As a follow up to our analysis of Duke’s essays for 2012-13, we are posting excerpts from a blog by the Duke Admissions team. The blog outlines the admissions team’s expectations from applicants, in answering essay questions.

So, the 3 short, career related essays are “looking for the facts, with minimal embellishment”. Through the long essay answers, Duke’s admissions team is “seeking a glimpse into the conversations that applicants have with the people who know them best.” They want to see your passion and enthusiasm, as it would reflect when you tell your b-schools plans to a good friend. In their words, “We want to hear that honest emotion, along with the reasoning that you give your best friend/mom/significant other/mentor about why you are applying not just to MBA programs, but to Fuqua”.

For the ist of 25 random things, the adcom is seeking “a list of 25 things that illuminate your passions, personality, quirks, hopes, fears, etc”.  They write further, “We thought that the Random Things would be an appropriate way to get a true sense of our applicants and how they would engage with and impact our community”.