Short Answer Essays

Short essay questions are required—post your responses in the application

AI for Product Innovation

  • In what way do you think artificial intelligence is (or will be) changing your field or industry?
  • Please tell us about your motivation for applying to the AI for Product Innovation graduate program or certificate – what do you hope to get out of the experience?
  • If you could apply AI to build anything to solve a significant problem in the world, what problem would you choose to solve and what might you build?

Biomedical Engineering

  • Why are you applying for the MEng program in biomedical engineering at Duke University?
  • How will the MEng program help you to achieve the next goal?
  • Why are you selecting the Duke MEng program over the Duke MS program?

Civil Engineering

  • What is your definition of personal success? 
  • How do you think the Master’s program at Duke University will help you on the path to success as you define it?

Computational Mechanics & Scientific Computing

  • What is your definition of personal success? 
  • How do you think the Master’s program at Duke University will help you on the path to success as you define it?

Cybersecurity

  • What activity or experience, not in your resume/CV, sets you apart from other Cyber applicants? (Note that “good grades” typically do not set candidates apart.)
  • What was the most complicated thing you’ve ever designed/built, either physical or virtual?  Please describe it here
  • In your opinion, what do you feel is the most pressing Cyber need or opportunity?  How do you see yourself addressing this?

Electrical & Computer Engineering

  • What have you done in the past that makes you well suited to the Duke ECE MEng program?
  • What is it about Duke's ECE MEng Program that attracted your attention and got you to apply?  What do you think you will be able to do with what you learn in the Duke ECE MEng program?
  • Also, if applicable, indicate your interest in attending as a part-time student

Environmental Engineering

  • What is your definition of personal success? 
  • How do you think the Master’s program at Duke University will help you on the path to success as you define it?

Financial Technology

  • What activity or experience, not in your resume/CV, sets you apart from other FinTech applicants? (Note that “good grades” typically do not set candidates apart.)
  • What was the most complicated thing you’ve ever designed/built, either physical or virtual?  Please include details.
  • In your opinion, what do you feel is the most pressing FinTech need or opportunity?  How do you see yourself addressing this?

Materials Science & Engineering

  • What was the most complicated thing you’ve ever designed/built, either physical or virtual?  Please describe it here and include a link to an online portfolio of your work or a well-labeled graphic as part of the response.
  • What do you think the most important problems engineers should solve are and why? How do you find yourself contributing to big ideas?
  • How do you feel Duke will assist you on your path to personal success and how will you contribute to the success of our community? Please give specific examples from what you have learned about our school.

Mechanical Engineering

  • What was the most complicated thing you’ve ever designed/built, either physical or virtual?  Please describe it here and include a link to an online portfolio of your work or a well-labeled graphic as part of the response.
  • What do you think the most important problems engineers should solve are and why? How do you find yourself contributing to big ideas?
  • How do you feel Duke will assist you on your path to personal success and how will you contribute to the success of our community? Please give specific examples from what you have learned about our school.

Medical Technology Design

  • Why are you applying for the Master of Engineering in MedTech Design?
  • How will the MEng program in MedTech Design help you to achieve your goals?
  • Please explain any experience you’ve had in design, either through coursework and internships.

Photonics & Optical Sciences

  • Why do you want to study photonics at Duke?
  • Why is the program right for you, and why are you right for the program?
  • How will Duke help you meet your future goals?

Risk Engineering

  • What is your definition of personal success? 
  • How do you think the Master’s program at Duke University will help you on the path to success as you define it?