Duke University optional essay. Do i do it?

bluedog
Thu, 09 Oct 2014 14:11:39 +0000

@TopTier @cmckeon45: To clarify, this is NOT the optional essay that Duke has been asking for quite some time asking “Why Duke?” or “Why engineering?” I agree that it’s in your best interest to answer that one and differentiate yourself from the pack if at all possible. This is a brand new question this year focusing on sexual orientation and gender identity. For some background, see these articles:

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/09/02/duke-u-adds-voluntary-admissions-question-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity
HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost;
http://www.dukechronicle.com/articles/2014/08/29/duke-adds-lgbtq-inclusive-question-application



Duke University has joined a small group of colleges that include optional questions about sexual orientation and gender identity on admissions applications.



They debated using simply an optional checkbox to indicate a student’s sexual orientation (as other schools have done), but decided an essay was better.

Since this is brand new, it’s hard to say how people will perceive this question and if straight applicants will feel obligated to put something down (after all, they do ask about family and cultural background). Personally, if I didn’t have something significant to put down on this topic, I would NOT write something just to write. It shouldn’t hurt you at all I’d imagine – it really is optional. I agree that the “Why Duke?” optional essay, however, should be answered as that is something you should think about. If your sexual orientation/gender identity is something that hasn’t shaped your experience or identity much, then don’t feel obligated to answer the question. Duke is seeking diversity in all areas – hence why they added the question.

Hope that helps.