<p>Ok, so writing this essay I found it really hard to say everything I like about Duke in a few paragraphs. For the first part of the question I wrote why it was I wanted to study BME (precise...many applications...my own lab experience w/gene therapy) and for the why Duke I want to write about how they have a lot of BME electives, their AMAZING music program and especially the Duke performances piano lineups (and the Duke Music Dept's area studies for piano, and Collegium Musicum to begin a new group for solely piano and composition) and how I love to perform, and how they have a lot of cultural groups and how I would like to join the Persian Student Organization, also the DukeEngage Program (Russia) and being able to travel abroad and make a valuable effort/difference</p>
<p>do you think they want to hear all of these specifics or if they want a more general idea?</p>
<p>Also is there anything you think I should add? ...I'm already at 4 paragraphs
THANKS</p>
<p>Mine is five short paragraphs and 665 words. To be honest, I don't think they will mind. If you need more words to express why you want to go to duke, it probably means that there are many reasons for your desire to go to duke. I'm a bit concerned but I really doubt they will be annoyed by the length unless its ridiculously long.</p>
<p>I'd say it's good that you have so many great reasons to love Duke and it's a good indication that Duke would be a good fit for you. However, I would also suggest that you cut down and focus on one or two. While all of that stuff is good and all, admissions officers are also very aware that college students have limited time, energy, and resources. They know that you would have a hard time doing many things at once and still keep up a good gpa (especially in BME!). Rather than talking about all of that, it would make more sense to pick one or two activities and go into a bit more detail (not too much since it's 1-3 paragraph). If you must mention everything else, you can briefly list them or mention them at the end in a "This combined with Blah Blah Blah Blah at Duke all of which interests me make Duke a good fit for me" kind of way, although I personally wouldn't do that.</p>
<p>Ok, so I decided to focus on the fact that Duke has the opportunity for independent research, the Duke Medical center being nearby (I want to do Premed), and the music department and performance opportunities. Is this focused enough...I don't want to be all over the place with what I like about the school and SRB suggested I focus only on a few things.</p>
<p>Any feedback would be great. THanks so much!</p>
<p>ugh...It's actually really hard to be concise...there are just soooooooo many great things! I just think my part about engineering is too long, but I want to keep all of it. What should I do?</p>
<p>I got in last year RD, and my essay was (I just checked) 648 words and 4 paragraphs. I discussed how my interest in engineering came about, included an anecdote about seeing engineers in action, and then concluded with how Pratt would help me reach my goals by preparing me to enter the world of electrical and computer engineering.</p>
<p>But does it have to be specifically why you want to go to Pratt, or Duke in general/and Pratt?</p>
<p>That's what I'm not sure about cause I don't want to be talking about how I want to be involved in the music dept. when it should be about engineering.</p>