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Freshman Admission Requirements

Florida Tech stands for student success! We want to see our students excel in their classes, graduate on time and be well-prepared for a great job. To that end, the university strives to admit undergraduate applicants who demonstrate a high propensity to succeed in a rigorous, dynamic, hands-on learning environment. For first-year applicants, academic performance in high school is the best predictor of future success at Florida Tech.

Academic Preparedness

Transcripts are the most important element of your application. More than anything else, we need to see that you have completed a strong high school curriculum and demonstrated achievement in college preparatory classes. Florida Tech does not specify a minimum required grade point average, class rank or standardized test score, but these elements are duly evaluated for admission and merit scholarship consideration.

Your high school transcripts should indicate a minimum: 

• Four years of math, including trigonometry, mathematics analysis, analytical geometry or precalculus; and
• Four years of science, including physics and chemistry.

Take the most rigorous math and science curriculum offered by your high school.

Your high school transcripts should indicate at least:

• Three years of mathematics (four recommended); and
• Three years of science (four recommended).

Extracurricular Experience

On your application, be sure to indicate your participation in special classes, clubs or teams that involve academic competition, research projects or advanced problem-solving activities. This tells us you'll be right at home in our hands-on, project-oriented learning environment.

Freshman Application Requirements

When to apply.

Anytime throughout your senior year in high school for First-Time Full-Time-in-College students or anytime during your final academic year for Transfer students. Florida Tech uses a rolling admission policy and makes admission decisions once an application is received and completed.

Materials to Submit

Your application for undergraduate admission to a Melbourne campus program must include:

• Completed  Common Application or Florida Tech Application
• Transcript(s) from your high school, or secondary school, with courses and grades posted at least through your junior year.
• Standardized test results (SAT, ACT, or CLT)

The following materials are highly recommended, but not required:

• Personal essay
• Letter of recommendation from a teacher, mentor or coach

To have your SAT scores sent to Florida Tech, use code 5080. For the ACT, use 0716.

Applicants who present G.E.D. scores must also present secondary school records and standardized test results (SAT, ACT, or CLT).

Required application materials vary slightly for home-schooled applicants. Home-schooled applicants must submit:

• Transcript of academic work including an assessment of the level attained in mathematics and the sciences and the texts that were used
• A self-descriptive, one-page essay that addresses academic, community and athletic accomplishments, career goals and work experience
• Standardized test results*

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, any tips for the fit admissions essay.

Hey guys, applying to Fashion Institute of Technology and kinda nervous about the essay. What should I focus on in the FIT admissions essay to stand out? I've got some experience with fashion from a small business I run, but I'm not sure if that's enough. Would love to hear from anyone who got in what they wrote about!

Hey there! My daughter went through this process last year, and what really helped her stand out was focusing on a specific story that showcased her unique perspective and passion for fashion. For your FIT essay, I'd suggest diving deep into your experiences with your small business. Talk about what inspired you to start it, challenges you faced, and how it grew. Maybe there was a particular moment that was a turning point for you – describe that and what you learned from it. It's not just about having experience in fashion, but what that experience has taught you and how it's shaped your goals.

Also, FIT loves innovation and creativity, so if there's something particularly creative or innovative about the way you run your business or the designs you've created, make sure that shines through in your essay. My daughter emphasized a unique fashion project she initiated at her high school, and it really gave her essay a personal touch. So weave your personal growth and vision for the future of fashion into your narrative, and that should really help you make an impression. Good luck! You've got this!

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Fashion Institute of Technology Admissions

What is the acceptance rate for fit, will you get in, will you get into fit.

Test Scores and High School GPA for Fashion Institute of Technology

Admissions Statistics

Admissions deadlines, admissions requirements.

• High School GPA Required
• High School Rank Neither required nor recommended
• High School Transcript Required
• College Prep Courses Considered but not required
• SAT/ACT Neither required nor recommended
• Recommendations Neither required nor recommended

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Selection of Applicants

Admission to graduate school.

Prospective students for the School of Graduate Studies submit a formal application to a degree program. Applicants are expected to display adequate preparation for graduate study by possessing or demonstrating interest, abilities, experiences, and goals that are compatible with the degree program of interest. Admission decisions are based on a holistic review of credentials in which multiple criteria are used to judge the appropriateness of an applicant to their field of study and predict probable success in the graduate program. 

For general admission questions, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at  [email protected] .

CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION

Listed below are minimum standards for admission to all graduate programs and will be verified by the Office of Graduate Admissions:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or the foreign equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing. The expected standard for the cumulative undergraduate grade point average is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent. Applicants who have completed three years of undergraduate coursework or the equivalent are considered for admission when they indicate they have the remaining year of coursework in progress, and there is sufficient documentation of the proposed coursework for the remaining year.
• In the case of international students, evidence of English language proficiency that meets or exceeds institutional minimums.

In addition to meeting the minimum standards for admission to a graduate program, all degree-seeking students must satisfy any additional requirements of the specific graduate program. 

Individual graduate programs reserve the right to set higher admission criteria and standards than listed generally for the School of Graduate Studies.  

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM

Art market studies.

• Applicants must hold, or expect to hold, a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or the foreign equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing.
• Online application
• Application fee
• Official academic transcripts or course-by-course International Credential Evaluation 
• Two (2) letters of recommendation
• Curriculum vitae (CV)/Resume
• One (1) short written response/One (1) optional short written response
• English Language Proficiency Scores—International Applicants (TOEFL, IELTS Academic, Duolingo, or PTE)
• It is recommended that candidates have completed two college-level art history courses or present equivalent experience prior to entering the program. Candidates will have the opportunity to describe their relevant educational and/or professional experience in their application.
• GRE scores are not required.
• Video Recording Interview: upon initial review of your application, all candidates will be sent a link to submit a brief recorded interview. Applicants should be prepared to take part in a follow-up live interview with their academic department upon request.

COSMETICS AND FRAGRANCE MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT

• Official academic transcripts or course-by-course International Credential Evaluation
• Three (3) letters of recommendation: Two letters must come from professionals with whom you have worked, and the third from a college or university faculty member with whom you have studied.
• Three (3) short written responses/One (1) optional short written response

EXHIBITION AND EXPERIENCE DESIGN

• Applicants must hold, or expect to hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or the foreign equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing.
• Curriculum vitae (CV) / Resume
• Video recording interview: upon initial review of your application, all candidates will be sent a link to submit a brief recorded interview. Applicants should be prepared to take part in a follow-up live interview with their academic department upon request.

The portfolio for the Exhibition and Experience Design Program should consist of 20 pages of design work within  one single PDF  file. The portfolio should include:

Samples of drafting in AutoCad or Vectorworks

Proficiency in Creative Suite programs, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop

3D digital rendering in 3D Studio Max, Sketchup, or other programs

Additional work in sketching, hand-rendering, other software applications a plus

SlideRoom will only allow applicants to upload one PDF file. Applicants must arrange their work within those 20 pages, and the file can not exceed 20MB.

If an applicant has examples of other forms of artistic pursuits, such as photography, painting, sculpture, or media, please include these with the portfolio. Creative expression, looseness, and playfulness are appreciated.

FASHION AND TEXTILE STUDIES

• Two (2) short written responses/One (1) optional short written response
• College-level humanities courses. Successful applicants should have a foundation in the study of the humanities, with at least two college-level courses in anthropology, archaeology, history, history of art, literature, or related fields.*
• College-level chemistry course. Chemistry is necessary for the program's required conservation courses. Students entering the program are required to have taken one term of college-level chemistry with a lab component (usually called General Chemistry I). This course can be taken online, and it can be taken pass/fail at any accredited college or community college. Applicants may contact the Admissions Office for a list of preapproved courses that satisfy the requirement.*
• College-level foreign language courses. Successful applicants should have proficiency in the use of at least one language other than English as a research tool. Native speakers of other languages, for whom English is a second language, will be recognized as meeting this standard. The most useful languages for fashion and textile studies are French, Italian, Spanish, and German, but many other languages are also acceptable/useful for research. Proficiency can be demonstrated with at least two college-level courses in a particular language.*

*Applicants may apply to the program pending the completion of their prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses must be successfully completed prior to matriculation.

FASHION DESIGN

• Thesis proposal: Applicants are required to submit a written thesis proposal in Slideroom as a part of their application. The thesis proposal presents the scope of work students plan to pursue in the MFA in Fashion Design program and the questions students want to attempt to answer through their research. We understand that concepts can be abstract, so students should view the proposal as a guide through the development of ideas. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the methodology that will guide their research, with an understanding that the thoughts and ideas will evolve as students go through the program. The proposal will aid the mentors and industry partners specially selected for the student’s project in crafting their personal journey, working closely with the student to define the context in which their project will best be understood.
• The first file should be a 10-page visual representation of the thesis proposal written in the online application for admission. The committee should be able to establish a connection between the thesis proposal and the visual representation. Our committee looks for candidates who can present a record of thinking through both written and visual pieces.
• The second file should be a 15-to-20-page selection of your work completed to date. We encourage you to look beyond conventional mediums. Your portfolio should tell a story of your creative process and how your work will confront commonplace thinking in fashion.
• Each PDF should not exceed 10MB. 
• If an applicant has examples of other forms of artistic pursuits, they are welcome to include these in the portfolio. This is optional and will not be considered if the program’s portfolio requirements are not met. Please make sure the link is set up for public access. If an applicant removes the original or restricts access to the link, it will no longer be viewable in SlideRoom.

GLOBAL FASHION MANAGEMENT

• GRE/GMAT are not required.

ILLUSTRATION

• One (1) short written responses/One (1) optional short written response
• The MFA in Illustration portfolio should consist of 15 to 20 pieces. Work should showcase your best and most recent work, highlighting your technical abilities, professional ambitions, and your interests and personality. Examples might include published work, unpublished work, sketchbook pages, comics pages, animation, and gifs. Drawings from observation are required, as we evaluate conceptual ability, technical skills, and narrative sophistication.

DEFINITIONS OF REQUIREMENTS

Online Application The School of Graduate Studies only accepts online applications. Applicants are only permitted to apply to one undergraduate or graduate program at FIT per year. The Office of Graduate Admissions uses CollegeNET for the receipt and processing of graduate applications. Through the CollegeNET account, applicants can submit and review their complete application, and access post-submission updates through the applicant portal. A link to the portal can be found on the  School of Graduate Studies website .

Application Fee All applicants must submit an application fee, payable by credit card or electronic check. Application fees are nonrefundable. If an applicant applies to a wrong program in error, it is the responsibility of the applicant to select and pay for a new application.

Academic Transcripts The expected standard for the cumulative undergraduate grade point average is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent. Applicants from institutions based in the United States must submit official transcripts from each college or university attended, listing all courses taken, grades and degrees earned, and dates of graduation to the Office of Graduate Admissions. If you submit your application prior to the conferral of your bachelor’s degree or equivalent, you will be required to submit your official, final transcripts prior to your arrival at FIT.

Applicants are welcome to mail domestic transcripts; however, i t is strongly recommended that official transcripts (U.S. institutions only) be sent electronically. If your school offers electronic delivery, transcripts can be sent to  [email protected] .  If ordering transcripts from a predetermined list of schools, make sure to choose the option for the “FIT–School of Graduate Studies.” Transcripts sent to  “ FIT ”  or  “ SUNY FIT ”  may not reach the Graduate Admissions Office.

Our mailing/email address is:

Fashion Institute of Technology Office of Admissions, Room C139  227 West 27th Street New York City 10001-5992 [email protected]

Candidates with degrees earned outside the United States are  required  to obtain a course-by-course international credential evaluation. Additional information about foreign credential evaluation services can be found on our  Graduate International Applicants  page.

Resume/CV A resume or CV is required that includes the applicant’s employment and professional history in reverse chronological order, with titles, dates, noting part-time or full-time experience. Applicants are encouraged to include information about relevant skills, experience, and achievements.

Letters of Recommendation Two or three references are required, depending on which graduate program you are applying for. Recommenders should be able to speak to your scholastic ability, or professional performance.

Online recommendations start by entering the following information for each of your recommenders in your online application: name, address, email address, phone number, institution or employer, title, field/discipline.

It is extremely important to enter your recommenders’ email addresses correctly so that they each receive an automated email instructing them how to proceed with their recommendation through an online process. Recommenders will be required to complete and submit an online evaluation form through the online application system. There is no function to upload documents in the recommendation form. Mailed and emailed recommendation letters will not be accepted. After your recommender submits the online recommendation, it will become part of your application.

Essays/Written Statements One to three short written responses are required, depending on which graduate program you are applying for. Our essay questions are designed for applicants to show their personality while communicating clearly about their educational pursuits. We encourage applicants to discuss future professional objectives, including pertinent work and travel experience. Essay topics are revealed as you complete your online application.

Standardized Test Scores The GRE exam is not required.

English Language Proficiency Scores Applicants who speak English as a second language must submit evidence of English Language Proficiency to do graduate work, as measured by the TOEFL ( Test of English as a Foreign Language ), IELTS Academic ( International English Language Testing Service ), PTE (Pearson Test of English), or Duolingo exams. This includes individuals who did not graduate from an undergraduate institution where the primary language of instruction was English, or come from a country where English is not the official language.

English language proficiency scores are valid for two years prior to the semester of your application.

The minimum scores for English language examinations are below.

• TOEFL: A minimum TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) score of  80
• IELTS Academic: A minimum band score of  6.5
• Duolingo: A minimum score of 105.  Beginning with the Fall 2025 term, a minimum score of 110 will be required.
• PTE: A minimum score of 53

Portfolio A portfolio is a compilation of materials that demonstrate your skills, qualifications, education, training, and experiences. Submission of an online portfolio is required for all studio programs. Requirements vary by department. Specific portfolio requirements can be found on the  Portfolio Requirements  page on the  School of Graduate Studies website .

Recorded Interview 

Upon initial review of your application, all candidates applying for the Art Market Studies, Fashion Design, Exhibition and Experience Design, and Illustration programs will be sent a link to submit a brief recorded interview. Applicants will be given two minutes to respond to each of the four recorded questions. Applicants should be prepared to take part in a follow-up live interview with their academic department upon request.

THE ADMISSION PROCESS

The admission process for the School of Graduate Studies is a collaborative effort between the Office of Graduate Admissions and the academic program. An admission file for all applicants who meet the application requirements by the posted deadline for their respective program is forwarded to the appropriate academic department by the Office of Graduate Admissions.  

The fact that an applicant meets minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to a specific program. The Office of Graduate Admissions monitors whether the minimum admissions requirements established by the Fashion Institute of Technology are met; however, the in-depth review of an applicant’s credentials takes place within the program. Individual programs are responsible for reviewing applicants and recommending admission for the top applicants in each cycle through a self-conscious and objective measure to recommend admission or denial for candidates.

When recommending admission for a candidate, factors contributing to an offer may include, but are not limited to, the following institutional guidelines:

• A minimum grade-point average of B or better (3.0), or demonstration of aptitude for both quantitative and qualitative coursework 
• Applicable leadership or managerial experience
• School of Graduate Studies English language proficiency minimums of:
• Duolingo English Test: A minimum score of  105
• PTE: A minimum score of  53

EVALUATION OF APPLICANTS

The Office of Graduate Admissions supports the candidate evaluation process by facilitating a holistic approach to reviewing application materials. Departments are responsible for determining the relative importance of each application component in the decision-making process. Factors considered when evaluating an applicant for a degree program may include, but are not limited to:

institution(s) attended, undergraduate or graduate grade point average and performance in specific courses

scores on English language proficiency exams

relevant employment history

an evaluation of the applicant’s portfolio

the motivation and perspective of the applicant as determined by written statements

letters of reference

writing ability

a recorded and personal interview (if necessary)

OFFER OF ADMISSION

Applicants will be notified that a decision has been made on their application via their email. In order to view their official decision letter, applicants must log in to their online portal. The offer of admission specifies the type of admission offered and is good only for the semester and program for which the applicant applies. A graduate applicant may be offered conditional admission if sufficient evidence is presented to suggest that the applicant has the ability to pursue graduate work. The admission offer must be officially accepted or declined by the stated deposit deadline in the admission letter. To accept their offer of admission, students must follow the process outlined in their acceptance communication and submit a non-refundable tuition deposit which is applied to the first term of tuition. 

A denial of admission is not subject to appeal. 

FIT and the School of Graduate Studies reserves the right to rescind offers of admission if applicants fail to satisfy all requirements or it is determined that admission was obtained through the use of incomplete, falsified, altered, or embellished information. The College also reserves the right to withdraw the offer of admission to any student based on cancellation or revocation of any credential required for admission.

The Office of Graduate Admissions, in coordination with the academic department, will consider requests from admitted students to defer enrollment up to a maximum of 12 months from the original enrollment date. Admitted students who are requesting a deferral will be expected to have paid a deposit prior to submitting the deferral request. If there is an extenuating circumstance in which a student cannot submit the tuition deposit, the admission department will review the request on a case-by-case basis. If a student does not enroll in the term to which they were granted admittance to, they will be required to reapply for a future term.

REAPPLICATION

FIT does not have a formal leave of absence policy and requires that any student who wishes to interrupt their studies withdraw from the College per the Office of the Registrar website. Students who wish to resume their graduate studies must be reactivated by the Office of Admission. If it has been more than one year since you last attended, you must submit a new and complete graduate application. Students who have interrupted their studies for less than a year may complete the Graduate Readmission Form. All applicants for readmission must be reviewed and approved by the program chair. Readmission is not guaranteed and is subject to availability in the program’s cohort. If admitted, the student must resolve any financial or other outstanding obligations to FIT before returning to the college, including all maintenance of matriculation fees. 

Students resuming graduate studies will be admitted under the degree requirements in effect at the time of reapplication. Courses taken 10 or more years ago are subject to revaluation and must be approved by the appropriate department chair and/or academic dean in order for students to receive credit toward their degree. The School of Graduate Studies also may set specific requirements to be fulfilled by the readmitted student during the first year of their readmission. Readmission may be revoked if the admitted student does not fulfill the requirements.

All documents submitted to the college, in support of applications for admission, academic evaluations, or required administrative processing must be true, accurate, and complete. Supporting documents must not make misrepresentations, omit relevant information, or be altered from the original. The School of Graduate Studies reserves the right to modify an admission decision, including canceling an application, denying admission, or rescinding an offer of admission, based on information provided postsubmission.

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• August 11, 2021
• 12th Grade , College Admissions

2021-2022 Duke Supplemental Essays Guide: Tips & Prompts

When applying to selective institutions, supplemental essays are a huge part of the process. Supplemental essays are an essential tool admissions officers use to assess student fit, and so Duke supplemental essays help assess whether or not you belong at the university.

Think about it: every other part of the application is relatively generic. Every college will receive the same information from the student including their name, demographic information, transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and personal statement.

Supplemental essays dig a bit deeper into the student’s personality, passions, etc. As such, these additional questions should be taken seriously. It is important to use these essays to your advantage and prove to the school once more why you belong at that institution.

Review the guidelines and requirements for Duke supplemental essays.

Along with the Common App which contains your personal statement, Duke asks that students complete 1-3 short supplemental essays. The Duke supplement essays consist of a 200-word essay and two optional 250-word essays. For the 2021-2022 application cycle, your Duke application essays should be submitted with the Common Application on January 4th for Regular Decision and on November 1st for Early Decision.

You can read about the requirements on the official website .

Why Duke essay: 4 tips that can help you get admission in Duke University

The first prompt asks for a “Why this college” essay.

Please share with us why you consider Duke a good match for you.  Is there something in particular about Duke’s academic or other offerings that attract you?  (200 words maximum)

Admissions officers want students who will both excel and enjoy their time, so the case has to be made why you prefer Duke rather than any other top university.

1. Make sure your reasons are clear.

First and foremost, before you start any writing and planning, make sure the answer is clear to yourself. Sometimes our preferences for colleges at first can be instinctive or general, which is fine at first. But for these essays, your reasons will have to be articulated. If your reasons do not single out Duke from other universities, you are not really answering “Why Duke.” Before you make the case for Duke, make the case for yourself!

You may want to try rehearsing and answering yourself or writing it in 1-3 sentences. You will have space to elaborate and give examples but having a general point from the outset will make your case clearer and have a greater impact. This will also help you avoid your essay reading like a list, which can be both uninteresting and inadequate. Giving a list of good qualities of the university does not say why those qualities appeal to you.

2. Research the university .

Doing prior research can help you articulate the “Why Duke” question for yourself.

Read about Duke, from the official website and ranking websites to know the reputation of programs that interest you. Reading about things that are relevant to your college experience, like departments you are interested in, professors, student services. Read how the university talks about itself and what it says it excels at. Once you have found the things that you like about the university, you will have to consider why those things appeal to you.

3. Outline and plan your essays.

You may find that some things you are considering mentioning could fit under different prompts or are already mentioned in your personal statement. Whatever you do, plan the essays in advance to allocate the points you make so you do not repeat yourself. If something is important enough that you feel the need to mention it in another prompt, be brief.

Planning can involve outlining the essay before you write it. Because of the short length of the essay, you will probably only have room to make a few key points. Whatever points you make, know that in asking “Why Duke,” you are also being asked about yourself. Your point should not be just that Duke has this or that program. You should give reasons related to your interests, experiences, future plans, or values for why those programs fit you.

It may be a helpful practice to take a half-hour to write a quick draft early on. This way you can see what works or does not work when structuring your essay and figure out what points you have trouble articulating. You can then redraft it or outline it with these issues in mind.

4. Be particular. 

Finally, be particular. Pay attention to the phrase, “is there something in particular.” This question is asking you to provide specific reasons why you want to attend Duke University. Generic answers will not cut it here. Cite professors, professional resources, programs, internships, or other opportunities that genuinely excite you. Doing good research will make this task far easier. However, it isn’t good enough to simply name a professor or class without connecting it to why it is important to you. You can show that something is important to you by referring to your experiences or mentioning how that thing will help you.

Don’t write: 

I imagine myself taking Professor Smith’s Data Visualization for Gender Inequities. The class seems interesting and I would be excited to learn how to visualize data.

Instead, say:

Since my involvement in the debate club, I have been curious about how we can use empirical data to rectify societal issues. I imagine myself taking Professor Smith’s Data Visualization for Gender Inequities. This class will provide an important framework about the ways in which we can not only obtain data but how to use it to inform policy. 

Do not use this essay to brag to the university about how prestigious they are. In other words, don’t tell Duke you want to go there because Duke is a highly ranked institution; they already know that. And for everyone applying, the prestigiousness and quality of education is already a reason for applying. So, being specific and giving good reasons will also help you stand out among other students. What else matters to you about the institution? Do you like the culture, the classes, programs, majors? If you can’t think of a reason to attend Duke other than because it is Duke, you may want to reconsider why you’re applying.

Another way of being particular is talking about your personal connection to the university. This connection may be about the culture, a personal experience with the school, a visit, or a talk with an admissions officer. If you have not had the opportunity to visit, perhaps there are student support systems that appeal to you or alumni you look up to.

Duke’s Optional Supplemental Essays

Duke offers two optional supplemental essay prompts. Here is the first:

Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger. If you’d like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you’ve had that would help us understand you better, perhaps a community you belong to or your family or cultural background, we encourage you to do so here. Real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real people applying to Duke. (250 words maximum)

Some keywords to pay attention to in this prompt are diversity, perspective, experiences, community, cultural background. This supplement essay is intentionally broad so that everyone should be able to answer it. Duke wants to see that you have your own perspective that you will bring to the university community.

You can use this essay to discuss an ethnic, cultural, or religious identity you belong to. Some students may feel their identities do not say anything special about who they are – but that’s okay. If you find that these kinds of identities have not impacted you in a significant way, you can think of other communities you belong to that matter to you. Perhaps the city where you live shaped your identity, or maybe the school club you belong to shaped your way of thinking. No matter what your background is, you should answer this optional essay. If you don’t, you are wasting an opportunity to make a case for yourself.

This essay is not a list of facts about yourself. You need to show how this background impacts your perspective. For this reason, it is a good idea to discuss both your past and your future, because the major takeaway from this essay is how you will use these experiences to diversify the incoming class. An easy structure to use for this kind of essay is (1) what it was like having this background, (2) how it affected you, and (3) how this will affect your experience at Duke. For example, you may say growing up in a Hispanic household taught you the importance of family and community. Then, you can discuss how to plan to promote that culture with students at the university.

Of course, it should offer a perspective not offered anywhere else on your application. Therefore, if you wrote about a certain part of your identity as the topic for your personal essay, choose a different aspect of your life for this essay.

Duke’s commitment to diversity and inclusion includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. If you would like to share with us more about your identity, you can do so here, or use any previous essay prompt you feel is appropriate. (250 words maximum)

This essay has a similar purpose to the last essay. If you choose to answer it, make sure that you do not make the same point in both essays. Again, what is important for this essay is not that you have a certain identity, but that you show how it has informed your perspective. This perspective that you talk about – whether it is your passions, values, future plans – does not need to be something you are fully certain of. Your response here can be more reflective. You can talk about different possibilities or how you hope to change in the future. For both these optional essays, what is important is that you demonstrate genuine reflection on your background or identity.

You may feel that this essay is not applicable to you, or that you are uncomfortable answering it. It is fine that you skip this optional question. The first optional essay serves a similar purpose, so do not worry as long as you fill that one out.

Key takeaways on Duke University supplemental essays

For all of these Duke supplements, what matters more than the identity you chose is how you explain the effect your identity had on you. In other words, do not simply write about your cultural heritage or involvement in a community without explaining how it shaped you. Similarly, the “Why Duke” essays cannot be answered by only saying things about Duke. Ultimately, the question is why you think you belong at the university. Always relate whatever it is you are talking about back to yourself. By showing passions and purpose – that is how you stand out from other students on these essays.

Finally, clarity and conciseness are essential. Take advantage of the space you have and do more with less. Preparation and trying to understand the reasons Duke appeals to you will make the writing process easier and the essay better. If you genuinely are interested in going to Duke, you should have good reasons, and take the time to find the right words for them. The more convinced you are, the more passionate and authentic your writing will come across.

FAQs related to Duke essays

How many supplemental essays does duke have.

Duke requires one supplement essay and offers two optional ones. The required essay is 200-words and the optional ones are 250-words each.

Should I answer the Duke optional essays?

Yes, you should take advantage of more opportunities to make your case. Many approaches can be taken for the first optional essay. However, you may find that the second optional essay is inapplicable to you or you may be uncomfortable answering it. If you find it difficult to answer, you probably should not.

When do the Duke supplemental essays come out?

The latest versions of Duke’s supplemental essays come out sometime around mid-August. The essay prompts for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle have been released on Duke’s website .

How do you stand out to Duke?

Be genuine. These Duke writing supplements are not only about qualifications but about finding people who really care about the university. If you like the university, find out how to express and explain it. Connect everything you talk about (what you like about Duke, your background) back to yourself.

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When Should You Start Writing Your College Essays?

What’s covered:, why are college essays important, types of college essays, when are college essays due, where to get feedback on your college essays.

For many students, summertime means relaxing, spending time with friends, traveling, or hanging out at the beach. But for rising high school seniors, it often feels like the prelude to perhaps the most anxiety-provoking time in life thus far — college application season.

Many students dread the start of the school year because it means they’ll have to complete their applications while continuing their schoolwork, keeping their grades up, and participating in extracurriculars. And there’s no denying it will be stressful.

But there is a way to alleviate some of that stress: start working on your essays — and get a head start on your college applications.

Perhaps you think essays aren’t all that important. But for the most part, you’d be wrong to assume that. At the most competitive colleges and universities, there are usually at least four academically-qualified candidates for every open spot. So, these schools need to go well beyond grades and test scores to assess applicants. In fact, generally speaking, essays account for about 25% of your overall application at the top 250 schools.

Now that many colleges have become test-optional — and still others have become test-blind — in the admissions process, the other components of your application carry even more weight. So, don’t overlook the importance of your essays.

Essays aren’t equally important across the board. Several factors, such as the size of the school and the strength of your academic and extracurricular profiles, play a role in its relative significance. And, truth be told, a stellar essay isn’t going to make up for a very weak profile. But it could be enough to push a borderline candidate into the acceptance (or rejection) pile.

Most colleges and universities accept the Common Application and/or the Coalition Application. When completing these applications, you will be asked to address one of the essay prompts provided (both include a topic of your choice), which you can send to any college that accepts these apps. This significantly reduces the amount of time you will need to spend on your essays.

Many schools also ask you to write one or more supplemental essays. These are generally shorter than Common or Coalition App essays. While the prompts themselves are specific to the schools, you will likely see some common themes emerge, such as the “why us” essay” or short responses asking you to describe your academic and career goals. While you shouldn’t reuse essays in their entirety, you can often apply similar ideas and even full passages to multiple supplements.

Bear in mind that some colleges accept neither the Common App nor the Coalition App and instead have a school-specific application, which will usually require you to write one or more unique essays. In some cases, you may be able to reuse parts of other essays, but make sure you’re actually addressing the prompt and not trying to make a square peg fit into a round hole.

Essays, including supplements, are due at the same time as the rest of your application . Application due dates vary, but most schools have early decision/early action deadlines around October and regular decision deadlines in January or February. Some colleges offer early decision II plans, which usually have deadlines at the same time as their RD deadlines. You can find out exact deadlines for specific institutions via your Common App or Coalition App accounts or via the school’s admissions website.

Other colleges, usually less selective ones, have rolling admission deadlines, meaning they will continue to evaluate applications until they have filled their freshman class. It’s in your best interest to complete your essays and apply earlier rather than later because you never know how many qualified applications they will receive or when they will close off applications.

Ideally, you should start working on your essays as soon as possible, preferably in the summer before application season. This will give you ample time to brainstorm, write, edit, get feedback, and revise.

The Common App opens on August 1st, but the prompts are usually released in February. School supplements, meanwhile, are typically released when the Common App opens.

Feedback is an important part of the college essay and application process. By starting early, you’ll give yourself ample time to get another set — or several sets — of eyes on your work.

And you don’t need to look far. The CollegeVine community is an excellent resource for getting feedback on your essays. We offer both peer and expert review services , so you can feel rest assured you’re submitting your best work.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, suny application tips: how to apply, deadlines, and more.

College Admissions

The State University of New York system of colleges—commonly known as SUNY—encompasses some 64 different campuses throughout New York. These campuses include research universities, community colleges, and even specific programs housed at other universities like Cornell.

Though this means that students who want to attend SUNY schools have plenty of choices, it also means that the SUNY application can feel something like a maze of options. Which school do you need? Which application should you fill out? Are you applying to one school or many?

If you're thinking of attending one of these 64 schools and need assistance filling out the SUNY application, this guide is here to help. We'll be covering admissions requirements, which schools require supplemental essays, and some helpful information for filling out your application.

Feature Image: CC-BY-SA-3.0 / Matt H. Wade at Wikipedia

SUNY has so many campuses that there's probably a few in this picture.

Despite having 64 different campuses, the SUNY system's application is fairly straightforward. Most students who apply to schools in the system use applySUNY , a proprietary application developed specifically for SUNY. You can use applySUNY to apply to almost any college within the SUNY system.

However, there are a few schools that require their own applications :

• Cornell University, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (Universal or Common Application)
• Cornell University, College of Human Ecology (Universal or Common Application)
• Cornell University, College of School of Industrial & Labor Relations (Universal or Common Application)
• Cornell University, College of College of Veterinary Medicine (Universal or Common Application)
• Downstate Medical University ( Apply Yourself Application )
• Empire State College ( SUNY ESC Application )
• Health Sciences Center at Stony Brook University ( Multiple Applications )
• Nassau Community College ( Nassau Community College Application )
• College of Optometry ( OptomCAS )
• Rockland County Community College ( RCC Application )
• Suffolk County Community College ( Suffolk County Community College Application )
• Westchester County Community College ( Westchester Community College Application )

If you're applying to any of those, be sure that you look up application deadlines, supplemental requirements, additional expectations, and other information in advance. Their requirements may differ substantially from the applySUNY requirements, so get started early.

Other schools accept the Common Application in addition to applySUNY. So if you already have your Common Application filled out, you a second option if you're also applying to schools that aren't in the SUNY system. Schools in the SUNY system that accept the Common Application include:

• Purchase College, SUNY
• SUNY Alfred State College of Technology
• SUNY Binghamton University
• SUNY Buffalo State
• SUNY Cobleskill
• SUNY College at Brockport
• SUNY College at Geneseo
• SUNY College at Old Westbury
• SUNY College at Oneonta
• SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry
• SUNY College of Technology at Canton
• SUNY Cortland
• SUNY Farmingdale State College
• SUNY Fredonia
• SUNY Maritime College
• SUNY Morrisville State College
• SUNY New Paltz
• SUNY Oswego
• SUNY Plattsburgh
• SUNY Polytechnic Institute
• SUNY Potsdam
• SUNY Stony Brook University
• SUNY University at Buffalo
• SUNY University at Albany

When Is the SUNY Application Due?

Now that you know which application you'll be filling out, it's time to get into logistics.

The applySUNY application is available online and in a paper version. Electronic applications are generally faster and easier for both students and colleges, but if you have limited internet access or other concerns, it's totally fine to submit a paper application instead. Regardless of which one you choose, be sure that you include all required material!

The SUNY system is somewhat atypical in that there is no official deadline for general applications; they're accepted on a rolling basis as long as a program has openings . However, applications will close as soon as a program is full, so the sooner you can apply, the better. It's always wise to double-check the website of the campus you're applying to see if they have more specific deadlines. And though there is no official deadline, SUNY still recommends that you get your application in by December 1 .

For students applying Early Decision , application dates vary. Early Decision students applying to the NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University or Maritime have a deadline of November 1, while students applying to Geneseo and ESF have a deadline of November 15. Keep in mind that you can only apply Early Decision to one SUNY school, so choose wisely. If you're accepted Early Decision, you have to make a tuition deposit by January 15 and withdraw your application from all other universities.

For Early Action , a non-binding early application, students hoping to attend Binghamton should apply by November 1. Oswego and Albany hopefuls should apply by December 1. All other Early Action applications must be received by November 15. For all Early Action students, the deadline to finalize their enrollment decision is May 1.

Good grades will make your application a slam dunk.

What Test Scores and GPA Do You Need for SUNY Schools?

The variety of schools within the SUNY system means that there's no hard and fast GPA and test scores guidelines for the entire system. Aim high and work hard to get the best score possible, but if you're looking to flesh out your college list with some SUNY schools, these are the average test scores and GPAs of accepted students :

What Should You Know About SUNY Essays?

Both the applySUNY application and the Common Application use the same prompts . You have seven choices, with just one required essay of 250 to 650 words.

However, some colleges require or accept a supplemental essay for freshmen and transfer students. Unless otherwise stated, the colleges listed below may require or recommend the following supplemental prompt as part of the applySUNY supplement:

Please provide additional information (up to 250 words) that will help us better understand your academic performance. You may also use this space to explain any chronological gaps in your academic history (e.g. a period of time after high school graduation before applying to college).

Always double-check with each individual school to be sure of their requirements. Additional information may be required after submitting your essay, so check in regularly to be sure you don't miss it.

Schools That Require or Recommend Supplemental Essays for Freshmen

Many of the SUNY schools require that you submit a supplemental essay with your application packet. We've listed those schools below and linked to supplement forms (if the supplement isn't available through the Common App or ApplySUNY).

Schools That Require or Recommend Additional Essays for Transfer Students

Some schools require different supplemental essays for transfer students. We've listed those below.

How to Answer the SUNY Essay Prompts

Since most of SUNY's required essays are the same as the Common Application, you can follow all the best practices for writing impressive Common App essays . However, there are some additional things to keep in mind when you're answering the prompts specifically for SUNY.

Don't answer the same prompt twice, unless you have a radically different answer the second time. Really put the effort in to ensure that your essays stand out from one another. Remember: admissions counselors want to learn about you and your future goals.

Second, tie your SUNY essay into SUNY itself. Your Common Application essays can be more general because they'll be sent to every school that you apply to, but your college-specific essays should be tied to the college your applying to.

To do this, consider making a visit to campus or browsing their course catalog and club lists. You want SUNY to know that you're not applying just because of proximity or reputation —you want to go to a SUNY school because it matters to you, not because you've heard its good.

Third, be sure that your essay is personal and unique. You may share some features with other students, including your good grades and extracurriculars, but no student is exactly the same as you. Your essay should reflect that! A good SUNY essay will be so unique that nobody else could possibly have written the same thing.

Our last tip is to dig deep into what makes you you as you write your essay. Don't just present yourself as a collection of grades and time invested in extracurriculars. What does your time spent in cooking club say about you? Is it that you love creating delicious foods that feed your hungry friends? Is it that you understand the reward of simmering something all day to bring out its innate flavors? Is it the thrill of perfecting a recipe you invented yourself?

The more specific and personal your essays are, the better off you'll be. Fill them with context and personality and you'll be on the way to a successful SUNY application.

What Does SUNY Look for in Students?

Your essay is just one part of your SUNY application. SUNY is looking for a comprehensive picture of your strengths as a student, so keep all these things in mind as you're working on your application:

Strong Academics

Grades are extremely important to a successful college application. Use the table above to find out the average admitted GPA for the schools you're applying to in order to figure out if your grades are on target. If not, start working now to improve your grades . A guide like this one can help you start making an academic plan to get your application into shape, no matter where you're at in your education

You could have the best grades in the world, but if you don't demonstrate any interest or passion for the things you do, you're not likely to be a successful college student. That doesn't mean you have to be in love with every subject, but rather that your application shows that you have interests and pursuits that you're passionate about. Let your application, and especially your essays, show that you're a person with varied passions and interests.

You can even use a " spike" approach to your application , which showcases that you're not only a good student, but that you have a particular passion that you're dedicated to honing at your chosen school. Say you're very into journalism—if you weight your application with English courses, journalism courses, time spent working on your school newspaper, and maybe even a few published works outside of school, you're showing SUNY that you're serious about what you do and that you're ready to put in the work to pursue it.

Investment in activities is great, but leadership is even better. Colleges like SUNY want to see that you're serious about your commitments, and a leadership position shows that you're confident and capable of inspiring others. If you've acted as a team captain, an editor, a group leader, or any other position of authority related to your field, it's worth including in your application and essay.

Leadership positions not only demonstrate your passion, but also your trustworthiness and ability to inspire. These are important features on a college campus, where you'll be participating in campus culture, not just being an individual in a sea of unfamiliar faces. Show that you can lead others and you'll show SUNY that you're a good person to have on campus.

Students can easily get hung up on diversity, which is often used to mean difference in race, gender, sexuality, or socioeconomic status. But even if those things don't apply to you—or if they don't feel like they're relevant to your experience—that doesn't mean that you're not a good fit.

The word "diversity" can also be applied to diversity of experience and thought. Think about your upbringing and how it's set you apart from others. Things like the size of your hometown, the number of siblings you have, or where you live can impact your thinking and experiences, too. Don't be afraid to include how your environment has shaped the person you are, including how you relate to others.

Understanding of Mission and Goals

One of the strongest ways to connect with the school you're applying to is to understand what they want to accomplish as a college. Consult their mission statement and academic goals, and even read a little deeper into the essay prompts to understand exactly what they're looking for.

Though individual SUNY schools may have their own mission statements, you can learn a lot about the system by consulting the general SUNY mission .

For example, SUNY uses words like "diversity," "access," and "traditional and non-traditional students," throughout. From that, we can deduce that SUNY is interested in providing opportunities and education to all kinds of students, not just those who are wealthy, privileged, or from the state of New York.

Keep this in mind as you're working on your application. How can you align yourself with these values, or the other values expressed in SUNY's mission statement? Do these ideas apply to you? If not, how can you demonstrate that you're committed to helping maintain and grow that mission?

Make a list, check it twice.

SUNY Application Checklist

Applying to SUNY—let alone applying to multiple schools at once—requires a lot of forms, essays, and documents coming together. If you're struggling to stay on top of everything you need to do to apply, this checklist will help get you started.

#1: Decide Which Schools You're Applying To

Make a list of schools you'll be applying to and the deadlines for each to help keep you on track.

#2: Pay the Application Fee or Request a Waiver

SUNY has a $50 application fee . If you qualify, get the fee waiver ahead of time and get it filled out so you're ready to submit it with your application

#3: Collect Letters of Recommendation

If you're submitting letters of recommendation, they should be ready to go along with your application. Ask your teachers, counselors, coaches, and so on early to be sure that you get a letter that's of good quality and that's ready on time .

#4: Complete the SUNY Application

Depending on which SUNY school you're applying to and whether or not you'll be applying Early Decision or Early Action, you may or may not have a deadline. Research your school early so you can keep track of when you need to apply! Also keep in mind it's still best to get your application in as soon as possible.

#5: Submit Supplemental Portfolio and Essays

Some SUNY schools require or allow supplemental portfolios or other materials. If you'll be submitting them, they should already be ready to go by the time you submit your application. SUNY will give you the due dates for any supplemental materials when you complete your application.

#6: Retrieve School Counselor Forms

SUNY requires a special form from your school counselor . Your counselor is responsible for submitting this form, but be sure to give them plenty of time to do so.

#7: Submit International Student Forms

If you're an international student, determine which forms you need in advance so you have plenty of time to fill them out and turn them in.

#8: Submit Academic Record

SUNY requests transcripts from freshmen and transfer applicants. You can request that your school send them electronically or by mail , but be sure you ask for them to be sent as soon as possible to ensure they arrive on time.

#9: Submit FAFSA

Submit your FAFSA application by June 30 —but keep in mind that the earlier you submit, the better!

SUNY Application Tips

This is a lot of information, but don't panic. There are some simple things to keep in mind as you're working on your SUNY application. Following these steps will help you be stress-free as you're applying.

You're guaranteed to get stressed if you're trying to cram the entire college application process into just one month. Start early.

The best time to start thinking about college applications is freshman year. The second best time is right now. No matter where you're at, take a moment to draft a concrete plan to follow, including deadlines, and stick to it.

The earlier you get started, the better. Don't wait until deadlines are already looming—give yourself lots of time and avoid stressing.

Focus on Either the SAT or ACT

Is the ACT or SAT more important? That depends on a few different factors.

But as you're getting ready to apply for colleges, don't worry too much about excelling on both . Pick one or the other to be your focus, and hone your score on that test.

Don't try to divide your attention. As long as your chosen school accepts the test you choose, it doesn't matter which test you take. Do your best on one of them and you'll be good to go.

Strive for Depth Over Breadth in Extracurriculars

You don't need a thousand extracurriculars to impress SUNY. You don't even need ten extracurriculars. What you need is depth , meaning that you've spent time cultivating an interest in something rather than doing a whole bunch of activities for the sole purpose of fleshing out your application.

Having a variety is good, but not if you've only spent a minimum amount of time on them. Chase your passions and dive deep into them rather than dipping your toes into a whole bunch of fields.

It's better to have a couple of strong interests than tons of shallow ones. If you have time, try out lots of things, but don't waste time you could spend on your passions doing soccer, baseball, piano lessons, volunteer work, tutoring, acrobatics, beekeeping, woodworking, photography, journalism, and Mathletes if only one or two of them are at all interesting to you.

Seek Strong Letters of Recommendation

Many SUNY schools allow or require letters of recommendation, but not all letters are created equal. You should be asking people in positions of authority who know you and your academic strengths to write your letters. Ask early, and don't be offended if you get a "no" in response—it could be that the person you ask already has quite a few letters to write.

Give the person you ask as much information as possible about where you're applying and what programs you're applying to; that will help them write an even better letter. Also, don't forget to say thank you—though teachers expect to write letters of recommendation, you should always express gratitude for them going above and beyond their job duties.

Keep Your Momentum Up Senior Year

Once your application is in and your transcripts are submitted, it might be tempting to take a little break from your hard work and start slacking off in school. Don't do it!

Some schools require a mid-year report, which could hurt your chances. You've worked hard to get where you are, so keep up that positive momentum to carry you forward into college and beyond!

What's Next?

Knowing what a college admissions committee is and what it does can help you write an even better application.

There's lots of advice out there about how to write an impressive college application. But what really looks good on your app ?

Understanding the college application process can ease some of the stress of applying to colleges. This guide covers everything you need to know about applying !

Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

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• Writing Tips

How to Write the Date in an Essay

3-minute read

• 4th February 2016

You probably see the date written down (or displayed on a screen) dozens of times every day. You might even have to write it out yourself if you’re booking an appointment or organising your schedule.

Despite this, most of us give very little thought to how we write the date. In academic writing and other formal contexts , however, it’s important to use a clear and consistent format.

Different Formats

The most important thing to remember when writing the date is that, in the UK and throughout most of the world, we favour a day-month-year format (otherwise known as the little-endian sequence ). This can be presented in numerous ways, including:

• Day + Month (e.g. 21 April)
• Day + Month + Year (e.g., 21 April 2016)
• Numbers Only (e.g. 21/04/2016)

There are also variations to how these can be presented, such as using an ordinal suffix after the day.  These are the letters we’d use if we were writing the number out in full and are often written with a superscript font:

We last spoke on the 21st of April.

The meetings will be held on the 2 nd of February and the 13 th June.

Sometimes, the month in the date can be shortened to save space:

14 January 2012 → 14 Jan. 2012

9 October → 9 Oct.

However, generally in formal writing it’s better to use the longer format for clarity. Likewise, when including a date in an essay you should usually write it out (e.g. 21 April 2016) rather than use the numbers-only style.

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Check Your Style Guide and Be Consistent

Since there are various ways of writing the date, you should always check your university’s style guide to see if a preferred format is specified. If it doesn’t offer any particular advice, simply pick a clear format that suits you and make sure to use it consistently for all dates in your essay.

UK vs. American Dates

The other thing to keep in mind when writing (and reading) dates is how the US date format differs from ours. In America, dates use a month-day-year format, which can lead to problems when they are written out in numbers only as days and months get confused.

The US date format also places a comma between the day and year when both are numbers, as well as omitting superscript letters. The only time you would use superscript letters after the day in the US date format is when writing it out in full as, e.g., the 10 th of September.

You can see a few examples of UK and US dates below:

As you can see, the date ‘07/04/2016’ represents the 7th of April 2016 in the UK, but the same numbers indicate the 4th of July in America! Take care about which format you use when writing for international audiences.

The International Date Format

Finally, if you’re sharing information across the world, you may want to use the  international date format (ISO 8601) . This is a standardized format that works across borders, so it is commonly used by government organizations and global businesses. And it always uses the format YYYY-MM-DD, which removes any chance of confusion:

We sent the invoice on 2020-07-10 .

The date above, for example, denotes the 10th of July 2020.

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