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Duke Supplemental Essays 2024-25 – Prompts and Advice

July 26, 2024

With a 5.1% acceptance rate, getting into Duke in 2024-25 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 2024-25 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.

Duke Supplemental 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 least 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.

Need additional writing resources? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

Andrew Belasco

A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

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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.

Let's get started!

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!

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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Duke University 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 2

Duke University 2024-25 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. 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. Tell us about an experience in the past year or two that reflects your imagination, creativity or intellect.

It’s no surprise that Duke is hoping to invite students to campus who are excited about learning and have a capacity for invention, so take this opportunity to geek out about an awesome  experience you had recently when you sparked creativity or thought outside the box. Maybe you were given permission to do a presentation instead of an essay and came to class in full Renaissance garb to talk about Shakespeare’s use of theatrical irony. Perhaps you had the opportunity to take a creative class or seminar with a thought leader you really admire or you went on a reading retreat that expanded your imagination. Whatever it may be, this is the perfect place to show admissions your passion for intellectual endeavors .

3. We believe there is benefit in sharing or 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 and trust to give you sound advice. Do they provide reassurance that you’re on the right path? Then consider the opposite. 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 of disagreement? What topics do you disagree or agree about? And furthermore, if there’s room in the word count, how have you become a better listener or speaker because of these chats? Specifics of how these discussions transpire and what topics you cover will give admissions insight into what you care about.

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.

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. 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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Duke Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

By Eric Eng

The journey to becoming part of the esteemed Duke University community begins with a crucial step: the application process. The Duke supplemental essays 2023-2024 stand out as a pivotal element that allows prospective students to showcase their individuality.

As applicants navigate through either the Common Application or the Coalition Application, they are presented with an opportunity to reflect on their experiences, aspirations, and values through carefully crafted essay prompts.

How Many Supplemental Essays Does Duke Have?

Navigating the Duke supplemental essays 2023-2024 requires a clear understanding of the requirements set forth by the university. Duke University asks all applicants to write one long essay as part of their application, which can be one of the prompts provided by either the Common Application or the Coalition Application.

In addition to this main essay, Duke offers five optional short essay prompts from which applicants can choose up to two. These short essays allow students to give the admissions committee a fuller picture of their interests, experiences, and aspirations.

The optional essays are not mandatory, but they are highly recommended as they give additional context to your application and allow for a more personal connection with the admissions team.

What are the Duke Supplemental Essays 2023-2024?

The Duke supplemental essays 2023-2024 are a series of thoughtfully designed prompts that serve as a window into an applicant’s soul. These essays are not mere formalities but are integral to Duke’s comprehensive review process.

Whether through the Common Application’s seven prompts or the Coalition Application’s six, these essays are a platform for students to convey what they will bring to Duke’s dynamic community. The prompts vary in theme and focus, but all aim to uncover the diverse perspectives and unique backgrounds that students can contribute to the university.

For those applying through the Common Application, Duke requires completing one of the seven essay prompts for the 2023-24 admissions cycle. These prompts are designed to give students a broad spectrum of topics, allowing them to highlight the aspects of their journey that they feel are most significant.

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• 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?
• 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.

The prompts range from discussing one’s background or a meaningful talent to reflecting on a time when one questioned a belief or idea. The choice of prompt allows students to share a narrative most reflective of their individual experiences and can complement the other elements of their application.

Coalition Application

Applicants using the Coalition Application for the Duke supplemental essays 2023-2024 will select one of six essay prompts for the admissions cycle. Similar to the Common Application, these prompts are intended to provide a platform for students to convey their unique stories and perspectives.

• Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
• What interests or excites you? How does it shape who you are now or who you might become in the future?
• Describe a time when you had a positive impact on others. What were the challenges? What were the rewards?
• Has there been a time when an idea or belief of yours was questioned? How did you respond? What did you learn?
• What success have you achieved or obstacle have you faced? What advice would you give a sibling or friend going through a similar experience?
• Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.

The Coalition Application’s prompts encourage reflection on personal growth, the impact of technology on life, and the pursuit of solutions to societal issues, among other topics. The chosen prompt should align with the applicant’s narrative and serve as a vehicle to express their potential contributions to the Duke community.

Duke Short-Essay Prompts 2023-2024

In addition to the main essay, Duke presents applicants with five optional short essay prompts for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, with a limit of 250 words each. Applicants have the discretion to answer up to two of these prompts.

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

These short essays are an invaluable opportunity to discuss various aspects of one’s identity, such as intellectual interests, community engagement, and global perspectives. While these questions are optional, they are critical for students to differentiate themselves in a pool of highly qualified applicants.

How to Write the Duke Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

Writing the Duke University supplemental essays for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle is critical in your journey to becoming part of this prestigious institution. These essays are your opportunity to show Duke who you are and what you can bring to their vibrant academic community.

Duke seeks academically capable students who bring diverse perspectives and experiences to campus. Therefore, your essays should highlight your unique qualities and how they align with Duke’s values and academic environment.

Common Application Prompts 2023-2024

The Common Application prompts for the 2023-2024 cycle offer a range of topics, allowing students to showcase various aspects of their personality and life experiences. These prompts ask you to reflect on your background, challenges you’ve faced, beliefs you’ve questioned, and moments of gratitude or personal growth.

They also provide an opportunity to discuss a topic that captivates you or to submit an essay of your choice. Each prompt requires a response of no more than 650 words. This word limit challenges you to be concise yet thorough in your storytelling. The prompts are designed to give admissions officers a deeper understanding of you as an individual beyond your academic achievements.

Understanding the Common Application Prompts 2023-2024

Understanding the Common Application prompts is crucial for crafting compelling essays. Each prompt serves a specific purpose.

For instance, discussing a background or talent allows you to share your unique story and how it has shaped you. Talking about obstacles and challenges showcases your resilience and ability to learn from difficult situations. Reflecting on a time you questioned a belief highlights your critical thinking and openness to new perspectives. Sharing a story of gratitude or an accomplishment reveals what you value and how you’ve grown. Describing a captivating topic or idea illustrates your intellectual curiosity. Finally, submitting an essay of your choice offers maximum flexibility to express what you feel is most important for admissions officers to know about you. Each response should provide a window into your character, values, and potential contributions to the Duke community.

Brainstorming Your Response to the Common Application Prompts 2023-2024

• Identify Personal Connections : For each prompt, think about experiences that connect deeply with the topic. Personal stories are always more compelling.
• List Key Moments : List life events, achievements, challenges, or interests that could be a focal point for your essays.
• Reflect on Growth and Lessons : Consider how these experiences have shaped you. What have you learned, and how have you grown?
• Think About Your Impact : Reflect on how your experiences have impacted others or how they demonstrate your potential to contribute positively to Duke’s community.
• Consider Your Passions : For prompts about interests or ideas, focus on what excites you and why. Authenticity is key.
• Unique Angle : Find a unique angle or perspective for your story that will make your essay stand out.

Structuring Your Answer for the Common Application Prompts 2023-2024

When structuring your response to the Common Application prompts, start with a clear and engaging introduction that sets the tone and context for your essay.

The body of your essay should delve into the details of your story or reflection. Use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points and bring your experiences to life. Ensure each paragraph flows logically to the next, maintaining a coherent narrative.

In the conclusion, tie your story back to the prompt and reflect on the broader implications of your experiences. Highlight how these experiences have prepared you for the challenges and opportunities at Duke University. Remember, your essay should answer the prompt and showcase your writing skills, critical thinking, and personal growth.

Coalition Application Prompts 2023-2024

The Coalition Application for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle at Duke University presents diverse prompts, allowing applicants to showcase different facets of their personality, experiences, and aspirations. These prompts elicit responses that reveal the applicant’s character, passions, influence on others, ability to handle challenges, and intellectual curiosity.

Each prompt requires a thoughtful and reflective response, capped at 650 words. This word limit encourages applicants to be concise yet impactful in their storytelling. The prompts range from sharing a personal story that defines your character, discussing your interests and their influence on your identity, to reflecting on a time when your beliefs were challenged.

The flexibility of these prompts, including the option to submit an essay on a topic of your choice, provides a broad platform for students to express their unique perspectives and experiences.

Understanding the Coalition Application Prompts 2023-2024

Understanding the Coalition Application prompts is crucial for crafting essays that resonate with the admissions committee. Each prompt serves a unique purpose and offers a window into your personality and life journey.

The first prompt seeks a narrative that highlights your character or personal growth. The second asks about your passions and how they shape your identity and future. The third prompt focuses on your impact on others, emphasizing empathy and social responsibility. The fourth is about your response to having your beliefs challenged, showcasing your open-mindedness and critical thinking. The fifth prompt invites you to share a personal success or obstacle and the wisdom gained from it, reflecting maturity and resilience. Lastly, the option to write an essay on a topic of your choice allows for maximum creativity and personal expression. Each essay should glimpse who you are beyond your academic achievements and how you would contribute to the Duke community.

Brainstorming Your Response to the Coalition Application Prompts 2023-2024

• Personal Story That Defines You : Reflect on experiences significantly shaping your character. Think about moments of triumph, struggle, or decision-making.
• Passions and Interests : Identify what genuinely excites you, be it academic subjects, social issues, hobbies, or future aspirations. Consider how these passions have influenced your life choices and personality.
• Impact on Others : Recall instances where you positively affected others. Focus on the challenges and satisfaction or lessons derived from these experiences.
• Challenged Beliefs : Think about times when your viewpoints were questioned. Reflect on your response to the challenge and the learning outcomes.
• Personal Successes or Obstacles : Consider significant achievements or hurdles you’ve encountered. Focus on the advice you would give to others based on these experiences.
• Essay of Your Choice : Brainstorm topics you are passionate about or highlight a unique aspect of your personality or life experience not covered in other essays.

Structuring Your Answer for the Coalition Application Prompts 2023-2024

When structuring your response to the Coalition Application prompts, begin with a compelling introduction that captures the essence of your story or perspective.

For the body of your essay, delve into the specifics of your experiences or viewpoints, using vivid details and personal reflections to bring your narrative to life. Ensure that each paragraph flows logically, maintaining a clear and cohesive structure.

In your conclusion, tie back to the prompt by summarizing the key points and reflecting on the broader implications of your story or perspective. This could include how your experiences have prepared you for the challenges at Duke University or how they align with your future goals.

Remember, your essay should be a response to the prompt and an opportunity to showcase your ability to think critically, express yourself clearly, and demonstrate personal growth.

For the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, Duke University has introduced a series of short essay prompts, each requiring a response of no more than 250 words. These prompts are designed to delve deeper into applicants’ perspectives, beliefs, and experiences. They cover various topics, from intellectual experiences and discussions on beliefs and values to personal identity and fitting in.

Duke’s aim with these prompts is to understand the diverse backgrounds and viewpoints that students can bring to their campus. These essays allow applicants to share more about themselves concisely yet impactfully, providing a glimpse into their thought processes, values, and how they perceive and interact with the world around them.

Understanding the Duke Short-Essay Prompts 2023-2024

Understanding the Duke short-essay prompts is critical to crafting insightful and relevant responses. Each prompt invites you to share a unique aspect of your identity or experience.

The first prompt seeks to understand the diverse perspectives you might bring to Duke’s community. The second asks about an intellectual adventure that fascinated you, looking for your passion for learning and curiosity. The third prompt explores your approach to discussing and questioning beliefs, indicating your ability to engage in meaningful dialogue. The fourth concerns how your unique differences have shaped your experiences and perspectives. The fifth prompt invites you to discuss your sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression and its significance to you.

These prompts are designed to gauge your self-awareness, critical thinking, and how you might contribute to the diversity and dynamism of Duke’s community.

Brainstorming Your Response to the Duke Short-Essay Prompts 2023-2024

• Diverse Perspectives : Reflect on experiences or aspects of your identity that provide a unique perspective. Consider cultural background, life experiences, or personal challenges.
• Intellectual Fascination : Think about academic subjects, projects, or topics that deeply interest you. What sparked this interest, and why does it resonate with you?
• Discussions on Beliefs : Recall conversations where you either found agreement or respectfully disagreed on essential issues. What were these discussions about, and what did they reveal about your values?
• Personal Differences : Identify aspects of your identity or experiences that make you stand out. How have these differences shaped your view of the world and yourself?
• Identity and Expression : Consider how your sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression has affected your life. What meaning does this hold for you personally or within a community context?

Structuring Your Answer for the Duke Short-Essay Prompts 2023-2024

When structuring your response to the Duke short-essay prompts, start with a clear and engaging introduction that sets the stage for your reply.

In the body of your essay, delve into specific examples and experiences that directly address the prompt. Be concise yet descriptive, ensuring every word adds value to your narrative. Use personal reflections to provide depth and insight into your thoughts and feelings.

Conclude by tying your response back to the broader theme of the prompt, reflecting on how your experiences and perspectives align with the values and community at Duke University. Remember, these essays are a chance to showcase your unique voice, attitude, and what you can contribute to the diverse tapestry of Duke’s campus life.

Ready to Make Your Mark at Duke?

Crafting the perfect Duke supplemental essays for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle is your chance to stand out in a competitive applicant pool. At AdmissionSight , we specialize in helping ambitious students like you showcase your unique story and academic prowess to top-tier institutions like Duke University.

Our expert consultants are ready to guide you through each essay prompt, ensuring your application shines with clarity, purpose, and a touch of personal flair. Don’t leave your Duke admissions journey to chance. Contact AdmissionSight today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward turning your dream of attending Duke into a reality!

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!

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6 Duke Supplemental Essays That Worked for 2024

Getting into Duke University is difficult in 2024. 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.

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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.

What Can You Learn From These Duke Essays?

If you're trying to get into Duke, writing great essays is one of your best ways at standing out. These 6 Duke essays that worked are successful examples of essays admitted into Duke so that you can get inspired and improve your own essays.

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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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Why Duke Essay: 4 Tips for a Great Essay

College Essays

Are you hoping to become a Blue Devil? The Why Duke essay is a small but important part of your Duke application. This is the place where you explain exactly why you love Duke so much. However, there are thousands of students who want to attend Duke, and only a small percentage of them get in. What can you do to make sure your Why Duke essay sets you apart and helps you get accepted?

Keep reading to learn what the Why Duke essay prompts are, exactly what Duke is looking for when they read them, and what you should write about to convince Duke you'd be an asset to their school. We also include a Why Duke essay example so you can see what an actual essay response looks like.

The Why Duke Essay Prompts

Here's the Why Duke essay prompt:

The Why Duke essay prompt is o ne of several essay prompts you'll need to answer in your Duke application. You can learn more about the other Duke essays in our in-depth guide . (You can also get more information about how to answer the "Why This College?" style essay prompts here. )

What Is the Purpose of the Why Duke Essay?

Why does Duke require applicants to answer this essay? What are they really looking for in your response to "why Duke"? Let's analyze these prompts. No matter which schools you're applying to, the " why this school " prompt is probably the most common prompt you'll see on college applications. Why? Because colleges want to see that you really want to attend their school.

Students who love the school they attend and feel that it's a good fit are more likely to accept an offer of admission, be interested in their studies, take advantage of what the school offers, and give back after they graduate. Basically, Duke and other schools which include this prompt are looking for students who will take advantage of all the unique opportunities they offer so they have the biggest impact at the school and when they're alumni.

If you show that you really love Duke and are ready to make the most of your time there, it makes admissions officers feel more confident you're going to have a significant and positive impact on their school.

If you can't give any compelling reasons for choosing Duke or you don't seem to have done much research on the school, that makes Duke worry that you'll only do the bare minimum in college or have little impact during your time at Duke and afterwards.

Additionally, Duke asks you to write this essay to make sure you and their school are a good fit for each other. If you use this essay to talk about majors, classes, internships, study abroad options, etc. that Duke doesn't offer, the admissions team may be hesitant to offer you a place at Duke since it may not be the best place for you to reach your goals.

Basically, the purpose of this essay is twofold: Duke wants to make sure you know and value what they offer, and they also want to see how you're going to make use of these opportunities to reach your goals for the future.

What Should You Write About in Your Why Duke Essay?

Because Duke has so many opportunities to offer students, there are many ways to approach this essay topic. Here's a list of potential ideas:

• Majors, minors, certificates, and/or classes Duke offers that you're especially interested in. This also includes Program II, where you can design your own individual degree program.
• The Focus Program, which lets first-year students take classes on unique topics.
• Duke professors whose work you admire and with whom you'd like to study or conduct research.
• Duke's Service Learning or DukeEngage programs which give students the opportunity to provide services to communities in need.
• Clubs or sports teams you'd like to join.
• The Duke Startup Challenge which helps students who want to be entrepreneurs.
• Research opportunities you'd like to have (the more specific you can be, the better).
• Internship opportunities Duke offers.
• Duke students or alumni you've met who you admire.
• Financial aid opportunities Duke offers that make it possible for you to attend.

In your response, you should choose about one or two reasons why you think Duke is the best school for you. For each reason, you should describe what Duke offers and connect it back to your interest and skills to show how you're a good match for the school.

For example, you could write that you've always been interested in global health, and you have an idea for an invention/idea that could improve global health in developing countries. You want to attend Duke to take advantage of the Duke StartupConnect to get your product out there, then participate in DukeEngage or a similar program Duke offers to try the product out in the field. Or, you may be a mechanical engineering student who wants to work with a specific professor at Pratt and take advantage of the research opportunities Duke offers to study thermal and fluids systems.

Remember to be as specific as possible to show Duke that you've done your research, and show both what you care about/want to do with the rest of your life and how Duke can help you get there.

Look: we get it. Duke basketball is AMAZING. But don't talk about it in your "Why Duke?" essay. Save it for Cameron Stadium. (Keenan Hairston/ Wikimedia )

A Note About Duke Basketball

Duke's basketball team has an extremely dedicated fan base, and many students choose to go to Duke at least partly because they love the basketball team. However, we strongly discourage you from using this essay to discuss your love of Duke basketball.

There are several reasons for this . First, many, many applicants mention the basketball team as a reason they want to attend Duke, so you won't make your essay unique or memorable if you give the same reason most other people do. Second, Duke is foremost an academic institution, and it wants students who are dedicated to their studies. Duke classes require a lot of work, and if you give the impression that all you'll be doing at Duke is waiting hours in line so you can be the first one in Cameron Stadium for each game, they may wonder if you'll succeed at the school.

So write about something other than the basketball team, and then once you get in, feel free to paint yourself blue and join the other Cameron Crazies.

Tips for Writing a Great Why Duke Essay

No matter how you decide to answer the "Why Duke" prompt, here are four tips you should keep in mind to make sure you stand out from the crowd and show Duke that you're a student they want to have at their school.

#1: Do Your Research

Before you start writing, you should know a lot about the opportunities Duke offers and why you want to go there. Here are some places to start your research:

• Duke website
• Duke majors, minors, and certificates
• Course catalog
• The Duke Chronicle (school newspaper)
• Duke internship opportunities
• Duke research opportunities
• Campus visit
• Meeting with an alum or current student
• Meeting with a professor

#2: Be Specific

From your research, you now have multiple reasons as to why Duke is a great school for you. Choose one or two of them to write about in your essay. The more specific you can be when answering the "Why Duke" prompt, the better. Don't just say that Duke has great classes, smart professors, and an interesting student body. Most schools have that, and the people reading your essay will wonder if you're using an identical essay for every school you're applying to.

Instead, try to mention opportunities only Duke can provide, such as specific professors, course names, extracurriculars, or research programs. The things you discuss should be things your other top schools don't offer, things that really make Duke stand out.

#3: Show Your Passion

Duke students are a passionate bunch, and Duke wants students who care a lot about their studies and their school. A generic statement like, "I am impressed by Duke's strong engineering programs" doesn't tell the school anything about you or help you stand out from other applicants.

Why does the engineering program make you so excited? How do you want to use your engineering skills in the future? Write about those things instead. Showing a passion that's unique will help differentiate you from other applicants and show Duke that you'll take your studies seriously.

#4: Make Every Word Count

The word limit on this essay means that it's going to be very short, so you want to get the most out of those words. Start with an outline of your main points: why you want to go to Duke and how you'll make the most of those opportunities at the school and after graduation, then expand from there until you hit 250 words.

This isn't the essay to tell an in-depth story about your childhood or go into flowery descriptions. Instead, make your main points strong and don't worry about adding too many embellishments to the essay.

Why Duke Essay Example

Sometimes the best way to understand what a great Duke essay looks like is to look at an example. Below is a Why Duke essay example, followed by an explanation of what makes it stand out.

- Calvin Thompson

What Makes This Essay Work?

This essay is strong in three key ways:

Shows Passion: It's clear that this student loves Duke. From gasping at his first look at campus to his mouth almost watering at the thought of going there, he's clearly committed to the school.

Mentions Specific Details: This is a short essay, but the writer still manages to mention multiple professors, programs, and subjects Duke has that he's interested in. That shows he did his research and definitely isn't using the same generic essay for each school he applies to.

Shows a Plan for the Future: His plans for the future (education + business) aren't super specific, but that's fine since most students start college not yet knowing exactly what they want to do in the future, and Duke doesn't expect you to have everything figured out already. However, he has a plan to get started and see where those interests take him, which shows motivation and initiative.

Summary: Writing a Great Why Duke Essay

The Why Duke essay is a key part of your Duke application since it lets the school know why you want to go to Duke, what you want to get out of your time there, and how Duke will prepare you for the future. In 250 words or less, you need to explain why Duke is the school you want to attend.

There are many ways to answer the prompt, but you should always make sure to do your research on the school, use specific examples, show your passion for the school, and make every word count.

What's Next?

Want to know how to answer the other Duke essay prompts? Check out our guide on the Duke essays for everything you need to know!

Is Duke an Ivy League School? Learn more about the Ivy League and whether Duke is part of it by reading our guide to Ivy League schools .

Want to stand apart from other Duke applicants? Learn how to score a perfect 1600 on the SAT , so you can increase your shot at getting into the school of your dreams!

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Duke Essays 2023-24

Writing college essays is an integral part of crafting an impactful application narrative, and the Duke essays are no exception. Duke University is one of the most prestigious and competitive schools in the nation, so applications are rigorously evaluated. Like the other aspects of your Duke application, your Duke essays play an extremely important role in the admissions process. The Duke essays, particularly the Why Duke essay, are what helps successful students make their mark amongst other qualified applicants.

To impress Admissions, you’ll need to make each one of your Duke essays count. Wondering how you can stand out to Duke admissions and write a powerful and effective Duke essay? Then you’re in the right place! 

In this guide to the Duke Essays, we’ll look at: 

• Duke essay prompts and requirements
• Tips for how to write the Duke supplemental essays
• The importance of Duke essays in the admissions process, and more!

First, before we get into how to write the Duke essays, let’s check out some Duke quick facts. 

Duke University Admissions: Quick Facts

Duke university admissions quick facts.

• Duke University Acceptance Rate: 6% – U.S. News ranks Duke University #7 on its National Universities list. Its ranking and low acceptance rate make Duke one of the most competitive universities in the nation. 
• 1 (~ 250 word) Why Duke essay
• 2 (~ 250 word) optional Duke essays
• Duke University Application: Students can submit their application via the Common App , Coalition Application , or QuestBridge Application . Make sure to have all of your Duke University requirements ready when applying, including your Duke essays!
• Early Decision: November 1
• Regular Decision: January 2
• Duke University Essay Tip: There is only one required Duke essay. However, with various optional Duke essays, we recommend taking the time to complete them. Don’t miss out on a chance to bolster your application and impress Duke with your thoughtfulness and dedication! 

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

Does Duke require essays?

Yes, the Duke essays are part of Duke’s application requirements. First and foremost, students should allow themselves plenty of time to carefully craft the required Why Duke essay. Additionally, Duke has various prompts for students to choose from for the optional Duke supplemental essays. While these are optional, we recommend embracing them as an opportunity to showcase more of your unique traits and qualities. 

Keep in mind these are not the only essays you’ll submit to Duke. Students are also required to complete the long essay that is available on their chosen application platform.

How many essays does Duke have?

Technically, Duke has two required essays: the personal statement long essay and the Why Duke essay. However, applicants may also choose to respond to 0-2 optional Duke essay prompts. Duke stresses that responding to these Duke essay prompts is in fact optional. In other words, they should only be included if you feel that they will truly add something to your application. 

That being said, we still recommend writing the optional essays. Duke provides five different Duke essay prompts for students to choose from. So, you’ll be sure to find a prompt and corresponding topic you’re excited to write about!

Each of the Duke supplemental essays has a word limit of 250 words, making them short essays. Although shorter, don’t think you can crank out your Duke essays quickly. With limited space to communicate your ideas, you’ll want to choose your words carefully and with intention. 

Now we know there are two required essays in the Duke application as well as two optional essays. In the next section, let’s look at the Duke essay prompts for each of the short answer essays. 

Duke Short Answer Essays

First, let’s start with the required Why Duke essay:

“Why Duke University” Essay 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. (250 word limit).

If you’ve started working on any other college applications, the Why Duke essay probably looks familiar. That’s because it is a standard why school essay. We’ll get into the specifics of how to answer the Why Duke essay shortly. But, to write a compelling essay, you’ll need to do some research to determine what you like about Duke. That way, you’ll be prepared to answer the question: Why Duke?

The following short answer Duke supplemental essays are optional. Students may choose up to 2 to respond to. The optional Duke essay prompts are:

Optional Duke University Essay Prompts

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., 2. intellectual experience: tell us about an intellectual experience in the past two years that you found absolutely fascinating., 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, 4. 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., 5. 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..

As you can see, there are five unique Duke essay prompts for applicants to choose from. With such variety in these Duke essay prompts, the opportunities for essay topics are endless. In the next section, let’s go over some tips on how to get into Duke with stellar essays.

Tips for approaching Duke Short Answer Essays

Here are five tips to help you put your best foot forward as you tackle your Duke essays. Even though we’re discussing these in the context of the Duke essays, these tips aren’t school-specific. So be sure to keep these tips in mind while writing your other college essays !

5 tips for writing Duke supplemental essays: 

1. start early.

When writing the Duke essays, you’ll need plenty of time to brainstorm, draft, revise, and proofread. That means you shouldn’t leave the Duke essays to the last minute. Yearly, the updated Duke essay prompts are usually released the summer before the application deadlines. That gives you lots of time to plan and complete the Duke University requirements accordingly. 

2. Choose the right topic for you.

This is arguably the most important part of your Duke essays. You need to choose a topic that you can write genuinely and passionately about. Keep this in mind when brainstorming for the Why Duke essay and when reviewing the optional Duke essay prompts. 

3. Get specific with your responses.

One of the worst things students can do when writing Duke essays is write generically or on cliché topics. The Why Duke essay and the other optional Duke supplemental essays require detailed answers. Use anecdotes and personal experiences to immerse the reader. And, adding specific details in your own voice will make it unique to you—which is the goal!

4. Meet the requirements.

When considering the Duke essays, you’ll need to keep in mind the specific writing requirements . This includes staying within the 250-word limit as well as comprehensively answering the prompt. (Of course, successful Duke essays will go beyond simply meeting the requirements – but be sure to double check them.)

5. Get feedback from others.

You’ll want to have another pair of eyes read over your Duke essays. This person should be on the lookout for not only grammar and mechanics, but also content. Does your essay describe you in a genuine way while also answering the prompt? While outside suggestions are great, don’t let them obscure your personal experience! Do your best to implement the feedback in a way that maintains your own voice as a writer. 

How to write the Duke supplemental essays

When it comes to writing the Duke essays, approach each prompt with the intention of responding with new, valuable information. Both the Why Duke essay and the other optional Duke supplemental essays will ultimately contribute to your overall application narrative. What parts of your personality, skills, values, interests, or experiences haven’t yet had the chance to shine? The Duke essays are your opportunity to build upon your candidate profile. That makes them a crucial part of any “how to get into Duke” plan . 

Why Duke essay

Let’s review the Why Duke essay prompt again before diving into how to write it. 

When it comes to writing the Why Duke essay, applicants will need to do their own research. Remember our tip on getting specific? Well, that holds especially true for the Why Duke essay. You’ll want to do some investigating on programs unique to Duke . Are there certain clubs you’re interested in joining? Or maybe you want to study a major that Duke is known for?

Additionally, the prompt asks how you’d fit into the university community. Do some digging on Duke’s values and mission . Do they align with your own? Can you find a link between what the school values and what you have to offer?

As a rule of thumb, be sure you’ve backed up your Why Duke essay with Duke-specific research. However, a clear, specific, and impactful essay doesn’t simply regurgitate what you find on the website. Connect any details you mention to you: your values, beliefs, community, skills, goals, etc. 

Optional Duke essays

Now, let’s check out each of the optional Duke essays. 

Optional Duke University Essay Prompt #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..

Similar to the Why Duke essay, this first choice prompt is one that can be seen on many college applications. It asks students to delve into the communities, perspectives, and values that they’ve experienced. If responding to this prompt, make sure to connect the topic of your essay back to the Duke campus community. In other words, how will your experiences add to Duke? As there’s a bit of similarity to the Why Duke essay, make sure you don’t repeat themes or topics. 

Optional Duke University Essay Prompt #2

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

In the second of the optional Duke essay prompts, students can expand on their intellectual curiosities. As a competitive , highly ranked university, Duke wants their students to be academically motivated and curious learners. This is a perfect opportunity to discuss an important experience that shaped you and your future academic or career goals. But, pay close attention to mention a recent experience—the prompt specifies within the last two years!

Optional Duke University Essay Prompt #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.

This prompt challenges students to think about their interactions with others. What is important to you and who has agreed with you or challenged you on those topics? If responding to this prompt, show your growth from the situation. Did you experience a perspective shift? Or, at the very least, did you learn something new that you could appreciate about a different perspective?

Optional Duke University Essay Prompt #4

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 can personally expand on these themes, then it’s a great opportunity to highlight an important part of your identity. However, only write on this theme if it pertains to you. Specifically, don’t write an essay about being an ally or one that only talks about someone else. Like all successful Duke essays, you need to be the star of your essay, which means getting personal!  

Optional Duke University Essay Prompt #5

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 may seem like a unique college prompt. But, it’s simply another opportunity to show what sets you apart from the crowd. If this prompt calls out to you, then write passionately about what makes you different. Confidence is key—just make sure to hit every point in the prompt when writing your essay. That means you need to highlight how you’re different. And how it’s shaped you as a person or its meaning to you. 

QuestBridge Applicants to Duke University

Duke University partners with QuestBridge to provide students from low income families an equal opportunity for a college education. With the high cost of college , students all over the country are facing challenges affording higher education. QuestBridge aims to make college attainably for academically motivated students who might not have even applied to schools otherwise. The program then provides mentoring and a full scholarship to students at one of their nearly 50 partner schools .

In order to apply, students must meet both academic and financial criteria. If you qualify, you can then fill out a National College Match application online for free. If you become a Finalist, this application will then be sent on to your top colleges of choice. However, if chosen to be a Finalist, you’ll have to complete additional application components. 

The QuestBridge application has its own essays. They are as follows: 

QuestBridge Application Essay Prompts

Essay 1: personal essay (800 words), we are interested in learning more about the context in which you have grown up, formed your aspirations, and accomplished your successes. please describe how the most influential factors and challenges in your life have shaped you into the person you are today., essay 2: topical essay (select one option from the following four prompts, 500 words) , tell us about a concept, theory, or topic you have explored simply because it sparked your intellectual curiosity. why do you find it intriguing how do you want to further explore it, describe an experience that caused you to change your perspective and/or opinion., what aspect of your current community do you admire and wish to bring to your future college community, inclusivity involves embracing diversity and working to include people with backgrounds and experiences different from your own. describe an experience where you have played a role in fostering inclusivity..

Since QuestBridge is a college pathway for low income students, applicants might choose to write essays from a “low-income lens” . This means that applicants might consider how their families’ financial circumstances have shaped their perspective, values, and experiences. Of course, similar to our tips for Duke essays, the most successful writers will show self-reflection and personal growth.

Does Duke care about essays?

Put simply, yes! Duke essays are a crucial part of the Duke application and Duke University requirements. As such, Duke admissions considers them extremely important in their holistic evaluation process. Duke admissions evaluates applicants based on both personal and academic interests. Through your Duke essays, they want to know more about your personal interests, experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. Basically, they want the whole picture of who you are and what you value. 

Your Duke essays are what make your application come to life. You might even think of them as the personality of your application. Admissions officers will be able to see your academic and extracurricular qualifications listed dryly in other parts of your application. The Duke essays are your chance to place some meaning and importance to them. Or they’re an opportunity to show a new part of yourself not otherwise mentioned in your application. They’re the soul of your application—so yes, they’re important. 

Keep in mind that after applying, you can check on your application status through the Duke portal . There you will see any updates on your admissions decision.

How do I make my Duke essays stand out?

Now that we know the Duke essays play a vital role in the evaluation process, you’re probably wondering how you can make them truly shine. The Why Duke essay and optional Duke essay prompts provide various opportunities to showcase more parts of yourself. However, choosing the right topic and prompt for you is important when it comes to crafting a genuine, passionate essay. Make sure the topic you choose to write on excites you. If it doesn’t, it will read that way, and it will be challenging to capture your reader’s interest. 

When it comes to the Why Duke essay, all applicants are answering the same prompt. However, your topic is completely up to you. All of your Duke essays need to read as though they couldn’t possibly pass for anyone else’s. As such, use anecdotes and detailed examples to immerse your reader in the essay. Get creative and have fun when writing! Just pay careful attention that you are fully answering each of the Duke essay prompts. And, be sure whatever topic you choose, you stay focused and arrive at a meaningful conclusion by the end.

Duke Supplemental Essays – 5 Takeaways

There are many ways to write successful Duke essays. We’ve gone over some tips on how to respond to the Duke essay prompts. Now, we’ll leave you with 5 key takeaways that you can keep in mind when starting the Duke supplemental essays. 

1. Brainstorm, draft, revise, repeat.

Essentially, this is the process you need to follow when writing any college essay, including the Duke essays. Students may revise and rewrite a Duke essay multiple times in order to have the best version. This takes time. In order to get the most out of this writing process, start early! Allot the time needed for the why school essay and other Duke supplemental essays so you can tackle multiple drafts.

2. Choose a meaningful topic.

Whether writing the personal essay, Why Duke essay, or the other Duke supplemental essays, topic choice is key. Don’t base your topic decision on what you think admissions wants to see. Choose an experience, skill, interest, perspective, or value that is truly meaningful to you. Reflect on how it’s shaped you and work on writing an essay that reflects its importance in your life. 

3. Use anecdotes and personal details.

College essays don’t need to be dry—in fact, they shouldn’t be! Successful Duke essays will captivate the reader from the start. Think about anecdotes you can use in your essays that will make a further impact. Additionally, consider the hook of your essay too! Successful essays often drop the reader in a captivating circumstance to immerse them in the experience. 

4. Be specific.

When it comes to writing the Why Duke essay, be sure you’ve mentioned aspects unique to Duke. You shouldn’t be able to pass off your Why Duke essay for any other why school essay. Do your research and make sure that comes across in the essay. However, don’t simply list specific programs, clubs, or professors at Duke. Relate it back to you and how you’ll take advantage of those experiences. 

5. You’re the star.

Keep in mind that you need to be at the center of each of your Duke essays. Every time you respond to the Duke essay prompts, think of yourself as the protagonist of your potential story. Do you shine? Does the admissions team learn more about you that they haven’t seen elsewhere in your application? Avoid talking about others more than yourself!

Additionally, looking at other Duke essay examples and college essays that worked can help inspire your own Duke essays. While you shouldn’t try to copy Duke essay examples, reading them may help you discover your own ideas. Finding the strengths in others can help you tell your unique story in the best way possible! 

CollegeAdvisor has additional essay examples and plenty of other free resources to guide you in your college essay writing journey. Check them out and reach out if you want personal guidance on how to get into Duke. Our expert advisors have helped students write impactful essays to gain admissions to top universities across the nation, including Duke. So, don’t hesitate to look to us for help as you start working on your Duke essays – good luck!

This essay guide was written by Sarah Kaminski. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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How To Write The 2020-21 Duke Supplement Essays

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Learn how to write an awesome Duke essay for every single prompt.

Wendy will provide an in-depth breakdown of each of the Duke essay prompts, discussing how to write a great essay in response to each one. She'll also share her take on the essays and topics you shouldn't write about for each prompt.

Finally, she'll open up the floor for a Q&A session, where she'll answer any and all questions about the Duke essays.

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Some of the books chosen this year as common readers at American colleges and universities.

Move-in week is now taking place at many colleges as the fall semester is about to begin. Among the rituals that new students will be expected to participate in on many campuses is what’s often referred to as the “common reader.”

That’s a tradition where colleges assign all of their new students the same book to read over the summer. The core component of these programs, which often involves the initial academic socialization experience for first-year students, is to engage an entire campus community — students, faculty and staff — in reading the same material in order to promote a wide-ranging conversation about an important issue or controversy.

That shared experience, which most institutions reinforce with additional programs and events throughout the year, is thought to build a sense of community and stimulate thoughtful interactions among students and faculty. At dozens of colleges, the exercise has been in place long enough to be regarded as a campus rite of passage, and considerable interest is generated by the process of selecting the featured book each year.

Sometimes institutions limit the program to first-year students. However, at other colleges, all undergraduates are involved. A college’s selection of its common reader occasionally stirs controversy because of the provocative topics that are often addressed in the assigned reading.

Here’s a sampling of books that ten institutions have selected for their entering 2024 class.

The University of Delaware has run a First Year Seminar Program that includes a common reader since 2009. This year’s selection is I Never Thought of It That Way: How To Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations In Dangerously Divided Times by Mónica Guzmán. It explores how people with polar opposite political views can still have difficult, but productive conversations. Guzman’s book was also selected as a common read by Mount Holyoke College and Binghamton University.

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Duke University selected All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis for this year’s summer reading program as part of the Duke Common Experience. Edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine Wilkinson, the book contains numerous essays and poetry by women writing about the environmental movement.

Deaf Utopia: A Memoir — and a Love Letter to a Way of Life by Nyle DiMarco has been named Kansas State University’s common read for 2024. DiMarco’s book is described by its publisher as “more than a memoir, it is a cultural anthem — a proud and defiant song of Deaf culture and a love letter to American Sign Language, Nyle’s primary language. Through his stories and those of his Deaf brothers, parents, and grandparents, Nyle opens many windows into the Deaf experience.”

The University of Tulsa has picked Exhalation by Ted Chiang as its selection for the 2024-25 academic year common reader. Called “the best kind of science fiction” by Barack Obama, Exhalation is as collection of nine original short stories in which Chiang explores several vexing questions of human existence and meaning.

Sweet Briar College is assigning Mobility by Lydia Kissing as its 2024-25 common reader. It’s a coming-of-age novel that takes on climate change, geopolitics, and the dynamics of power. Kiesling is scheduled to visit the Sweet Briar campus for a series of programs on April 3, 2025.

Washington State University has selected Priya Fielding-Singh’s How the Other Half Eats: The Untold Story of Food and Inequality in America as its 2024-25 common reader. It examines how socioeconomic factors influence the diets and food choices of different American families and how those foodways affect their lives.

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Michelle Zauner’s Crying in H-Mar t , her 2021 memoir about growing up Korean American, was selected by California State Polytechnic University, Pomona as its common read, a program now in its 18th year of operation. Jacqueline Naranjo, Cal Poly’s senior coordinator of academic support and engagement, described the book as “a very authentic perspective on grief and loss as well as the experiences of someone navigating biracial identities. In our post-COVID world, I think it will speak to students and community members who have lost someone dear to them. The book provides some catharsis because it discusses some of the more taboo feelings and thoughts someone grieving might experience, as well as coming-of-age and turbulent relationships with parents.”

At Case Western Reserve University , this year’s choice for a common read is The Kissing Bug: A True Story of a Family, an Insect, and a Nation's Neglect of a Deadly Disease by Daisy Hernández, Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Northwestern University. The book tells the story of the author’s aunt, who died from Chagas, an infectious disease caused by a parasite, and it exposes the social factors that help perpetuate the disease.

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Want to write a college essay that sets you apart? Three tips to give you a head start

1. Keep it real. It’s normal to want to make a good impression on the school of your choice, but it’s also important to show who you really are. So just be yourself! Compelling stories might not be perfectly linear or have a happy ending, and that’s OK. It’s best to be authentic instead of telling schools what you think they want to hear.

2. Be reflective . Think about how you’ve changed during high school. How have you grown and improved? What makes you feel ready for college, and how do you hope to contribute to the campus community and society at large?

3. Look to the future. Consider your reasons for attending college. What do you hope to gain from your education? What about college excites you the most, and what would you like to do after you graduate? Answering these questions will not only give colleges insight into the kind of student you’ll be, but it will also give you the personal insight you’ll need to choose the school that’s right for you.

Have questions about college prep? We're here to help.

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Independence Day 2024 Essay Tips: Celebrated annually on August 15th, India's Independence Day in 2024 marks 77 years since gaining freedom from British rule in 1947. The day features flag hoisting, patriotic songs, and cultural performances. Schools and public institutions commemorate the event, highlighting the contributions of freedom fighters and fostering national pride.

Independence Day 2024 Essay Writing Tips

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How to Write an Introduction Paragraph: Examples and Guide

There are times when an introduction predicts what your entire essay will say—it’s essentially a reflection. If done successfully, it grabs the reader’s attention and entices them to read further into the essay. As a writer, I know the importance of a strong and engaging introduction, and with practice, I have excelled in the art of writing a good intro. Here’s how you can write a compelling introduction with examples.

The Purpose of the Introduction Paragraph

A good introduction serves as a roadmap for your essay, setting the stage for what is to come. Its primary purpose is to grab the reader’s attention, provide necessary background information, and clearly state the main argument or thesis of the essay. By doing so, it helps the reader transition from their own world into the context of your analysis, making them interested in reading further. A well-written introduction also outlines the structure of the essay, ensuring that the reader knows what to expect in the body paragraphs. This initial section is crucial for making a strong first impression, establishing the tone, and demonstrating the quality and direction of your work. A good introduction paragraph should be able to:

Engage the Reader: Capture interest with an intriguing opening sentence or a compelling story.

Provide Context: Offer background information needed to understand the topic.

State the Thesis: Clearly present your main argument or thesis statement.

Outline the Structure: Briefly mention the main points or sections covered in the essay.

Establish Relevance: Explain why the topic is important and worth discussing.

Set the Tone: Establish the style and tone of your writing.

Write an Introduction Paragraph

An introduction paragraph sets the tone for your entire essay, shaping your reader's expectations and mood. It's like the gateway to your ideas - a good one hooks the reader, compelling them to continue, while a weak introduction might make them lose interest before they've even begun. That's why learning how to start an introduction paragraph for an essay is crucial for students and writers alike.

With tools like WPS Office at your fingertips, you're not just getting a word processor, but an AI assistant to guide you through the entire journey of crafting that perfect opening. In fact, I'll be using WPS Office for this tutorial to demonstrate its features. So, let's dive in and explore how to write an essay introduction step by step:

The hook is the opening sentence or a few sentences of an essay designed to grab the reader's attention and entice them to keep reading. It serves to engage the reader by presenting something intriguing, surprising, or relevant to the essay's topic.

The main purpose of the hook is to spark the reader's interest and make them want to read more. It's the first impression the reader gets, so it needs to be compelling and relevant to the essay's subject.

1.Start with a Surprising Fact or Statistic: Begin with an interesting or shocking fact that relates to your topic. This immediately grabs the reader's attention.

Bad Example: "Drunk driving is a serious issue."

Good Example: "Every year, over 1.25 million people die in car accidents, many of which are caused by drunk driving."

2.Use a Quote: Introduce your essay with a relevant quote that encapsulates your main point.

Bad Example: "Drunk driving is defined as driving while impaired by alcohol."

Good Example: “At eighteen, Michelle had a lifetime of promise in front of her. Attending college on a track scholarship, she was earning good grades and making lots of friends. Then one night her life was forever altered…”

3.Pose a Rhetorical Question: Ask a question that provokes thought and engages the reader.

Bad Example: "Have you ever driven a car?"

Good Example: "What if every time you got behind the wheel, you risked not only your life but the lives of others?"

4.Tell an Anecdote or Story: Share a brief, compelling story that relates to your topic.

Bad Example: "I once heard a story about a drunk driver."

Good Example: "At eighteen, Michelle had a lifetime of promise in front of her. Attending college on a track scholarship, she was earning good grades and making lots of friends. Then one night her life was forever altered..."

If you need ideas to help you improve on the hook for your introduction, consider providing WPS AI with a prompt such as:

"Write an introduction on the topic 'Risks of Driving Intoxicated' and provide four individual hooks: one with a surprising fact, one using a quote, one with rhetorical questions, and one through telling an anecdote."

WPS AI will produce a catchy hook statement that you can use for your introduction, such as:

Background Information

Background information provides the reader with the necessary context to understand the essay's topic. This may include historical, geographical, or social context, definitions of key terms, or an outline of the debate surrounding the topic.

The background helps to bridge the gap between the hook and the thesis statement. It gives the reader the context they need to understand the main argument of the essay and why it's important.

1.Provide Context: Explain the broader context of your topic to show its significance.

Bad Example: "Drunk driving is bad."

Good Example: "Michelle's story is not isolated. Each year, over 1.25 million people die in car accidents, many of which are caused by drunk driving."

2.Introduce Key Terms and Concepts: Define any terms or concepts that are crucial to understanding your thesis.

Bad Example: "Drunk driving is when you drink alcohol and drive."

Good Example: "Drunk driving, legally defined as operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, is a preventable cause of many fatalities."

3.Set Up the Problem: Briefly discuss the scope of the issue or debate you will be addressing.

Bad Example: "People drive drunk sometimes."

Good Example: "Despite strict laws, drunk driving continues to be a significant problem worldwide, leading to devastating consequences for victims and their families."

To give an effective and detailed background information in your introduction consider proving WPS AI with a prompt like this:

“This serves as the background to my introduction: 'People frequently choose to drive under the influence of alcohol.' Please enhance it to address the problem and discuss its scope."

WPS AI will produce a detailed background passage for your introduction, give as:

Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of the essay. It usually appears at the end of the introduction and states the essay's central argument or position.

The thesis statement guides the direction of the essay by informing the reader what the essay will argue or discuss. It sets the tone and focus of the entire paper.

1.Be Clear and Specific: Clearly state your main point and how you will support it.

Bad Example: "This essay will talk about drunk driving."

Good Example: "Drunk driving laws need to include stricter penalties for those convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol to reduce accidents and save lives."

2.Make an Argument: Present a claim that requires evidence and can be debated.

Bad Example: "Drunk driving is bad and should be stopped."

Good Example: "Implementing harsher penalties for drunk driving will deter offenders and significantly decrease the number of alcohol-related accidents."

3.Outline Your Main Points: Indicate the main points you will cover in your essay to support your thesis.

Bad Example: "I will discuss the problems with drunk driving."

Good Example: "Stricter penalties are necessary because they act as a deterrent, they can prevent repeat offenses, and they provide justice for victims."

You can take help from WPS AI to extract the thesis statement of your essay using the WPS AI chat box.

Step 1: Click on the WPS AI widget at the top corner of the WPS Writer interface.

Step 2: The WPS AI pane will open on the right side of the screen. Type in your prompt to extract the thesis statement of your essay and then paste the essay.

Here is a prompt example that you can use:

"Extract the thesis statement from the following essay:"

Step 3: WPS AI will provide the thesis statement. To refine it further, engage with the WPS AI chatbot by asking more questions or queries.

The summary or road map briefly outlines how the essay will be structured. It provides a preview of the main points that will be covered, giving the reader a sense of the direction of the argument.

1.Summarize Main Points: Briefly mention the key arguments or points you will discuss in your essay.

Bad Example: "I will talk about drunk driving laws, penalties, and justice."

Good Example: "This essay will first examine the current state of drunk driving laws, then explore the impact of stricter penalties on reducing incidents, and finally discuss how these penalties can bring justice to victims."

2.Be Concise: Keep it short and to the point, providing a clear outline without going into too much detail.

Bad Example: "I will write about drunk driving and why it is bad."

Good Example: "By examining the effectiveness of current laws, the potential benefits of stricter penalties, and the importance of justice for victims, this essay argues that harsher punishments for drunk driving are essential."

“Write a concise summary for the introduction of an essay on the topic "Risks of Driving Intoxicated." The summary should briefly mention the key points that will be covered in the essay, without going into too much detail."

The summary should briefly outline the main points covered in the essay, emphasizing the societal impact, legal ramifications, and personal consequences of driving under the influence. Ensure clarity and coherence, setting the stage for a comprehensive exploration of the topic in the subsequent sections.

Examples of Different Essays

Essays come in various forms, each serving a unique purpose and following specific structures. Understanding these different types can help you write an essay introduction more effectively. Let's explore three common types of essays: Argumentative, Expository, and Literary. Each example below demonstrates the key elements of its respective essay type, including the hook, background information, and thesis statement.

Argumentary

An argumentative essay aims to present a position on a topic and support it with evidence.

An expository essay explains a topic in a clear and concise manner without arguing a specific position.

A literary essay analyzes and interprets a work of literature, focusing on elements such as theme, character, or style.

More Examples of Different Topics

Let's take a look at some sample introductions of essays in different disciplines. This will further help you in writing an effective essay introduction.

Example #1 Medicine

Example #2 literature, example #3 social sciences, example #4 engineering, example #5 business & marketing, using wps ai to perfect your introduction.

With WPS Office, you have access to a comprehensive suite of tools designed to support your academic writing needs. Its AI-powered features enhance your writing process, from initial drafting to final proofreading. Specifically, WPS Office AI will help perfect your introduction, ensuring it captures attention and sets the stage for your paper. Plus, WPS Office is available for free, making it an accessible and indispensable resource for students and academics alike.

1.Check the Grammar and Syntax

Your introduction sets the tone for your entire essay, so it's crucial that it's grammatically correct and free from syntax errors. WPS AI careful checks for any grammatical mistakes and syntax issues, ensuring that your introduction is polished and professional. It provides suggestions for corrections, helping you present a clear and error-free first impression.

2.Rewrite Your Statement for Clarity

WPS AI can improve the clarity and coherence of your introduction by rewriting complex or awkwardly phrased sentences. It identifies areas where your writing may be ambiguous or convoluted and offers alternative phrasing that enhances readability. This feature ensures that your introduction is clear, concise, and compelling.

3.Automatically Expand Content

When you need to elaborate on a point or expand your introduction, WPS AI can automatically generate additional content. This feature helps you add relevant information that aligns with your essay's theme and tone. It’s particularly useful for developing a strong hook, providing context, or setting up your thesis statement.

4.Give an Outline for Your Paper

Writing a strong introduction often involves giving your readers a brief outline of what to expect in your essay. WPS AI can assist in structuring your introduction to include a concise overview of your main points, providing a roadmap for your readers. This feature ensures that your introduction effectively sets the stage for the rest of your essay. Here is an example of an outline generated using WPS AI Writer for an essay:

If you find this outline suitable for your essay, simply scroll down and click on "Insert" to use the outline for your essay.

1. What is the structure of an essay?

An essay is divided into three main parts:

Introduction: This section introduces the topic and presents the main idea (thesis). It provides some background information and outlines what the essay will discuss.

Body: The body forms the essay's core, where you develop arguments to support your thesis. It is organized into several paragraphs, each presenting a distinct point backed by evidence.

Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the main points covered in the essay and strengthens the thesis statement. It wraps up the discussion and may offer final insights or suggestions.

2. Why do I need a thesis statement?

A thesis statement plays a crucial role in academic essays and research papers by presenting the central argument or idea to be explored and developed. Here are several key reasons why a thesis statement is essential:

It provides clear direction and focus for your writing.

It summarizes your main argument for the reader.

It maintains clarity and coherence throughout the essay.

It serves as the foundational basis for structuring the entire essay.

3. How long should the introduction paragraph be?

The introduction paragraph for a research paper typically spans one to two paragraphs. As a general rule, the entire introduction section—which includes the opening paragraph, literature review, and research questions—should constitute approximately 10% to 15% of the paper's total length. This structure allows for a comprehensive yet concise setup of your research topic, providing readers with the necessary context before delving into the main body of your work.

Beyond the Hook: Building a Strong Introduction Paragraph

Writing an introduction is perhaps the most thought-provoking and critical task in crafting any assignment. With the myriad features offered by WPS Office, you can effortlessly create a phenomenal essay introduction. WPS AI enhances this process with tools that ensure clarity, coherence, and creativity. Whether it's organizing your thoughts or refining your language, WPS Office empowers you to craft introductions that captivate readers from the start. Download WPS Office today and experience firsthand how it transforms your writing process into a seamless and impactful journey.

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How to Write Duke’s Optional Human Experience Essay

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Robert Crystal in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info. 

What’s Covered:

What does diversity mean, why is duke asking this, relate your response to duke.

Duke has optional essays for this year’s application. Students can choose to respond to, at most, two of the four prompts. One option asks:

“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)

In this article, we break down what exactly this prompt is asking and how to approach it. If you are interested in learning more about Duke’s other supplemental prompts, you can read our article on how to write the Duke University essays . 

In this option, Duke is asking for you to share a unique perspective or experience you’ve had that would help Duke understand you better. You could talk about a community that you are part of, your family, or your cultural background. Don’t be intimidated by the word “diversity.” This word holds a great deal of power, and it can be intimidating because it covers such a huge spectrum of identities and experiences. 

Diversity could be related to your demographics, such as your socioeconomic status, health, culture, or ethnicity, which are often the areas that come to mind when you think about diversity. However, your own diversity can come from other areas of your life. It could be related to your interests, hobbies, values, and opinions. You can draw on anything that makes you different from others or something that makes you similar to a particular group of people. 

All these different elements of your demographic information are elements that are probably already indicated somewhere in your college applications. This essay is a great way for you to draw on an experience that has made you the person you are today but is not quite visible on your application.

This prompt enables students to discuss the diverse perspectives and experiences that they would bring to Duke. The university wants to accept students from unique backgrounds because it believes that this makes its community strong. You have 250 words to tell Duke how you will bring a different perspective to the school, so focus on the aspects of your life that make you stand out from other applicants. 

When considering your response, ask yourself this question: “What kind of communities will I seek out at Duke?” This is important to reflect on because it gets to the heart of the prompt. Admissions officers want to have an overall picture of what the incoming class will look like. They want to know what communities you will be part of or which areas of campus life you will contribute to if you attend the university. 

In a broader sense, Duke wants to discover who you are through these essays. It wants to know your unique perspectives and how you think about ideas and the world around you. Learning these aspects of your personality helps the admissions officers understand how you will function in the classroom and the community, so it is important that you are true to yourself in all senses. 

There is a common misconception around this prompt that your essay should be extremely profound and emotional. Your goal isn’t to make the reader cry. Your goal should be to give them an accurate representation of your life. Then, you want to connect that to your possible life at Duke .

Duke has an extremely unique culture because it is a large research university with a great athletics program and a lively social scene with a variety of opportunities for civic engagement and activities. The school particularly emphasizes the importance of students pursuing their academic and professional interests not only as a means for personal development but also as a way to contribute to the communities around them. 

In short, Duke has a collaborative environment that focuses on connecting each individual to their community. It wants to know what resources and communities you will seek out at Duke and more importantly, how you will give back to them.

While your essay doesn’t necessarily need to address characteristics like socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or disability, your essay should reflect the spirit of Duke’s unique campus community. It should demonstrate the unique perspective and experiences that you as an individual will bring to the school, and you should imply that you are eager to share your opinion with others and learn from those around you.

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