The great jazz pianist Bill Evans argued that jazz is not a musical genre but rather a method of spontaneous performance. This artistic freedom captivated me when I began studying jazz piano in sixth grade. Since then, not only have I developed a love for playing music, I have also discovered a means of expressing my inner self through rhythm and melody. Studying jazz has been an ongoing process of self-discovery. Listening to my teacher play, I could hear his...

My interest in Duke University stems from its combined emphasis on leadership, intellectual rigor, ethical awareness and social responsibility. Since I plan to pursue studies across disciplines, I find the Trinity College’s mission to offer students a broad academic experience highly appealing. Furthermore, the availability of undergraduate research programs for liberal arts students is an engaging opportunity to collaborate in high-level scholarship with the guidance of Duke’s world-renowned faculty. Duke’s International Comparative Studies major presents a chance...

Things to consider to easily narrow down your choices: Size--Do you want small (1500-4000), medium (4000-10000), or large (>10000)? Location--Rural vs. urban. North vs. south. East vs. west. Coast vs. inland. Type of...