The Essay That Got Me Into Duke

This is the second Common App essay I wrote and was in the end that one that I submitted. It focuses mostly on my background/upbringing and how it gave me a path in life. This essay responds to the first prompt of the Common Application:
"Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story."
I only applied to Duke University since I applied ED (Early Decision), but I know that this essay helped a ton with getting accepted since it was one of the best essays I've written from a personal point of view.
Oh and I apologize for the sweaty appearance. It was a very, very hot day.

[@darylalbert1017]

I don't even know why but I really love your voice.

[@kermitfish3471]

Most people want to get into Stanford I want to get into Duke

[@carolinewhite1263]

I'm a rising senior and Duke is one of my top schools! I love how you communicated your personality via your essay rather than a resume flex.

[@monilark]

You are an excellent writer! For that reason, I would caution that not all people should "write how they talk" in a Common App essay. For some, it is a good idea to use a thesaurus (sparingly). Great job!

[@kiararodriguez170]

As a fellow person from New Jersey who moved to North Carolina, the first sentences hit my hard 😂

[@nikkirazal9647]

thanks for sharing this is prob the best essay i’ve heard!!

[@dangarcia9912]

Thank you!

[@kimchifrog]

I'm applying ED to Duke too! And hopefully I can become a fellow peer :)

[@dangarcia9912]

I definitely hope so!

[@viditgautam4708]

did you?

[@alexrussell8358]

okay this is SUPERIOR! i love this so much! finally not a baking/puzzles/how i love questioning essay!!!

[@evan_baller2330]

Duke is my dream school, nothing else

[@afiaoduro-manu2349]

Great essay and great tips! Please do a stats video!

[@charallsbrook9001]

PLEASE run for president

[@camilaa3649]

Love love LOVE this!!!!!

[@Pari_Songs_for_the_Soul]

Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know how mine goes

[@peijack3910]

Thanks for the great work:)

[@freddieneske1057]

You can tell California hit you like a brick

[@octaneblue6]

California? Carolina.

[@georgetat6706]

What was your GPA when you applied to Duke? Amazing essay by the way! Congrats !!!

[@dangarcia9912]

3.87 Unweighted, 4.6 Weighted

[@damong4619]

Do u have the contacts of the Harvard guy who read ur first essay? If not, what subreddit was it?

[@dangarcia9912]

Damon G I have no idea what he’s up to now, but it was on r/A2C

[@damong4619]

Dan Garcia if you have the time, would you mind reading my essay?

[@michaelluo9727]

Nice essay

[@visheshpandey3752]

Genius!

[@pkdonn]

Nice job !

[@DevPatel04]

@DanGarcia how important is grammar comparatively to content

[@jlinthe2nd]

Do you mind telling me what your gpa was and what you got on your SAT? I’m sorry but it’s just that I really want to get into this school.

[@dangarcia9912]

I just recently posted a video with all my stats you should check it out.

[@Purplemm1]

Who received your essay ?I would like to do that too

[@teendailymotivation9817]

In the common app essay did you follow the common paragraph structure or did you do more than 5 paragraphs?

[@dangarcia9912]

Zay Zay I just started a new paragraph when I needed to. You really don’t want to follow a common structure since this essay is unlike most things you’ve written in the past.

[@teendailymotivation9817]

Oh man thanks alot So now i know that only to use the common 5 paragraph essay in academic essay's thx