Duke University

Essay prompts (5)

2 required · 3 optional

The 3 optional prompts carry one instruction from Duke University: “Optional — respond to at most one of the three optional questions”

1. why usRequired of all first-year applicants2026-27250 words

   What is your impression of Duke as a university and community, and why do you believe it is a good match for your goals, values, and interests? If there is something specific that attracts you to our academic offerings in Trinity College of Arts and Sciences or the Pratt School of Engineering, or to our co-curricular opportunities, feel free to include that, too.

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2. communityRequired of all first-year applicants2026-27250 words

   We all belong to communities defined by place, faith, family, culture, interests or shared experience. Tell us about a community that has shaped who you are, any way it has set you apart, and what you've learned from being part of it that you hope to bring to Duke.

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3. communityOptional2026-27250 words
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   Optional — respond to at most one of the three optional questions

   We believe a wide range of viewpoints and experiences is essential to maintaining Duke's vibrant living and learning community. Please share anything in this context that might help us better understand you and your potential contributions to Duke.

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4. short answerOptional2026-27250 words
   Source details

   Optional — respond to at most one of the three optional questions

   Meaningful dialogue often involves respectful disagreement. Provide an example of a difference of opinion you've had with someone you care about. What did you learn from it?

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5. short answerOptional2026-27250 words
   Source details

   Optional — respond to at most one of the three optional questions

   What's the last thing that you've been really excited about?

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The school's published AI policy

No published AI policy for applicants as of Aug 27, 2026.

How reviews use this page

When you request a review for a Duke University supplement, the feedback is grounded in exactly what you see here: the prompt itself, its word limit, and what the school publishes about its values and programs. That's the whole claim — calibrated to the prompt and the school's own published guidance, scored against a consistent rubric. Not insider knowledge, and never a rewrite: Second Read is a coach, not a ghostwriter. It flags weaknesses and tells you what to fix and why; it never writes a sentence of your essay.

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Prompts move mid-season

Every Friday: what changed in this week’s prompts. Nothing else. See what changed.