Duke is highly competitive. It is great to dream, but be realistic. Think of it this way- Duke rejects a ton of people who are “qualified” to go there each year. So, do your best to make your transcript and resume unique and representative of you. And consider getting an English tutor.

It is also a beautiful school with a great learning environment.

Getting in is not easy — as it is highly selective. You need to improve your grades. Taking honors classes and AP classes puts you on the right track.

Keep active in outside activities — but since people can easily pad the list, less weight is put on extracurriculars than you might think. You need a high SAT score — in the 2100+ range. Get people who know you to write letters for you. A letter from someone who knows you is much better than a letter fromsomeone like a congressman or famous person who does not know you well.

WIth all of that — you will be qualified. But lots of qualified students are turned down every year. That means you need a killer admissions essay to make yourself stand out.