Below are the supplement essay prompts for Duke 2025-2026. I've added my insights on what a strong essay looks like.
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.
Q: What Duke programs should I mention?
A:
Bass Connections, like its project on rural healthcare access.
Duke Innovation Co-Lab for coding a mental health app.
Pick 1-2 that match your goals.
Say how they’ll shape your career.
Q: How do I show I’m a good match for Duke?
A:
Match Duke’s “Knowledge in Service” with your past work.
Example: “My tutoring program aligns with Duke’s Civic Engagement HubಸSystem: Engagement Center.”
Q: What mistakes should I avoid in my essay?
A:
Don’t name Professor Davidson without citing her learning research.
Focus on one program, like Global Health Focus Program.
Stick to one story, like mentoring kids.
Cut phrases like “great academics.”
Q: How do I close my essay strongly?
A:
Show your impact, like starting a Duke AI ethics club.
Link to your future, like healthcare policy work.
Tie to Duke’s community values.
End with a clear, bold goal.
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.
Q: What background should I highlight?
A:
Pick key moments, like moving across countries.
Or beliefs, like fighting for disability inclusion.
Choose 1-2 that define you.
Tie to Duke’s welcoming community.
Q: How do I show I’ll add to Duke?
A:
Share impact, like starting a neurodiversity group.
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.
Q: Should I focus on agreement or disagreement?
A:
Agreement works, like bonding over equity with a mentor.
Disagreement can shine, like debating tech ethics with a cousin.
Pick what reveals your thinking.
Show how it shaped your beliefs.
Q: How do I connect this to Duke?
A:
Link to Duke, like Team Kenan for ethical debates.
Example: “My climate talks fit Duke’s Sustainability Office.”
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.
Q: What differences should I highlight?
A:
Pick unique traits, like being a first-generation student.
Or challenges, like managing a learning disability.
Choose 1-2 that define you.
Tie to Duke’s inclusive community.
Q: How do I show I’ll add to Duke?
A:
Share impact, like starting a cultural heritage club.
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.
Q: What parts of my identity should I highlight?
A:
Focus on personal moments, like exploring gender expression.
Or community ties, like leading a Pride event.
Pick 1-2 that shape you.
Tie to Duke’s inclusive spaces.
Q: How do I show I’ll add to Duke?
A:
Share impact, like starting a trans support group.
Example: “My advocacy fits Duke’s Center for SOGIE.”
