real interest and they will reward you plenty.

Edit: if you are Chinese, disregard some of what I said above.

[SupCutie]

Got priority reserve today.
Went complete on 10/09. 172+3.83
Is this priority reserve thing just a waiting list under a better name?
So heartbroken.
The email terrified me a lot: applicant pool is "exceptionally strong"and the competition is "particularly fierce".
OMG, are my other applications doomed?

Did you send a Why Duke? Your stats look solid for Duke, they will likely want more commitment.

Didn't write a why Duke. Should I send them a LOCI about why I want to go there? I kinda don't want to write any more essays since it's winter break and I don't know what to write about.
I was expecting Duke would give me plenty of $$ :(:(

Don't get lazy; you've gotten so far. As a urm with those stats, you're Harvard material and duke knows that. Show them real interest and they will reward you plenty.

Edit: if you are Chinese, disregard some of what I said above.

Well, switch Harvard with Columbia and it's relevant.

[jKerska]

...

[phillywc]

Put on priority list yesterday (3.43 & 175). Pretty disheartened and worried about my cycle only applied to 5 schools. The waiting game is already getting old and it has just begun.

Can I ask why only 5? CCNPD ?

[06102016]

..

[koalacity]

Accepted last night! Duke's turnaround time is extremely impressive (especially considering that I applied after the stated 12/13 cutoff for decisions before January). Complete 12/16, UR 12/18, accepted 12/20. I wrote a Why Duke, which seems to be key for avoiding PR.

[furrrman]

What exactly does Priority Reserve mean? It's different from the waiting list right? So basically they're going to re-evaluate me later?

This is the wording from the email (I got PR'd as well): "Although we are unable to offer you admission at this time, the Committee was impressed with your application and you will remain under consideration as the review process continues over the next several months."

It seems to me this is different than a waitlist. As I understand it, you only get in off a waitlist if enough of the other candidates that they accept end up withdrawing (correct me if I'm wrong on this). The wording above suggests you have a chance of getting in based on the strength of your application alone. Honestly, PR seems to me like a way for them to put off a decision and move you to the RD pool, perhaps with some kind of special signifier to indicate PR.

If this process has taught us anything, its that the "Why Duke" seems to be pretty important, as that is the trend amongst all the people who got PR'd (I didn't write one either).

[midwest17]

Accepted last night! Duke's turnaround time is extremely impressive (especially considering that I applied after the stated 12/13 cutoff for decisions before January). Complete 12/16, UR 12/18, accepted 12/20. I wrote a Why Duke, which seems to be key for avoiding PR.

CONGRATS KOALA!!!!!

[SteelPenguin]

What exactly does Priority Reserve mean? It's different from the waiting list right? So basically they're going to re-evaluate me later?

This is the wording from the email (I got PR'd as well): "Although we are unable to offer you admission at this time, the Committee was impressed with your application and you will remain under consideration as the review process continues over the next several months."

It seems to me this is different than a waitlist. As I understand it, you only get in off a waitlist if enough of the other candidates that they accept end up withdrawing (correct me if I'm wrong on this). The wording above suggests you have a chance of getting in based on the strength of your application alone. Honestly, PR seems to me like a way for them to put off a decision and move you to the RD pool, perhaps with some kind of special signifier to indicate PR.

If this process has taught us anything, its that the "Why Duke" seems to be pretty important, as that is the trend amongst all the people who got PR'd (I didn't write one either).

This is frustrating. I didn't write a why Duke, but I included some reasons for wanting Duke in my PS. Above medians, guessing I should have just written a Why Duke. I genuinely love Duke and could definitely see myself going there if accepted, now I'm worried if I'll even get the chance.

[06102016]

..

[koalacity]

Accepted last night! Duke's turnaround time is extremely impressive (especially considering that I applied after the stated 12/13 cutoff for decisions before January). Complete 12/16, UR 12/18, accepted 12/20. I wrote a Why Duke, which seems to be key for avoiding PR.

CONGRATS KOALA!!!!!

Thank you! First of the cycle-definitely a relief.

This is frustrating. I didn't write a why Duke, but I included some reasons for wanting Duke in my PS. Above medians, guessing I should have just written a Why Duke. I genuinely love Duke and could definitely see myself going there if accepted, now I'm worried if I'll even get the chance.

SP, did you already get put on PR? I would think that incorporating reasons for wanting Duke into your PS would have the same effect as a separate Why Duke (i.e. showing a genuine interest in the school and demonstrating that you've done some research about them), so I wouldn't stress about that. Fingers crossed for you!

[lawschool22]

Accepted last night! Duke's turnaround time is extremely impressive (especially considering that I applied after the stated 12/13 cutoff for decisions before January). Complete 12/16, UR 12/18, accepted 12/20. I wrote a Why Duke, which seems to be key for avoiding PR.

Congrats!!!

Come join us in the admitted students thread.

And yes that Why Duke seems VERY important. I didn't think I was in YP territory, but during my 10 days on Priority Track they emailed me inviting me to send in an essay explaining why I wanted to go to Duke. After I sent that in, I was admitted the next day.

[outlawscr10]

Edit

[midwest17]

Accepted last night! Duke's turnaround time is extremely impressive (especially considering that I applied after the stated 12/13 cutoff for decisions before January). Complete 12/16, UR 12/18, accepted 12/20. I wrote a Why Duke, which seems to be key for avoiding PR.

Congrats!!!

Come join us in the admitted students thread.

And yes that Why Duke seems VERY important. I didn't think I was in YP territory, but during my 10 days on Priority Track they emailed me inviting me to send in an essay explaining why I wanted to go to Duke. After I sent that in, I was admitted the next day.

FWIW, I think I'm in YP territory (I hope so, at least - if I'm not, there's something wrong with my app that I don't know about). I got in on PT without a Why Duke, although I had to wait 10 days and not koala's 4.

[kershka]

Accepted last night! Duke's turnaround time is extremely impressive (especially considering that I applied after the stated 12/13 cutoff for decisions before January). Complete 12/16, UR 12/18, accepted 12/20. I wrote a Why Duke, which seems to be key for avoiding PR.

Congrats! Look for the awesome package that is coming to you soon. Lots of great swag. And, wow, that is an incredibly fast turn around. They made me wait the entire 10 days.

To anyone on Priority Reserve who didn't write a Why Duke: do it! I also was in yield protect territory and I think that it helped me. Even if it doesn't, take every chance you have to improve your application. FWIW, most of my Why Duke was focused on things easily accessible on the website/viewbook but applied to my stated goals in my PS.

[Nonconsecutive]

Accepted last night! Duke's turnaround time is extremely impressive (especially considering that I applied after the stated 12/13 cutoff for decisions before January). Complete 12/16, UR 12/18, accepted 12/20. I wrote a Why Duke, which seems to be key for avoiding PR.

Congrats!

[ThetaX]

Hello to all!

I would like to extend my envy and congratulate those that have been accepted to Duke thus far.
For those of you that have been placed on a waitlist, I send my regards and wish you the best of luck.
As for myself, I am waiting my December LSAT Retake score and will apply thereafter.

TO ALL:
Please message me with any Original Post ideas you would like me to include. We could start a Poll of some sort, I will promptly respond to any requests.

Kind regards,

ThetaX

[Kimikho]

omg polls i love polls

also, a status checker journey would be nice. I think it is:

Complete
Under Review (very fast)
Decision mailed, watch for email (something like that)
decisions: email
financial aid: email

[ThetaX]

omg polls i love polls

also, a status checker journey would be nice. I think it is:

Complete
Under Review (very fast)
Decision mailed, watch for email (something like that)
decisions: email
financial aid: email

I have updated the OP with said info, and posted a Poll. Vote!

[Otunga]

Accepted last night! Duke's turnaround time is extremely impressive (especially considering that I applied after the stated 12/13 cutoff for decisions before January). Complete 12/16, UR 12/18, accepted 12/20. I wrote a Why Duke, which seems to be key for avoiding PR.

Cool! I went UR 12/19 (also PT). Perhaps that extra day makes my decision come out following New Years.