Amherst college

In addition to the essay you are writing as part of the Common Application, Amherst
requires a supplementary writing sample from all applicants. To satisfy Amhersts
supplementary writing requirement, you may choose either Option A or Option B.
Option A:
Please respond to one of the following quotations in an essay of not more than 300
words. It is not necessary to research, read, or refer to the texts from which these
quotations are taken; we are looking for original, personal responses to these short
excerpts. Remember that your essay should be personal in nature and not simply an
argumentative essay.

Prompt 1: Rigorous reasoning is crucial in mathematics, and insight plays an important

secondary role these days. In the natural sciences, I would say that the order of these
two virtues is reversed. Rigor is, of course, very important. But the most important value
is insightinsight into the workings of the world. It may be because there is another
guarantor of correctness in the sciences, namely, the empirical evidence from
observation and experiments.
Kannan Jagannathan, Professor of Physics, Amherst College

Prompt 2: Literature is the best way to overcome death. My father, as I said, is an

actor. Hes the happiest man on earth when hes performing, but when the show is over,
hes sad and troubled. I wish he could live in the eternal present, because in the theater
everything remains in memories and photographs. Literature, on the other hand, allows
you to live in the present and to remain in the pantheon of the future. Literature is a way
to say, I was here, this is what I thought, this is what I perceived. This is my signature,
this is my name.
Iln Stavans, Professor of Spanish, Amherst College. From The Writer in Exile: an
interview with Iln Stavans by Saideh Pakravan for the Fall 1993 issue of The Literary
Review.

Prompt 3: It seems to me incumbent upon this and other schools graduates to

recognize their responsibility to the public interest...unless the graduates of this
collegeare willing to put back into our society those talents, the broad sympathy, the
understanding, the compassion... then obviously the presuppositions upon which our
democracy are based are bound to be fallible.
John F. Kennedy, at the ground breaking for the Amherst College Frost Library, October
26, 1963

Prompt 4: Stereotyped beliefs have the power to become self-fulfilling prophecies for
behavior.
Elizabeth Aries, Professor of Psychology, Amherst College. From her book Men and
Women in Interaction, Reconsidering the Difference.

Prompt 5: Difficulty need not foreshadow despair or defeat. Rather achievement can
be all the more satisfying because of obstacles surmounted.

Attributed to William Hastie, Amherst Class of 1925, the first African-American to serve
as a judge for the United States Court of Appeals
Option B:
Please submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your
writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to
construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological
or historical evidence. You should NOT submit a laboratory report, journal entry,
creative writing sample or in-class essay.
After reading the above descriptions of Option A and Option B, please indicate
which writing option you are selecting.
Option A
Option B
Clear

Optional Research Questions

If you have engaged in significant research in the natural sciences, mathematics,
computer science, social sciences or humanities that was undertaken independently of
your high school curriculum, please provide a brief description of the research project:
(50-75 words)

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Where, when and under whose mentorship did you conduct this research? (Provide
mentors name, title and institutional affiliation.)
If your research has been submitted to any national competition (e.g., Siemens, Intel)
and/or accepted for professional publication, please provide additional details:

Brown University
Why are you drawn to the area(s) of study you indicated in our Member Section, earlier
in this application? If you are "undecided" or not sure which Brown concentrations
match your interests, consider describing more generally the academic topics or modes
of thought that engage you currently. (150 word limit)

Some schools offer students the opportunity to take national exams in areas such as
math and language. These exams include, but are not limited to, AIME, AMC 10, Le
Grand Concours, National Spanish Exam, National Latin Exams. If you have taken any
of these exams (or any other subject-based national or international examinations),
please inform us of the exams and scores you find most meaningful.
Tell us where you have lived - and for how long - since you were born; whether you've
always lived in the same place, or perhaps in a variety of places. (100 word limit)

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We all exist within communities or groups of various sizes, origins, and purposes; pick
one and tell us why it is important to you, and how it has shaped you. (150 word limit)

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Why Brown? (200 word limit)

Colgate university
In 150-200 words, please tell us what inspired you to apply for admission to Colgate
University?
Hint: File should be under 200 KB and one of these types: .pdf .doc .docx .rtf .txt.
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An optional one-page resume or activity sheet may be added to your application for
Colgate University.
Hint: File should be under 500 KB and one of these types: .pdf .doc .docx .rtf .txt.
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NYU
NYU is global, urban, inspired, smart, connected, and bold. What can NYU offer you,
and what can you offer NYU? (200-400 words)

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NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Northwestern Statement: What are the unique qualities of Northwestern - and of the
specific undergraduate school to which you are applying - that make you want to attend
the University? In what ways do you hope to take advantage of the qualities you have
identified? (300 word maximum)
Hint: File should be under 500 KB and one of these types: .pdf .doc .docx .rtf .txt.
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Columbia College
What single activity listed in the activity section of your Common Application are you
most proud of and why? (150 words or less)

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List the titles of the required readings from courses during the school year or summer
that you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or less)

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List the titles of the books you read for pleasure that you enjoyed most in the past year.
(150 words or less)

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List the titles of the print, electronic publications and websites you read regularly. (150
words or less)

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List the titles of the films, concerts, shows, exhibits, lectures and other entertainments
you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or less)

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Please tell us what you find most appealing about Columbia and why. (300 words or
less)

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Please review our instructions on supplementary materials and note that submission is
not required. If you are submitting a professional resume for Architecture, Creative
Writing, Drama and Theater Arts or Film Studies, please upload it here.
Hint: File should be under 500 KB and one of these types: .pdf .doc .docx .rtf .txt.
Upload Document

Please review our instructions on supplementary materials and note that submission is
not required. If you are submitting a science research abstract, please upload it here.
Hint: File should be under 500 KB and one of these types: .pdf .doc .docx .rtf .txt.
Upload Document

Dartmouth college
If you would like to submit a resume, please upload it below. Note: you should not
submit copies of awards or certificates earned.
Hint: File should be under 500 KB and one of these types: .pdf .doc .docx .rtf .txt.
Upload Document

Wed like to know a little more about you. To that end, please choose one of the
following questions and write a short response in the space below.
Every name tells a story: Tell us about your name--any name: first, middle, last, nickname-and its origin.
Tell us about an intellectual experience, either directly related to your schoolwork or not,
that you found particularly meaningful.
When you meet someone for the first time, what do you want them to know about you, but
generally dont tell them?
Describe the influence your hero has had on your life.
We believe it is critical that your candidacy reflect the interests, experiences and pursuits
that are most important to you. To this end, is there anything else you would like us to know?
Clear

A paragraph to a page in length is ideal. Thank you!

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Lehigh university
What distinguishes Lehigh to make it the right fit for you? Please reply with 150-250
words.

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Please select one of the following prompts and respond in 250 to 350 words.
Please complete this required question.

Select

Imagine that you just completed your visit to Lehigh University. What would you Tweet about us and
why?
Describe your favorite ''Bazinga'' moment.
What is your favorite riddle and why?
If your name were an acronym, what would it stand for and how would it reflect your strengths and
personality?
In your opinion, what are the five characteristics of a successful person?
You've just reached your one millionth hit on your YouTube video. What is the video about?

UPENN
The Admissions Committee would like to learn why you are a good fit for your
undergraduate school choice (College of Arts and Sciences, School of Nursing, The
Wharton School, or Penn Engineering). Please tell us about specific academic, service,
and/or research opportunities at the University of Pennsylvania that resonate with your
background, interests, and goals. (400-650 words)

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If you wish to submit a resume, please upload it here (not required)

Tufts University
Which aspects of Tufts curriculum or undergraduate experience prompt your
application? In short: Why Tufts? (Required length is 50-100 words)

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There is a Quaker saying: Let your life speak. Describe the environment in which you
were raisedyour family, home, neighborhood or communityand how it influenced
the person you are today. (Required length is 200-250 words)

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1. Now wed like to know a little bit more about you. Please respond to one of the
following six questions (Required length is 200-250
words):
Select

A. From Michelangelo to Mother Teresa, from Jackie Robinson to Elizabeth Bennett, the human
narrative is populated by a cast of fascinating characters, real and imagined. Share your favorite and
explain why that person or character inspires you.
B. What makes you happy?
C. Sports, science and society are filled with rules, theories and laws like the Ninth Commandment,
PV=nRT, Occams Razor, and The Law of Diminishing Returns. Three strikes and youre out. In English,
I comes before E except after C. Warm air rises. Pick one and explain its significance to you.
D. Celebrate your nerdy side.
E. Nelson Mandela believed that What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what
difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.
Describe a way in which you have made or hope to make a difference.
F. Whether you are goaltending or cheering from the stands, celebrate the role of sports in your life.

Back

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME

Your responses will be read by Notre Dame admissions staff as we seek to learn more
about you. We encourage you to use personal examples, anecdotes, or anything that
helps differentiate you from your peers.
Why Notre Dame? (required response 150-200 words)

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Please select two of the following four prompts and provide a response of
approximately 150 words (not to exceed 200 words) to each.
A good story starts with a good beginning. Get us hooked in the first 150 words.

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Blessed Basil Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, described
education as the art of helping young people to completeness. How are you
incomplete?

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Notre Dame students are encouraged to learn through discovery by interacting with the
world around them. Describe your ideal intellectual field trip.

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Initiate an in-person conversation with someone whom you've never met but who you
think might be interesting. What did you learn about that person or yourself?

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Wesleyan University
Optional Writing Supplement: Please select one from the following questions and respond in 250
words or less.
1. Wesleyan students are interesting and interested, known for their intellectual curiosity,
conversations and collaborations. Please tell us about an interesting conversation or collaboration
in which youve recently taken part.
2. Wesleyan President Michael Roth believes a liberal arts education is a pragmatic choice in
these times. In what way do you see a liberal arts education having practical value?
3. What recent news storylocal or globalhas resonated with you personally? Share the story
and tell us why it had that impact on you.

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UNIVERSAL COLLEGE APP ESSAY

Please write and/or upload an essay (650 words or fewer) on a topic of your choice that demonstrates your
ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself. Some ideas include writing about: a person you
admire; a life-changing experience; or your viewpoint on a particular current event.
If you need additional space, please use the Additional Information section. If you will be uploading your
essay, it must be in .pdf format, be no greater than 1 MB in size, and you must write "Essay attached" in the
"Write your essay" section below.
Upload your essay

Additional Information
Additional Information

If you have any additional information that was not specifically requested or did not fit in the space provided,
feel free to upload (files must be under 1MB) and/or write those details here. Uploaded files must be in .pdf
format and be no greater than 1 MB in size.

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Optional
Optional

We do not expect or require applicants to submit supplementary materials or additional essays. We

simply want to be certain that you have every opportunity to tell us about yourself.

Supplementary Materials
The required components of the application to Harvard provide ample basis to make our admission
decisions. However, students with exceptional talents or achievements may submit music recordings,
examples of artwork or selected samples of academic work or creative writing for us to consider as part of
their application files. At the discretion of the Admissions Committee, submissions may be evaluated by
faculty. Supplementary materials are not required or expectedand should be sent only if the applicants
work is unusually advanced. Check here if you are planning to send supplementary materials to be
evaluated as part of your application.
For more information, please visit our website: college.harvard.edu/admissions/applicationprocess/application-requirements/supplemental-application-materials.
Academic work

International Applicants
International Applicants

FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FROM SCHOOLS OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND CANADA: (regardless of
citizenship)
When will your secondary school leaving or qualifying examination results be available to Harvard?
What specific plan do you have, if any, for using the education you hope to receive characters

Interviews
We encourage applicants to have an admissions interview when and where it is possible. Please see the
international interview page on our website to determine whether interviews are available in your country.
If an interviewer is not sufficiently close to you to make an appointment possible, the absence of an
interview will not adversely affect your candidacy. If you live in an area where interviews are available,p
lease contact intlinterview@fas.harvard.edu for information on how to schedule an interview.
If intervews are available in your area, have you had or have you scheduled an admissions interview?

Yes

If yes, please list when, where, and with whom below.

When?

Where?

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Chennai

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With Whom?

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If no, but you plan to do so, please list when, where, and with whom below.
When?

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Where?

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With Whom?

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Additional Information
Please use this space for any additional information.

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JOHNS HOPKINS

Essays & Short Answers

Students applying as freshmen to Johns Hopkins using the Universal College Application plus the Johns
Hopkins Supplement must submit both the Universal College Application essay and the essay below.
Write a brief essay (300-500 words) in which you respond to the following question.

Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876 on a spirit of exploration and discovery. As a
result, students can pursue a multi-dimensional undergraduate experience both in and outside of
the classroom. Given the opportunities at Hopkins, please discuss your current interests
academic or extracurricular pursuits, personal passions, summer experiences, etc.and how you
will build upon them here. (300-500 Word limit).

PRINCETON
In addition to the essay you have written for the Universal College Application, please write an essay of about
500 words (no more than 650 words and no less than 250 words). Using one of the themes below as a starting
point, write about a person, event or experience that helped you define one of your values or in some way
changed how you approach the world. Please do not repeat, in full or in part, the essay you wrote for the
Universal College Application.
1. Tell us about a person who has influenced you in a significant way.
2. "One of the great challenges of our time is that the disparities we face today have more complex causes
and point less straightforwardly to solutions."
Omar Wasow, assistant professor of politics, Princeton University; founder of Blackplanet.com.
This quote is taken from Professor Wasow's January 2014 speech at the Martin Luther King Day
celebration at Princeton University.
3. "Princeton in the Nation's Service" was the title of a speech given by Woodrow Wilson on the 150th
anniversary of the University. It became the unofficial Princeton motto and was expanded for the
University's 250th anniversary to "Princeton in the nations service and in the service of all nations."
Woodrow Wilson, Princeton Class of 1879, served on the faculty and was Princeton's president from
19021910.
4. "Culture is what presents us with the kinds of valuable things that can fill a life. And insofar as we can
recognize the value in those things and make them part of our lives, our lives are meaningful."
Gideon Rosen, Stuart Professor of Philosophy, chair of the Council of the Humanities and director of the
Program in Humanistic Studies, Princeton University.
5. Using a favorite quotation from an essay or book you have read in the last three years as a starting point,
tell us about an event or experience that helped you define one of your values or changed how you
approach the world. Please write the quotation, title and author at the beginning of your essay.

Engineering essay (Princeton)

If you are interested in pursuing a B.S.E. (Bachelor of Science in Engineering) degree, please
write a 300-500 word essay describing why you are interested in studying engineering, any
experiences in or exposure to engineering you have had, and how you think the programs in
engineering offered at Princeton suit your particular interests. Enter "Essay Attached" if you
have uploaded your essay below.

BRANDEIS
First-year Students Only:
Please answer one of the following optional short answer questions below. (250 words max)
1. Justice Brandeis said, "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before
they were done." Tell us how you would implement change in society that others might think impossible.
2. What one invention would you uninvent if you could, and why?
3. Why would you like to attend Brandeis?
Transfer Students Only:
Please answer the following short answer question below. (250 words max)

Why would you like to attend Brandeis?

TYP Students Only:
Please answer the following short answer question below. (400 words max)

Why would you like to attend TYP?

Please select which short answer question you are responding.
Please enter your response below.

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International Students Only:

Please answer the following short answer question below. (400 words max)

Brandeis attracts students from many corners of the world. As an international student at Brandeis, how
would you enrich the campus community?

UCHICAGO (SUPPLEMENT)

2015 First Year Supplement

Ashwin K (ashwink98@yahoo.com)Log Out
What academic area(s) are you interested in majoring in at the University of Chicago? (You may select up
to 3 majors.)
Major 1

Major 2

Majors 3

Please indicate any relatives, other than your parents or guardians, who attend/attended or work/worked
for the University of Chicago.
(If you have more than 4 relatives associated with the University of Chicago, please upload a separate
document with their information to your UChicago account.)
Relationship 1

Relationship 2

Relationship 3

Relationship 4

ESSAY QUESTIONS

EXTENDED ESSAY (REQUIRED; CHOOSE ONE)

1.

What's so odd about odd numbers?

-Inspired by Mario Rosasco, Class of 2009

2.

In French, there is no difference between "conscience" and "consciousness." In Japanese, there is a word that specif
wooden chopsticks you get at restaurants. The German word fremdschmen encapsulates the feeling you get whe
of someone else. All of these require explanation in order to properly communicate their meaning, and are, to varyi
Choose a word, tell us what it means, and then explain why it cannot (or should not) be translated from its original
-Inspired by Emily Driscoll, an incoming student in the Class of 2018

3.

Little pigs, french hens, a family of bears. Blind mice, musketeers, the Fates. Parts of an atom, laws of thought, a gu
trium perfectum? Create your own group of threes, and describe why and how they fit together.
-Inspired by Zilin Cui, an incoming student in the Class of 2018

4.

Were pH an expression of personality, what would be your pH and why? (Feel free to respond acidly! Do not be ne
-Inspired by Joshua Harris, Class of 2016

5.

A neon installation by the artist Jeppe Hein in UChicagos Charles M. Harper Center asks this question for us: Wh
somewhere else? (There are many potential values of "here," but we already know you're "here" to apply to the Un
"here" besides that one).
-Inspired by Erin Hart, Class of 2016

6.

In the spirit of adventurous inquiry, pose a question of your own. If your prompt is original and thoughtful, then yo
writing a great essay. Draw on your best qualities as a writer, thinker, visionary, social critic, sage, citizen of the wo
University of Chicago; take a little risk, and have fun.

Essay Question:
Please choose your entry method
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Text Box Entry

SHORT ESSAYS:
Please respond to Question 1and, if you choose, Question 2by writing a paragraph or two for each
question. Then choose one of the six extended essay options, indicate your choice, and write a one- or

two-page response. This is your chance to play, analyze (dont agonize), create, composelet us hear the
result of your thinking about something that interests you, in a voice that is your own.
Question 1:
How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of
learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they
relate to UChicago.
Upload File
Text Box Entry

Question 2 (Optional):
Share with us a few of your favorite books, poems, authors, films, plays, pieces of music, musicians,
performers, paintings, artists, blogs, magazines, or newspapers. Feel free to touch on one, some, or all of
the categories listed, or add a category of your own.
Upload File
Text Box Entry

CORNELL
The primary focus of your college interest essay should be what you intend to study at Cornell.
Below, please respond to the essay question below (maximum of 500 words) that corresponds to the
undergraduate college(s) or school(s) to which you are applying. If you are utilizing the Primary/Alternate
admission option, you must complete an essay for both colleges/schools; please complete the essays that
correspond to your primary and alternate choices.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: How have your interests and related experiences influenced the
major you have selected in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences?
College of Architecture, Art, and Planning: Why are you excited to pursue your chosen major in AAP?
What specifically about AAP and Cornell University will help you fulfill your academic and creative
interests and long-term goals?
College of Arts and Sciences: Describe two or three of your current intellectual interests and why they are
exciting to you. Why will Cornells College of Arts and Sciences be the right environment in which to
pursue your interests?
College of Engineering: Tell us about an engineering idea you have, or about your interest in engineering.
Describe how your ideas and interests may be realized byand linked tospecific resources within the
College of Engineering. Finally, explain what a Cornell Engineering education will enable you to
accomplish.
School of Hotel Administration: Hospitality is the largest industry in the world and includes sectors such as

hotel operations, food and beverage management, real estate finance, marketing, and law. Considering
the breadth of our industry, please describe what work and non-work experiences, academic interests,
and career goals influenced your decision to study hospitality management? How will these contribute to
your success at the School of Hotel Administration?
College of Human Ecology: What do you value about the College of Human Ecology's perspective, and the
majors that interest you, as you consider your academic goals and plans for the future?
School of Industrial and Labor Relations: Tell us about your intellectual interests, how they sprung from
your course, service, work or life experiences, and what makes them exciting to you. Describe how these
interests may be realized and linked to the ILR curriculum.

College Interest Essay for Primary Choice College/School

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College Interest Essay for Alternate Choice College/School

COLGATE UNIVERSITY
In 150-200 words, please tell us what inspired you to apply for admission to Colgate
University.

UROCHESTER
The University of Rochester offers many rare advantages, building from our Meliora (ever-better) motto that has inspired generations of scholars,
professionals, and artists. Describe whats leading you to apply, and what kind of Meliora experiences you want to have here at Rochester and beyond.
0 of 3500 charactersThis short essay should also help us learn why you want to attend the University of

Rochester.

If you are interested in applying to one of the Professional Degree Programs, please answer the following
essay prompt and limit your response to no more than 500 words.
Please explain why you are interested and confident you will succeed at the challenging profession(s) you are proposing to enter through
either a Professional Degree or Dual Degree Program. Please describe relevant experiences and insight that have led you to make this
decision.

DUKE
Short Answer and Optional Questions
Your answer to the following questions will be evaluated along with the essay you wrote as part of the
Universal College Application. We encourage you to take advantage of this additional opportunity to let us
know about your intellectual and personal interests. Please limit each answer as indicated.
The following question is required for engineering applicants. Please limit your response to no more than 150
words.
If you are applying to the Pratt School of Engineering as either a first-year or transfer applicant, please discuss why you want to study
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engineering and why you would like to study at Duke.

Only

The following question is required for Arts & Sciences Applicants. Please limit your response to no more than
150 words.
If you are applying to the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences as either a first-year or transfer applicant, please discuss why you consider Duke
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a good match for you. Is there something particular about Duke that attracts you?

charactersFor Arts & Sciences Applicants Only

The following question is optional.

Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of
our students makes our community stronger. If you'd like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you've had to help us understand
you betterperhaps related to a community you belong to, your sexual orientation or gender identity, or your family or cultural background
we encourage you to do so. Real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real
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people applying to Duke.

Duke University Nondiscrimination

Statement:web.duke.edu/equity/resources/documents/nondiscrimination_statement.pdf
Duke will learn about your extracurricular involvement through the Activities section of the Universal College Application. If you wish to
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include a brief resume you may include it here.

Others:
Art Resume
Athletic Resume
Video Resume
Program
The theatre video