What to Include in Duke Writing Supplement?

I'm stressing over the Duke writing supplement. What kind of topics do successful applicants usually cover in their essays? Should I focus on my extracurriculars, unique experiences, or something else? Any advice would be awesome!

The Duke writing supplement is your chance to showcase your personality and give the admissions committee a better understanding of who you are beyond your grades and test scores. Successful applicants often write about topics that highlight their character, values, or passions.

While you can choose to write about extracurriculars or unique experiences, make sure the essay centers around you and your thoughts, rather than simply describing the activity or event. Here's a breakdown of potential topics to cover:

1. Your passion or "spike": If you have a specific interest that you've pursued deeply, you can write about how this passion has shaped or influenced you. For example, if you're dedicated to environmental issues, you could discuss the experiences that led to this passion and how it has impacted your life. Your spike should help illustrate how your knowledge or talents set you apart even from other accomplished applicants.

2. Personal growth or challenges: Writing about a challenge you've faced or a time when you were outside of your comfort zone can demonstrate resilience and personal growth. Reflect on how you've learned from these experiences and how they've made you a stronger person.

3. Unique experiences: If you have an exceptional story to share about a personal journey, cultural background, or family circumstance, this can be a compelling topic. Make sure to tie it back to your personal development or the values that are important to you.

4. Intellectual curiosity: Highlight your love for learning by discussing a specific topic that you are passionate about. Describe how you've pursued this curiosity, such as through research, projects, or discussions with mentors. Explain the significance of this topic in your life, as well as how it has shaped your perspective.

5. Values and beliefs: Reflect on your core beliefs and values, and discuss an experience that highlights them. This can demonstrate your maturity and depth of thought, as well as your ability to think critically about the world around you.

You can also take a look at Duke's current supplemental essay prompts, and read breakdowns of how to approach each one, on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-duke-university-essays/. This post is updated each year with any new or adjusted Duke supplements, which are released on August 1st. Additionally, remember that CollegeVine offers both a free peer essay review tool and paid reviews by expert college admissions advisors - sometimes, getting a second set of eyes on your essay is just the thing that takes it from good to great!

Overall, your Duke supplement should be engaging, well-structured, and revealing of your genuine voice. Avoid cliché topics or generic statements, and always connect your essay back to your personal growth, values, or genuine interests. By showcasing a meaningful aspect of your life, you'll help the admissions committee get to know you better and understand why you'd be a great fit for Duke.

Happy writing!