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Follow along to learn everything you need to know about the Duke University essays including prompts, tips, and examples.
If you are on this page, you are probably doing some college research and you may have Duke University on your list. With an acceptance rate of 6.3%, Duke University is one of the most competitive schools in the U.S.
One of the most crucial parts of your Duke application is writing compelling essays. 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, take a 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 of the supplemental essay questions, 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!
As part of your application, you are required to answer one essay prompt: an essay from the Common Application or the Coalition Application. There are four optional supplemental essay prompts, and you will not be penalized if you do not answer them.
The purpose of Duke’s supplemental essays is to allow you to present yourself and your experiences using your own words. The rest of your application is generally told from other people’s perspectives, so you can use the supplemental essays as a way to tell your story yourself.
Essays are also a way to demonstrate your college readiness. Write in a way that is clear and concise and follows the necessary grammar conventions. You can also emphasize your passion for Duke and show who you are as a person outside of your GPA and test scores.
If you want to make your application stand out, it is a good idea to write two of the optional supplemental essays that apply to you. That way, you can tell the admissions committee more about your background, and you have a better chance of leaving a lasting impression on them.
If you feel that an optional essay prompt does not apply to you, do not feel like you have to fabricate or exaggerate a story to answer it. You are better off not answering an optional supplemental essay than you are lying about essential aspects of your life.
Below we will include information on each Duke essay prompt as well as examples.
In addition to the long personal essay on the Common Application or the Coalition Application, Duke has five supplemental essay prompts, only one of which is required. The following prompts can be found on the Duke admissions page.
“What is your sense of Duke as a community, and why do you feel it is 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 supplemental essay has a 200-word limit, and it is your classic “Why do you want to go here?” prompt. Before you start writing your why Duke essay, you should research Duke’s history, courses, programs, extracurriculars, and student groups. Pick a few that interest you and list why you think each one is a good match.
You may focus on specific majors and professors that align with your academic goals or certain student clubs and communities that you want to join. Once you have a list of ideas, think about how you can tie them back to the prompt. Since you can only use 200 words, you should concentrate on one or two of your ideas.
Duke also offers four optional prompts for all 2022-23 applicants. Of these prompts, a maximum of two can be selected or you can choose not to write any. Each has a 250 word limit.
#1. “We seek a diverse student body that embodies the wide range of human experience. In that context, we are interested in what you’d like to share about your lived experiences and how they’ve influenced how you think of yourself.”
How to Answer: The key to starting this essay is to think about how your identities and experiences make you unique. Diversity can relate to your ethnicity and culture, health and disability, socioeconomic status, interests, talents, values, among many other characteristics.
Start with a brainstorming session where you write about how your experiences have shaped you as a person or what you care about the most. Try to be detailed as you brainstorm so that when you draft the essay, you can pick the most important points to discuss.
#2. “We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?”
How to Answer: If you choose to answer this prompt, be careful not to get too political. Instead, talk about a role model or someone who inspires you, and why. You can also 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.
For example, if you look up to your parents so much that you believe they can do no wrong, until one day they made a mistake and you realized they are human too. To approach this prompt, consider a moment that changed your life involving your heroes and your core values. As always, focus on how you’ve grown as a person from the experience.
#3. “What has been your best academic experience in the last two years, and what made it so good?”
How to Answer: This may seem like an easier prompt than others, but you should be careful when choosing your subject. You should only choose to answer this prompt if you have not been able to fully express this achievement in another part of your application. If your story is “I won this award,” choose another prompt.
However, if your story sounds a little more like “I won this award despite facing a challenge that I haven’t disclosed anywhere else in my application,” you may have an excellent story to tell. Make sure to focus on those unknown details to give the reader a behind the scenes look into the commitment and dedication it took to accomplish your chosen academic achievement.
#4. “Duke’s commitment to diversity and inclusion includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. If you’d like to share with us more about your identity in this context, feel free to do so here.”
How to Answer: You can use this essay to communicate how your sexuality or gender identity have been significant aspects of your life. You may have grappled with self expression since you were little. Maybe you have just started to explore your identity. Think about how these experiences have affected your perspective, community involvement, and academic interests.
Remember that you should only write this essay if it applies to you. Do not worry that your application will be weaker by not answering this question. Be honest with yourself and the admissions committee.
Even if the prompt applies to you, only share what you feel comfortable telling others. This essay prompt is a very personal question, and you are not obligated to divulge the most intimate parts of yourself to anyone.
Here are examples of essays for the Duke essay prompts listed above.
Prompt: “What is your sense of Duke as a community, and why do you feel it is 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)”
“- 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 this is a good essay: 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.
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.”
“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 this is a good essay: 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 that they like to paint, build robots, and listen to music.
We know how difficult it is to actually start the essay. So, here’s some tips from our experts on how to write the Duke university supplemental essays.
You have probably heard this about every part of the college application process, and it is absolutely true. The sooner you can start researching Duke's programs and extracurriculars, the sooner you can determine what draws you to the university most. Give yourself enough time to reflect on these topics and plan your responses.
If you want your essay to stand out, write about experiences that are unique to you. Tell a story and use examples that apply to each prompt and demonstrate what type of person you are, a person that can fit into the Duke campus community. Avoid clichés and generalizations. If you want to “help people” or “change the world,” be specific about it.
Do not try to be a “perfect” applicant, just be yourself. It is better to talk about things that actually matter to you instead of things that do not resonate with your identity or your interests. The purpose of these supplemental essays is to present yourself using your own words. In case you have not heard it yet, never plagiarize.
This essay is not a research paper. You only have 200-250 words to make a well-developed point, so skip an elaborate introduction. Make your essay straightforward and cohesive. Do not forget to explain the importance of what you are writing. The Duke admissions committee should not be wondering, “so what?” after reading your essay.
Proofread your Duke essays as many times as possible. Ask others to read it over and look for typos and punctuation errors. Take breaks and come back to your drafts with fresh eyes.
If you spend too much time proofreading your essay in one sitting, you may easily miss the small mistakes. You want your essays to be the best and most authentic writing you have done. Do not let a stray letter or a misplaced comma ruin your responses.
Seek help from experts in the college application process. The admissions consultants at Quad can give you additional tips on how to write and edit your supplemental essay for Duke. They have substantial experience with admissions committees and know what the top schools are looking for in applicants.
Here are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions concerning Duke essays.
When writing the Duke secondaries, make sure to choose prompts that lend themselves to your story as an applicant. Your chosen prompts should give you opportunities to talk about important lessons you’ve learned, and how you’ve grown as a person.
The only required essay is the “why duke” essay, which you should do plenty of research for before you start writing. It’s crucial to understand and convey why Duke would be an excellent fit for you based on your unique interests, passions, and values.
The trick to writing an excellent “why Duke” essay is doing plenty of research. You should get to know everything the school offers including clubs, programs, extracurriculars, awards, and history. Your essay should demonstrate how Duke is a uniquely perfect school for you and highlight what parts of Duke excite you.
One of the best ways to start writing is to brainstorm and reflect. Have all your ideas written down on a page, so you can pick the ones you think are the best. Do your research on Duke. By the time you start drafting, you should have an idea for what direction you want to take your essay, but be open to new ideas.
If you cannot think of anything to write about in an optional essay, it might be a good sign that you should leave it blank. If you have ideas but are feeling stuck, try taking a break from brainstorming.
Ask thoughtful questions and answer truthfully to get inspired. Try not to worry too much. Writing a 200-word essay is probably not the most challenging task you have ever done.
Each of Duke University’s supplemental essays are 250 words or less in length, including the “why Duke” essay.
Yes. Duke University has one required essay prompt which asks you to explain why you want to go to Duke. The other four essays are all optional. You can choose to write a maximum of two essays in response to two of the four prompts or none at all.
Inspira Next offers a guide on how to write the Common Application essays. You can choose from the following prompts:
You can pick from five essay prompts on the Coalition Application:
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.
Follow along to learn everything you need to know about the Duke University essays including prompts, tips, and examples.
If you are on this page, you are probably doing some college research and you may have Duke University on your list. With an acceptance rate of 6.3%, Duke University is one of the most competitive schools in the U.S.
One of the most crucial parts of your Duke application is writing compelling essays. 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, take a 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 of the supplemental essay questions, 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!
As part of your application, you are required to answer one essay prompt: an essay from the Common Application or the Coalition Application. There are four optional supplemental essay prompts, and you will not be penalized if you do not answer them.
The purpose of Duke’s supplemental essays is to allow you to present yourself and your experiences using your own words. The rest of your application is generally told from other people’s perspectives, so you can use the supplemental essays as a way to tell your story yourself.
Essays are also a way to demonstrate your college readiness. Write in a way that is clear and concise and follows the necessary grammar conventions. You can also emphasize your passion for Duke and show who you are as a person outside of your GPA and test scores.
If you want to make your application stand out, it is a good idea to write two of the optional supplemental essays that apply to you. That way, you can tell the admissions committee more about your background, and you have a better chance of leaving a lasting impression on them.
If you feel that an optional essay prompt does not apply to you, do not feel like you have to fabricate or exaggerate a story to answer it. You are better off not answering an optional supplemental essay than you are lying about essential aspects of your life.
Below we will include information on each Duke essay prompt as well as examples.
In addition to the long personal essay on the Common Application or the Coalition Application, Duke has five supplemental essay prompts, only one of which is required. The following prompts can be found on the Duke admissions page.
“What is your sense of Duke as a community, and why do you feel it is 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 supplemental essay has a 200-word limit, and it is your classic “Why do you want to go here?” prompt. Before you start writing your why Duke essay, you should research Duke’s history, courses, programs, extracurriculars, and student groups. Pick a few that interest you and list why you think each one is a good match.
You may focus on specific majors and professors that align with your academic goals or certain student clubs and communities that you want to join. Once you have a list of ideas, think about how you can tie them back to the prompt. Since you can only use 200 words, you should concentrate on one or two of your ideas.
Duke also offers four optional prompts for all 2022-23 applicants. Of these prompts, a maximum of two can be selected or you can choose not to write any. Each has a 250 word limit.
#1. “We seek a diverse student body that embodies the wide range of human experience. In that context, we are interested in what you’d like to share about your lived experiences and how they’ve influenced how you think of yourself.”
How to Answer: The key to starting this essay is to think about how your identities and experiences make you unique. Diversity can relate to your ethnicity and culture, health and disability, socioeconomic status, interests, talents, values, among many other characteristics.
Start with a brainstorming session where you write about how your experiences have shaped you as a person or what you care about the most. Try to be detailed as you brainstorm so that when you draft the essay, you can pick the most important points to discuss.
#2. “We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?”
How to Answer: If you choose to answer this prompt, be careful not to get too political. Instead, talk about a role model or someone who inspires you, and why. You can also 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.
For example, if you look up to your parents so much that you believe they can do no wrong, until one day they made a mistake and you realized they are human too. To approach this prompt, consider a moment that changed your life involving your heroes and your core values. As always, focus on how you’ve grown as a person from the experience.
#3. “What has been your best academic experience in the last two years, and what made it so good?”
How to Answer: This may seem like an easier prompt than others, but you should be careful when choosing your subject. You should only choose to answer this prompt if you have not been able to fully express this achievement in another part of your application. If your story is “I won this award,” choose another prompt.
However, if your story sounds a little more like “I won this award despite facing a challenge that I haven’t disclosed anywhere else in my application,” you may have an excellent story to tell. Make sure to focus on those unknown details to give the reader a behind the scenes look into the commitment and dedication it took to accomplish your chosen academic achievement.
#4. “Duke’s commitment to diversity and inclusion includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. If you’d like to share with us more about your identity in this context, feel free to do so here.”
How to Answer: You can use this essay to communicate how your sexuality or gender identity have been significant aspects of your life. You may have grappled with self expression since you were little. Maybe you have just started to explore your identity. Think about how these experiences have affected your perspective, community involvement, and academic interests.
Remember that you should only write this essay if it applies to you. Do not worry that your application will be weaker by not answering this question. Be honest with yourself and the admissions committee.
Even if the prompt applies to you, only share what you feel comfortable telling others. This essay prompt is a very personal question, and you are not obligated to divulge the most intimate parts of yourself to anyone.
Here are examples of essays for the Duke essay prompts listed above.
Prompt: “What is your sense of Duke as a community, and why do you feel it is 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)”
“- 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 this is a good essay: 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.
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.”
“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 this is a good essay: 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 that they like to paint, build robots, and listen to music.
We know how difficult it is to actually start the essay. So, here’s some tips from our experts on how to write the Duke university supplemental essays.
You have probably heard this about every part of the college application process, and it is absolutely true. The sooner you can start researching Duke's programs and extracurriculars, the sooner you can determine what draws you to the university most. Give yourself enough time to reflect on these topics and plan your responses.
If you want your essay to stand out, write about experiences that are unique to you. Tell a story and use examples that apply to each prompt and demonstrate what type of person you are, a person that can fit into the Duke campus community. Avoid clichés and generalizations. If you want to “help people” or “change the world,” be specific about it.
Do not try to be a “perfect” applicant, just be yourself. It is better to talk about things that actually matter to you instead of things that do not resonate with your identity or your interests. The purpose of these supplemental essays is to present yourself using your own words. In case you have not heard it yet, never plagiarize.
This essay is not a research paper. You only have 200-250 words to make a well-developed point, so skip an elaborate introduction. Make your essay straightforward and cohesive. Do not forget to explain the importance of what you are writing. The Duke admissions committee should not be wondering, “so what?” after reading your essay.
Proofread your Duke essays as many times as possible. Ask others to read it over and look for typos and punctuation errors. Take breaks and come back to your drafts with fresh eyes.
If you spend too much time proofreading your essay in one sitting, you may easily miss the small mistakes. You want your essays to be the best and most authentic writing you have done. Do not let a stray letter or a misplaced comma ruin your responses.
Seek help from experts in the college application process. The admissions consultants at Quad can give you additional tips on how to write and edit your supplemental essay for Duke. They have substantial experience with admissions committees and know what the top schools are looking for in applicants.
Here are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions concerning Duke essays.
When writing the Duke secondaries, make sure to choose prompts that lend themselves to your story as an applicant. Your chosen prompts should give you opportunities to talk about important lessons you’ve learned, and how you’ve grown as a person.
The only required essay is the “why duke” essay, which you should do plenty of research for before you start writing. It’s crucial to understand and convey why Duke would be an excellent fit for you based on your unique interests, passions, and values.
The trick to writing an excellent “why Duke” essay is doing plenty of research. You should get to know everything the school offers including clubs, programs, extracurriculars, awards, and history. Your essay should demonstrate how Duke is a uniquely perfect school for you and highlight what parts of Duke excite you.
One of the best ways to start writing is to brainstorm and reflect. Have all your ideas written down on a page, so you can pick the ones you think are the best. Do your research on Duke. By the time you start drafting, you should have an idea for what direction you want to take your essay, but be open to new ideas.
If you cannot think of anything to write about in an optional essay, it might be a good sign that you should leave it blank. If you have ideas but are feeling stuck, try taking a break from brainstorming.
Ask thoughtful questions and answer truthfully to get inspired. Try not to worry too much. Writing a 200-word essay is probably not the most challenging task you have ever done.
Each of Duke University’s supplemental essays are 250 words or less in length, including the “why Duke” essay.
Yes. Duke University has one required essay prompt which asks you to explain why you want to go to Duke. The other four essays are all optional. You can choose to write a maximum of two essays in response to two of the four prompts or none at all.
Inspira Next offers a guide on how to write the Common Application essays. You can choose from the following prompts:
You can pick from five essay prompts on the Coalition Application:
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.
