Duke Engineering Supplement Essays - why this school and activities besides studying

#2: If you are applying to the Pratt School of Engineering, please discuss why you want to study engineering and why you would like to study at Duke.

According to the infamous Italian philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician, Galileo Galilei: "You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him discover it in himself." Unlike popular belief, there is a lot more in the world than a geometry classroom or a high school play. People don't really think about how properties of our physical world affect us on a daily basis. When we drive in a car we aren't simply moving forward, calculus wasn't created to bring down our grade point averages, and the San Francisco Bridge didn't just build itself; and all of these fundamentals of our world exist unacknowledged and misunderstood. My goal is not only learn the equations and formulas but to explore the world deeper than what is perceived by the layman, and by attending Duke University I can succeed in my ambitions.

This year I began to take physics, calculus, biology, and chemistry college level courses, well aware I was probably about to face a very difficult time juggling all these classes, but not in the least bit expecting that the laws and theories in my textbooks would contradict my beliefs on how the world works. But as I gradually grew accustomed to opening my mind to these new, intricate ideas, a spark of curiosity triggered a burning desire to discover more.

At once I succumbed to the irresistible temptation to achieve more than I was able to in the confinement of the classroom. Past experiments include constructing my very own line-follower robot out of Tupperware and phototransistors, and using a pair of batteries and pencils to separate the bonds of hydrogen and oxygen in water. I believe Duke will provide me with countless opportunities and resources, and I will be able to use my research to find cures for diseases of thousands of afflicted victims around the world, and hopefully someday make a difference to humanity. Never have I been more determined to expand, or better yet, destroy my boundaries to further pursue the knowledge that awaits my inquisitive mind at Duke University.

#3: If you have participated in any significant research activity outside of school, please provide a brief description and limit your response to one or two paragraphs.

A program I am currently involved in is the Honors and Executive Internship Program (HEIP) at a local hospital called Palm Springs General Hospital. I work in the pathology department, to study the diagnoses of diseases, and the chemistry laboratory, where I learn the chemical processes for certain tests. This program has enabled me to not only explore farther than what I am limited to in the classroom, but also apply what I've learned to up close and personal situations. For example, one day I had the opportunity of witnessing how the centrifuge in the hospital operates. From my studies in my Advanced Placement Biology class, I knew that the purpose of this machine was to separate the blood in the test tubes into two parts, the pellet and the supernatant, so that the major organelles can be individually studied. This experience provided me with a further understanding that goes beyond the explanations in my textbook.

First, infinity is not a number. Second, the limit cannot "reach" infinity, though it can "approach" it, just meaning it's without bound. I'm not sure how this would shatter preconceived misconceptions. f(x) = 1/x, as x approaches 0, so this function grows without bound.

1/2 = .5, 1/1 = 1, 1/.5 = 2, 1/.0001 = 10,000... Anyway, it would behoove you not to cite basic concepts, incorrectly at that, as redefining the way you view the world, because it's farcical.

oh wow i overlooked that. i am constantly going back to add or delete from it but my ideas were mixed up. i know what infinity is, no need for an explanation!

how is that farcical? the fact of using examples in general or that particular statement?
i've deleted it entirely.

--> You might want to make this into more than one sentence...


--> I read what Mustafa said...well i guess he is right about infinity not being a number. But i think that's the only part you need to change. I mean, like he said, you can get infinity when you do the limit of certain functions..


--> Hmmm, that would be awesome. But seems too bold of a statement. I mean there will be limits. You know what I mean?

yeah, maybe i should elaborate that. i'm trying to explain how before i knew very little about what really happens and how i viewed it like everyone does, but now that i know i would like to learn more about it. do you think my essay effectively brings my point across?

again, error overlooked. thank you though. i wanted to say something else as a number, and idk just got mixed up. now i forgot what i wanted to say so i deleted that sentence completely.

you make a very good point. i guess i would say something about how the amount of resources at Duke would be a lot more than what i'd have at home?

(revised somewhat, in need of more opinions please!!!)

You had better give more details on "why you would like to study at Duke." Your only mention that "At Duke, my resources will be unlimited" in the third paragraph. That is not enough.

You need to tell people why you want to study at Duke by using specific reasons like its outstanding program or extracurricular activities or its ample intership opportunity. Do not use bacis information that anyone else can write.

Remember, your task is to tell AOs that you are more suitable for Duke than others through your essay.

Good luck!