It's not just about rhinestones, ribbons, and tutus. And it's certainly not easy or cute. In fact, it's remarkable how much sweat, hard work, and time goes into making ballet look effortless. I tolerate bruised toenails, muscle cramps, and raw blisters because of the fleeting moment when everything finally comes together onstage, but it all starts in the studio. From demi pliés at the barre at 4:30 on a Monday afternoon to final run-throughs that last until 9:30 on a Friday...

If you are applying to the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences as a first year applicant, please discuss why you consider Duke a good match for you. Is there something particular about Duke that attracts you? (Please limit your response to no more than 150 words.) ​ For a university with unprecedented academic caliber, Duke's dance program is without parallel. After my first campus visit, when I participated in an advanced ballet class, I realized that at Duke, I won't have...

Making lunch for my 90-year-old grandparents, the Kroehler's, I drained water out of the pot of cooked broccoli when Grandma yelled, "Stop! You can't dump that-- it has all of the nutrients. I drink that!" Even though some of their habits may seem strange, I have come to admire my grandparents so much. They dedicated their lives to mission work and are the most frugal people I know. A typical lunch begins with hymns and a prayer, and the meal...

I used the...

I interviewed with four of the seven schools I applied to. My interview experiences with Duke University and Washington University in St. Louis were very positive. They were mostly just...

As a dedicated ballet dancer, during high school I participated in summer intensives around the country and at my home studio. The summer before senior year, I...

Aside from my near perfect grades and test scores, I think the thing that really set my application to Duke apart from other applicants was my artistic supplement and connection to Duke's dance department. ...

None of the other schools I was accepted to were as highly ranked...

As of right now, I...

While yes, Duke was the highest rank school I was admitted to, it was also my first choice going into the regular decision round of admissions. When I visited Duke a second...

I chose my schools to apply to mostly based on three factors: size, academic rigor, and whether or not they...

Duke has a very inclusive culture where students genuinely care about each others' success and well-being, and are very...

Before I visited certain universities, I found certain programs I was interested in and sent the professors an email with specific questions I had and asking them about...

I did not take out any student loans or apply for...

In your personal statement, talk about something you're really passionate about or an experience that made you change in some way. Show...

I think it's really important to use specific examples and stories in the "Why Duke" essay. I wrote mine about a specific experience I...

Ask for your letters of recommendation at the end of your junior year. Pick teachers that will say good things about you, especially about improvement, work ethic, drive, passion, etc. At my school, every year teachers write mid-year reports about...