<p>and got in?</p>
<p>right this is disheartening.</p>
<p>Yes yes please post if you got in but did not write the optional 'why duke' essays.</p>
<p>I would like to know this too, because even though Duke says it does not factor into the decision, I think it does.</p>
<p>I don't remember an optional why duke essay at all...0.o I just had a mandatory why-Pratt essay or something along those lines.</p>
<p>i think that's what he/she means ... ehh i still have yet to write that >.<</p>
<p>Well, not to be cynical, but if a why-Duke essay is such an annoyance/challenge then why apply to Duke? You have to actually like the place if you are gonna go there for 4 years. If you can't even be bothered to write 2 paragraphs explaining why you think you want to spend the next half-decade at a place then maybe that place isn't for you...</p>
<p>I only did mine like one paragraph long. . . DAMIIT</p>
<p>whats wrong with that? they only asked for a paragraph or two</p>
<p>At least you did it!</p>
<p>how long does it have to be? like how many words?</p>
<p>It said a paragraph or two, if I remember correctly. It's optional, short, and completely up to you</p>
<p>right so what they're saying is that it wont disadvantage you if you don't fill it in, but they will advantage you if you do.</p>
<p>Who knows, I don't work in admissions. I did it--the application is really easy so not doing it would show a lack of effort</p>
<p>i did it and i tried to make it good too : /</p>
<p>SBR, the "Why Duke?" essay was for Arts & Science applicants (who could also write an optional essay on research experience). Pratt has just that single "Why Pratt?" essay instead.</p>
<p>And yes, I agree that it would look very suspicious to not be answering "Why here?"-type questions. Personally, I think leaving it blank could be a deal-breaker if you don't have other things going for you. Or maybe after being admitted, they'll give you less merit scholarship money since you don't seem genuine in your desire to attend Duke. (Of course, some people who write the essay still might not be genuine, but at least they made the effort to appear so.)</p>
<p>The essay isn't for Duke to gloat in the glory its applicants shower on it; it's for you to give your take on admissions and explain how Duke fits into it.</p>
<p>^</p>
<p>'Of course, some people who write the essay still might not be genuine, but at least they made the effort to appear so.'</p>
<p>lol</p>
<p>I'd say that interest is definitely a factor in admissions decisions no matter how informal it may be since many college rankings do take into account how many admitted students enroll.</p>
<p>damn it i didn't do the essay, though duke is one of my first choices! argh.</p>
<p>Did the Why Duke essay (which I though was solid) and the research summary. I will probably have a friend send in my peer rec as well. It can't hurt to show a lot of interest.</p>