What are you planning to major in at Duke, why?
I am planning to major in mechanical engineering at Duke. I was still deciding between several majors last year, so I participated in a mentorship to understand more about specific fields. This helped me learn more about myself. I really enjoy solving problems and inventing solutions, a perfect fit for mechanical engineering. Additionally, mechanical engineering is a broad discipline, so there are still many paths I can choose to go down. Duke’s specific Mech-E program facilitates this by presenting several different pathways.
Was Duke your first pick, why or why not?
Yes, Duke was my top choice. I was unsure for a while where I wanted to go, but after visiting Duke, I was certain. Of course I loved the campus, food, and weather, but also the general environment seemed to match my personality very well. It’s a great place where people can be challenged academically while also enjoying their social life.
What are you most looking forward to when you go to Duke, why?
One of the main things I am looking forward to at Duke is the opportunity to meet many new people. Additionally, I’m just excited to try new things and join groups such as club tennis. And of course I can’t wait to be a part of the Cameron Crazies as Duke crushes UNC.
What work have you put in to make it to Duke?
Throughout my years in high school, I’ve made a point to challenge myself with rigorous classes and consistently put in the effort to succeed in those classes. I’ve also spent a lot of time involved in academic, service, and athletic activities that reflect what I’m genuinely interested in and my commitment to make things better. I think it was beneficial that some of my academic activities like Science Olympiad align well with what I intend to study in college, allowing me to explore engineering-focused projects.
What advice would you give to other students attempting to get into such competitive schools?
When colleges have certain acceptance rates, they begin to become lotteries. Many people have all of the qualifications and are still rejected, so it is important to keep this in mind. However, there are still many ways to maximize your chances. Participate in activities which reflect who you are as a person; it certainly helps to start this early, but if not, it’s ok. Try to stay disciplined with grades, do not be afraid to take difficult classes. Some colleges definitely care more about test scores than others, so my only advice regarding that is do not be afraid to retake the SAT or ACT if you want a better score. If you study and make an effort to improve, it can’t hurt. When it comes to your personal statement, try to choose something specific to you. It doesn’t need to be quirky; just make sure it is unique to you and can define you as a person. Try to start early on the writing process. I wrote several essays before finally getting it right. For supplemental essays, it helps to do research and apply to schools that truly are a good fit. Also, I recorded the optional glimpse video and would recommend anyone applying to Duke to do the same. This allowed me to further introduce myself to the admissions officers, adding a voice to my application.
