how to answer duke supplemental essays

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How to Write the Duke University Essays 2023-2024

Duke is consistently ranked within the top 10 colleges in the country, making it an incredibly selective school. With tens of thousands of applicants vying for a spot to be a Blue Devil, each and every aspect of your application will have to be unique and impressive—especially your essays.

For the 2023-2024 application cycle, Duke is requiring all students to answer one prompt and then they have the choice to answer up to two additional prompts. For students planning on studying abroad at Duke Kunshan or taking a gap year, there are additional prompts as well. In this post, we will go over all of the Duke prompts and breakdown how to write the essays so you can maximize your chances of admission to Duke.

Read these Duke essay examples to inspire your writing.

Duke University Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants.

Prompt 1 (required): What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 words)

Prompt 2 (optional): We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. Feel free to answer them if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already shared elsewhere in your application. Five optional questions are available – a maximum of 2 can be selected. (250 words for all)

• Option 1: We believe a wide range of personal perspectives, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making Duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.
• Option 2: Tell us about an intellectual experience in the past two years that you found absolutely fascinating.
• Option 3: We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?
• Option 4: We recognize that “fitting in” in all the contexts we live in can sometimes be difficult. Duke values all kinds of differences and believes they make our community better. Feel free to tell us any ways in which you’re different, and how that has affected you or what it means to you.
• Option 5: Duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community.

Duke Kunshan Applicants

Why do you think duke kunshan university is a good match for you and what special qualities do you feel you could bring to duke kunshan university (200 words), gap year prompt, please describe your gap year plans as you currently are considering them. you are not making a commitment to these plans. (250 words), all applicants—prompt 1, what is your sense of duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you if there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 words)..

Every student applying to Duke will be submitting this “ Why This College? ” essay, so you really need to make yours stand out. Before we talk about what you should do, let’s cover common mistakes to avoid so your essay isn’t generic.

Don’t talk about factors outside of the school’s control like the location, weather, or surrounding city. You might be attracted to Duke because you want to go to a school in the South, but there are hundreds of other schools nearby. This doesn’t tell us anything about Duke in particular.

Don’t make emotional appeals like “ It feels like home ” or “ The campus is so beautiful ”. Contrary to popular belief, statements like these don’t flatter admissions officers because they read them so frequently. Saying something like this is too vague and your limited space would be better served describing resources that make you feel connected to the school.

Don’t regurgitate fun facts and statistics from a campus tour, brochure, or website. Duke doesn’t need to be told how many Nobel prize winners or cabinet secretaries attended, nor do they need to be told about the infamous Duke vs UNC game. Admissions officers especially don’t care about the student-to-faculty ratio or class sizes. Listing these as reasons for attending signals to the admissions committee you didn’t research specific offerings at the school and you might not be as dedicated.

Don’t talk badly about the school. This one should be pretty self-explanatory, but when they ask about your sense of Duke, don’t call it stuffy and pretentious! You are trying to prove your love and devotion to the school, so if you have a negative impression, maybe reconsider why you are applying.

Don’t list out a dozen reasons why you want to go to Duke. We recommend including specific offerings and resources at Duke that excite you, but it’s all about quality over quantity. Spend time explaining why each reason resonates with you or what you hope to get out of the resource or experience. If that means you only have space to include three or four, then that’s okay!

Now that you know what not to do, we’ll share some tips on what you should do in your essay to make it stand out.

Make it personal . Like any other college essay, you need to share information about yourself and your interests to demonstrate to the admissions committee why you belong at Duke. Include anecdotes or details about your experiences to highlight your personal connection to the offerings at Duke.

Include specific resources and opportunities you want to take advantage of. The prompt makes it seem like it is more optional to include offerings that speak to you, but we strongly urge you to include them! Not only does including specific offerings demonstrate the research you’ve done, it also allows you to talk more about your interests and goals through the resources you are attracted to.

Balance academic and extracurricular reasons for wanting to attend. In order to show the admissions committee you are well-rounded, you’ll need to discuss both academic and extracurricular offerings that excite you. Your extracurriculars could be related to the academic topic you’re studying, but make sure to include clubs or communities you want to join so Duke knows you will be active both in class and out.

Draw parallels between yourself and Duke to emphasize why it’s a good fit for you. This might be a little harder to conceptualize and implement in your essay, but you could go about this by finding a club on campus that aligns with one of your extracurriculars, a professor who conducts research on a topic you want to learn more about, or values the school exemplifies that you prioritize.

Have a strong narrative that still reads like a story. Just because this essay might not be as creative or story-based as other college essays doesn’t mean it can’t have a narrative style. Make sure you have an exciting hook at the beginning and a conclusion that ties everything together.

Have some fun! Your essay should still have a voice that is uniquely yours, so if that means you like to use humor, go for it. Also, you can mention fun aspects of the college experience at Duke—basketball is a huge part of the Duke experience. Just be sure that you frame it as an additional bonus of attending Duke and not the primary reason for choosing the school.

Putting all of that together, take a look at what a sample student might write:

“You’d be surprised by the power 1080px by 1920px can wield. Within those 3×6 inches, violence has been incited, hate crimes have been encouraged, and a democracy was nearly toppled. Behold, the 21st century’s mega-weapon: Instagram stories.

Media and politics are intrinsically linked, especially in the USA. My generation is faced with the burden of freeing democracy from the tight grip of the Instagram story, Twitter thread, and Facebook group. Luckily, with Duke’s commitment to forging positive change, I won’t have to go at it alone. At the Sanford School of Public Policy, I’ll join a community of people dedicated to saving our democracy. 

Through the Dewitt Wallace Center for Media and Democracy, I’ll delve into the complicated relationship between media and politics to better equip myself to one day shape federal policy surrounding media practices. Courses like Can Journalism Save Democracy? and Intro to Digital Culture: Media Theory, Politics, and Aesthetics signal that I’ll find a community of students and faculty equally passionate about this field. By my junior year, I’ll take the knowledge I’ve gathered in class and apply it on the Hill with Duke in DC.

Duke is a place where I’ll learn how to fight most effectively for media that promotes healthy political discourse. In between my Instagram stories of the blue devils crushing UNC and the picturesque Chapel, expect many posts on the latest article from the Sanford Journal of Public Policy, announcements for upcoming guest speakers, and information on how to protect American democracy.”

All Applicants—Prompt 2 (Optional)

We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. feel free to answer them if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already shared elsewhere in your application. five optional questions are available – a maximum of 2 can be selected..

Before getting started with the optional prompts, be sure to carefully read the instructions. You can respond to none of these, one prompt, or a maximum of two prompts.

While it may be tempting to only complete the one required essay, we always recommend completing all the prompts available to you, as it only gives you another chance to make a lasting impression on your application. It also shows admissions counselors that you are truly invested in Duke, and may even be the deciding factor of your application.

Since these prompts are optional though, you want to take special care to not repeat anything in your application, especially since Duke said so themselves. For example, if you already talked about Model UN in your Common App essay, there’s no need to write another essay about it. If only one of the optional prompts speaks to you, that’s fine as well. 

All Applicants—Prompt 2, Option 1

We believe a wide range of personal perspectives, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community. (250 words).

This is one instance of the very common diversity prompt . When colleges have a diversity prompt, they want to know about your own personal background and how it has influenced your worldview and perspectives.

A quick note if you intend to write about your racial background: In June 2023, the United States Supreme Court  struck down the use of affirmative action in college admissions. The ruling, however, still allows colleges to consider race on an individual basis, which is one reason many schools are now including diversity prompts as one of their supplemental essay prompts. If you feel that your racial background has impacted you significantly, this is the place to discuss that.

In general, such a common prompt can be approached with a traditional answer. You might consider answering this prompt with what you think is the most important part of your identity, then a small discussion about how that aspect of diversity is relevant to you and your general life experiences.

Such a response might be written about one of the following scenarios:

• Using your fluency in another language to help members of a specific community.
• Interpreting a text in class differently from your classmates because of your ethnic culture.
• Having a friend of a different background who has changed your perspective on something important.
• Having an illness or disability that helps you view accessibility through a different lens than your peers.
• Being part of a niche interest group/fandom and trying to represent the group faithfully when talking to people who aren’t members of it.

Simply listing things that generate diversity should be avoided. Sure, diversity includes different ethnicities/races, gender identities, sexual orientations, countries of origin, and languages, but writing that laundry list out doesn’t contribute much to your application.

Also, bear in mind that the traditional markers of diversity aren’t the only ones you can discuss. There are other aspects of identity that contribute to a diverse campus, including socioeconomic classes, hometowns, illnesses/disabilities, and even interests or hobbies.

Diversity encompasses all the aforementioned attributes, but you should strive for individuality and specificity in your response. This prompt, like all the others, is an opportunity to showcase your unique life perspective. You don’t want to waste this opportunity by writing down some bland dictionary definitions. Think of what diversity means to you and what you consider to be a particularly significant aspect of diversity. From there, think of personal anecdotes or stories about how that aspect of diversity has contributed to your growth or development as a person.

All Applicants—Prompt 2, Option 2

Tell us about an intellectual experience in the past two years that you found absolutely fascinating. (250 words).

For this prompt, Duke is looking to hear about your intellectual interests and your approach to learning. You could choose anything; for example, a particular class you took that sparked your interest in a topic, an individual research project you conducted, a book you read that made a strong impression, or an experiment you performed in a science class.

The key for this essay is to really highlight your passion for learning, and the way to accomplish that is to tell the reader everything about the experience so they feel like they are living it besides you. The phrase “ show, don’t tell ” is thrown around a lot when it comes to college essays—this essay will be no exception.

But what does it mean to successfully show your intellectual experience? Let’s dissect an example.

“Debates were my favorite part of my AP US History class. At the end of every unit, each person in the class would be assigned a historical figure and we would debate a prevalent issue for the period. The best one, hands down, was the debate about the ratification of the Constitution. Representing James Madison, I advocated for a separation of powers. I also pushed for the inclusion of unalienable rights. The fast-paced environment of kids in my class engaging in productive debate was so exciting to see.”

While the excerpt above does technically check the box of describing an intellectual experience this student enjoyed, this is far from what you should submit if you want to be a competitive applicant. How can we make this better? Starting with the hook, never restate the prompt. The first line of your essay shouldn’t be used to tell us what the experience was, rather it should set the scene so the reader is prepared to immerse themselves in the experience, for example:

“Accusations flew across the circle of desks haphazardly gathered in the center of the room; she was an elitist forgetting about the yeomen while he was as backwards as King George.”

This hook immediately brings action and excitement, causing the reader to ask questions which makes them more interested to keep reading. Not only that, by including details relevant to the academic topic (yeomen farmers and King George) it further demonstrates the student’s knowledge and interest of this subject. 

The next two sentences can be improved by making them more concise to cut down on the amount of background needed. You want to keep the essay focused in the moment as much as possible, so rather than zooming out to provide the reader with context, stay in the present:

“With the strike of my US History teacher’s gavel, our debate on the ratification of the Constitution had begun.”

The student then goes on to talk about their contribution to the debate, which is important to include, but we can make it stronger. Again, the key is to stay in the story and tell it in present tense with an active voice. Focus on how you viewed and approached the situation rather than what actions you took. Not only will this make the writing more engaging, it will also make it naturally easier to express your fascination with the experience—which is the whole purpose of this essay at the end of the day.

“Donning the tricorn hat of James Madison, I turned to Federalist friends on my right—including Hamilton and Adams—and sized up my foes: the Democratic-Republicans. Coming out of the gate strong, Jefferson insisted a document that enumerates rights, limits rights. How wrong he was! Before another member of my group could speak, I was on my feet conjuring a picture of the society we just escaped that lacked documentation of unalienable rights. Quoting Locke and Voltaire from memory, I watched as my opponents scrambled for a rebuttal.”

Notice the difference between the imagery and flow of these sentences compared to the original example? Each line moves the story along, while continuing to provide details for imagery and to highlight the student’s passion for the topic. There’s no need for them to tell the reader they found the experience enjoyable or exciting, because details like the student embodying the historical figure (ie “Federalist friends…and foes”), their inner monologue (“How wrong he was!”), their excitement (“I was on my feet”), and their dedication (“Quoting Locke and Voltaire from memory”) show the reader why they loved this intellectual experience.

As you go about writing, follow these tips to beef up your writing and take it from basic and boring to engaging and informative.

All Applicants—Prompt 2, Option 3

We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with what are you agreeing or disagreeing about (250 words).

This prompt is all about internal beliefs and values. Whether you choose to write about an agreement or disagreement, at the heart of your essay, you need to share one of your important values with the admissions committee. Naturally then, an integral piece in choosing this essay is having a core belief or value that is central to your personality. If nothing jumps out at you, then maybe this isn’t the prompt for you.

If religion is important to you, this prompt would be a good opportunity to delve into your religious beliefs. Similarly, you could choose to go into philosophical or ethical debates that you have with people. As you pick a belief or value, keep your audience in mind. You never know who will read your essay, and the last thing you want to do is offend them. It’s generally a good idea to stay away from any beliefs that might be highly controversial or politicized.

Not only do you need a belief or value, you also need to pick a discussion partner that either shares your ideals or challenges them. Luckily for you, because the prompt already asks for you to pick a person, it opens the door for the natural inclusion of dialogue—a great way to spice up your essay and show, not tell!

Maybe you and your best friend get into arguments about whether life exists on other planets when you are going on night-time drives around town. Take the reader into your car—what music is playing in the background, are you cruising down the highway or leisurely rolling through residential neighborhoods? Do you and your friend raise your voices as the argument goes on? Showing what it is like to be there with you during these conversations will make your essay infinitely more engaging to read.

This essay also provides you with a chance to delve deeper into your personality. You can demonstrate character traits you possess in the way you describe your conversation. If you are a detail-oriented person, include the statistics you use to convince someone of your belief. Perhaps you are extremely energetic, in that case, describe how you jump with excitement and your voice gets higher when you agree with someone on an obscure belief. 

A common misconception is that admissions officers want to see astute, academic conversations, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. You could write about how you and your sibling get into disagreements about the most powerful superhero or you and your grandma agree your uncle’s cooking is better than your dad’s. Don’t be scared by the prompt asking about the “big important things,” because as long as you provide reasoning as to why your discussion is important to you and your discussion partner, it can make for a good essay.

All Applicants—Prompt 2, Option 4

We recognize that “fitting in” in all the contexts we live in can sometimes be difficult. duke values all kinds of differences and believes they make our community better. feel free to tell us any ways in which you’re different, and how that has affected you or what it means to you. (250 words).

Similar to the first option for Prompt 2, this option is purposefully open-ended to give students the freedom to identify any difference and discuss it. Again, in light of the Supreme Court striking down the use of affirmative action in college admissions, students of color might want to use this prompt to discuss their racial background in their application.

However, since this prompt is very similar to the first, we’d recommend choosing one or the other. There’s no right one to pick—go with whichever you want—but don’t spend both essays (if you choose to submit the maximum of two optional essays for Prompt 2) discussing an aspect of your identity that makes you different or unique. We’d recommend pairing either Option 1 or 4 with either Option 2 or 3.

While this prompt provides students with the opportunity to discuss racial differences they aren’t able to disclose elsewhere, it isn’t limited to discussions of race. Differences can be measured in a variety of dimensions, including:

• Race or ethnicity
• Socioeconomic status
• Family structure
• Gender or sexuality (look at Option 5 if you want to write about this)
• Physical abilities

Regardless of what you choose, your essay must express how you are different, the emotional, mental, and physical effect that has had on you, and the way your difference will make you a valuable member of the Duke community.

An essay where a student describes her family’s low income and the lack of luxuries she’s able to afford as a result doesn’t tell us much about the student. The essay would have more depth if it discussed the embarrassment and isolation she felt when she couldn’t afford the latest trends and wasn’t welcomed by her peers. But the essay shouldn’t stop there. Now that we know about her mental response to her difference, we want to hear about how she views her difference as a source of strength and personal value. So, maybe her classmates’ focus on fashion inspired her to start a thrifting collective at her school where students can donate old clothes and find new ones without spending a lot of money. This experience taught her the value in creating community and compassion.

All Applicants—Prompt 2, Option 5

Duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community. (250 words).

If you want to write about an aspect of your identity or a way you are different and it relates to your gender, sexuality, or sexual orientation, you should choose Option 5 over Options 1 and 4.

In the same vein as the other two options dealing with an aspect of your personality that you want to share with the admissions committee, you want to make sure that you go deeper than simply explaining your gender or sexual identity. The essay needs to go into the personal significance and the way it has shaped you as a person who will join the Duke community.

A good story always needs some conflict, whether it be internal or external, so you might want to start brainstorming by thinking about a moment of conflict that arose related to your gender or sexual identity. Maybe you choose the moment you came out to your family, or you could write about the internal battle to try and fit into societal gender expectations, or possibly you experienced discrimination or harassment as a result of your sexual orientation which emotionally affected you. There are many different ways to approach this prompt, so pick whatever stands out to you as the most consequential for you personally.

For an essay like this, it’s important to share a lot of detail with the admissions committee to ensure your unique perspective and life experiences are fully communicated, but when discussing highly personal and possibly uncomfortable topics, this might be a little difficult. There’s a delicate balance between including enough information to write a strong essay and protecting personal details. To try and address this, focus on actions you took and the emotions that motivated them, without getting too deep into the intricacies of your thoughts.

However, at the end of the day, your college essay has to reveal to the admissions officers what makes you special. If you feel that this aspect of your identity is critical to understanding you, this is the prompt for you. But if you are hesitant to share information on a delicate subject, there is no problem in choosing a different prompt option that would allow you to write more freely.

This prompt is required for students who are applying to Duke Kunshan University through the Duke University application. Duke Kunshan is a partnership between Duke and Wuhan University in China that allows students to receive an education that marries two exceptional universities.

You are asked to submit a pretty straightforward “ Why This College? ” essay for Duke Kunshan, and we would refer you to Prompt 1 in this post to learn more about the tips and common pitfalls to avoid when writing this type of essay.

A key factor to keep in mind when submitting this essay is although Duke will be reading it, it will also be sent to Duke Kunshan who will review it. For that reason, you want to make sure the college you are discussing is specifically Duke Kunshan and not regular Duke. Along those lines, you need to speak highly of Kunshan as its own entity—don’t say you want to attend because you think it will be an easier way to achieve a Duke degree.

While we normally advise against listing a school’s location as a reason for wanting to attend, in the case of an international university, it is okay to discuss your interest in Duke Kunshan because it’s in another country. However, frame it within the context of an interest in experiencing new cultures or an appreciation for Chinese history, culture, or society. Make sure your motivation for attending an international institution is clear in your essay.

The second part of the prompt asks you to consider what you can bring to the school. Just as you would for any other “Why This College?” essay, highlight ways your interests and experiences align with resources and offerings at the university. Your contribution to the campus community can also lie outside of academics. Perhaps you will bring your favorite comfort food recipe with you to support your fellow homesick American students or maybe you will share your adventurous spirit with your more reserved classmates to encourage them to explore a new environment with you.

If you indicate on the Common App that you are considering taking a gap year before enrolling at Duke, you will be required to answer this question. It’s important to note that this isn’t an official declaration of your plans; Duke is using this question to gauge what type of individual you are and how you will use your time productively.

But at the same time, don’t make up fanciful gap year plans like traveling to all seven continents if realistically you know you will spend the majority of your time working at home. You aren’t being judged on how exciting your gap year plans may sound, so be genuine about the plans you are considering.

There are many reasons you might be considering a gap year—from wanting to gain more real-world experience, to financial reasons, to unique opportunities you don’t want to miss, to family commitments—and there are an infinite number of ways to spend your year, whether it’s traveling, getting an internship, working on a campaign, supporting your family, etc.

When it comes to this essay though, there are two primary things you want to convey:

• What you consider to be valuable.
• How you will grow and be enriched from the gap year.

Starting with the first point, the way you choose to spend your gap year is a reflection of the values you find important. Students who want to travel value broadening their perspectives and embracing new experiences, while students who are staying home to help out their parents value family, loyalty, and devotion. Unless you are spending your time in the basement playing video games all day long, you will be doing something that, in your mind, is considered a productive use of time.

When you are discussing your plans, your values should come through. For example, if you are planning to spend the first semester backpacking South America, you wouldn’t just say, “ I will spend the first four months backpacking in China. ” You would instead show the admissions committee why you are driven to take that action: “ During my four months exploring the mountains, valleys, cities, and ancient civilizations of China, I will immerse myself in the culture I’ve felt so distant from as a Chinese adoptee. ”

The second thing your essay needs to discuss is how this experience will enrich you. Or, from Duke’s perspective, how will taking a gap year make you a more valuable member of the campus community? To answer this question, you’ll need to place yourself in a year-from-now you’s shoes and ask how you’ve changed and grown.

Are you more independent? Are you confident? Did you learn a new skill? Have you become a stronger leader? Do you have a new appreciation for learning? 

However you think you will grow from this experience, make sure to convey that in your essay. You might also want to explicitly mention what you will bring back to the Duke community, just to reiterate your commitment to attending Duke after your gap year.

Some Final Thoughts

If you choose to respond to the optional Duke supplements, you’ll need to keep a few key strategies in mind. As you draft and revise your responses, remember the following tips, which will help you to optimize your application efforts to Duke as well as any other schools to which you might apply. 

Give yourself time. Writing a short essay can often seem like a straightforward and deceptively quick process. Remember, however, that even though the Duke only wants 250 words, you’ll need to achieve the same level of impact in this response as you would with a 650 word essay. Clumsily jumbling together broad and lofty ideas won’t get you far with a 250 word prompt, so leave yourself enough time to plan, draft and redraft your response until it’s ready for submission.

Be specific. Specificity is the not-so-secret ingredient when it comes to writing a successful response. Include anecdotes and examples that tie directly to what you know and value about the Duke campus community. Don’t simply say that you love research or that you want to change the world. Think about the specific experiences you have which exemplify your interests and your academic and professional aspirations. 

Be true to yourself. It’s counterproductive to spend hours and hours writing about things that don’t truly matter to you. Be honest! Highlight the things that you care about most and reflect on why they matter to you. 

Ultimately, the purpose of any supplemental essay is to give you the opportunity to present yourself, your experiences and achievements from your own perspective using your own words. So have fun with this process. After all, no one could ever be better equipped to showcase you than you.

Where to Get Your Duke Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your Duke essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

Duke Supplemental Essays 2023-24 – Prompts and Advice

August 14, 2023

With a 5.9% acceptance rate, getting into Duke in 2023-24 is now as daunting a challenge as gaining acceptance into just about any Ivy League school. While Duke University may immediately conjure up images of the “Cameron Crazies” decked out in devil masks and blue face paint, make no mistake—those rowdy-looking students are really as studious as they come. In fact, just about every single one of the individuals you see in those stands on television scored a 1500+ on the SAT or a 35+ on the ACT and earned a parade of A’s throughout a high school schedule overflowing with AP/IB/dual enrollment courses. This brings us to the topic of this blog – how to write the Duke supplemental essays.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into Duke University? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Duke   for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

Given that almost 19 of every 20 applicants to Duke University are ultimately unsuccessful, you need to do everything you can to stand out amidst a sea of uber-qualified teens from around the globe. Through its one mandatory essay prompt and two optional offerings, the Duke University supplemental section still affords applicants an opportunity to highlight what makes them uniquely qualified for admission. Below are Duke’s supplemental prompts for the 2023-24 admissions cycle along with tips about how to address each one.

Required Duke Supplemental Essays – #1

1) what is your sense of duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you if there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 word limit).

This is your quintessential “Why Us?” essay which comes with the typical pitfalls you’ll want to avoid. We don’t want to label these as “mistakes” (there is nothing inherently wrong with them). They just don’t add any needle-moving value, which is, of course, the only goal when you are applying to a school as selective as Duke.

Common components of a generic “Why Duke?” essay

• Fawning over the beautiful campus (it is quite beautiful, but they already know that).
• Duke’s rank, prestige, and reputation. Again, they know!
• Too many generic expressions of feeling (e.g., Since I was five, I’ve dreamed of attending Duke… ).
• Recycled statements from your other “Why Us?” essays that come across as stale, impersonal, or worst of all–irrelevant/inaccurate.
• Talking about the Blue Devils basketball team.

How to write a winning “Why Duke?” essay

• Make sure to address why Duke is the perfect fit for you  and  why you are the perfect fit for Duke. To do so, cite specific  academic programs , professors ,  research opportunities , experiential education programs ,  study abroad programs ,  student-run organizations , Duke’s mission , etc. Be sure to discuss how you plan to take advantage of your chosen resources.
• Show evidence of how your past/current endeavors will carry over onto Duke’s campus.
• Discuss any special talents and passions that you will bring to Duke.

Big-picture thoughts on the “Why Duke?” essay

In any “Why Us?” composition, you need to show that you’ve done your homework on a given school, but you don’t want it to read like a rote list of items that you Googled five minutes before writing the essay (even if the timing of the Google search is roughly accurate).

In addition to the pure research element, a lot of the time and skill required to create a stellar Duke essay will involve connecting your selected opportunities of to your distinct values, talents, aims, proficiencies, and future goals.

Optional Essays – Select 0-2 from the following list (250 word limit for each)

While these essays are technically “optional,” we advise every single applicant to Duke to opt in on at least one essay. (Note that Prompt #1 is often an ideal and natural choice). Remember, Duke is one of those rare schools that rejects students with near-perfect (or even perfect) academic credentials. It is essential that you showcase the characteristics and skills that make you one-of-a-kind.

1) We believe a wide range of personal perspectives, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making Duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.

Take note of the wide-open nature of this prompt. You are essentially invited to talk about any of the following topics:

• A perspective you hold
• An experience you had
• A community you belong to
• Your cultural background
• Your family background

Although this prompt’s open floor plan may feel daunting, a good tactic is to first consider what has already been communicated within your Common App personal statement, activities list, and “Why Duke” essay. What important aspects of yourself have not been shared (or sufficiently discussed)? The admissions officer reading your essay is hoping to connect with you through your written words, so—within your essay’s reflection—be open, humble, thoughtful, inquisitive, emotionally honest, mature, and/or insightful about what you learned and how you grew. No matter what type of story you tell, the goal is to have the reader come away saying, “I can definitely see this applicant as a contributing member of our talented and engaged student community.”

Duke Supplemental Essays (Continued)

2) Tell us about an intellectual experience in the past two years that you found absolutely fascinating .

Firstly, note that Duke provides a time range. Accordingly, you’ll need to choose an intellectual experience from either your sophomore or junior year (formal or informal). Whether it’s a general love for math/science or literature or your aerospace engineering internship or your discovery of 19th-century French novels, use this opportunity to dig into why your chosen experience resonates with, fascinates, and/or inspires you. Moreover, share the manner in which you pursued knowledge. Whether you fell down a Wikipedia rabbit hole about the nature of time or consumed thousands of hours of podcasts on game theory, this is a chance to illustrate the ways in which you are an obsessive learner with a thirst for information. The admissions reader should emerge from reading this essay with the sense that you are a sincerely curious young person with a strong intellectual drive.

3) We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?

The U.S. presently finds itself in an extreme state of polarization. There seems to be little agreement even as to what constitutes “truth” or “facts” Within this divided world, it can be hard for individuals with competing viewpoints to engage in civil and productive dialogue. Here, Duke is giving you the chance to show that you are an open-minded, intellectually curious, truth-seeking young person. Illustrate how you are willing to engage in conversations/debates with people who hold opposing positions on topics of great importance to you. One key thing to remember when addressing this prompt is that you don’t have to be the hero of the anecdote. In fact, you may be one who learned to expand their thinking.

Of course, you are also invited to share about a person you agree with. However, without any friction, this may be the less interesting of the two choices.

4)  We recognize that “fitting in” in all the contexts we live in can sometimes be difficult. Duke values all kinds of differences and believes they make our community better. Feel free to tell us any ways in which you’re different, and how that has affected you or what it means to you.

Do you feel that your lived experience is different from others in your peer group, family, or community, perhaps in regard to relationships, household income level, mental or physical challenges, neurodiversity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or cultural background, to name a few? If so, answering this prompt could be a good option. While crafting your response, the important thing to keep in mind is that the difference/challenge itself is  less important  than what it reveals about your character and perspective. What steps have you taken to cope with your chosen difference? How has it positively impacted you? How has it influenced your perspective and the way you engage with the world? Is there anything about your difference that you feel especially appreciative of?  Make sure you share what you were feeling and experiencing; this piece should demonstrate openness and vulnerability.

5) Duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community.

If you feel that an element of your sexual orientation or gender identity/expression is an important component of who you are, this is an ideal place to discuss that part of yourself. Moreover, Duke’s instructions are broad, allowing to you discuss personal and/or social impact. No matter the direction you choose, be sure to fully address why this part of your identity holds such significant meaning for you.

How important are the Duke supplemental essays?

There are eight factors that Duke University considers “very important” in evaluating a candidate and the essays are among them. In addition to the essays, Duke gives the greatest consideration to the rigor of an applicant’s secondary school record, GPA, standardized test scores, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, and character/personal qualities.

Duke Supplemental Essays – Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Duke supplemental essays, we encourage you to  get a quote  today.

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College Essays

Do you want to be a Blue Devil? If so, you'll need to submit strong Duke essays as part of your application.

Duke requires its applicants to answer two essays, one as part of the Common or Coalition app, and one "Why Duke" essay. Students will also have the option to answer up to two more personal essay prompts, but they aren't required.

We're going to break down all the prompts for you and walk you though how to write amazing Duke supplement essays. So let's get started!

What Is the Duke Supplement Essay?

Duke requires that you submit two to four essays as part of your application. You're required to answer one "Why Duke?" essay prompt, as well as a Common Application essay or a Coalition Application essay (depending on which one you use to apply). Additionally, you have the option of answering up to two more essay questions.

Duke requires the Duke supplement as part of its application process for a couple of reasons. First of all, written essays are a great way to assess your preparedness for college. Duke wants to see that you can write clearly and concisely and can follow all of the necessary grammar conventions.

Duke also wants to get to know you more as a student and possible member of its campus. Essays are a great way to learn more about who you really are beyond your test scores and other credentials.

Finally, your Duke essays are where you can demonstrate your affinity for Duke itself. Why do you want to go there? Your essays can highlight your passion for the university.

It's extremely important to put time and effort into each one of the Duke supplement essay prompts so that you're able to meet all of these needs.

Duke Supplement Essay Prompts

You'll have to answer at least two and as many as four Duke supplement essay prompts for your Duke application. All students are required to write one longer essay. The essay you write will be determined by whether you're submitting the Common Application or the Coalition Application (Duke accepts both).

You're also required to answer the "Why Duke" essay prompt. There are four more personal essay questions that are optional for all applicants. You can answer up to two of them.

2022-2023 Duke Long Essay

The long essay prompt is actually the essay you'll write as part of your Common App or Coalition App. There's not a separate "long essay" prompt for Duke, so don't worry when you don't see the prompt pop up when you click over to the writing supplement tab.

On the other hand, that means that the long essay prompt you submit will depend on whether you're using the Common App, QuestBridge App, or Coalition App. These apps have slightly different essay prompts associated with them!

If you apply to Duke via the Coalition Application, you'll select one essay prompt to answer. For more information on how to ace your Coalition Application essay and an analysis of each prompt, check out our in-depth guide .

If you apply to Duke via the Common Application, you'll also need to select an essay prompt to answer. For more information on how to craft an amazing Common Application essay and in-depth look at each prompt, check out our blog post dedicated to that very topic .

2022-2023 "Why Duke?" Essay

All Duke students are required to answer the "Why Duke?" essay . Here's the essay prompt for 2022-2023:

What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there's something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 word limit)

For more information about how to answer this question, you can check out our in-depth post to the "Why Duke?" app. 

2022-2023 Optional Duke Essays

You also have the option of responding to optional Duke essays. There are four prompts, and you can answer up to two of them. However, you don't need to answer any if you don't feel the need to. Duke makes it clear that these Duke admissions essay prompts are completely optional. Their exact phrasing is, " Feel free to answer them if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already shared elsewhere in your application." For each prompt you choose to answer, you can write up to 250 words.

Here are the four prompts:

We seek a diverse student body that embodies the wide range of human experience. In that context, we are interested in what you’d like to share about your lived experiences and how they’ve influenced how you think of yourself. 

We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?

 What has been your best academic experience in the last two years, and what made it so good?

Duke's commitment to diversity and inclusion includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. If you’d like to share with us more about your identity in this context, feel free to do so here.

Required Duke Essay, Analyzed

Guess what: 250 words isn't a lot of words to describe your love for Duke! You'll need to be clear, succinct, and honest in order for your Duke admissions essay to stand out.

Because the word limit is so constrained, it's better to focus on one or two specific ideas, rather than trying to cram as many thoughts as possible into your short essay. For instance, while you may be enamored of Duke's entire faculty, choose one specific professor whose work you admire and expand on that. Any depth you can achieve in this small space will go a long way.

The key here is to be specific about why Duke is the best school for you. We just mentioned discussing faculty, but you can also talk about specific classes you want to take, academic organizations you want to be involved in, or even research opportunities you want to pursue. That means you'll need to do your research, but trust us: it will make a huge difference.

If you're still confused about this prompt and want a little extra help, don't miss our entire article about how to write an amazing "Why Duke" essay!

Optional Duke Admission Essay Prompts, Analyzed

Treat this question as an opportunity to share more about yourself. If you have something real and important to write about, do so. But don't try to invent an experience that doesn't actually belong to you—it'll come across as fake and insincere. Unless you really have nothing to say, I'd suggest including something.

If you choose to answer this question, lean into authenticity. Don't be scared to be vulnerable or honest. While the question talks about Duke's commitment to diversity, don't feel like you have to invent diverse experiences just to fit in.

Share about your unique perspective. Be sure to indicate why this point-of-view belongs to you, and you alone. Your perspective is made up by your experiences and interactions, so you can highlight how these have affected you.

For this prompt, Duke is giving you the chance to share your values and how you communicate and respond to opinions different than your own. College is a place where you'll encounter people with many different beliefs, and Duke wants to make sure its students are able to respectfully talk about big topics, even if the people you're speaking with don't have the same beliefs or values as you do.

If you decide to respond to this prompt, think about a person or people you particularly love debating or having discussions with. Be sure to explain who you agree/disagree with, what topics you discuss, if you generally agree or disagree, and specifically how you make sure the conversation is respectful and thoughtful. 

Show Duke that you're able to contribute positively to any discussion, even if you disagree with what's being said .

What has been your best academic experience in the last two years, and what made it so good?

Here Duke wants to know what motivates and excites you academically. Did you love partaking in a class debate? Maybe your best experience was bonding with a study group and helping each other learn the course material, or maybe it was doing a deep research dive to become an expert on a particular topic.

The specific experience you choose matters much less than your explanation of why it was so positive. Be sure to discuss exactly what you found about the experience you found enjoyable and  what you took away from it. If you can, try to tie it in to how you'll be a strong student at Duke and continue to find positive academic experiences.

Duke's commitment to diversity and inclusion includes gender identity and sexual orientation. If you would like to share with us more about either, and have not done so elsewhere in the application, we invite you to do so here.

Don't answer this optional essay unless you have something real to say. Don't feel intimidated or scared that ignoring this question will reflect badly on you. It won't. You should really only address this prompt if you're a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

What will reflect badly on you is making something up that comes across as insincere, or worse, ignorant. Speak truthfully and from the heart.

Similarly, if you do have reflections on gender identity and sexual orientation, don't feel like you have to share them. Remember, this essay is optional. It's completely fine if you're not quite comfortable enough or ready to talk publicly about these topics.

If you choose to answer this question, only speak about real experiences that happened to you. It's better to keep them personal. This essay isn't the place to reflect on the overall political climate surrounding LGBTQ+ rights, especially if those issues don't relate to you. It is, however, the space to talk about your specific identity and journey.

How to Write Great Duke Essays

If you want your Duke essays to stand out and help you get admitted, follow these tips!

#1: Use Your Own Voice

The point of a college essay is for the admissions committee to have the chance to get to know you beyond your test scores, grades, and honors. Your admissions essays are your opportunity to make yourself come alive for the essay readers and to present yourself as a fully fleshed out person.

You should, then, make sure that the person you're presenting in your college essays is yourself. Don't try to emulate what you think the committee wants to hear or try to act like someone you're not.

If you lie or exaggerate, your essay will come across as insincere, which will diminish its effectiveness. Stick to telling real stories about the person you really are, not who you think Duke wants you to be.

#2: Avoid Cliched or Overused Phrases

When writing your Duke essays, try to avoid using clichés or overused quotes or phrases. These include quotations that have been quoted to death and phrases or idioms that are overused in daily life. The college admissions committee has probably seen numerous essays that state, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Strive for originality.

Similarly, avoid using clichés, which take away from the strength and sincerity of your work. Don't speak in platitudes about how the struggle for gay and lesbian rights has affected you… unless it actually has!

#3: Check Your Work

It should almost go without saying, but you want to make sure your Duke essays are the strongest example of your work possible. Before you turn in your Duke application, make sure to edit and proofread your essays.

Your work should be free of spelling and grammar errors. Make sure to run your essays through a spelling and grammar check before you submit.

It's a good idea to have someone else read your Duke essays, too. You can seek a second opinion on your work from a parent, teacher, or friend. Ask them whether your work represents you as a student and person. Have them check and make sure you haven't missed any small writing errors. Having a second opinion will help your work be the best it possibly can be.

That being said, make sure you don't rely on them for ideas or rewrites. Your essays need to be your work.

#4: Only Answer What You're Comfortable With

Remember, Duke's optional essays are just that—optional. It can be tempting to respond to everything on the application and if you have an important story to tell, you definitely should.

However, if you have nothing to say, don't feel like you need to make something up. You're better off answering less, honestly, then you are answering more, dishonestly.

What's Next?

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet? Not sure which one you'll do best on? Read our guide to choose the test that's right for you .

If you've taken the SAT and want to improve your score, check out our guides to improving your Reading , Writing , and Math scores.

Not sure what you want to major in? Don't worry! With our advice, you'll figure out what you should study as an undergrad.

Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females.

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How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Duke Supplemental Essay Prompts

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When applying to a school as selective as Duke University with a 6% acceptance rate, the supplemental essay portion is key to making your mark. There is sure to be a sea of stellar applicants with impressive transcripts and extensive extracurricular involvement. Standing out on the Duke supplemental essays relies on telling your story in a compelling way. 

It is helpful to break each prompt into pieces and identify the points you hope to address. Proper planning helps keep your responses clear, concise, and example-driven. Below, we give you more tips on how to tackle each prompt. We also provide thought starters for incorporating anecdotes from your own experiences.  

Also see: How to choose a college

Required Essay

“what is your sense of duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you if there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 word limit)”.

For this essay, it will be important for you to do a little bit of research about Duke as a school and a community, and to make a list of the things that you like the most. Then, make a list of the things that you are looking for in a school unrelated to Duke. Look at both lists together, and make the connection between the two. 

A 250 word limit is the perfect number of words for this type of question. This would be a good question to dive into specific things that draw you into Duke University– mentioning things that you are looking for in a school that maybe only Duke has.  

Don’t miss: Scholarships360’s free scholarship search tool

Questions to consider: 

• What professors are you looking forward to working with?
• What research opportunities does Duke offer that you are interested in?
• What draws you in about the community at Duke?

Optional Essays

Although these essays are optional, we always encourage students to write them anyway so that the university is able to see who you are at a deeper level. If you have the same academic statistics as another student and the admissions professionals are trying to decide between the two of you, it could come down to the essays and which student they know more about. Help them get to know you better!

Each of these essays should be a maximum of 250 words, and there is no minimum. However, it would be a good idea to write at least 150 words so that the admissions committee has enough writing to get to know you. You may choose to write a maximum of two prompts to write essays for.

“ We believe a wide range of personal perspectives, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making Duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community ”

This is a question that you may be asked quite a bit on college supplemental essay prompts, just worded in different ways. Think about an experience that you did not write about on your application that makes you unique compared to other applicants. They are looking for something personal, honest, and open, so take a deep look into your life to see if there is anything that you feel comfortable sharing with them. 

Once you have figured out what experience you want to share, it may help to free write in a stream-of-consciousness type of way to help you get your thoughts flowing. After that, you can always go back and edit for length and clarity. If you don’t feel comfortable writing about a personal experience, that is okay! That is one of the reasons why this prompt is optional. 

Questions to consider:

• What type of person do you consider yourself to be?
• What experiences have shaped you?
• How have you been influenced by the experiences in your life?

Also see: How to respond to the Common App essay prompts

“Tell us about an intellectual experience in the past two years that you found absolutely fascinating.”

This is another one of those questions where you want to look deeper than the surface. It is important to not just re-word what you already wrote on your application or what your transcript already revealed. It also may be helpful to think about something more than just the classes that you took. Did you go on a field trip that made you passionate about what you wanted to study after high school? Maybe you had a career fair at school that shifted your mind academically. These are all great things to think about before you start writing this essay.

This type of essay tells the admissions professionals a great deal about who you are as a student, so this would be an important essay to write if you had to pick one of the optional ones. 

• What was your favorite class in high school?
• What about that class made it special?
• Did you have a specific teacher that made you decide what major you wanted to go into?

“We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?”

In college, often the beliefs that you held as a child or in high school tend to develop or change completely. They are asking you this to get a feel for what kind of person you are, and more specifically, what kind of student or team-player you are. Generally, colleges and universities want to find students who are willing to test the beliefs of themselves and others so that they can see more than just one side of a situation, whether that be academically, socially, or personally. 

This is a difficult question to answer because it is sometimes hard to admit that our beliefs are sometimes wrong, or to admit that we disagree with people often. This is an important question because they want to see your response to the challenge.  

• What is something that you and your friends often debate about?
• Is there a topic that comes up at the dinner table a great deal that you end up having banter over?
• What are you passionate about?

“ Orientation, identity, expression Duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community. ”

This prompt is great because it is generally something a regular college application cannot answer. This is the place where you can talk more about who you are as a person, what your personal identity is, and why that makes you you if you choose to do so. You can write as little as you’d like or go right up to the 250 word maximum– whatever makes you most comfortable.

• What type of person do you identify as?
• How has your culture shaped who you are?
• How will you use who you are to shape your college experience?

“We recognize that “fitting in” in all the contexts we live in can sometimes be difficult. Duke values all kinds of differences and believes they make our community better. Feel free to tell us any ways in which you’re different, and how that has affected you or what it means to you.”

This is another great opportunity to talk about things that you wouldn’t otherwise get to talk about. Take some time to think about any aspects of your life that you may have ever felt “different” in. Remember too that “different” does not mean bad. What are some ways that you have felt your differences have been to your advantage? 

Related: How to write a 500 word essay

Key Takeaways

• “Show don’t tell” as much as you can through short story examples 
• Do not shy away from injecting your personality and voice into your responses
• Think of what makes you truly distinctive and has formed the person you are today for prompt #1
• Take some time to read through the optional essay prompts and try to respond to at least one
• Remember, the more you can share about yourself, the more you can set yourself apart as an applicant

Additional supplemental essay guides

• Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)
• Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)
• University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
• Emory University (Atlanta, GA)

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Duke University Supplemental Essays 2022-2023

Duke supplemental essays 2022-2023.

Lauded for its academic excellence, Duke University is one of the most elite universities in the nation. If you want to stand out in the admissions process, the Duke supplemental essays are critical. But, before we dive into the Duke supplemental essay, let’s learn a little more about Duke University and its popularity. 

Ranking as #10 by U.S. News, national college rankings consistently affirm Duke’s prestige. Duke’s mission is to “provide a superior liberal education” to students who display “character, determination, and application.” This top university aims to not only educate its students, but also to instill ethical and moral integrity in order to create future leaders in various fields. 

If you’re set on attending Duke University , then first things first: let’s tackle writing each Duke essay. 

Duke Supplemental Essay: Quick Facts

• Duke University acceptance rate: 6%— U.S. News ranks Duke as a most selective school.
• 1 essay (250 words)
• 2 optional essays (250 words)
• Duke University application note: Students may apply to Duke via the Common Application , Coalition Application , or QuestBridge Application . Be sure that you have all of the Duke requirements completed by the deadline. You can check the status of your Duke application after submitting all materials via the Duke portal . 
• Duke supplemental essays #1 tip: We recommend giving yourself plenty of time to answer each Duke essay thoughtfully and thoroughly to maximize your admissions odds.

How many essays are required for Duke?

There is only one school-specific Duke essay on the 2022-2023 Common App. Students can also choose two of four additional Duke University essay prompts to answer. However, these two additional Duke supplemental essays are optional. 

However, you should plan to complete the two “optional” essays. With the Duke acceptance rate so low, well written essays can help your Duke application stand out to admissions. 

Students applying to Duke must also answer one of the Common App essay prompts . 

The Common App personal essay and each Duke essay are vital parts of the Duke requirements. However, there is much more involved in a successful “how to get into Duke” plan than just well-written essays . Check out our guide in order to make your application stand out to Duke admissions. 

What are the Duke supplemental essay prompts?

In addition to the Common App personal essay , students have to respond to the Duke supplemental essays. There is only one required Duke essay. However, students should plan to answer the optional Duke supplemental essays as well in order to stand out.

So, then, what exactly are the Duke supplemental essays? The only required Duke essay is a why school essay. Here’s the why Duke essay question:  

What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 word limit)

Before delving into just how to answer the why Duke essay, let’s look at the four other additional—and optional—Duke supplemental essays. Applicants can choose two of these prompts to answer. 

Similar to the required why Duke essay, each of these Duke supplemental essays has a 250 word limit. 

Optional Duke Supplemental Essay Prompts

1. We seek a diverse student body that embodies the wide range of human experience. In that context, we are interested in what you’d like to share about your lived experiences and how they’ve influenced how you think of yourself.

2. We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?

3. What has been your best academic experience in the last two years, and what made it so good?

4. Duke’s commitment to diversity and inclusion includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. If you’d like to share with us more about your identity in this context, feel free to do so here.

You can find the Common App essay requirements for Duke here . Or, check out the different Duke supplemental essays listed directly on the Duke website . 

Should I answer the optional Duke essay prompt?

As you approach the Duke supplemental essays, you’ll notice that some are listed as optional. We encourage students to answer all of the Duke supplemental essays. However, choosing two that resonate with you to respond to, is extremely important as they can bolster your application narrative . 

In general, we recommend that all students respond to the first of the “optional” Duke supplemental essays, which asks about identity and background. The next two are also good options to respond to: how you deal with disagreements and your most meaningful academic experience. The final Duke essay, however, is a bit more complicated, as it relates directly to gender identity and sexual orientation .

Focus on the essays that interest you

Now, if your gender and sexuality are important to your identity, you can discuss them in this Duke essay. Also, you can use the last of the Duke supplemental essays to discuss allyship and community care in relation to marginalized genders. However, whatever you discuss, speak from your personal experience. And, of course, you should avoid any prejudice or bigotry. We’ll detail these nuances more later in this guide.

Overall, every part of your college applications matter. The Duke supplemental essays are no exception. You should use every space Duke gives you to tell the admissions committee who you are—but only if it’s appropriate to your identity and experiences. That’s why choosing the correct two Duke supplemental essays to complete is extremely important.

Aim for two additional essays

You should plan to write two additional, while technically optional, Duke supplemental essays. Be sure to choose the prompts that you can answer authentically, passionately, and comprehensively. Be as honest and thoughtful as you can when writing your Duke supplemental essays. 

If you need some inspiration on how to write a college essay, check out some college essays that worked to see what universities’ admissions committees like to see. 

Why Duke Essay

If you’ve written any other university application essays, then you’re probably familiar with the why school essay. Duke’s only required supplemental essay is a why Duke essay. Basically, you need to show admissions not only what unique features draw you to Duke, but also why you’re suited to be a part of the Duke community. 

“What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 word limit)”

Unlike the other Duke supplemental essays, the why Duke essay is required for all students. This Duke essay is the classic “Why School” prompt, and you should take it seriously if you hope to gain admission.

Accepted Duke essays will show the admissions team why you belong at Duke. They should also show that you’ve done your research and that, if admitted, you would be excited to attend Duke.

This why Duke essay also gives you the chance to show off your research skills. Go to Duke’s website and look around for interesting extracurriculars, exciting classes, or engaging professors. If you’ve already visited the campus, now is the time to think about highlights—conversations that you’ve had, places that you saw that made a positive impression. Think about what truly interests you about Duke, and find one to three specific things to discuss that align with your candidate profile.

Be specific!

Additionally, don’t be afraid to mix specific details with broader statements about Duke’s offerings and campus culture in this why Duke essay. However, if you go this route, be careful not to over-generalize. 

For example, successful Duke essay examples might discuss how Duke is one of the foremost research institutions in the nation. However, you should also be clear about why you would like to attend Duke over a similarly prestigious school. After all, your readers don’t want to hear that you’re applying primarily due to prestige.

Make sure your why Duke essay remains true to you. For instance, don’t make up a desire to write for The Chronicle if you have no interest in journalism. Instead, discuss specific classes, clubs, and cultures that make Duke right for you based on your passions and aspirations. 

For example, you could specifically speak about how the liberal arts education at Duke appeals to you by mentioning study options only found at Trinity College at Duke. Or, get even more specific if you know your intended major. For example, if you know you want to pursue engineering, then mention offerings only found at the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke. 

Duke Supplemental Essays Reflection Questions:

• Do I know why I’m interested in Duke specifically?
• Does my essay honestly and earnestly express that interest?
• Where possible, have I talked about concrete and specific offerings Duke provides that I’m interested in?
• Have I described how I hope to connect to Duke’s community?

How do you write a Duke essay?

Writing successful Duke supplemental essays will take time and planning. Accepted Duke essays will not only meet the requirements but will also show your passion for Duke. When answering the why Duke essay, make sure that you are specific about what draws you to Duke in particular. This isn’t the time to be vague and generic. Instead, you’ll need to mention Duke-specific programs. However, don’t forget to show why you’re a perfect fit for Duke, too!

The most important part of responding to the optional Duke supplemental essays is choosing topics that you can write about eloquently yet passionately. You’ll want to think of these two optional Duke supplemental essays as required. 

This year’s prompts give applicants a perfect opportunity to enhance their application narrative with two additional and meaningful Duke supplemental essays. Just make sure to choose the prompts that resonate most with you.

There are many resources available to help with college essay writing. While it’s great to read successful essays , keep in mind that there is no cookie cutter perfect essay. They all vary greatly. Just remember to be yourself and stick to the requirements. 

Duke Supplemental Essays- Optional Essays

Responding to the Duke supplemental essays doesn’t need to be an overwhelming task. In fact, the earlier you start planning, the easier it will be to write your Duke essays. As you research colleges and write other essays, keep the Duke essay prompts at the back of your mind. 

The Duke supplemental essays 2022-2023 are on the Common App site . You can also visit the main Duke site for a full list of application requirements.

Begin by outlining each Duke essay prompt. First, take a look at the word counts for the Duke supplemental essays. Use them to dictate the structure of your response. You’ll want to answer the prompt in the first sentence and then expand. For the longer, Common App or Coalition App essay, you can open with a related anecdote and add more description.

Remember your word counts

Since all of the Duke supplemental essays have a 250 word limit, you’ll want to make your responses as concise as possible. However, this doesn’t mean you need to limit yourself as you brainstorm and draft. 

Try this exercise: for each prompt, start a timer and free-write for ten minutes, paying no attention to the word count. Though you may not use all (or any!) of the content you generate, these free-writes can help you find engaging topics for your final Duke supplemental essays.

To read more on reflection exercises and choosing a great essay topic, check out our blog article .

Once you have drafts of your Duke supplemental essays, it’s time to revise. Remember, given the short word counts on each of the Duke supplemental essays, every word matters. 

Eliminate any filler text—every word should help admissions officers understand new details about who you are and why you should attend Duke. You might also ask trusted counselors, family members, or teachers to take a look at your Duke supplemental essays to see how they read to an outsider. This will help you write the strongest essays possible.

Keep reading for a full breakdown of the optional Duke supplemental essays.

Duke essay- “Diversity” essay

Another favorite type of essay when it comes to college essays, the “diversity essay” makes an appearance on Duke’s optional supplemental essay prompts list. 

“We seek a diverse student body that embodies the wide range of human experience. In that context, we are interested in what you’d like to share about your lived experiences and how they’ve influenced how you think of yourself.”

Every student has a story. In this optional prompt, the admissions team wants to learn yours.

This essay gives you the chance to talk about your identity and culture, whatever that might mean to you. Maybe you’re a first-generation college student whose family background strongly influenced your desire to apply to college. Or, maybe you’re an international student from Russia interested in expanding your understanding of the world by attending Duke. Whoever you are, this Duke essay is your chance to express your full self to your readers—in 250 words or less, at least.

To begin this Duke essay, consider the key parts of your identity and heritage. This can manifest in your culture, values, or experiences. This prompt asks you to discuss a perspective you bring or experiences you’ve had; essentially, your readers want to know what makes you you . Moreover, they also want to see how your identity will help shape the community at Duke. Successful Duke essay examples will fulfill both of these requirements.

Begin brainstorming for your Duke essay by writing down 3-5 characteristics or experiences that shape you as a person. Set a timer and write for ten minutes about each of them. Which one feels most natural to write about? That’s your essay.

With only 250 words on each of the optional Duke supplemental essays, you don’t have much space. Stick to one primary characteristic, experience, or value. Then, use it to discuss how you relate to the world around you. Be as concrete as possible, referencing specific ways in which your identity will influence your interactions with the Duke community.

Reflection Questions for your Duke Supplemental Essays:

• Do I communicate clearly what’s most important to me about my identity?
• Do I tell my story authentically?
• Have I shown how I use my unique experiences, beliefs, and backgrounds to engage with those around me?
• Do I reference specific ways in which my identity or experience will influence my contributions to the Duke community?

Duke essay- Difficult conversations

This next optional essay prompt focuses on how you deal with differing opinions and tricky conversations. Alternatively, you may also choose to highlight someone you agree with on big topics.

“We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?”

Duke University promotes a respectful learning environment of people from different backgrounds. They understand that it’s not only important to connect to people who you see eye-to-eye with, but to those with different perspectives and opinions than your own. 

If you respond to this prompt, be specific about the person and the topic that you choose to highlight. Whether you choose to focus on an agreement or disagreement, this essay should show how you shine as an empathetic listener and/or speaker. After all, change usually comes from hard conversations. So, feel free to emphasize a moment where you shifted your perspective or the person who you were speaking with did. If you choose a moment of agreement, make sure that your beliefs and values on big topics come through. 

Duke Supplemental Essays Reflection Questions: 

• Did I focus on a meaningful agreement or disagreement?
• Were my beliefs and values clearly displayed?
• Did I show growth or understanding from the agreement or disagreement that I focused on?
• Does my essay highlight my personal approach to hard conversations clearly?

Duke essay – Best academic experience

Duke admissions looks for students who excel academically. With such a low acceptance rate, the admissions team only selects the most academically motivated and intellectually curious applicants. So, it makes sense that one optional Duke essay prompt focuses on a meaningful academic experience. 

“What has been your best academic experience in the last two years, and what made it so good?”

The key to successfully responding to this optional essay prompt is showing academic passion. Avoid the urge to simply highlight academic excellence; you’ll need to do more than just mention a paper that you got an A+ on. 

For example, did you discover your passion for buying locally while writing a paper on mass manufacturing? Did it lead you to more research and a shift in lifestyle? Or, maybe you study Italian and went on a trip to Italy, where you could practice the language while discovering the culture. Show how the experience sparked your interest in linguistics or European studies. 

Basically, it’s not the academic moment you mention that particularly matters—it’s the impact that it’s had on you. You’ll need to show how the experience impacted or expanded your academic world. 

Reflection Questions for your Duke Essay:

• Did I highlight a recent academic experience (within the last two years)?
• Do I show how it fed or ignited an intellectual curiosity?
• Am I specific when explaining the experience?
• Is my passion for learning evident? 

Duke essay – Gender & sexuality

The final of the optional Duke supplemental essays asks you to discuss sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression insofar as it relates to your background and identity. For trans, nonbinary, gender non-conforming, and LGBTQ+ students, this Duke essay can offer a chance to share an important part of yourself with your application readers.

“Duke’s commitment to diversity and inclusion includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. If you’d like to share with us more about your identity in this context, feel free to do so here.”

If you are not comfortable discussing this element of your identity with the admissions committee, you do not need to complete this Duke essay. You also do not need to disclose your gender or sexuality to Duke admissions, whether you’re proudly out as trans or if you’re only starting to question your identity. However, if your sexual orientation or gender identity forms an important part of the story you want to tell, this Duke essay may be for you.

Defining “allyship”

Additionally, if you’re not LGBTQ+ but have personal experience related to allyship, you might use this opportunity to discuss how LGBTQ+ issues inform your own self-perception. This can be particularly useful if you’re the child of a same-sex couple or have family or close friends who have faced marginalization due to who they are or who they love. 

However, you should only speak from your own experience. Do not co-opt the stories of others, and don’t feel obligated to submit a half-baked response to this Duke essay just to affirm your ally status. If your response to this Duke University essay does not ultimately relate to your own background and identity, it may be best to exclude it. Just because you care about the issues in and around the LGBTQ+ community does not mean that you need to write about them in your Duke supplemental essays.

If you choose to complete this essay, start by thinking about exactly how you want to present your identity. What language and labels do you want to use? What method of expressing yourself feels most comfortable and appropriate?

How to structure your response

With only 250 words, the Duke supplemental essays offer you little space to expand on the nuances of your identity. Accordingly, don’t feel pressured to make this Duke essay fit a narrative structure. State who you are, why it matters, and how your set of identities influence your daily life. You should also use this Duke essay to discuss how your identity will inform who you are on Duke’s campus.

Finally, it’s not always easy to talk about these parts of your identity! As you complete this Duke University essay, don’t feel pressured to dig into parts of your life that are traumatic or overly personal. Present who you are proudly and on your own terms. Preserving your boundaries as you answer the Duke essay prompts will ease your stress as well as that of the admissions team. 

• Does my essay communicate my identity clearly?
• Do I describe how my identity affects my life in concrete terms?
• Am I comfortable with the level of openness and vulnerability that I’ve expressed?
• Do I tell my own story?
• Have I expressed myself on my own terms?

How do I answer a Duke essay?

Above all else, your Duke essays should be honest. The Duke supplemental essays are designed to help admissions officers learn who you are as a person beyond your grades and test scores. Your essays, therefore, should reveal what makes you unique.

Many of the Duke supplemental essays focus on your identity. Your Duke supplemental essays should reflect the reality of this identity in all of its complexities. Be authentic, be yourself, and use your Duke essays to explain who you are as a person rather than just as a student.

What does Duke look for in essays?

Above all, your Duke essays should make admissions officers say, “I want to meet this student.” They should be authentic to your identity and experiences, and they should convey how valuable you will be as a member of the Duke community. Successful Duke supplemental essays should reveal what makes you unique.

On a pragmatic level, your Duke essays should show your writing and communication skills. The best Duke essays will use powerful language, tone, and diction to tell a story that only you can tell. In your Duke supplemental essays, try to use your writing chops to accurately and engagingly represent your identity. And of course, your Duke essays should be free from any spelling or grammatical errors.

Use this guide

We have provided the prompts for the Duke supplemental essays 2022-2023 in this guide. Use our breakdown of how to approach each of the Duke supplemental essays in order to craft your best essays and, subsequently, add meaning to your application narrative.

Keep in mind that while it’s vital to impress admissions, college fit needs to work both ways. So, before obsessing about getting into Duke, make sure you do your research on things like tuition costs , campus life, financial aid, and academic offerings. 

You can also check out this webinar to learn more about all things Duke related from admissions experts, Duke alumni, and current Duke students. 

Five Tips for Writing your Duke Supplemental Essays

Writing your Duke supplemental essays doesn’t need to be an overwhelming experience. Check out these final tips as you approach the Duke essay prompts:

Tips for Duke Supplemental Essays

#1- start early.

Duke has a few admissions options . Your application may be due in November or January. Begin gathering your application materials early—at least 5 or 6 months in advance. You should write your first Duke essay drafts the summer before you apply. You can also add to your application with college application letters . So, give yourself plenty of time to create the most competitive application and essays possible. 

#2- Stay organized

Writing the best essays and crafting an application narrative that beats the low Duke acceptance rate will require planning and organization. Create an essay checklist for each prompt. Review your initial draft against the checklist: do you answer every part of the prompt? Are your answers authentic to who you are? Do your Duke essays tell a story?

#3- Find an extra pair of eyes

It’s always good to have a second (and sometimes third) set of eyes reading your Duke supplemental essays for grammatical errors, as well as clarity and tone. However, when applying any feedback, keep in mind your personal writing style. The Duke supplemental essays should be an extension of you—not anyone else. 

#4- Write passionately

Be sure to not only meet all of the Duke requirements for the Duke supplemental essays, such as fully answering the prompt within the 250 word limit, but to also do it with passion. That means being authentic and showing your true self. Get excited about the opportunity to study at this elite university—and channel it into some stellar writing. 

#5- Be specific

You want to be specific in the way you answer each of the Duke supplemental essays. However, be especially sure that when taking on the required why Duke essay, you do your research and reference specific programs, faculty, or opportunities only found at Duke. 

Need a little more inspiration for your Duke supplemental essays? Check out this video from a few years ago, when a Duke student asked her fellow sophomores, “Why Duke?” The answers may surprise you, and/or help you think about how to approach the why Duke essay beyond the obvious answers.

Duke Supplemental Essays: Final Thoughts

Completing the Duke supplemental essays can seem daunting. But, keep in mind that there are many resources to guide you in how to write a college essay . So, rather than getting overwhelmed, think about the Duke essays as an opportunity to introduce yourself to the admissions team. A well-written set of Duke supplemental essays can work in your favor.

So if you’re dreaming about an acceptance letter from Duke so that you can focus on college enrollment and how to pay for Duke , use this guide to help you approach each Duke application essay with a solid strategy. Then, build a timeline that gives you a few months to draft and revise each of your answers. 

If you’re still at a loss for where to get started, check out some more examples of college essays to see what works. But, remember that successful Duke supplemental essays will vary greatly from student to student. So, your Duke supplemental essays need to represent you. Refer to this guide or get help from one of our expert advisors along the way in order to write your best Duke supplemental essays. Good luck!

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2021-2022 Duke Supplemental Essays Guide: Tips & Prompts

When applying to selective institutions, supplemental essays are a huge part of the process. Supplemental essays are an essential tool admissions officers use to assess student fit, and so Duke supplemental essays help assess whether or not you belong at the university.

Think about it: every other part of the application is relatively generic. Every college will receive the same information from the student including their name, demographic information, transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and personal statement.

Supplemental essays dig a bit deeper into the student’s personality, passions, etc. As such, these additional questions should be taken seriously. It is important to use these essays to your advantage and prove to the school once more why you belong at that institution.

Review the guidelines and requirements for Duke supplemental essays.

Along with the Common App which contains your personal statement, Duke asks that students complete 1-3 short supplemental essays. The Duke supplement essays consist of a 200-word essay and two optional 250-word essays. For the 2021-2022 application cycle, your Duke application essays should be submitted with the Common Application on January 4th for Regular Decision and on November 1st for Early Decision.

You can read about the requirements on the official website .

Why Duke essay: 4 tips that can help you get admission in Duke University

The first prompt asks for a “Why this college” essay.

Please share with us why you consider Duke a good match for you.  Is there something in particular about Duke’s academic or other offerings that attract you?  (200 words maximum)

Admissions officers want students who will both excel and enjoy their time, so the case has to be made why you prefer Duke rather than any other top university.

1. Make sure your reasons are clear.

First and foremost, before you start any writing and planning, make sure the answer is clear to yourself. Sometimes our preferences for colleges at first can be instinctive or general, which is fine at first. But for these essays, your reasons will have to be articulated. If your reasons do not single out Duke from other universities, you are not really answering “Why Duke.” Before you make the case for Duke, make the case for yourself!

You may want to try rehearsing and answering yourself or writing it in 1-3 sentences. You will have space to elaborate and give examples but having a general point from the outset will make your case clearer and have a greater impact. This will also help you avoid your essay reading like a list, which can be both uninteresting and inadequate. Giving a list of good qualities of the university does not say why those qualities appeal to you.

2. Research the university .

Doing prior research can help you articulate the “Why Duke” question for yourself.

Read about Duke, from the official website and ranking websites to know the reputation of programs that interest you. Reading about things that are relevant to your college experience, like departments you are interested in, professors, student services. Read how the university talks about itself and what it says it excels at. Once you have found the things that you like about the university, you will have to consider why those things appeal to you.

3. Outline and plan your essays.

You may find that some things you are considering mentioning could fit under different prompts or are already mentioned in your personal statement. Whatever you do, plan the essays in advance to allocate the points you make so you do not repeat yourself. If something is important enough that you feel the need to mention it in another prompt, be brief.

Planning can involve outlining the essay before you write it. Because of the short length of the essay, you will probably only have room to make a few key points. Whatever points you make, know that in asking “Why Duke,” you are also being asked about yourself. Your point should not be just that Duke has this or that program. You should give reasons related to your interests, experiences, future plans, or values for why those programs fit you.

It may be a helpful practice to take a half-hour to write a quick draft early on. This way you can see what works or does not work when structuring your essay and figure out what points you have trouble articulating. You can then redraft it or outline it with these issues in mind.

4. Be particular. 

Finally, be particular. Pay attention to the phrase, “is there something in particular.” This question is asking you to provide specific reasons why you want to attend Duke University. Generic answers will not cut it here. Cite professors, professional resources, programs, internships, or other opportunities that genuinely excite you. Doing good research will make this task far easier. However, it isn’t good enough to simply name a professor or class without connecting it to why it is important to you. You can show that something is important to you by referring to your experiences or mentioning how that thing will help you.

Don’t write: 

I imagine myself taking Professor Smith’s Data Visualization for Gender Inequities. The class seems interesting and I would be excited to learn how to visualize data.

Instead, say:

Since my involvement in the debate club, I have been curious about how we can use empirical data to rectify societal issues. I imagine myself taking Professor Smith’s Data Visualization for Gender Inequities. This class will provide an important framework about the ways in which we can not only obtain data but how to use it to inform policy. 

Do not use this essay to brag to the university about how prestigious they are. In other words, don’t tell Duke you want to go there because Duke is a highly ranked institution; they already know that. And for everyone applying, the prestigiousness and quality of education is already a reason for applying. So, being specific and giving good reasons will also help you stand out among other students. What else matters to you about the institution? Do you like the culture, the classes, programs, majors? If you can’t think of a reason to attend Duke other than because it is Duke, you may want to reconsider why you’re applying.

Another way of being particular is talking about your personal connection to the university. This connection may be about the culture, a personal experience with the school, a visit, or a talk with an admissions officer. If you have not had the opportunity to visit, perhaps there are student support systems that appeal to you or alumni you look up to.

Duke’s Optional Supplemental Essays

Duke offers two optional supplemental essay prompts. Here is the first:

Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger. If you’d like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you’ve had that would help us understand you better, perhaps a community you belong to or your family or cultural background, we encourage you to do so here. Real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real people applying to Duke. (250 words maximum)

Some keywords to pay attention to in this prompt are diversity, perspective, experiences, community, cultural background. This supplement essay is intentionally broad so that everyone should be able to answer it. Duke wants to see that you have your own perspective that you will bring to the university community.

You can use this essay to discuss an ethnic, cultural, or religious identity you belong to. Some students may feel their identities do not say anything special about who they are – but that’s okay. If you find that these kinds of identities have not impacted you in a significant way, you can think of other communities you belong to that matter to you. Perhaps the city where you live shaped your identity, or maybe the school club you belong to shaped your way of thinking. No matter what your background is, you should answer this optional essay. If you don’t, you are wasting an opportunity to make a case for yourself.

This essay is not a list of facts about yourself. You need to show how this background impacts your perspective. For this reason, it is a good idea to discuss both your past and your future, because the major takeaway from this essay is how you will use these experiences to diversify the incoming class. An easy structure to use for this kind of essay is (1) what it was like having this background, (2) how it affected you, and (3) how this will affect your experience at Duke. For example, you may say growing up in a Hispanic household taught you the importance of family and community. Then, you can discuss how to plan to promote that culture with students at the university.

Of course, it should offer a perspective not offered anywhere else on your application. Therefore, if you wrote about a certain part of your identity as the topic for your personal essay, choose a different aspect of your life for this essay.

Duke’s commitment to diversity and inclusion includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. If you would like to share with us more about your identity, you can do so here, or use any previous essay prompt you feel is appropriate. (250 words maximum)

This essay has a similar purpose to the last essay. If you choose to answer it, make sure that you do not make the same point in both essays. Again, what is important for this essay is not that you have a certain identity, but that you show how it has informed your perspective. This perspective that you talk about – whether it is your passions, values, future plans – does not need to be something you are fully certain of. Your response here can be more reflective. You can talk about different possibilities or how you hope to change in the future. For both these optional essays, what is important is that you demonstrate genuine reflection on your background or identity.

You may feel that this essay is not applicable to you, or that you are uncomfortable answering it. It is fine that you skip this optional question. The first optional essay serves a similar purpose, so do not worry as long as you fill that one out.

Key takeaways on Duke University supplemental essays

For all of these Duke supplements, what matters more than the identity you chose is how you explain the effect your identity had on you. In other words, do not simply write about your cultural heritage or involvement in a community without explaining how it shaped you. Similarly, the “Why Duke” essays cannot be answered by only saying things about Duke. Ultimately, the question is why you think you belong at the university. Always relate whatever it is you are talking about back to yourself. By showing passions and purpose – that is how you stand out from other students on these essays.

Finally, clarity and conciseness are essential. Take advantage of the space you have and do more with less. Preparation and trying to understand the reasons Duke appeals to you will make the writing process easier and the essay better. If you genuinely are interested in going to Duke, you should have good reasons, and take the time to find the right words for them. The more convinced you are, the more passionate and authentic your writing will come across.

FAQs related to Duke essays

How many supplemental essays does duke have.

Duke requires one supplement essay and offers two optional ones. The required essay is 200-words and the optional ones are 250-words each.

Should I answer the Duke optional essays?

Yes, you should take advantage of more opportunities to make your case. Many approaches can be taken for the first optional essay. However, you may find that the second optional essay is inapplicable to you or you may be uncomfortable answering it. If you find it difficult to answer, you probably should not.

When do the Duke supplemental essays come out?

The latest versions of Duke’s supplemental essays come out sometime around mid-August. The essay prompts for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle have been released on Duke’s website .

How do you stand out to Duke?

Be genuine. These Duke writing supplements are not only about qualifications but about finding people who really care about the university. If you like the university, find out how to express and explain it. Connect everything you talk about (what you like about Duke, your background) back to yourself.

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How To Write The Duke Supplemental Essays

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 11/16/23

Follow along to learn everything you need about the Duke University essays, including prompts, tips, and examples. 

If you are on this page, you are probably doing some college research and may have Duke University on your list. With an acceptance rate of 5.1%, Duke University is one of the most competitive schools in the U.S.

Writing compelling essays is one of the most crucial parts of your Duke application. You may feel pressured to be as perfect as possible, but the good news is we’re here to help. If you’re struggling with your Duke application, look at our definitive guide on how to get into Duke and read on for info on the all-important secondary essays.

Here, we break down each supplemental essay question, give you tips on how to write them, and share examples of excellent essays. By the end of this article, you'll know how to write the Duke supplemental essays.

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Duke University Supplemental Essay Prompts 2023-2024

In addition to the long personal essay on the Common Application or the Coalition Application, Duke has six supplemental essay prompts, and five are optional questions in which a maximum of two can be selected. The following prompts can be found on the Duke admissions page .

“What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well.” 

“We believe a wide range of personal perspectives, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making Duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community. (Optional)”

“Tell us about an intellectual experience in the past two years that you found absolutely fascinating. (Optional)”

“We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about? (Optional)”

“We recognize that “fitting in” in all the contexts we live in can sometimes be difficult. Duke values all kinds of differences and believes they make our community better. Feel free to tell us any ways in which you’re different, and how that has affected you or what it means to you. (Optional)”

“Duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community. (Optional)”

All of these supplemental essay prompts have a 250-word limit. Make sure you choose the essay prompts you know you can answer well! 

How to Write Each Essay Prompt For Duke University

Here, we’ll cover how to write each essay prompt for Duke University. 

How to Write Duke University Supplemental Essay #1 + Analysis and Tips

Duke University prompt #1 :

“What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 word limit.)” 

Analysis of prompt #1 : This essay prompt is your classic “Why do you want to go here?” question. Admissions want to see if you’re truly interested in what Duke offers. This includes specific programs, research opportunities, or extracurriculars. 

Duke is a very popular university with thousands of applicants each year. What can this school offer you, and how can it help you reach your goals? 

Here are some tips to get you started:

• Tip #1: Make it Personal :  You should make your essay as personal as possible. Share your interests and academic and career goals. Make sure to tie those into Duke’s mission and how you’d be a great addition to the school’s community. Be sure to add anecdotes as well. 
• Tip #2: Avoid Mentioning Elements Beyond the School's Control : such as the school's location, climate, or city. This information does not provide specific insights into what makes Duke unique. Remember, the prompt asks you about Duke specifically and why you’d like to attend the school. 
• Tip #3: Be Specific : Mention some specific things that Duke offers, such as a particular program or research opportunity. It’s always best to focus on a couple of things the school offers rather than adding a long list. 

How to Write Duke University Supplemental Essay #2 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of prompts #2, 5, and 6 : Essay prompts two, five, and six are all considered diversity essays and are open-ended questions. These essay prompts help Duke learn more about you and your lived experiences. Duke University values diversity and believes it makes its community better. 

These prompts are an opportunity to share anything that makes you different, such as:

• Socioeconomic class
• Disabilities
• Gender Identity
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity
• Gender expression
• Interests/hobbies
• And anything else that makes you different!

Share what being a part of these communities means to you, how it has affected you, or what it can bring to the Duke University community. 

Here are some tips to help you out:

• Tip #1: Reflect on Your Background : Discuss aspects of your background, such as cultural heritage, family dynamics, or personal challenges, that have shaped your identity. Don’t list a bunch of things that make you different. Stick to one and focus on it. 
• Tip #2: Share Personal Stories : Provide specific examples or anecdotes illustrating your differences. Personal stories can make your response more engaging and help the admissions committee understand your experiences more deeply.
• Tip #3: Show Resilience : If you've faced challenges related to your unique life experiences, discuss how you've navigated them with resilience. This could include overcoming adversity, advocating for change, or finding support networks.

How to Write Duke University Supplemental Essay #3 + Analysis and Tips

Duke University prompt #3 : ‍

“Tell us about an intellectual experience in the past two years that you found absolutely fascinating. (250 word limit.)” 

Analysis of prompt #3 : Duke is interested in learning about your intellectual pursuits and your approach to the learning process. You have the flexibility to explore various aspects, such as a specific class that ignited your curiosity, an independent research project you started, or an experiment you conducted in a science course, among other possibilities.

• Tip #1: Choose One Genuine Experience : Select an intellectual experience that fascinates you. This could be an academic project, a research opportunity, a challenging course, or any other intellectual endeavor that left a lasting impression. 
• Tip #2: Express Your Passion : Convey your passion for the subject matter. Describe why this particular experience captured your interest and why it was so compelling. Use descriptive language to express the depth of your fascination.
• Tip #3: Share Any Challenges and Growth : Share any challenges or obstacles you may have faced during this intellectual journey. Emphasize how you overcame difficulties and highlight the personal and intellectual growth that resulted from the experience.

How to Write Duke University Supplemental Essay #4 + Analysis and Tips

Duke University prompt #4 :

“We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about? (250 word limit.)” 

Analysis of prompt #4 : This prompt focuses on your internal beliefs and values. The core of your essay should involve revealing one of your significant values to the admissions committee. Be careful not to get too political. Instead, talk about a role model or someone who inspires you and why.

• Tip #1: Choose a Role Model :  Choose a role model or someone who inspires you. You can talk about a time your role model let you down, or you had a differing opinion, but be sure to focus on what you learned from that experience.
• Tip #2: Pick Thoughtful Examples : Choose examples that reflect substantial beliefs or values in your life. These could be related to ethics, morality, societal issues, or personal principles. Select instances that are meaningful and can provide insight into your character.
• Tip #3: Highlight Learning Moments : Emphasize what you have learned from agreements and disagreements. Discuss how they have contributed to your personal growth, expanded your understanding, or solidified your convictions.

Examples of Duke University Supplemental Essays That Worked

Below, you’ll find some Duke University supplemental essays written by successful applicants who were admitted to the school! Let’s look at each one and discuss what worked about it.

Sample Essay #1

Prompt : “What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well.” 

“At Duke I was equally entranced by the articulate movements of 3D printers in the Co-Lab and the stunning Gothic architecture. Instead of forming a dichotomy, these aspects of Duke blended to symbolize its emphasis on interdisciplinary education, which will offer me a nuanced perspective of the world integral to becoming a leader in engineering…”

Why Essay #1 Worked

In this excerpt from a “why Duke” essay example, the student answers the prompt with specific aspects of Duke University. They relate the Co-Lab and Duke’s Gothic architecture with their interests in engineering, and they explain why these things are a good match for them. 

Sample Essay #2

Prompt : “We believe a wide range of personal perspectives, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making Duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.”

“The pitter patter of droplets, the sweet smell that permeates throughout the air, the dark gray clouds that fill the sky, shielding me from the otherwise intense gaze of the sun, create a landscape unparalleled by any natural beauty. I have gazed upon the towering cliffs of Yosemite, stood next to Niagara falls as the water roars, succumbing to the power of gravity, and seen the beaches of Mexico basked in moonlight, yet none of these wonders compares to the simple beauty of an Arizona rainstorm. To me, our rain represents more than humidity and darkness; its rarity gives it beauty. The uncertainty of when the next day of rain will come compels me to slow down, and enjoy the moment.

Out of the three realms of time; past, present, and future, the present is the only one we can experience, and I take advantage of every moment I have. When I pause my running to enjoy a sunset that dazzles the sky with brilliant colors of purple and orange, when I touch my brush to a canvas and focus on my movements in the present, when I drive home after a long day of improving our robot, and decide to drive around my neighborhood to finish “Garota de Ipanema”, which just popped up from my playlist of 700 songs, I am taking advantage of the moment.

So next time it rains, step outside. Close your eyes. Hear the symphony of millions of water droplets. And enjoy the moment.”

Why Essay #2 Worked

This essay tells a great story about the student’s unique perspective observing a seemingly mundane event in their community. They use specific and compelling language to capture the reader’s attention. They show us a few of their interests rather than simply telling us they like to paint, build robots, and listen to music. 

Sample Essay #3

Prompt : “Tell us about an intellectual experience in the past two years that you found absolutely fascinating.”

“Embarrassment’s red glow covering my face matched the red ink circling the “44” grade atop my AP Biology exam on Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration. I was devastated that day in Room 46.

Until then, Room 46 had been my magic school bus where we spent our time wandering wide-eyed through the world of science: dissecting pigs, testing our own DNA for the Alu insertion, and sharing community-creating laughs along the way. But receiving that “44” jarred me into feeling I didn’t belong there anymore. 

However, after meeting with my guidance counselor, contemplating dropping the class, and countless extra help sessions with my biology teacher, I realized my magic school bus journey wasn’t over yet, as I gradually concluded that my commitment to Room 46 was stronger than one bad test grade, that I was stronger than one bad test grade.

The journey was tricky and undoubtedly riddled with discouraging moments, but by applying myself and being resourceful, I made my “44” an isolated outlier before it was dropped from the gradebook entirely by semester’s end as my lowest grade. While my success can be quantified, it’s nonetheless my memory of Room 46 that’s continuously inspired me to transcend my limits and take on challenges even in areas of weakness (i.e. AP Bio). I consider this my best academic experience because it showed me what happens when you push past failure - success! - as I ended up getting an A in the class and a 5 on the AP test!”

Why Essay #3 Worked

This essay perfectly illustrates an intellectual journey the applicant had gone through that they persevered through. Initially, the applicant felt discouraged by their academic performance; however, they overcame it and learned through the experience and improved their grade tremendously. 

Get More Sample Essays Here!

Looking at examples of successful supplemental essays is a great way to discover strategies that work well. Use our extensive college essay database below to find many more samples!

Here are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions concerning Duke essays.

1. How to Write Duke Supplemental Essays?

When writing the Duke secondaries, choose prompts that lend themselves to your story as an applicant. Your chosen prompts should allow you to talk about important lessons you’ve learned and how you’ve grown. 

The only required essay is the “why Duke” essay, which you should do plenty of research for before you start writing. Understanding and conveying why Duke would be an excellent fit for you is crucial based on your unique interests, passions, and values. 

2. What Makes a Good “Why Duke” Essay?

The trick to writing an excellent “why Duke” essay is doing plenty of research. You should learn everything the school offers, including clubs, programs, extracurriculars, awards, and history. Your essay should demonstrate how Duke is a uniquely perfect school for you and highlight what parts of Duke excite you. 

3. How Should I Start Writing My Supplemental Essays?

One of the best ways to start writing is to brainstorm and reflect. Have all your ideas written down on a page so you can pick the ones you think are the best. Do your research on Duke. By the time you start drafting, you should know what direction you want to take your essay and how to end it .

4. What If I Cannot Think of Anything to Write About In My Essays?

If you cannot think of anything to write about in an optional essay, it might be a good sign that you should leave it blank. If you have ideas but are stuck, try taking a break from brainstorming. 

Ask thoughtful questions and answer truthfully to get inspired. Try not to worry too much. Writing a 250-word essay is probably not the most challenging task you have ever done. 

5. How Long Is the Why Duke Essay?

Duke University’s supplemental essays are 250 words or less long, including the “why Duke” essay. 

6. Are Duke Optional Essays Optional?

Yes, the Duke optional essays are optional. Duke University has one required essay prompt that asks you to explain why you want to attend Duke. The other five essays are all optional. You can write a maximum of two essays in response to two or none of the four prompts. 

Final Thoughts

The Duke essays ask you to hone in on your academic interests, tell a story about your diverse experiences, and reflect on your sexual and gender identities. You should start researching and planning your essay as soon as possible, giving yourself enough time to develop your ideas. 

Use your authentic voice when you write these essays. The admissions committee has read enough about what other people have to say about you, and they want to know the person behind the printed name, transcripts, and score reports. 

Do not be afraid to be vulnerable in your essays. Be mindful of your spelling and grammar, and write about things that are important to you. Make your passion clear to your readers, and you will leave a lasting impression on them. 

Access 190+ sample college essays here

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Analyzing the Duke Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

August 25, 2023

With an admit rate of just 6%, Duke has firmly established itself as one of the most competitive schools in the country. If you dream of attending this prestigious top 10 university, exceptional grades and test scores alone won't cut it. You must go above and beyond to convince the admissions officers that you have thoroughly researched Duke and are undoubtedly a perfect fit for the institution. To help you stand out in the highly competitive application pool, I'll walk you through some helpful tips on how to best approach the Duke supplemental essays for the 2023-2024 application cycle.

Duke Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

Question 1 (required), 1. what is your sense of duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you if there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 word limit).

Duke places significant importance on this classic “Why College” prompt. InGenius Prep counselor Melissa Rains, who worked as the Director of Merit Scholarships at Duke University, recommends that you avoid mentioning generic aspects such as the university's prestigious reputation. She adds, "They know that they have a beautiful campus, they know they have amazing rankings and are a prestigious university, and they know most people know about the Blue Devils and basketball." 

In fact, avoid mentioning sports, especially basketball, unless you have a truly unique and personal connection. While Duke is well-known for basketball, the admissions officers are looking for applicants who can bring more than just a love for the game. Instead, focus on specific courses, professors, and department offerings that resonate with your interests and goals. 

For example, you could mention DukeEngage , an exceptional service opportunity and one of Duke's most esteemed programs in its commitment to civic engagement. When discussing this program, reference a specific opportunity that aligns with your major and explain why it is a perfect fit for you. You could also discuss FLUNCH , a program that offers students the opportunity to have a one-on-one lunch with a professor. Name the professor you would like to have lunch with, briefly explain why you would like to have this experience, and what topics you would like to discuss with this professor.

Another great option to mention is FOCUS , an academic program specifically designed for freshman students. Talk about how FOCUS would benefit your college experience and create a stronger sense of belonging – as students with the same “focus” all live in the same dorms. By showcasing your knowledge of these programs and how they align with your goals and interests, you can demonstrate to the admissions officers that you have thoroughly researched Duke and have a genuine passion for the university. 

Melissa adds, “Connect each example you provide to your own aspirations, both short and long-term .” Be specific about what you aim to achieve at Duke and how you plan to leverage your Duke education beyond graduation. Whether it is pursuing advanced research in your field, making a positive impact in the community, or entering a specific career path, the admissions officers want to see that you have thought carefully about your future and have a clear plan in mind. Remember to showcase your genuine passion for Duke, highlight your unique attributes and experiences, and demonstrate how you will contribute to the university's vibrant and meaningful living and learning community.

Question 2: Optional Questions (choose 2)

We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. Feel free to answer them if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already shared elsewhere in your application. Five optional questions are available – a maximum of 2 can be selected. (250 word limit)

While these are optional questions, Melissa strongly advises that you select two of these prompts to answer. Below, I’ve listed some of our recommended strategies for each prompt.

a. Perspective response: We believe a wide range of personal perspectives, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making Duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.

This is a classic “community question” where you can talk about a community you belong to, or a family member or friend that has changed your life in a meaningful way. Most applicants will answer this essay – so be sure to include your unique perspective and mention specific examples from your cultural/family background or any other aspect of your life that has shaped your identity and values.

Additionally, consider how your unique background, perspective, or experience will enhance the diversity and richness of the Duke community. For example, you could discuss growing up in a multicultural household and the lessons you have learned from navigating different cultural traditions and values. You could explain how this has given you a deep appreciation for diversity and a strong ability to foster inclusivity within the Duke community. Alternatively, you could share how being a part of a close-knit community, such as a sports team or a volunteer organization, has taught you the value of collaboration and teamwork. You can then discuss how you plan to bring these skills and values to Duke and contribute to the vibrant and supportive community on campus.

Most importantly, provide specific examples and anecdotes that illustrate the impact of the community or individual on your life. Show the admissions officers how this experience has shaped your character, values, and aspirations. Highlight the tangible ways you plan to contribute to Duke, such as through involvement in student organizations, leadership roles, or community service initiatives. By emphasizing both the transformative power of the community or individual in your life and your commitment to making a positive impact at Duke, you can demonstrate to the admissions officers that you possess the qualities and mindset that align with the university's values and mission.

b. Intellectual experience: Tell us about an intellectual experience in the past two years that you found absolutely fascinating.

Duke values students who are intellectually engaged – and this prompt is the perfect opportunity for you to showcase your genuine passion for learning through one of your extracurricular experiences. Beyond simply explaining what you participated in, provide a thoughtful analysis of how this experience has shaped your intellectual curiosity and drive. Melissa also adds, “Adhere to the two-year timeframe and select an intellectual experience from either your sophomore or junior year. This experience can be formal or informal, as long as it has significantly impacted your intellectual growth.”

Start by providing specific details about the extracurricular experience. Describe the context, the challenges or obstacles you faced, and the lessons you learned. This could be anything from a research project, a leadership role in a club, or a personal pursuit of knowledge. Then, highlight this experience's impact on your future major or career interests. Explain how it has influenced your academic goals and shaped your passion for a particular field of study. Discuss the knowledge or skills you have gained and how they have strengthened your commitment to pursuing this path.

To help your essay stand out, weave in personal anecdotes or reflections that demonstrate your intellectual growth and curiosity. Share specific moments or instances where you were inspired, challenged, or had a breakthrough in your understanding. These personal insights will help the admissions officers understand your unique intellectual journey.

Ultimately, the goal of this essay is to show the admissions officers that you are not just a passive participant in your extracurricular activities but an active and intellectually curious individual. By highlighting the impact of an extracurricular experience on your academic and career aspirations, you can demonstrate to Duke that you are a sincerely curious individual with a strong intellectual drive.

c. Beliefs & values: We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?

The goal is for Duke to understand if you are able to engage in conversations with those who hold opposing views on a topic important to you – without sparking unnecessary controversy. Can you handle difficult situations and differences of perspectives/opinions? Are you open-minded? However, Melissa also cautions, "This essay can be a bit tricky to pull off without sounding too negative, close-minded, or privileged, so if you choose to answer this one, be mindful of this."

Additionally, while the prompt offers the opportunity to write about agreeing with someone, Melissa adds that “writing about disagreeing would make for a more compelling essay. It shows that you are willing to challenge and question your own beliefs and engage in respectful debates. By discussing a disagreement, you can demonstrate your critical thinking skills and your ability to consider multiple perspectives.”

Avoid discussing direct and confrontational political or religious topics. Instead, focus on exploring differing values within these topics. Provide specific examples and anecdotes that illustrate the disagreement or differing values. Explain the context and the specific beliefs or values that you and the other person hold, and discuss why this topic is important to you. Then, delve into the areas of disagreement and explore the reasons behind these differences. It’s important to note that you don't have to write about an actual conversation or personal story. You can also discuss something you have observed happening in your school or community. 

Remember to maintain a respectful tone throughout your essay and demonstrate your ability to listen, empathize, and understand different perspectives –  even if you ultimately disagree. Highlight the lessons you learned from these disagreements and how they have shaped your beliefs and values. By showcasing your ability to engage in meaningful conversations with individuals with opposing views, you can demonstrate to the admissions officers that you are open-minded, intellectually curious, and capable of navigating difficult discussions.

d. Being different: We recognize that “fitting in” in all the contexts we live in can sometimes be difficult. Duke values all kinds of differences and believes they make our community better. Feel free to tell us any ways in which you’re different, and how that has affected you or what it means to you.

This is an opportunity where you can write about any experience that you think is different from others in your peer group – outside of sexual orientation/gender identity (answer prompt “e” if you want to talk about that). This could be something about your family, community, household income level, mental or physical challenges, neurodiversity, cultural background, etc. To help you brainstorm, here are some questions to think about:

How do you cope with your chosen difference? Share the strategies and approaches you have developed to navigate and embrace your differences. Whether it is seeking support from loved ones, engaging in self-reflection, or finding solace in creative outlets, explain how these coping mechanisms have helped you grow and thrive. 

How has it positively impacted your life, or what do you appreciate about it? Reflect on the unique perspectives, strengths, and insights that have emerged from your experience. Maybe being part of a multicultural family has exposed you to diverse traditions and values, fostering a deep appreciation for different cultures. Or perhaps growing up with a physical challenge has taught you resilience and determination, enabling you to overcome obstacles and achieve personal growth. Emphasize how these positive aspects have shaped your character and influenced how you engage with the world.

How has it influenced your perspective and the way you engage with the world? Discuss how your chosen difference has influenced your perspective and worldview. Whether it has heightened your empathy, challenged societal norms, or sparked a passion for advocacy, delve into how this difference has shaped your understanding of various issues and your desire to make a positive impact.

How will it make you a positive influence on Duke’s community/campus? Highlight the specific contributions you can bring to the university, such as fostering inclusivity, promoting diversity, or advocating for the needs of underrepresented communities. Show how your unique perspective and experiences can enrich the campus environment and contribute to a vibrant and inclusive community.

By expanding on your chosen difference and its impact, you can demonstrate to the admissions officers that you possess the resilience, empathy, and unique perspectives necessary to thrive at Duke.

e. Orientation, identity, expression: Duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community.

This prompt is similar to prompt d,  but specifically focuses on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. It allows individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community to delve into how their unique experiences have shaped their identity and perspective. It is important to note that only those who are members of or identify within this community should choose to answer this prompt. It is not intended for allies of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The Common and Coalition Applications will also include a section for students to disclose if they were impacted by community disruptions such as natural disasters and COVID-19.

Melissa notes, "At this point, any COVID-19 disruptions written about should be significant. All students had some level of lost opportunity due to COVID-19, so if you do write something here, it needs to be more to explain lower than expected grades, or significant course selection or extracurricular impacts." If you do not have a significant experience to write about, it is totally acceptable to leave this section blank.

Additional Tips for the Duke Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

Now that we've explored the prompts , here are a few more tips to keep in mind for the Duke supplemental essays:

• Emphasize What You Can Bring to the Duke Community. Since Duke admissions officers already know what makes the school great, the supplemental prompts are geared to understand how you would uniquely contribute to the Duke community. When you sit down to brainstorm your Duke supplemental essays 2023-2024 , consider how you can add to the multicultural flair that Duke prides itself on.
• Include Duke Specifics - It can be easy to get carried away when talking about yourself. Yes, it’s your supplemental essay, but you don’t want to write a response that could be used for any school. So, weave in the research you’ve done on Duke. Discuss how you and your perspective would thrive at Duke’s welcoming campus. If there is a pre-existing student organization at Duke that includes people with similar backgrounds—or you would like to start one—include that in your essay as well.
• Use the Word Limit Wisely - While 200-250 isn’t the most restrictive word limit range in the world, it’s not extremely generous either. When writing your Duke supplemental essays 2023-2024, prioritize the content necessary to get your narrative across and cut any unnecessary statements. Each sentence should provide new information that makes you memorable in the reader’s mind. If you exceed the limit—or start repeating your personal statement —it’s time to make cuts and keep what’s new and relevant.

While gaining admission to Duke University is no easy feat, the Duke supplemental essays for the 2023-2024 application cycle provide an incredible opportunity to showcase your research and demonstrate why you are the perfect fit for the university. Seize this chance to brainstorm essays that highlight your unique experiences and convey your unwavering dedication to Duke's academic programs and vibrant community. Believe in yourself – you have what it takes!

If you are looking for a college admissions counselor to help maximize your chances of getting into your dream school, we can help! InGenius Prep has helped more than 6,000 students around the world gain admission into the most competitive schools including Harvard, Yale, MIT, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, NYU, and more. Sign up for a free strategy call today and join the 6,000+ students we've helped get accepted into their dream schools. 

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The Ultimate Guide to Acing the Duke University Supplemental Essays 2021/22

Duke University received a record 41,600 applicants for their class of 2023. Clearly, it takes much more than an exceptional academic record to get into this prestigious school. Each part of your application must shine. Duke’s supplemental essays allow you to show the admissions team who you are and what qualities make you the perfect Duke university student.

How to stand out in your duke university supplemental essays for 2021.

Considering the sheer number of applicants, you’ll want to use every aspect of your application to show your unique traits, abilities, accomplishments, and drive. The admissions committee is interested in understanding your thought process and personally getting to know you. Don’t be scared to show your vulnerability, humility, or candidness.

How Crimson Can Help You Stand Out

Crimson’s advisors take a personal approach to helping their students with their supplemental essays. By getting to know each student first, they can help them craft their essays based on their dreams, aspirations, goals, and any aspect of their story that’s unique.

Learn more about Crimson student Allie’s journey to Duke in the video below!

How Allie Got Into Duke University to study Political Science

Crimson Education is the world’s leading university admission consulting company. Our expert admission strategist can help you narrow down your ideas and word choice to help you craft the perfect essay prompt response. Get your essay reviewed today!

What are the Duke University Essay Prompts for 21/22?

Please share with us why you consider duke a good match for you. is there something in particular about duke’s academic or other offerings that attract you (200 words maximum), duke university seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger. if you’d like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you’ve had that would help us understand you better, perhaps a community you belong to or your family or cultural background, we encourage you to do so here. real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real people applying to duke. (250 words maximum), how to answer prompt 1.

The first step is to identify your strongest passions . These could be experiences, hobbies, interests, academic pursuits, or anything you consider relevant to you and integral to your personal and academic development. Then, you’ll need to learn about Duke and identify an aspect (program, professor, research, community, etc.) unique to the school and relates to one of your passions. Lastly, you’ll need to draw the connection between the two and convince the reader that attending Duke will contribute to your growth and the Duke community.

If you need help identifying your passions, start with reflection. Who am I? What is important to me, and why? If you have difficulty with this, ask someone who knows you well what they think is important to you. It may help you identify something you didn’t notice before or realize something you thought was important was not important at all. Start with reflection and then consult other people.

Choose a passion you can support with evidence : an activity, event, project, etc. The evidence demonstrates the degree of passion you have for something. While there’s nothing wrong with exploring a potential new passion, Duke admissions will have a harder time believing you’ll actually realize this new passion.

To answer this question with authority, you’ll need to research everything about Duke. Duke’s website is a great place to start. It’s where you’ll find plenty of information about majors, academic programs, social life, clubs, and more. Get to know Duke’s values before picking a topic to tie to your passion . Choose an aspect of Duke that resonates with you and tie that to your previously stated passions/interests.

Be concrete with your writing.

• What events would you like to run?
• Which competitions interest you?
• Which types of students would you want to connect with?

The Essay That Got Me Into Duke

How to Answer Prompt 2

As evidenced by this prompt, Duke values diversity . When a reader finishes your essay, they should feel like they better understand you and your community. Be sure to write in your voice. Make sure it is grammatically correct, but if you have a strong sense of humor, don’t be afraid to show it. If you love literature, include quotations from your favorite books. Aside from content, the reader can learn a lot about you just from the way you write.

Think About Your Life Experiences

Think first and foremost about your most meaningful life experiences, not necessarily the most impressive. Again, Duke included this prompt so you can convey your personality to an application reader. If you choose a topic you’re not passionate about, it will show. The most reliable way to identify ideal topics is reflection. Start by identifying an experience or relationship that is important to you. Don’t think too hard. Just identify the first thing that comes to mind.

• Who is the most important person in your life? Why?
• When was the last time you felt pure contentment and joy?
• What about that experience made you feel whole?

Try to identify your core values. For example, if the first thing that comes to mind is playing checkers at Christmas with your cousin, you probably value family, connection, and tradition. Or perhaps you and your cousin have a special relationship where you joke around and poke fun at each other. In that case, you value lightheartedness and not taking life too seriously. The idea is to show who you are at your core and what makes you tick.

Lastly, remind Duke that both you and Duke will benefit from your engagement in their community . Take a couple of sentences to indicate that you’re excited about continuing your personal development at Duke and can’t wait to engage with the community around you.

Final Thoughts

Don’t start writing until you’ve outlined your thoughts and ideas. While these essays should have a personal tone, don’t forget about grammar and spelling. They still matter! An outline will help you stay organized and focused so you can clearly tell Duke why you’d be the perfect fit for their school.

Need help with your supplemental essays? Crimson Education is the world’s leading university admission consulting company. Our expert admission strategist can help you narrow down your ideas and word choice to help you craft the perfect essay prompt response. Get your essay reviewed today!

Key Resources & Further Reading

• Acing your College Application Essay: 5 Expert Tips to Make it Stand Out from the Rest
• MIT Supplemental Essay 2021/22
• Harvard Supplemental Essay 2021/22
• Columbia Supplemental Essay 2021/22
• Princeton Supplemental Essay 2021/22
• Cornell Supplemental Essay 2021/22
• Brown Supplemental Essay 2021/22
• Upenn Supplemental Essay 2021/22
• Dartmouth Supplemental Essay 2021/22
• University of Chicago Supplemental Essay 2021/22
• How to Tackle Every Type of Supplemental Essay
• 2021-22 Essay Prompts Common App Essay Prompts
• What are the Most Unusual US College Supplemental Essay Prompts?

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Duke University 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 2

You Have: 

Duke University 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: One required 250-word essay and two optional 250-word essays Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Communit y , Diversity

What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you?  If there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 word limit)

Admissions is truly asking you to do your homework here. What do you make of Duke and why do you want to go there? This space is a wonderful opportunity for you to summarize the aspects of a Duke college experience that call to you and to address your personal connection to this elite school. Were you able to tour campus last year? What drew you in? What part of campus could you see yourself hanging out in? Where do you see yourself studying for exams? Admissions knows that Duke is a prestigious university, with impressive alumni to boot, so make sure to personalize your answer. Instead of showering Duke with compliments, focus on how Duke has attracted your interest and how you hope an education at Duke will prepare you to accomplish your goals—academic and otherwise.

We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. Feel free to answer them if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already shared elsewhere in your application.  Four optional questions are available – a maximum of 2 can be selected.

Please select 0 – 2 optional essay topics. (respond in 250 words or fewer.), 1) perspective response, we believe a wide range of personal perspectives, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community..

Admissions wants to know what you will contribute to the Duke community. What has shaped you as a person and how has that made your perspective unique? What lessons have you learned and applied? What can you share with others? Is there anything you can teach your classmates or peers about your hometown, culture, religion, identity, race, or ethnicity that they might not already know? Duke wants to know how your personal perspectives, beliefs, and/or lived experiences will affect the conversations you have and the ways in which you engage with the Blue Devil community, so tell them a story that helps them to imagine the kind of student you’ll be on campus next fall.

2) Intellectual experience

Tell us about an intellectual experience in the past two years that you found absolutely fascinating..

It’s no surprise that Duke is hoping to invite students to campus who are excited about learning, so take this opportunity to geek out about an awesome learning experience you had recently. Maybe you were given permission to write your research paper on a historic event that has always amazed you and, through that project, you were able to deepen your understanding of the complex social hierarchies during the Qin dynasty. Perhaps you had the opportunity to take a class or seminar with a thought leader you really admire or you went on a reading retreat that expanded your horizons. Whatever it may be, this is the perfect place to show admissions your passion for intellectual endeavors.

3) Beliefs & values

We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with what are you agreeing or disagreeing about.

This prompt is an inquiry: how do you communicate with others about difficult topics and issues? Duke wants to foster the kind of learning environment that encourages respectful discussions about beliefs and values, so tell them about someone you speak with about issues you hold dear to your heart. Maybe it’s a mentor in your life, who you consult when you feel overwhelmed by current events. Do they provide reassurance that you’re on the right path? Perhaps it’s a family member who tends to disagree with your worldview and vision for a better future. How do you approach these complex conversations? Have you ever questioned what you believe in, or perhaps, discovered a new perspective you hadn’t considered before? How have you become a better listener or speaker because of these chats? Don’t forget to mention the topic or issue of importance here, so you can also give admissions insight into what you care about.

4) Being different

We recognize that “fitting in” in all the contexts we live in can sometimes be difficult. duke values all kinds of differences and believes they make our community better. feel free to tell us any ways in which you’re different, and how that has affected you or what it means to you..

We have all felt different from those around us at some point in our lives, and with this prompt, admissions is inviting you to talk about your lived experiences. Perhaps you are one of few South Asian students at your Midwestern high school, and that difference has led you to explore your heritage and connect with family members overseas to better understand what it means to be you. Maybe you have lived with a physical disability for as long as you can remember; how have the ways you move through the world and take up space impacted the way you interact with your surroundings and vice versa? Whatever has kept you from “fitting in,” admissions knows that difference makes communities stronger, so invite them to learn a little bit about what it’s like to be you and what the world looks like through your eyes.

5) Orientation, identity, expression

Duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community..

Duke was one of the first schools to embrace the subject of sexual orientation and gender identity in their essay questions, and this is yet another step in their overt attempt to recruit a truly diverse pool of applicants. They want you to know that they embrace all sexual orientations and gender expressions, so if you are open to discussing your identity, feel free to share your story. Note that this question will not be applicable to all students, so if you don’t have a relevant story to tell, we recommend responding to two of the other three prompts!

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6 Duke Supplemental Essays That Worked for 2023

Getting into Duke University is difficult in 2023. But you make sure you have your best chances by writing great supplemental essays.

In this article, I've gathered 6 essays from admitted Duke students so you can get inspired.

What is Duke University's Acceptance Rate?

Duke University has highly competitive admissions, and this past year over 45,000 students applied to Duke. Duke had an overall acceptance rate of 4.8%.

Duke University Acceptance Scattergram

If Duke is your top choice school, then consider applying Early Decision. For the Class of 2026, the acceptance rate for ED admissions was 21.3%!

Regardless of if you apply regular or early, admissions to Duke is competitive. But that only means writing stellar essays matters even more.

What are the Duke University Supplemental Prompts for 2022-23?

This year Duke asks applicants to write one required essay of 200 words and two optional essays of 250 words each.

Here are the 2022-23 Duke writing supplement prompts:

• Please share with us why you consider Duke a good match for you. Is there something in particular about Duke’s academic or other offerings that attracts you? (200 word limit)

We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. Feel free to answer them if you feel that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already expressed elsewhere in your application. If you have already addressed either or both of these questions in your application, please don’t worry about leaving them blank. We appreciate how much time it takes to fill out this and your other college applications.

• Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger. If you'd like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you've had that would help us understand you better, perhaps a community you belong to or your family or cultural background, we encourage you to do so here. Real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real people applying to Duke. (250 word limit)

Duke University Nondiscrimination Statement

• Duke’s commitment to diversity and inclusion includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. If you would like to share with us more about your identity in these areas, you can do so here or, if you feel you have adequately represented your gender and sexual orientation in other parts of your application, feel free to not respond to this prompt. (250 words maximum)

If you're serious about getting into Duke, you should definitely answer the second optional prompt.

Because everybody has a unique background, and this prompt is another opportunity to show admissions officers why you deserve admission.

6 Duke University EssaysThatWorked

Here are 6 of the best Duke essays that worked that respond to the writing supplement.

I've also included an example of a Common App personal statement essay from an admitted Duke student.

Let's get started and inspired writing great admissions essays like these.

• Duke University Essay Example #1
• Duke University Essay Example #2
• Duke University Essay Example #3
• Duke University Essay Example #4
• Duke University Essay Example #5
• Duke University Essay Example #6

#1. Duke "Diversity" Essay Example

Prompt: Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger. If you'd like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you've had that would help us understand you better, perhaps a community you belong to or your family or cultural background, we encourage you to do so here. Real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real people applying to Duke. (250 words max)

The pitter patter of droplets, the sweet smell that permeates throughout the air, the dark grey clouds that fill the sky, shielding me from the otherwise intense gaze of the sun, create a landscape unparalleled by any natural beauty. I have gazed upon the towering cliffs of Yosemite, stood next to Niagara falls as the water roars, succumbing to the power of gravity, and seen the beaches of Mexico basked in moonlight, yet none of these wonders compares to the simple beauty of an Arizona rainstorm. To me, our rain represents more than humidity and darkness; its rarity gives it beauty. The uncertainty of when the next day of rain will come compels me to slow down, and enjoy the moment.

Out of the three realms of time; past, present, and future, the present is the only one we can experience, and I take advantage of every moment I have. When I pause my running to enjoy a sunset that dazzles the sky with brilliant colors of purple and orange, when I touch my brush to a canvas and focus on my movements in the present, when I drive home after a long day of improving our robot, and decide to drive around my neighborhood to finish “Garota de Ipanema”, which just popped up from my playlist of 700 songs, I am taking advantage of the moment.

So next time it rains, step outside. Close your eyes. Hear the symphony of millions of water droplets. And enjoy the moment.

#2. Duke "Diversity" Essay Example

Prompt: We seek a diverse student body that embodies the wide range of human experience. In that context, we are interested in what you’d like to share about your lived experiences and how they’ve influenced how you think of yourself. (250 words max)

Ever since I can remember, the comforting lullabies my mother sang to me planted a deep seed in my mind. In my dreams, I began a journey for my identity to discover the hidden stories within those songs. Perhaps that's what led me to explore Hindustani music. "Sa-re-ga" encodes my ancestors' songs just like "do-re-mi." With this solfege, I began exploring a vocal part of my culture, collecting the keys to my identity.

Each song I learned further educated me about myths and legends that helped form who I am today.

When I face adversity in male-dominated activities, I remember Sita, who fought heroically in revolutionary conflicts hundreds of years ago. This has empowered me to believe in my talents and goals, whether I am doing research or organizing a STEM fair in my community. The character Arjuna, who became one of the best archers, taught me perseverance and a desire to learn from others. When chosen to fly to Denmark to play badminton with local clubs, I embraced this experience to play among outstanding competitors and to enhance my competitive abilities. As an Asian American, I am reminded by the Indian National Anthem that I am an American and an Indian.

I plan to bring my music and stories with me to college. The keyboard in my Duke dorm will ring with strong Hindustani notes. I hope to share with my dorm mates and friends the history of those heroes and the strength I gleam from them every day.

Learn the secrets of successful top-20 college essays

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#3. Duke "Why Engineering" Essay Example

Prompt: If you are applying to the Pratt School of Engineering as a first-year applicant, please discuss why you want to study engineering and why you would like to study at Duke. (150 words max)

At Duke I was equally entranced by the articulate movements of 3D printers in the Co-Lab and the stunning Gothic architecture. Instead of forming a dichotomy, these aspects of Duke blended to symbolize its emphasis on interdisciplinary education, which will offer me a nuanced perspective of the world integral to becoming a leader in engineering.

I will join the Academy for Model Aeronautics and share my passion for designing drones, while taking fascinating courses such as “Taboo Markets” and “Banality of Evil”, while simultaneously working on an engineering project that improves real people’s lives in “Engineering Design”. By joining the Duke Robotics Club, I can expand upon my love for robotics, and I hope to write for the Duke Engineering magazine, as well as join the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. By drawing from this diverse range of educational experiences, I can become a leader in creating a better future.

#4. Duke Personal Statement Example: "Forest of Lights"

Common App Prompt #7: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. (250-650 words)

The diamond leaves of gnarled oak trees throw spectrums of color onto mounds of frosty snow that gleam melancholily under the moonlight. The leaves chime as wind violently rustles them in a haunting melody. I splinter a leaf off its branch and inspect the shard of my illusion, eyes dancing with amusement.

As I dwell in my worries, a cold hand reaches from behind me and taps my shoulder.

I jerk away, fear bubbling in my amygdala as I look into the nonexistent eyes of my intruding visitor.

The moon illuminates a blob of pink squish as it draws back slowly, points its spindly hands towards my drink and asks: “Could I have some of that?”

The blob wipes its invisible mouth with its nonexistent sleeve. I ask: “What are you?”

The blob tells me to stop looking at it so suspiciously. “I can prove it,” It says. I tell it, please, go ahead.

Suddenly we are back in the glowing forest. “Diamonds? Pah!” The blob dismisses them. Instantly, the leaves turn solid gold, the snow melts, and the wintry world is thrown into a blistering summer.

The blob laughs heartlessly. “Your cortex is under my control,” it says smugly.

“I heard you had a question for me?” It taps its invisible ears knowingly.

The blob wriggles its invisible brows as it waits.

It smiles that wicked smile. It laughs that sinful laugh. Then that insufferable blob wakes me up.

As I sit up in the dark and rub my bleary eyes, I am vaguely aware of the deep­set unfulfillment settling itself inside me. I yawn and plop back into bed, the soft red glow of my alarm clock indicating that it is still before midnight.

Why This Essay Works:

One thing is for sure about this essay: it has a unique idea that has surely not been written before. Regardless of your topic, you want your essay to be unique in some way, even if it isn't as fantastical as this essay. You can use a unique structure, such as having central symbolism, metaphor, or being structured as a recipe, for example. But this can easily become "gimmicky" if it doesn't have a clear purpose. In general, the most effective way to have a unique essay is to focus on having deep and unique ideas and reflections. By focusing on interesting takeaways and connections that are ultra-specific to you and your experiences, your essay will standout regardless of the structure.

What They Might Improve:

This essay uses a lot of fiction-like writing that is fantastical and "flowery." Although moments of this kind of writing can make your essay more vivid, it is quite easy to end up with dense storytelling and descriptions that ultimately don't share anything interesting about you. The purpose of your essay is ultimately to learn about you: your values, your ideas, your identity, etc. By using dense story-like writing, it can be easy to lose focus of what admissions officers are looking for. In general, avoid writing "fancy" stories like this essay, unless you have a clear and distinct purpose for doing so. Everything in your essay should have a purpose in "going somewhere" (i.e. reaching interesting ideas and takeaways).

This essay is definitely creative, but lacks meaningful takeaways and ideas. By the end of the essay, we don't know much about the author besides the fact that they have an affinity for creative writing and are "on a search." Although the content is unique, the end result comes off as quite generic and surface-level because no interesting thoughts are explored deeply. The most interesting part of this essay is "I open my mouth and ask it my most crucial question," but this is super unsatisfying because the question is never divulged. Instead, the reader is teased by this fantasy story and the essay goes nowhere meaningful, which comes off as gimmicky and "creative for creative's sake," rather than deeply personal and interesting.

This essay ends on the idea of "continuing my search," but for what exactly? It is never explained, elaborated, or even implied (besides one reference to painting earlier). That makes this conclusion comes off as somewhat surface-level and uninteresting. Admissions officers won't care about "your search" unless they have a reason to care. That is, unless it tells something specific about you. On it's own, this idea of "exploring" and "searching" is meaningless because it is too broad and unelaborated.

#5. Duke Personal Statement Example: "Shadow-Box Stick Art"

Common App Prompt #5: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. (250-650 words)

This essay shows a strong thinking ability because the author shows how they view the world differently than others. Specifically, the author is able to see something as mundane as fallen branches as an opportunity to create artwork. Showing how you view things differently is a great way to demonstrate your unique perspective. Another strategy is to think deeply about things that are often easily overlooked or things that are mundane on the surface. Everything can be reflected upon deeply, and doing so shows a strong thinking ability and level of thoughtfulness. Ask yourself: what do you see differently than others around you? What do you find fun that others find "hard"? What do you find fascinating that others find "boring"? What is something mundane in your life that you do, and what's the greater meaning behind it?

This essay uses a lot of narrative writing—that is, recounting of a specific story and moment. While most essays use storytelling, what most applicants get wrong is they describe unimportant details to the story. Don't write like a fiction book and describe everything in the scene, like what others were wearing, what people looked like, what the environment was, each small action that took place. This is a common mistake that students make in trying to write compelling stories, but it ends up with a lot of unnecessary details. This author shows how a story can still take up a lot of the essay, while also including interesting reflections throughout the story and making it purposeful by only including details that move the story forward.

This essay has a somewhat unexpected conclusion where the author connects to their significant accomplishment of starting and running a charity. Even though this is such a large and meaningful activity, the author chose to only write about it when it came in naturally and not make it the whole focus of the essay. Counterintuitively, by de-emphasizing your biggest accomplishments, they will seem more impactful and you will seem more ambitious. This is because students often try to showcase their achievements and make them the focal point, but instead if you have the attitude of, "Yeah, this is what I did, but really it is nothing in comparison to what I'm going to do" it makes your accomplishments even more impactful. You don't want to be nonchalant, but you do want to make your accomplishments small in comparison to your future goals and achievements, which will show both humility and ambition.

This essay is almost 100 words less than what is given. In general, you should try and make your essays as close to the word limit as possible. Why? Because you should have a lot to say and it should be a challenge to fit it all into your essay, not the other way around. Especially for personal statement essays, its almost always better to use most of the words. Being within 10-20 words of the limit is usually the target. In this essay, they could include further meaningful details that make their essay more vivid. They could describe what their "stick art" actually looks like, because it is hard for the reader to imagine since it is an obscure type of artwork. They could reflect on the impact of their charity: how many people did it help so far? What are their goals for the future of it? What have been challenges with it? Don't add words just to add words, however. As with everything, each sentence should be meaningful and have a clear purpose, but this essay could definitely use more words.

#6. Duke Personal Statement Example: "Kiki's Delivery Service"

Common App Prompt #6: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? (250-650 words)

I spent much of my childhood watching movies. I became absolutely engrossed in many different films, TV shows, and animations. From the movie theatres to the TV, I spent my hours enjoying the beauty of visual media. One place that was special to me was the car. My parents purchased a special screen that could be mounted on the back of the headrest, so that I could watch movies on trips. This benefited both parties, as I was occupied, and they had peace. Looking back, I realize this screen played a crucial role in my childhood. It was an integral part of many journeys. I remember taking a drive to Washington D.C, with my visiting relatives from Poland, and spending my time with my eyes on the screen. I remember packing up my possessions and moving to my current home from Queens, watching my cartoons the whole time. I can comfortably say that watching movies in the car has been an familiar anchor during times of change in my life.

I used to watch many different cartoons, nature documentaries, and other products in the car, yet there has been one movie that I have rewatched constantly. It is called “Kiki’s Delivery Service” by Hayao Miyazaki. My parents picked it up at a garage sale one day, and I fell in love. The style of the animations were beautiful, and the captivating story of a thirteen year old witch leaving home really appealed to me. To be honest, the initial times I watched it, I didn’t fully understand the story but the magic and beauty just made me happy. Then, the more I watched it, I began to see that it was more about independence, including the need to get away from home and establish yourself as your own person. This mirrors how I felt during that period of my life,with mehaving a little rebellious streak; I didn’t agree with my parents on certain topics. That is not the end of the story though. As the years passed, and I watched it a couple more times, although with less frequency than before, my view of this movie evolved yet again.

Instead of solely thinking about the need for independence, I began to think the movie was more about the balance of independence and reliance. In the movie, the girl finds herself struggling until she begins to accept help from others. Looking back, this also follows my own philosophy during this time. As I began to mature, I began to realize the value of family, and accept all the help I can get from them. I appreciate all the hard work they had done for me, and I recognize their experience in life and take advantage of it. I passed through my rebellious phase, and this reflected in my analysis of the movie. I believe that this is common, and if I look through the rest of my life I am sure I would find other similar examples of my thoughts evolving based on the stage in my life. This movie is one of the most important to me throughout my life.

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What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 word limit) – Required

Explanation:

This question is essentially a version of the “Why This College?” question. You should focus your answer on a specific class, lab, resource, or program that is of particular interest to you at Duke. What about Duke makes it the best fit for you and offers you the chance to do something that you could not do at any other university? Don’t write about the academics as a whole; instead dive deeper and do your homework about what you plan to take advantage of once on campus. Lastly, don’t forget to make this entry fun to read. No matter what you are saying, there is always an engaging way to say it!

Playing soccer for over fifteen years, I am grateful for the countless friendships I have forged. Unfortunately, many inevitably hang up their cleats after high school and adapt to a more sedentary lifestyle, one often accompanied by mental health struggles.

While soccer initially ignited my passion, promoting health and well-being has become a stronger calling. Working with our school doctor, I conducted a survey to yield insights into the prevalence of mental health challenges and sedentary behavior among students. Results highlighted barriers to physical activity, like lack of social connections. These insights helped shape school-wide strategies for encouraging healthier student lives.

Eager to continue learning “the Duke way,” I seek to cultivate my passion for Psychology and Neuroscience at Trinity, where I’ll study the neural influences on motivation and decision-making in neuroscience courses, and improve my understanding of the benefits of physical activity through courses like Exercise and Mental Health.

I look forward to continuing my wellness research through Duke’s Bass Connections, working on a project like Creating a Contemplative Community: The Impact of Mindfulness on Student Well-Being.

Much like soccer’s camaraderie, Duke’s community wonderfully emulates the team environment inside and outside of the classroom. From engaging FOCUS group seminars and dinners to contributing to the Blue Devil Wellness Exchange, I know I’ll feel right at home on campus. Although as a cheering fan on the sidelines, there’s no doubt in my mind I’ll still feel very much a part of the Blue Devil family.

We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. Feel free to answer them if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already shared elsewhere in your application. Five optional questions are available – a maximum of 2 can be selected. (250 max)

Though Duke notes that the questions are optional, you should never pass up an opportunity to fortify your application.

1. Perspective response We believe a wide range of personal perspectives, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making Duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.

This supplement is asking all about your community. Which communities do you come from? What impact have they had on your views, beliefs, and experiences? Who and what has shaped you? This is a time to be transparent and honest—paint your readers an authentic, self-aware picture of yourself. We are all a product of our environments, so write about how some of the other key players have had an impact on your life. Remember, trying to impress admission officers will likely come off boastful, and groups like National Honors Society typically do not have a strong, meaningful community associated with them. Be honest, humble and tell readers something that they may not learn about you from the rest of your application. You may choose to define community traditionally—your sports team, classmates, religious youth group—or a bit more creatively—a fan group you are a part of, a geographic or linguistic community, an expatriate community—for example.

“Yoga is not about the shape of your body but the shape of your life.”

Every Sunday at 7 p.m., my yoga teacher welcomes our class to the mat with this quote.

Jenn, who is nearly seventy, leans into her down-dogs to my right and Nick, her nine-year old grandson, frequently lets out soft giggles as he cat-cows to my left. Just ten hours earlier, I leave soccer practice exhausted, ruminating on my coach’s instructions to set one physical goal for the coming week; shave our mile-time ten seconds, three long runs when last week he only imposed two… The list is always demanding, meant to push us to meet his exacting standards. There’s a method to his madness, and it has produced results for my team. We finished our last season as reigning state champions, bested only by Florida in the national finals last winter.

Yoga, on the other hand, has brought me the opposite gift: radical acceptance. You bring your present self to the mat day in and day out—linear progress is not the name of the game. Some days, Jenn slips into scorpion pose while Nick slips into a brief nap. Becoming a part-time yogi has taught me to meet my body, mind and my community where it is—a lesson that I will bring into this new chapter. As a member of the Duke community, I plan to be present, authentic, and teachable, knowing that accepting myself and others is the foundation for learning and growth.

2. Intellectual experience Tell us about an intellectual experience in the past two years that you found absolutely fascinating.

This does not necessarily have to be written about a standard class in school – any ‘learning experience’ will do, in fact the more unique your subject matter of choice is, the better! In answering the question, be sure to both describe the experience and clearly convey why this experience fascinated you. What specifically about it piqued your interest? You want to demonstrate your passion vividly, so write with detail! Discuss how this experience impacted you intellectually and personally. Did it change your perspective, inspire new interests, or reinforce existing passions? Reflect on the knowledge or skills you gained as you explored this interest and how they might influence your future endeavors. Finally, explain how this intellectual experience aligns with your aspirations and goals as a student at Duke. Discuss how Duke’s resources, programs, or community can help you further explore or expand upon this intellectual experience.

Upon waking, I immediately roll over and grab my pen and notepad from my nightstand and begin scribbling, my eyes barely open. Growing up, I was obsessed with decoding dreams and uncovering the message behind their vivid imagery. Learning about lucid dreaming and REM sleep fueled my curiosity about the mind. Stacks of “Dream Dictionaries” littered my nightstand.

An avid podcast listener, I chanced upon “The Huberman Lab,” hosted by Andrew Huberman, a neuroscience professor at Stanford University. His engaging discussions unraveled the complexities of neurobiology and psychology, weaving them into practical insights for everyday life. As I spent hours soaking in each episode that revealed the neuroscience behind a new phenomenon—from dreams and memories to growth mindset and goal-setting—I was not only fascinated by Huberman’s endless knowledge, but how he made it accessible to the public, enabling anyone to apply his teachings and improve their own lives.

Drawing from the podcast’s wisdom, I initiated “Thriving Tools,” an educational series within my high school’s Psyched Club. This endeavor aimed to empower fellow students with science-backed strategies for improving memory, motivation, and effective learning. Friends’ successes—better sleep, information retention, and increased classroom confidence—were the ultimate reward.

I hope to continue these efforts of translating scientific understanding into tangible improvements in well-being through efforts with Duke Synapse and Bass Connections’ Brain in Society projects. As I step into the next phase of my academic journey at Duke, my aspiration remains steadfast: to help others live a healthier, more empowering life.

3. Beliefs & values We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?

You will need a strong personal anecdote to begin this essay, so take some time to reflect. Start by thinking about areas where you generally align with others. These could be political, ethical, or personal beliefs. Who are the people (your family, community, or public figure), with whom you find common ground? What specific issues or values do you share? Now explore instances where you hold differing views from those around you. Who are the individuals you have engaging debates or disagreements with? What topics or values are at the heart of these disagreements? Are they based on differing perspectives, experiences, or ideologies? Now reflect on how your beliefs and values have evolved over time. Have you changed your stance on certain issues? Have disagreements led to a deeper understanding or a willingness to consider different perspectives? The end goal when writing this supplement is to demonstrate growth and open-mindedness.

In our family of seven, my mother gave birth to five daughters, and the reaction is always the same: “Wow, your poor dad! 5 girls? He must have really wanted a son!” Initially, I responded with genuine curiosity, but as the refrain persisted, irritation set in.

“Why poor dad?” I questioned. Poor mom, I thought. The implication seemed to be that our father lacked a son for backyard catch. Yet, I challenged this notion.

Ironically, these same people assumed my name, “Jesse,” was short for “Jessica.” Swiftly, I corrected them: “No, it’s just Jesse.” Was the assumption due to my gender? I refused to be confined to the “Jessica” mold. I despised the color pink; capris, shorts, and sneakers were my preferred attire for impromptu soccer or volleyball during recess.

Growing up with four sisters, our household radiated empowerment, encouraging us to create, lead, play, and voice our opinions. It was within this supportive environment that I began to understand the misconceptions of society’s predetermined gender roles and constraints that women are placed within.

Simultaneously, I recognized my own inconsistency; my resistance to typical female roles clashed with my quick dismissal of “Jessica” and my pink projection of her, demonstrating my own predisposition for stereotyping.

As I continue my journey to dismantle these stereotypes, I strive to carry this empowerment forward. By fostering an environment that encourages everyone to defy rigid roles, acknowledge their own prejudices, and embrace their true selves, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive and diverse society.

4. Being different We recognize that “fitting in” in all the contexts we live in can sometimes be difficult. Duke values all kinds of differences and believes they make our community better. Feel free to tell us any ways in which you’re different, and how that has affected you or what it means to you.

Begin by identifying the aspects of yourself that make you unique. These could be personal qualities, experiences, cultural background, or anything that sets you apart from others. Consider qualities and traits you have not already mentioned in other sections of your application or Duke essays. Consider how these unique aspects have influenced your values, beliefs, and outlook on life. Have they led to specific experiences or challenges that have shaped your character? Make sure to focus on one trait or characteristic only. Now use personal anecdotes to highlight your experiences in feeling ‘different’, and how they influenced you. Did you have a positive experience? What were your challenges? Did you build resiliency or empathy? Be sure to reflect on this learning experience and what embracing differences means to you. Finally, describe how your individuality can contribute to Duke’s community and enrich its culture.

“Excuse me, Mrs. Michaelson—I have an accommodation for extra time.”

I said the words as quietly as possible, looking around to ensure that none of my classmates were in earshot. For years, I felt ashamed of my dyslexia. My sisters are all neurotypical learners—they read voraciously and have always felt at home in the classroom. Their effortless understanding of new material often made me feel defective and unintelligent—I worried that the admission that I needed extra time or an audiobook option would make my peers think less of me.

However, that day in Mrs. Michaelson’s class during the first week of junior year, one lingering student heard my whispered acknowledgement. When I stepped into the hall, a bubbly classmate was waiting to greet me, letting me know that there was a group of students who had formed a community around their own neurodivergent learning styles and inviting me to join. Though I was hesitant at first, I eventually joined their lunch meeting and began participating in group chats and study sessions in which we would share resources and help each other grasp the material. Their zeal for learning and pride in their own unique ways of intaking information expelled the shame I had for my dyslexia. Now, I view my learning differences as an asset, a unique part of who I am, rather than an impairment.

5. Orientation, identity, expression Duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community.

Duke is very proud of its inclusive culture and they want students of all orientations to know they have a place on campus. If you feel as though there is a part of your story that you haven’t shared and would like to, here is your chance.

“We should only invite queer students to queer prom.”

The argument, lauded by many members of Gay Straight Alliance, diametrically opposed the reason I had proposed we host the event in the first place. Being a member of the queer community can easily be a siloed experience, and I wanted to invite allies to better understand the struggles that queer students face, while also sharing in the joy and diversity of what it means to be a queer student.

In the end, the event was a beautiful expression of solidarity from student allies as well as a fun event for all of the students who attended. Despite our initial disagreements, students who had intended to only allow queer students ended up seeing the value in coming together as a community. As a part of the event, we held a raffle to raise money for the Trevor Project, ultimately raising more than $5,000 for at-risk LGBTQ teens. By opening the event to everyone, we not only saw the positive impact of inclusivity on our own campus, but mobilized our community to help others in need.

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