Duke Supplemental Essays 2025-2026: Prompts, Expert Tips & Sample Answers

Updated on
June 30, 2025
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Statement of Purpose
Below are the supplement essay prompts for Duke 2025-2026. I've added my insights on what a strong essay looks like. And use the insights, to write a strong supplemental essay for an admit.
Prompt 1:What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there’s something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well (250 words)

Q: How do I make my “Why Duke?” essay stand out?

A:

  • Start with a short story, like organizing a town cleanup.
  • Tie it to Duke’s programs, like DukeEngage’s service projects.
  • Skip broad praise; say why Duke’s hands-on learning excites you.

Prompt 2:

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.

Q: How do I share my perspective for Duke’s essay?

A:

  • Tell a story, like balancing a bicultural home.
  • Link to Duke, like Mary Lou Williams Center events.
  • Show what shapes your view.

Prompt 3:
Tell us about an experience in the past year or two that reflects your imagination, creativity or intellect.

Q: How do I pick an experience for Duke’s essay?

A:

  • Choose a story, like building a school recycling app.
  • Show creativity or smarts, like coding it yourself.
  • Make it recent, within last two years.

Prompt 4:

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?

Q: How do I pick a belief or disagreement story?

A:

  • Choose a moment, like debating climate policies with a friend.
  • Show your values, like pushing for sustainability.
  • Pick someone meaningful, like a teacher or sibling.
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. 

Q: How do I share what makes me different?

A:

  • Tell a story, like feeling out of place as an immigrant.
  • Link to Duke, like Blue Devils United events.
  • Show how your difference shapes you.

Prompt 6:

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.

Q: How do I share my identity for Duke’s essay?

A:

  • Tell a story, like coming out to your family.
  • Link to Duke, like Blue Devils United meetings.
  • Show what your identity means to you.

Best of luck with your applications!