@the 376,
the 376 wrote:
These essays are a part of the Duke writing supplement. Please be harsh and improve them. I am very inexperienced at writing.
1) If you are applying to the Pratt School of Engineering as either a first year or transfer applicant, please discuss why you want to study engineering and why you would like to study at Duke. (Please limit your response to no more than 150 words.)
While in primary school, I had a strong passion for trying to engineer new things. Every day, after school, I would spend time in my father's garage tinkering (and occasionally injuring myself) with the many tools found there. Drills and screwdrivers were my toys, I would disassemble objects and build new and interesting things out of them. One summer, I created a temperature controlled watering device for the garden plants from nothing but an old toy
{what toy?} and a fire hose. I had once read in the newspaper about a foot-powered washing machine. Inspired, I ended up building not one but five such washing machines and then sold them across the neighborhood. I spent weeks building and rebuilding tools which would make the lives of people around me a bit easier.
This passion still blazes within me. It is only logical that I pursue engineering from Pratt School to realize this dream of building a better world for everyone.
(count and edit as needed words)
Quote:2) Please discuss one of your extracurricular activities that has required a particularly significant time commitment or that has played a meaningful role in your personal development. (Please limit your response to no more than 150 words.)
Education has long been the center of my world. Growing up, I saw kids from many families in my neighborhood who attended Government schools were lacking many necessary skills. On further analysis, I found out that none of the twenty odd kids in the neighborhood were acquainted with the basic fundamentals of their coursework. Many of them were not getting the proper attention they needed at school.
I tried to bridge this gap and began teaching a few of these kids. Eventually, their grades started rising, all owing to the time and effort spent with me. I still mentor a few students and spend around an hour with them daily.
This has been beneficial for both them and me. I got a chance to bring out the best in the kids and also found myself a meaningful task to spend my evenings on.
(count and edit as needed words)
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