Emory prompt: Many students decide to apply to Emory based on our size, location, reputation, and yes, the weather. Besides these valid reasons to choose Emory as a possible college choice, why is this university a particularly good match for you?
Response: Emory was the first university that I visited when I began my college search. There was no significant reason for this at the time, but the fact that it did happen to be first made it a point of comparison for me when I visited other colleges. However, even after all these other visitations, I have yet to find a college that meets my expectations as fully as Emory does.
Maybe visiting Emory first spoiled me. When I found out that double majoring in music and an academic area is possible at Emory, I figured it would be standard in the majority of other colleges. Yet I did not find any that offered this as a realistic possibilityïmost only allowed for a minor. The ability to do a double major is extremely important to me; I have played the violin for 14 years, and while I do not want to pursue it as a career, I would still like to get a degree in music.
I was also pleasantly surprised by how friendly the students at Emory were. When I visited the music department, a random student offered to give me a tour of the entire building. I imagined at the time that students at other colleges would be just as helpful. However, although all were friendly, none were as interested in helping out prospective students as much as those at Emory. All the students I met at Emory seemed to make the campus a truly enjoyable placeïone that I could see myself living at for four years.
By no means am I saying that other universities I visited were bad. On the contrary, I liked a good many of them, but Emory simply offered more. From the campus to the students to the dorms, Emory was simply a step above the rest.
Duke prompt: If you are applying to Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, please discuss why you consider Duke a good match for you. Is there something in particular at Duke that attracts you? (Please limit your response to one to three paragraphs.)
Response: I am interested in pursuing a major in political science when I attend college, and Duke offers one of the most comprehensive and well-rounded courses available. I particularly like how the curriculum at Duke does not force its students into a certain field in political science, but rather offers courses on a broad range of topics, from American government to international relations. I feel that by studying all these facets of political science rather than focusing on just one, it is possible to truly understand how politics functions, from a local to an international scale.
I have played the violin for nearly fifteen years now, and though I do not want to make it my career, I would like to continue my studies through college and achieve a degree in music. Duke's music minor fits the type of program I am looking forïone that provides a solid musical education while allowing me to pursue a major in another field.
Any feedback you can provide would be great--thanks so much!
I like the forthright way you explained how Emory became a point of reference after having been the first you visited. Try to find one more strength that their program has to offer... one more supporting fact.
For Duke, try saying the same things with fewer words, and then using the extra space to celebrate the school some more. For example, Instead of "I am interested in pursuing a major in political science when I attend college," just write, "I am interested in a political science major, and Duke offers..."
Find the names of two faculty members that will be important for you in your chosen programs.
good luck!!
Kevin
