@canusa
Questions were varied and will be hard to predict. They are trying to estimate not only your intellectual curiosity and breadth of knowledge, but also your ability to articulate. I was asked about the issue relating to Muslims on the Duke Campus (as it was current at the time) but also questions such as: out of anyone who has ever lived, who would you chose to have a conversation with? Who is your idol? What role do you believe the United Nations has in the future (because i was president of my model un club)? It varies completely based on your application. If you are a science person I would expect some questions about science policy or ethics, if you were social science youll probably get some history questions and current events questions, and humanities will probably be asked about their favorite works or what motivates them to like literature/art. I was interviewed by 5 people.
Just received a letter of advancement to Round 2! Anyone else?
@Whattodo122 Did you feel that the interview styles/difficulties differed from round to round? My first round was honestly pretty relaxed and I felt that I had the opportunity to talk about topics that I initiated. They started with some pretty broad questions, and tailored later questions to the responses that I gave.
@theleenbean good question! Yes i did - my second round seemed much more “fact-based.” They weren’t quizzing me, but the first interview was much easier to BS your way through, whereas the second interview had much more pointed questions that required more direct and well-informed answers.
@theleenbean that was quick! What state are you from?
My son did not move forward to the next round. The kids who are must really be tremendous. Good luck to you all!
My daughter has her first round interview on Saturday. There is a reception for the 35 nominees in our area on Thursday evening at an alum’s home. They were instructed to call and cancel the interview if they don’t get in ED. I am thinking decisions might go out Friday.
@JTlover12 I’m from Maryland!
My first round interview is next Saturday January 30. I went to the reception with the alums and they all told me to “be myself.” Easier said than done. Do you have any more specific tips that can help me impress the people interviewing me?
My approach to all interviews is to be respectful, be knowledgeable, and be articulate.
Son had a great group interview in Balt but did not make it through to the next round. Any others out there from the 1:00 time slot?
Just had my interview. I think it went well, and it was definitely engaging. Good luck to all, as always!
Looking forward to hearing back. Doubt I’ll make it to finalist weekend but it was a great experience nonetheless!
Found out this morning that I’m advancing to a second round of interviews. Any pointers from those that made it this far? How did the first and second interview differ?
@Grubbs My 2nd round interview was much more difficult than first round. Required a lot more thinking and the ability to form concise answers around some pointed questions.
Do you mind me asking you all how long it took you to hear back? I understand it will vary by region, of course, but it interests me. 
At the end of my interview, I was given no direction on how “rounds” of interviews would work or even when to hear back. It seems as though each region has their own process. Has anyone been told that they will be moving on to the finalist weekend?
@whitespace I had my first interview on a Saturday, and I heard back via mail on Wednesday. The letter was postmarked on Monday so it took 2 days to get to me. There are two rounds for my region and I just had my 2nd round interview this past weekend. I’m expecting to hear back sometime this week again to see if I am one of my region’s finalists or if I will not advance.
@ClassOf2020x That sounds… complicated. Thanks for explaining. Good luck to you!
@whitespace Haha thanks! It would be a complete shock to advance and even have a shot at getting this amazing scholarship…
Anyone else here an alternate?