<p>Duke is pretty cool, right? It's in the South, they've recruited me (and every other semi/quasi-intelligent american) since the 7th grade with their TIP program, they have a diverse campus, they have excellent professors, give students amazing opportunities, is an amazing academic atmosphere, but, most of all, have a crazy good basketball team. Besides the school and all, I am really interested in Duke because I am a sports buff and it is a stellar combination of a sports school with a rigorous academic atmosphere. So, when I phrase it like that, it doesn't sound so bad. But would it be detrimental to my application to indicate that i'm interested in Duke because of Carlos Boozer, JJ Reddick, Nolan Smith and so on? I mean c'mon... why do any kids go to boise state nowadays? because their football team is awesome. Success on the playing field draws student interest, no lie. It's easy to say about boise state who will accept anyone who can spell I-D-A-H-O but what about duke? is that the wrong message to send?</p>
<p>Having spoken with a variety of Duke Admissions personnel over the years, I can advise you pretty confidently that you would be making a mistake to focus your “Why Duke” essay on your admiration of Duke basketball (and players). It’s probably the most over-used “reason” for “Why Duke” and does little to differentiate yourself and show what uniqueness you would add to the student body. If you have an idea about how to creatively include this in your essay, and feel strongly about it, then go ahead. But I would suggest being very careful not to present Duke basketball as your #1 reason for wanting to go to Duke.</p>
<p>mention it and talk about it a little, but definitely don’t focus the whole essay on basketball. It sets the school apart from peer schools, but there are other great things about Duke</p>
<p>I agree that don’t make your entire thing about basketball, but at the same time be real about what exactly you like about duke. if you like a really good basketball team that makes the school passionate about it, then talk about it.</p>