How does Duke use essays?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

Hey everyone. Just something interesting I noticed.
Most of the elite or very good colleges I’ve been applying to require multiple 250-500 words essays. However, Duke only has 1 150 words Why Duke? essay and 1 optional 250 word essay. I was wondering how then Duke decides between candidates with very similar stats? I would imagine at most top universities the essays would be the distinguishing factor. However, since Duke only utilizes 2 relatively short essays, how do they determine this? Does this mean they place added emphasis on stats and ECs than most other colleges?
Thanks, just a topic for discussion.

2

I can’t answer your question, but don’t forget about the Common App essay.

Here’s what Duke Admissions says they consider: http://admissions.duke.edu/application/overview

3

Also note: Vandy is similar in that they have only a small section to expand on a extracurricular instead of any formal essays. IMO this places more emphasis on the common app essay and letters of rec to reveal who the student is, and also probably more emphasis on high stats (I know that is true for vandy at least)

4

Only God knows how Duke chooses…

5

I was accepted ED and the dean of admissions included a note in my acceptance packet, which mentioned not only my ECs but my optional duke diversity essay. It seems like these were the defining parts of my application for her so I’d say they definitely look at it seriously.

6

Observe that a few years back, the required “why Duke” essay was longer (check out the older threads on CC). Duke shortened their required supplemental essay down to 150 words and has kept it that way for several years now. Reading between the lines, I think there are some obvious conclusions that can be drawn:

  1. With the short essay, admissions finds out if the applicant can get to the point. Quickly.
  2. Admissions was bored to tears by the long “why Duke” essay. So, they cut it back.
  3. (This one is just my personal opinion based on close observation over the past year.) The Admissions staff at Duke is not an especially imaginative bunch, and they could not think of a better question to ask. Indeed, they don’t appear to have changed that question prompt in over a decade. The contrast could not be sharper when compared to, say, the admissions staff at the U. of Chicago, the U. of Michigan, the U. of Virginia, or many LACs. YMMV.
  4. Duke undergrad famously attracts world-class BSers. So, the 150 word limit could be interpreted as a preemptive, passive-aggressive response from admissions to what they know is coming.
  5. At the same time, Admissions has worded the optional essay prompt so broadly that they appear to be quietly challenging the applicant to write something original and creative. Something worth their time to read. Surely there is something to write about that could be made to fit into that broad scope. They also find out who is willing to put the extra effort in to get into Duke. That’s why the optional essay is optional.
7

RustyTrowel clearly not a Duke fan…oh well, such is life.

They place more value on the common app essay which is longer, so that’s where they’re getting their insights from largely. The essays equate to one of the six main categories that the first reader rates you on. So, it’s decently important considering all categories are weighted evenly for the first pass of an applicant (on a 1-5 scale):
“high school curriculum [rigor], academics [grades], recommendations, essays, extracurriculars and test scores”

8

Let’s look at the evidence. Read the required essay prompts below for U of Michigan Engineering, Cornell Engineering, UVa Engineering, and Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering. Ask yourself which of these admissions offices strike you as doing their jobs, and which seem to be awol:

University of Michigan Engineering (3 required essays):
U of M #1) “If you could only do one of the activities you have listed in the Activities section of your Common Application, which one would you keep doing? Why?” (100 words max)

U of M #2) “Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it.” (250 words max)

U of M #3) “Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests?” (500 words max)

Cornell Engineering: (1 required essay):
Cornell #1) “Cornell Engineering celebrates innovative problem solving that helps people, communities…the world. Consider your ideas and aspirations and describe how a Cornell Engineering education would allow you to leverage technological problem-solving to improve the world we live in.” (650 words max)

UVa Engineering: (2 required essays):
UVa #1) “If you were given funding for a small engineering project that would make everyday life better for one friend or family member, what would you do?” (250 words max)

UVa #2) Student’s choice, 1 of the following 4 questions (250 words max)
2a. “What’s your favorite word and why?”
2b. “We are a community with quirks, both in language and in traditions. Describe one of your quirks and why it is part of who you are.”
2c. “Student self-governance, which encourages student investment and initiative, is a hallmark of the UVA culture. In her fourth year at UVA, Laura Nelson was inspired to create Flash Seminars, one-time classes which facilitate high-energy discussion about thought-provoking topics outside of traditional coursework. If you created a Flash Seminar, what idea would you explore and why?”
2d. “UVA students paint messages on Beta Bridge when they want to share information with our community. What would you paint on Beta Bridge and why is this your message?”

Duke: (1 required essay):
Duke #1) “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)

It’s especially striking when you see the finished essays side-by-side in a prospective applicant’s folder of completed work.

And no, I am not against Duke. Far from it. Indeed, given all the recent investments at Duke, what is not to like?

Still, the OP is right to question what Duke is doing on the essays. I say the only thing not to like at Duke is the crowd at 2138 Campus Drive. They need to stop dogging it, and get with the program.

9

It’s quite simple: Duke only asks a 150 word max essay so MORE students can apply- as writing a 150 essay doesn’t take so much time or effort. With more applications, they effectively lower their acceptance rates. Sorry to put it out there, but this looks like a purely opportunist move to lower their acceptance rate. Meanwhile, the new optional essay is probably the one that they actually read to obtain diversity of LGBTQ and trans people, as NC has become notorious for their prejudice atmosphere and Duke wants shift itself away from that.

10

^^^^ please note that the banana republic attitudes of NC state government do not apply to everyone else in the state. The RTP area is one of the most accepting areas of the state.

11

To expand on @sgopal2 's point, NC’s politics are sharply divided between rural and urban (like much of America). Durham is a very accepting place, as are most of the cities in the state.