Duke University is an Ivy League college in Durham, North Carolina, that consistently ranks in the top 10 national universities. It has an undergraduate population of 6,500 students, and in the 2020-2021 admissions, there was only a 5.8% acceptance rate. 

As a highly-selective university, Duke’s supplemental essays help personalize the admissions process, so that the admissions committee can admit a diverse incoming class. This is true of many institutions; look at Emory supplemental essays for further inspiration.

Duke supplemental essays for 2022-23: requirements and guidelines

Duke University essays are a crucial part of your college application. Use each Duke University application essay to show that you are invested in your education and are passionate about attending Duke. The admissions committee wants to admit a diverse, passionate group of students. 

Each Duke admissions essay gives you the chance to convey more about your personality, goals, and passions. Take advantage of each of these essay questions to personalize your college application and give yourself a competitive edge. 

Test scores and high school GPAs are important but supplemental essays are key in the Duke application process.

Why Duke essay: 5 tips that can help you earn admission to Duke University

As with many highly-selective institutions, Duke University requires at least one supplemental essay, often referred to as the “why Duke essay.” This essay prompt is as follows: Please share with us why you consider Duke a good match for you. Is there something in particular about Duke’s academic or other offerings that attract you? (200 words maximum) 

Admissions officers want to admit students who are passionate about attending Duke and plan to fully take advantage of its unique educational opportunities. Use this Duke writing supplement to show that you have researched Duke University thoroughly and are passionate about their unique opportunities, especially as they relate to your academic and professional goals. 

In this article, we will focus on tips and strategies for how to write Duke supplemental essays, as well as look at several accepted Duke essay examples. 

01

Use detailed language

The more specific you can be, the better! Reference specific courses, programs, and professors by name. Duke wants to admit Duke students who will take advantage of as many opportunities as possible. 

Naming specific aspects of Duke’s unique curriculum shows that you are passionate about the school and are able to take initiative. Mention any specific internships, majors, minors, certificates, classes, research opportunities, and clubs/sports teams that interest you.

02

State your goals clearly

Use this Duke supplement to state your personal, educational, and professional goals clearly. Of course, not all incoming freshmen will know what they want to study — and this is okay! — but do your best to write clearly and with intention. Write about your interests, passions, and ideas for the future.

03

Use the tone of your essay to reflect your personality

Duke writing supplements are meant to personalize the admissions process. Give the admissions committee a reason to choose you by showing them a bit more of your overall personality. 

Use words and phrases that reflect the way you speak, think or interact with the world. Be creative. Funny. Thoughtful. Use this personal statement to demonstrate who you are and what you’re passionate about. How can you contribute to the Duke community?

04

How can Duke help you reach your goals?

While it’s important to include lots of personal details about your goals and passions, it is just as important, if not even more important, to connect every personal detail back to Duke University. 

How can Duke University, specifically, help you reach your personal, educational, and professional goals? While preparing your response to this Duke essay prompt, read each of your sentences carefully and ask yourself if each and every detail can be connected back to Duke University.

05

Proofread!

The more specific you can be, the better! Reference specific courses, programs, and professors by name. Duke wants to admit Duke students who will take advantage of as many opportunities as possible. 

Naming specific aspects of Duke’s unique curriculum shows that you are passionate about the school and are able to take initiative. Mention any specific internships, majors, minors, certificates, classes, research opportunities, and clubs/sports teams that interest you.

Duke University supplemental essay prompts

In addition to the “why Duke essay” prompt, there are two Duke optional essays. Duke essay prompts are designed so that the admissions committee can gain a more holistic understanding of each applicant. 

Use your Duke supplement essays to show the true depth of your character, goals, and passions to strengthen your overall application and personalize the admissions process.

Prompt 1: perspective and experience

The first of the two optional essays focuses on your perspectives and experiences. The prompt is as follows:

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 that would help us understand you better, perhaps a community you belong to or your family or cultural background, we encourage you to do so here. Real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real people applying to Duke. (250 words maximum)

Strategies to consider for this prompt

The most important thing to do for this 250-word essay is to be sincere. While some students may already have lots of interesting and inspiring life experiences, this is certainly not always the case. 

Do not exaggerate or make anything up in this essay! Be genuine and sincere. The Duke admissions committee wants to get to know you, so make sure you give them that chance.

Be sincere

Again, this is the most important strategy for addressing this Duke essay prompt. Be.     genuine and speak earnestly.

Write concisely

      To do this well, focus on including lots of detailed language. You only have 250         words to convey something deeply personal, so make each word, phrase, and            sentence count!

   A helpful strategy for writing succinctly and powerfully is to not worry about the       word limit initially. Free write. Get all your ideas on paper. Sometimes you need to start writing to gain momentum and realize your most important details.   

Think outside the box!

What is the most engaging way to tell your story? Even if you don’t have a particularly unique story, you can still be creative! Consider the overall structure of your essay thoroughly before you begin. 

If you are interested in theater, perhaps you could write your essay with stage directions. If you’re interested in science, perhaps you could structure your essay in the style of a lab report. The possibilities are endless!

Prompt 2: sexual orientation and gender identity

The second of the two Duke optional essays focuses on sexual orientation and gender identity. The essay prompt is as follows:

Duke’s commitment to diversity and inclusion includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. If you would like to share with us more about your identity, you can do so here, or use any previous essay prompt you feel is appropriate. (250 words maximum)

Strategies to consider for this prompt

Remember, this essay is optional. Only include this essay if your gender or sexual identity has played a significant role in your life experiences. Generally speaking, only include this essay if you are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Use detailed language

As with the other Duke writing supplementals, use detailed language. Be specific and precise. Share lots of personal details. This does not mean you have to be overly personal and share experiences you would rather keep to yourself. Always respect your boundaries! Rather, focus on details that will contribute to the overall tone and imagery of your essay. Try to personalize your statement so that it is memorable.

It’s about your sexual identity — not about sex

Use discretion when writing about this prompt. Remember, you are writing about your identity, not about your sexual experiences.

Don’t worry about defining terms

Don’t feel pressured to use defining terms. It’s okay to not know how to label your experiences, just as it’s okay (and good!) to change your mind. Focus on writing honestly and authentically, without necessarily worrying about terms. 

The Duke essays that worked: winning Duke supplement essay examples

One of the best ways to prepare for your Duke application is to read several accepted Duke essays. There are lots of Duke supplement essay samples online for you to peruse. 

Gain insight into what the admissions committee is looking for by examining at least one Duke optional essay example before beginning your writing process.

Essay example #1

I love many things, but learning and sports top the list. The moment I stepped onto Duke’s campus, I leaned over to my mother, gasping, and said, “Whoa,” even before beginning my tour. I was stunned to immediately see signs of my loves everywhere. My dreams of tenting in K-Ville for the annual Duke-UNC game almost made my mouth water. As for learning, the cross-disciplinary study options that Duke offers ignite my passions. I have always loved business, and as I have aged, I discovered a deep interest in education. At Duke, I saw the opportunity to combine these two interests in many ways. I would love to initiate lunches with Professor Elizabeth Garcia, whose work focuses on educational motivation, and Mark T. Brown, Director of the Management Communications Center. Exploring commonalities in business and educational spheres would be uplifting, and will engage all of my most profound interests.
Why did this essay work?

This essay is detailed, well-paced, and clearly shows the student’s personal and academic passions. The tone is upbeat and excitable. As a reader, you get a glimpse into who this student is as a person — what motivates them and brings them joy. 

The student clearly states why they are passionate about attending Duke, and the fact that they mention specific professors and programs by name shows that they can take initiative and are passionate about their course of study.

Essay example #2

I look around my room, dimly lit by an orange light. On my desk, a framed picture of an Asian family beaming their smiles, buried among US history textbooks and The Great Gatsby. A Korean ballad streams from two tiny computer speakers. Pamphlets of American colleges scattered on the floor. A cold December wind wafts a strange infusion of ramen and leftover pizza. On the wall in the far back, a Korean flag hangs beside a Led Zeppelin poster. 
Do I consider myself Korean or American?
A few years back, I would have replied: “Neither.” The frustrating moments of miscommunication, the stifling homesickness, and the impossible dilemma of deciding between the Korean or American table in the dining hall, all fueled my identity crisis.
Standing in the “Foreign Passports” section at JFK, I have always felt out of place. Sure, I held a Korean passport in my hands, and I loved kimchi and Yuna Kim and knew the Korean Anthem by heart. But I also loved macaroni and cheese and LeBron. Deep inside, I feared I’d be labeled by my airport customs category: a foreigner everywhere.
This ambiguity, however, has granted me the opportunity to absorb the best of both worlds. Look at my dorm room. This mélange of cultures in my East-meets-West room embodies the diversity that characterizes my international student life.
I’ve learned to accept my “ambiguity” as “diversity,” as a third-culture student embracing both identities.
Do I consider myself Korean or American?
Now, I can proudly answer: “Both.”
Why did this essay work?

The use of imagery in this essay is particularly impressive and effectively acts as an anchor and overall structure for the essay. By seeing the inside of this student’s dorm room you are able to gain insight into their inner world. You get a clear understanding of their likes, interests, and priorities. You are also privy to their inner trepidations, cultural insecurities, and personal growth. 

By including so many personal details and examples, the student can demonstrate what both their Korean and American cultural identities mean to them. This essay’s sincerity and candor are what help this student stand apart from other applicants.

Essay example #3

I belong to a community of storytellers. Throughout my childhood, my mother and I spent countless hours immersed in the magical land of bedtime stories. We took daring adventures and explored faraway lands. Imagination ran wild, characters came to life, and I became acquainted with heroes and lessons that continue to inspire me today. It was a ritual that I will never forget.
In school, I met many other storytellers—teachers, coaches, and fellow students whose stories taught me valuable lessons and enabled me to share stories of my own. My stories took shape through my involvement with theatre. I have learned that telling stories can be just as powerful as hearing them.
When I tell a story, I can shape the world I live in and share my deepest emotions with the audience. This is exactly why I love theatre so much. The audience can relate to the story in many of the same powerful ways that I do.
I love to perform with my theatre class to entertain and educate young audiences throughout my community. To tell our stories, we travel to elementary and middle schools performing plays that help educate younger students of the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and bullying. As storytellers, we aim to touch lives and better the world around us through our stories.
Why did this essay work?

This essay is well organized and follows a clear narrative arc. The student uses this essay to display their strong storytelling skills and abilities. Not only does this essay demonstrate the student’s passion for theater and its communicative potential, but it also shows their level of engagement with their craft and community. 

This essay covers a lot of material in a small space. The student starts their essay with their childhood and their overall source of inspiration, addresses their background in theater thoroughly yet succinctly, and ends with their plans and excitement for the future.

Key takeaways on Duke University supplemental essays

For your Duke writing supplements, focus on writing detailed, concise statements. Make each word, phrase, and sentence count. Be sincere and authentic. For the Duke optional essays, ask yourself if responding to each of these prompts will enhance your overall application. Use your best judgment. 

Take time to honestly reflect on your answers and decide if each of these prompts will give your application a competitive edge. Sometimes less is more, so don’t feel pressured to respond to the optional prompts if they don’t resonate with you. 

Read on for some frequently asked questions and their answers as you organize yourself and prepare for college applications.

Thank You Email After an Interview (Best Samples + Template)

Are you wondering if you need to send a thank you email after an interview? The answer is always yes. Sending an interview thank you email can significantly increase your chances of standing out as a candidate. It shows strong communication skills, thoughtfulness, and demonstrated interest in the position you’re applying for. 

The hiring process is tedious and hiring managers might easily meet with dozens of candidates just to fill one position. As a hiring manager, if you were torn between two equally qualified candidates in your job search, a thank you note after an interview that thoughtfully demonstrates these traits can be a big push in your favor and it’s a courteous way to let a hiring manager know you value their time.  

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How to write a thank you email after an interview

This blog will cover the key components of a thank you email after an interview, provide a sample interview thank you email, and review frequently asked questions.

Key components you should include in your thank you email:

  • Simple subject line
  • Personalized greeting
  • Thanking the interviewer
  • Reiterating interest in the job and what you bring to the table
  • Highlighting portions of the interview unique to you
  • Express availability for continuing the hiring process

 

Start with a simple subject line

Before the interviewer even reads your email, the first thing they’ll see in their inbox is your subject line. Given the number of emails we all receive daily, you want to make sure your subject line is clear and direct.

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Here are some examples:

Thank you – [job title] interview

Thank you – [job title]

Thank you – [job title] consideration

Use a personalized and professional greeting

Depending on the organization, what their company culture is like, and how the interview went, you may choose to greet with a formal salutation or greet them by their first name. 

When to use a formal salutation:
  • A traditional organization with more formal company culture, such as an established law firm or accounting firm, might expect a formal salutation, especially if the role you are interviewing for will require formal writing skills.
  • If you are addressing a woman and you do not know whether they are married or not, you should default to ‘Ms.’
  • Additionally, if your interview is with a doctor (that includes MD or Ph.D.), make sure to greet them as such.
When to use their first name:
  • Using first names to greet in an email is becoming increasingly common, especially in younger companies or where company culture is more laid-back. 
  • You can usually get a sense of this from any email correspondence they might have previously sent you. When in doubt, default to a formal salutation.

Thank the Interviewer

Begin by thanking the interviewer for their time. You’ll want your words of appreciation to come off sincere but simply stated.

Some examples:

I wanted to thank you again for taking the time to speak with me today. 

Thank you for interviewing me this morning.

Thank you for meeting with me to discuss the [job title] position. 

 

Reiterate interest in the job and company, and what you bring to the table

Sending a thank you email reinforces your interest in the role you’re applying for. After thanking the interviewer, express your excitement for learning about the role and company. Reiterate why you feel you’d be a good fit for the company based on their culture and values. 

land an interview with a cold email
Example:
It was a pleasure learning more about the role and company. I love the company’s dedication to uplifting the homeless community in Los Angeles, a mission that is close to my heart as I volunteer at the homeless shelter twice a week.



Highlight portions of the interview unique to you

You should aim for your interview to be a conversation rather than a Q&A session. Remember that the point of the interview is to go beyond your qualifications and get a sense of your fit with the company culture. Demonstrate that you can get along with the team by engaging in conversation outside of the interview questions. This will also make you more likely to stand out from other candidates. 

You can recall one of these specific moments from your conversation in your thank you email. The more unique and specific, the better. Perhaps you connected over a hobby, show, the same hometown, college, etc. Follow up on this conversation to remind the interview of the connection you made.

Examples:
I also enjoyed connecting over our time volunteering with the Peace Corps, it’s been a while since I met someone that also served in Ghana.
It was such a nice surprise to meet a fellow Trojan.
It’s great to meet someone that loves plants as much as I do! 

 TIP: Express eagerness to come back

Wrap up your interview thank you email by expressing your eagerness to hear back and move forward in the hiring process. 


3 best samples of thank you emails after a job interview

Now that we’ve reviewed all the elements of a successful post-interview thank you email, let’s take a look at an example of how to put one together and follow up successfully after your interview. Here is some sample thank you emails:

Sample 1
Hi Jessica,
Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me today. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the position and the company. 
After interviewing with you, I am certain I’m qualified for this role. My experience as a Customer Service Manager at Silver Financial Solutions closely aligns with the functions of the Client Success Manager position at Cloud Nine Technologies. As discussed, I would be excited to implement more training materials and team-building exercises with fellow employees.   
In addition, I enjoyed learning about the company. I was especially intrigued by Cloud Nine Technology’s commitment to giving back. As a volunteer at my local Boys and Girls Club, I know how influential mentoring can be for at-risk children. 
Again, thank you for your time. It was so nice meeting someone that loves plants as much as I do! If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to reach out to me. I look forward to hearing from you.
In this example, the candidate uses a casual greeting and starts by thanking the interviewer for their time. Then they restate their experience and qualification for the role using specific examples of what was discussed in the job interview. 
Sample 2
Dear Mr. Valdez,
I would like to thank you for meeting with me to discuss the Lead Analyst role at Gateway Tech. I was quite impressed by the company’s dedication to innovation and accessibility. 
As I mentioned, I believe my experience in analyzing impact and expanding reach will make me a great asset to the next phase of projects at Gateway Tech. I am particularly excited to discuss how we can implement these ideas to reach your ambitious demographic goals, which I’ve helped accomplish in my previous role.
I look forward to hearing from you soon and am happy to answer any additional questions you might have.
This thank you email uses a formal greeting and tone that is more fitting of the company culture. They reiterate their interest in the company/role and mention specific goals that were discussed in the interview. 
Sample 3
Hi Lauren,
Thanks again for taking the time to meet with me yesterday. It was a real pleasure to get to know you and the work you’ve been doing. 
After speaking with you, I am incredibly excited to be a part of your marketing team and help take your audience reach to the next level. I’m thrilled you liked my idea on social media outreach and I would love to bring that expertise into this role. 
Please do let me know if there are any next steps or additional information I can provide as you continue in your hiring process. I look forward to connecting again soon!
This example focuses on the candidate’s potential contributions to the company and recalls specific ideas that were discussed in the interview process. This emphasizes the candidate’s value and what they would bring in this role.

Thank you email after a job interview: editable template

Here’s a template you can use for your own thank you letter after an interview:

 

Subject line: Thank you – [job title] interview

Dear [interviewer],

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me [when] to discuss the [job title] position. It was great to learn more about [company name] and the work you’re doing. 

As I mentioned, [highlight your experience/skills and how they’d suit the role]. 

Again, thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon and am happy to answer any additional questions as you continue your hiring process. 

Thank you,

[your name]

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When to send your thank you email after your job interview

You should always aim to send a thank you note as soon as possible following your interview. Send the thank you email after an interview within 1-2 business days of having your interview, preferably the same day if possible. It’s best to write a thank you email right after the interview since the experience is fresh on your mind and theirs.

If it’s already been a few days after the interview, go ahead and send a thank you email anyway. If it’s been a week or more, at this point, it’s best for you to follow up on your application status and include a thank you message.

FAQs

Is it OK to send a late thank note after the job interview? 

 

Yes! Sending a late thank you note is better than not sending one at all. 

What if I forgot to send a thank you after my job interview?

 

If you haven’t heard back from the interviewer, you can still follow up on your interview process and include a thank you message in your email. If you receive an email back from the interviewer, you can always respond to their message and include a short thank you. Everyone appreciates gratitude! 

Do you send thank you after the second interview?

 

Yes, you should still send a thank you email after the second interview. It doesn’t need to be as elaborate or recall the same points you brought up previously, but you should still show appreciation for the interviewer’s time.

How do you send a thank you note for an interview if you don’t have the interviewer’s email address?

 

You can still find a way to send a thank you email! 

  • Check if the person was copied on an email or perhaps included on a calendar invite before the interview.
  • Check the company’s website for bios and contact information.
  • You can call the company’s office and kindly ask their receptionist or someone else from their team. Explain that you had an interview with them and would like to thank them for their time.

As a last resort, you can probably figure out one employee’s email address based on someone else’s in the company. Most companies will use a standard format for employee emails. 

Some common examples are: 

  • firstinitiallastname@company
  • firstname.lastname@company
  • firstinitial.lastname@company

What should you do if you forgot the interviewer’s name?

 

In the event that you forgot, misheard, or don’t quite know the spelling of the interviewer’s name, don’t let this deter you from writing a personalized greeting. There are ways you can cross-reference to make sure you get the right name and still make a good impression:

  • Check if they gave you a business card (in a remote setting, sometimes business cards can be found online).
  • Check the company’s website or social media for any bios that might include the interviewer name.
  • Visit the company’s LinkedIn page and see if you recognize the interviewer as a listed employee. If it’s a larger company, it might help to filter the employees by their title.

How soon should you send a thank you email after a phone interview?

 

As soon as possible! Whether your interview is in-person, online, or over the phone, aim to send a thank you note within 1-2 days after your interview.