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 word limit)
I believe that just as sun always follows a storm, time spent outside should always follow time spent inside. Grabbing fresh air is essential to keeping my mind sharp and maintaining my individuality. I am most 'me' when revering a sky pierced by alpine daggers, churning my feet across a broken-in running trail, and smelling the perfume of a wildflower. I have found that my intellectual pursuits cannot be fully realized in the vacuum of libraries and classrooms.
I grab every chance I get to reach out to nature, whether it be unrolling the car windows, eating breakfast on our deck, or organizing a weekend hike with friends. In establishing the Outing Club at school, I am able to share my philosophy on the importance of incorporating nature into our everyday routine while joining classmates outside the academic setting. I know I cannot spend as much time outdoors as I would like every day, but I have learned that even the smallest interaction can restore my internal balance; whether simply walking to class with my eyes turned to the sky or watching the tomatoes slowly ripen in our vegetable garden. Every interaction with nature is a reminder of my place in the world and sustains my need to make a positive contribution to this world.
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