<p>Hey CC'ers
I am an international applicant and have been accepted to join the Duke class of 2016. I have been notified earlier because i have also been chosen as a finalist for the Karsh Scholarship which, if i do get it, will give me a full ride to college for the next four years. I badly want this scholarship, and have a few questions regarding it that i am hoping you guys can answer.</p>
<p>First of all, how many of the finalists actually do get the scholarship? Is the process very selective, or do i have a good shot of making the cut?</p>
<p>Also, I have been requested to have an interview via skype before my scholarship can be finalized. Do you guys have any idea as to what they might ask me in the interview. I mean, are the questions going to be similar to the generic college interview ones? Or will they be markedly different to them?</p>
<p>Thanks a lot, and i appreciate any input you guys can give me.</p>
<p>congrats on being a finalist. my advice is for you to dig deep into the Duke website and any blogs or boards with current students, read the Duke magazine online, read the Chronicle. Then Project Yourself into campus life and be ready to show how you would put this great privilege of a Duke education to work for your own personal growth, and for your future contributions to Duke and to society at large. It doesn’t all have to be about serving humanity but they want students who have vision, passion and deep senses of purpose. My son’s both predicted where they would be involved at their colleges and they came through with pathways similar to their essays.<br>
Role play a little with a trusted friend asking you questions.
Do NOT be a stranger. You only have a few minutes so be as genuine as possible and make it easy for them to know who you are.</p>
<p>Last message: Who you are right now is good enough. Never exaggerate. They do not expect you to have solved the mysteries of the universe at age 18. Be real but have a vision.</p>
<p>As always, Faline2 has given excellent advice. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Definitely be genuine and do your research before your interview… be prepared to talk about programs and opportunities that you are interested in. If you PM your academic interests, I can point you to websites that discuss programs and opportunities that relate to your specific academic interest.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>thank you, slik nik.</p>
<p>one other caution I would give you is to not focus on the questions of “how many applicants” and “what are my odds of actually getting this scholarship”. This is a pointless direction. You have already beat down incredible odds to be admitted at all, and you have beat other odds by being on the short list for a big scholarship. Don’t push your luck dwelling on the negatives in this amazing outcome so far. </p>
<p>Instead be someone that Duke wants on campus…academically, socially and be someone that is simply worth knowing and investing in. The outcome is out of your hands. All you can do at this moment is be the best version of yourself and to have an idea of what that version of yourself might be in four more years. </p>
<p>Focus on getting to know the committee and leave the outcome to fate. You have no real control there so let it go.</p>
<p>gunnersfan, you should PM slik nik who is a current upperclassman at Duke because he likely has friends using all sorts of different corridors and opportunities at Duke academically and in a wide range of service organizations and art and cultural organizations on campus. Duke is nothing if not diverse in the student body and global in its outlook. It has been described as a “brash, new, top university” in some articles and this is in fact part of its energy…Duke is not very bogged down with traditions and tends to have a very contemporary vision for itself as an institution.</p>
<p>good luck from one Duke alum’s mom</p>
<p>gunnersfan, if finance is a concern, rest assured that even if you don’t get the Karsh scholarship, Duke will still meet your full needs. Duke’s FA for me is incredibly generous, and I’m sure for any of the international students who applied for aid and got in they feel the same way too.</p>
<p>Having said that, getting Karsh is an honor, and you have several perks: going to DC or other places (expenses paid) with other Karsh scholars, having grants to do research or community service over summer (up to 5k/summer I believe).</p>
<p>Again, congrats on your achievement, and I hope you would strongly consider Duke!</p>