“Wow! You’re from China? Is it really different there?” Automatically I brush the question off with a well-rehearsed cop-out from my personal collection of FAQs: “Well, the lines are definitely longer!” I chuckle with my casual response; but in my mind, a mechanical set of objections surfaces. From China? I don’t know if I’m really from there. ‘Is it different?’ What kind of question is that? Another voice, one which is always seeking balance, provides a counter:...

My initial thoughts on applying to Duke were pragmatic—its location, its programs, its reputation—but when I visited Pratt, what I found most striking was the atmosphere. My interactions with the students gave me a distinct impression that they shared a strong sense of community and purpose. Two fundamental objectives drive me in planning for my future: my passion for learning, and my desire to make a lasting human impact. I find biomedical engineering compelling, as a way for...

I applied Early Decision to Duke, so I was accepted before I had submitted applications to many of the schools on my list, but making my list was a process that I took very seriously. Before you can even consider how to maximize your chances of admission, you need to be sure that you will be applying to the right colleges! A good rule of thumb is to apply to more than one school from...

Though you may be tempted to ask for recommendations based on which classes you performed best in, remember that your application already has your grades and test scores. Recommendations are a great opportunity to broaden your application and give the admissions counselors an idea of your character and personality. Getting a solid rec letter is...