<p>It's currently 3 solid paragraphs. I know the supplement only asks for 1-2 paragraphs and that it's an optional essay, but I feel like these three points are truly what makes Duke such a good match for me. I honestly can't decide which paragraph to cut out. :(</p>
<p>If anyone is willing, could you please read over my essay and critique it? (and maybe decide which paragraph should go? No '14ers please, and preferably Duke students/alumni) My stats are average so I really want my essay to stand out.</p>
<p>By the way, (a bit off topic but I don't want to start another thread) how is Duke's visual arts program? I heard from an information session's speaker that there was a recent funding for the program, but I can't find it anywhere on the web. If anyone knows the amount, I would really appreciate it. Thanks!</p>
<p>Either combine two paragraphs or just keep it as three. They’re not going to stop reading after paragraph two, trust me. They are just guidelines they want people to follow in general so as to not get absurd amounts of essays to read, but one extra paragraph won’t be detrimental to your application.</p>
<p>Don’t know much about visual arts. Seems like most people major in that to supplement another major. There are some talented artists, but Duke is not an artsy school, so if you wanted to focus solely on art and make it your profession, there might be better fits out there. If you want to double major in something like public policy and visual arts, then Duke would be a great choice and allow you a lot of freedom.</p>
<p>Oh thank goodness. I really couldn’t bear to chop away parts of my essay. I just don’t want to seem like I can’t follow simple directions.</p>
<p>Yes I want to become a doctor, but I don’t want to give up my love for the arts either, which is why I chose Duke. Most likely I’ll major in Biology and minor in Visual Arts so the ladder’s not going to be my main focus.</p>
<p>My mom’s a Duke’s alumni, so if you want, I can run it by her to see what she has to say. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the offer Rocketblues, but it seems 3 paragraphs is fine so I would rather not send it across the Internet. Sorry, I’m really paranoid, even though I’m sure you have good intentions! It’s too bad we can’t edit our posts or I would have deleted the second paragraph in my post after Bluedog’s reply.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about it. 2 paragraphs is their way of saying “not too off-puttingly long” as a rough guide.</p>
<p>Ok… I have about 650 words. >.< My teacher took one look at the directions and my essay and told me to cut out the first paragraph, and I just felt that I couldn’t do it.</p>