What advice would you give to a student applying to their dream school?

Hi Haley! As a Blue Devil alum, I'm super excited to see that Duke is your dream school. I would echo what Rita said above--setting yourself apart academically is crucial, including taking AP and honors classes and maximizing your ACT and/or SAT scores. Unless you've already gotten the highest possible ACT or SAT score, I would encourage you to retake it (but I've also heard that taking these tests more than 3 times is not worth it).

That being said, as you're entering your senior year, you already have most of the academics under your belt--there's not much you can change in just a semester in terms of your coursework or grades. Where you can really shine is in your application, especially in your personal essay. My counselor encouraged me to write two different personal statements: one that was more of a safe bet, and one that was more of a risk. He told me I should send the "safe" statement to schools I knew I could get into, but to consider the "risky" statement for my stretch schools (like Duke or the Ivies). The "safe" story is one that is told in application after application, such as an impactful volunteer experience that you had, and how it shaped you. It's an important story to tell, but is also a common one, so may not set you apart.

The "risky" statement, on the other hand, is one that will make your application shine compared to others'. For me, this meant writing a narrative about a song that my choir performed in high school, and the emotions it sparked in me. It wasn't written as a typical 5-paragraph essay, but was instead meant to highlight my writing abilities as well as my passions. I can't tell you what your "risky" statement could be, because that will be unique to you. The point is to make yourself stand out from a pile of 4.0 GPAs and high test scores.

Finally, I remember that there is a part of the Duke application that asks why you want to attend Duke specifically. This question is optional, but take it seriously. If you have visited, talk about the details of what you saw there (the architecture, the passion of Cameron Crazies, etc.); describe some of the academic programs, professors, or courses that you're most excited about. Do your research and use specific, concrete details to show that you're serious about Duke.

Best of luck with your application, and I hope this helps!

Courses and grades are really what matters most. Take as many AP classes as you can handle will help to set you apart from everyone else who is applying to Duke. Another way to set yourself apart is to have solid extracurricular activities. Don't just list them. Tell them how you contributed to the success of the organization you volunteered. Your college essay is very important. So let everyone you know (and also leverage who your parents know as well) to read it and give constructive feedback but make sure it is written in your own voice.