Duke University

1. Optional essay response: Perspective response

We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. Feel free to answer one or two if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already shared elsewhere in your application. Five optional questions are available - a maximum of 2 can be selected.

1. Perspective response
We believe a wide range of viewpoints, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making Duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.

Please select 0 - 2 optional essay topics. 

We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. Feel free to answer one or two if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already shared elsewhere in your application. Five optional questions are available - a maximum of 2 can be selected.

2. Optional essay response: Intellectual experience

Please select 0 - 2 optional essay topics. 

2. Intellectual experience
Tell us about an experience in the past year or two that reflects your imagination, creativity, or intellect.

We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. Feel free to answer one or two if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already shared elsewhere in your application. Five optional questions are available - a maximum of 2 can be selected.

Please select 0 - 2 optional essay topics. 

5. Being different
We recognize that not fully “fitting in” a community or place can sometimes be difficult. Duke values the effort, resilience, and independence that may require. Feel free to share with us circumstances where something about you is different and how that’s influenced your experiences or identity.

5. Optional essay response: Being different

What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you?  If there's something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (250 word limit)

Gap Year
Duke University supports and encourages students who wish to consider taking a year off, between secondary school and college. If you are considering taking a gap year and deferring your college enrollment, please check the box and tell us of your plans in the space below. Financial support may be available from Duke for selected students taking a gap year via the Duke Gap Year Program. We encourage consideration of a gap year, so expressing interest in a gap year will not negatively affect your admissions decision.
For more details on gap year pathways, go to https://admissions.duke.edu/gapyear/.

Please describe your gap year plans as you currently are considering them. By responding to this prompt, you are not committing to taking a gap year.

4. Optional essay response: Orientation, identity, expression

We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. Feel free to answer one or two if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already shared elsewhere in your application. Five optional questions are available - a maximum of 2 can be selected.

4. Orientation, identity, expression
Duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community.

Please select 0 - 2 optional essay topics. 

We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. Feel free to answer one or two if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already shared elsewhere in your application. Five optional questions are available - a maximum of 2 can be selected.

3. Optional essay response: Beliefs and values

3. Beliefs & values
We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about?

Please select 0 - 2 optional essay topics. 

Duke Kunshan University (DKU) is a joint venture university between Duke University (Duke) and Wuhan University located in Kunshan, China. Duke provides ongoing support for the undergraduate curriculum and will confer a Duke University degree to all students who graduate from the DKU undergraduate program. To help you determine if this unique international student experience and community is right for you, click here: https://youtu.be/VrqQJZhwD1o
 
Duke and DKU have reached an agreement whereby, if you authorize it below, Duke will provide your application directly to DKU, which will be considered as a new and separate application to DKU. Please read the terms and conditions about the option to share your Duke application with DKU. 

Would you like Duke University to share your application with Duke Kunshan University?

By answering Yes, you understand and agree to the following terms and conditions. 

Duke shares your application and related materials with DKU one time, as a means for you to apply to DKU. All communications and other activity related to your application, including the sharing of subsequent application materials, will be a matter that is solely between you, your counselor, and DKU.
 
If you exclusively hold a passport from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan (and do not hold any other passports), please do not apply to DKU through Duke. You can apply using the Chinese admissions process https://admissions.dukekunshan.edu.cn/admissions/
regardless of your high school location or curriculum.

Optional Writing Prompt:
Why do you think Duke Kunshan University is a good match for you? And what special qualities do you feel you could bring to Duke Kunshan University?