Duke Admission Interview: Questions, Answers and Process

Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. — Malcolm X

The interview process at Duke University can vary depending on the course you are applying for. As more and more young students seek careers with purpose, getting a spot at this elite school is more challenging than ever.

However, most duke admission interviews will require at least two interviews, one of which may be on a phone screen.

So, questions like, what do you need to apply to Duke? When should you start? How to interview for duke admission? How can you make your application stand out?

Any other things you need to know about the duke DNP interview and admission process are available here. Looking to pursue a law degree and need guidance on the law school application process?

We’ve gathered not only our best tips but have also included sample interview questions to ensure you give your Duke application your best shot.

10 Main Duke Admission Interview Questions

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. — Colin Powell

To help you prepare for your interview, we have gathered some sample Duke admission interview questions and answers.

These questions will give you an idea of what to expect. We hope these sample questions and answers will help you to pass your college admission Interview for Duke University.

Q. What is your career goal?

A: “My goal is to become a pediatrician. After graduation, I hope to complete an additional two years of training as a resident physician before opening my practice.”

Q. How did you become interested in this area of study?

A: “Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by the human body and its intricacies. My parents were doctors, so I grew up hearing their stories from work and seeing what they did at home. In high school, I took as many science classes as possible and volunteered at my local hospital, where I learned more about the medical profession.”

Q. Why are you interested in this university?

A: “I’ve always loved and admired Duke University since I was in high school. I love the way it’s a highly competitive institution that attracts the best and brightest students, faculty members, and researchers. It’s somewhere I would love to study.”

Q. Do you have experience working independently on projects?

A: “I often work independently on projects. However, I am always willing to ask for help or advice from my coursemates when needed.

Q. Describe a risk you took in your studies. Did it pay off?

A: “In my third year of college, the professor assigned us an essay about one of our favorite books. I had read so many books by this point that it was hard to choose just one. So, I wrote three essays about different books. My professor loved my work so much that she gave me extra credit for each essay.”

Q. What would be your approach to planning a year’s worth of classes?

A: “I would start by looking at my current GPA and what classes I have taken in the past. From there, I would look at the requirements of each major and minor I am interested in pursuing. Then, I would create a spreadsheet with all of these courses listed and their prerequisites. Next, I would compare the course descriptions to see which ones fit into my list of requirements.”

Q. Have you ever presented in front of a class before?

A: “Yes, I’ve presented in front of my class before. In fact, I was the lead presenter for our group project in my college. My professor asked us to present our findings to the rest of the class. I was nervous at first, but once I started talking about our research, I felt more confident.”

Q. If admitted, how would you prepare for your first day of class?

A: “I would spend some time getting to know my coursemates before we start our first lesson. I will try associating and relating with them well. I will use the course outline given, read ahead of the class, and then get my books and kits ready for class.”

Q. Tell us about a time when you disagreed with your professor; how did you handle it?

A: “In my first year of college, I had a professor who was very strict about the rules in class. One day, he told us we could not use our phones during lecture time unless it was an emergency. I disagreed with this rule because I thought it would benefit students to take notes on their phones while listening to lectures. I raised my hand and asked if I could speak to him after class. He agreed, and I explained why I thought his policy was unfair. He listened to me but did not change his mind.”

Q. Provide an example of a research project you worked on where you encountered problems or obstacles; how did you handle it?

A: “When I finished college, I went to work as a research assistant at a firm. I was working on a project that required me to collect data from several sources. However, when I started analyzing the data, I noticed some inconsistencies in the information. I spoke with my supervisor about the issue, and we decided I would have to start over and re-collect all of the data. It took longer than expected, but I eventually completed the project.”

What Not to Do During The Duke Interview

Avoiding certain things gives you an advantage in gaining admission and studying at the university of your choice.

They are things you need to steer clear off when interviewing your way into Duke University for a chance to earn a spot. Here are some of them.

• Don’t lie or make things up. Answer things honestly and let the conversation take you wherever it will. Just be yourself. And if it doesn’t go well, just relax. You never can tell; you might still be admitted.
• Don’t panic, don’t be nervous. Just make sure you don’t freak out about it. Listen well and attentively to the interviewer.
• Don’t let nerves get the better of you. Make sure you are dressed smartly and properly, and most important of all, prepare before you enter that room.
• Don’t go in there without reading and learning your CV. When they ask you questions about your past, you should be confident in your knowledge of what you did. And make sure you go on time.

The things listed above are red flags. So, ensure that you don’t do them to avoid getting on the wrong side of the university’s interview committee.

How to Get Into Duke University

Many applicants to Duke will have pristine grades and test scores and will have excelled in extracurricular activities and athletics.

It’s the ambition, intellectual curiosity, and persistence in the face of challenges that will make your application stand out from the rest of the well-qualified applicants. You need to know which Duke allows students to apply for rolling admissions vs regular decisions.

You may also apply through a regular decision, which means you will have until January 3rd (or December 20th for the priority deadline for alumni interviews).

Duke’s early decision program is binding; it can be said to be a big decision. Early decision is a good fit if you’re confident in your grades and test scores as of early November and if Duke is your top choice.

It’s also important to understand that you will still be expected to commit no matter the financial aid package you receive.

Duke accepts a much higher percentage, 21 percent, of early decision applicants compared to regular decision applicants. It’s often said that early applicants are, by and large, better prepared and exceedingly qualified, which accounts for the higher acceptance rate.

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If this is the case, you can decide on your choice by weighing different college consultants’ prices to determine the one whose tips are quite useful and most affordable that you can work around.

Key Takeaway

Since you’ve surpassed the Duke GPA requirements, and you are well confident in your Duke SAT scores.

How else can you optimize your “how to get into Duke University” plan?

• Start planning early. Duke’s admissions process is competitive, with little to no room for error.
• Plan your extracurricular track early, commit yourself to advanced classes, and try to craft thoughtful essays that tell your story.
• And just be yourself. Admissions are stressful, and sometimes students get caught up in trying to project a crafted version of themselves. However, this is not how to get into Duke University. Duke doesn’t want you to be anyone other than yourself.

What are the top college consultants online to consider? These are the possible questions that come to mind. Most times, the answer is usually yes. You can check out our other articles that have these questions addressed.

FAQ

Does Duke Interview All Applicants?

Duke interviews will not be available to every applicant. Not every student is, in the end, granted an interview, and those that do not get this opportunity are invited to submit an additional recommendation with their application.

Does an Interview Help for Duke?

The interview helps the admissions committee sift through applicants and determine whether you’d thrive at Duke.

Although the Duke interview is optional, you should consider participating. The interview is one of the least formal and least structured aspects of the Duke application process.

Does getting a Duke Alumni Interview Mean Anything?

Most alumni interviews are done to know how well students can relate with their young lecturers or professors when given admission. Applicants are more likely to make mistakes when they interview young alumni; why? Because the students believe the young alumni to be their peers.

What happens in a Duke Alumni Interview?

The alumni ask about your favorite classes and extracurricular activities. They will want to go deeper and know what makes you tick.

They tend to look for students with multiple levels of “wide” expertise and passion for learning more. Your passion, smartness, and excellence matter to them.

There is no shortcut to achievement. Life requires thorough preparation—veneer isn’t worth anything. — George Washington Carver