<p>I know that Duke automatically considers applicants for scholarships, and that their main scholarships (don’t remember the names) for Trinity and Pratt are very selective. Does anyone know the criteria for these scholarships? I’m assuming grades/SAT scores/ECs are involved, but do the scholarship committees look at essays as well?</p>
<p>Thanks for any responses!</p>
<p>I assume that they would have to look at the entire application in selecting who to give them to. Duke has a lot of applicants who have similar stats so the essay would help them separate between applicants. I am just speculating so hopefully someone else who knows for sure can verify this.</p>
<p>Essays DEFINITELY matter.</p>
<p>Strong grades and scores are prerequisites for all of the scholarships, but Duke isn’t going to choose scholarship recipients based on small differences in SATs. Therefore, essays and extracurriculars are critically important.</p>
<p>Each of the scholarships has a slightly different focus in terms of what it is looking for:</p>
<p>The Robertson focuses on a combination of academics, leadership, and service – looking for people with potential to be ‘change agents.’
[Robertson</a> Scholars: Homepage](<a href=“http://robertsonscholars.org%5DRobertson”>http://robertsonscholars.org)</p>
<p>The AB Duke focuses on academic ability and intellectual curiosity.
[A.B</a>. Duke | Memorial Scholarship Program](<a href=“http://www.abduke.org/]A.B”>http://www.abduke.org/)</p>
<p>The BN Duke is for students from North and South Carolina.
[Benjamin</a> N. Duke University Scholarship Program](<a href=“http://www.bnduke.org/]Benjamin”>http://www.bnduke.org/)</p>