I need to write a Why Duke essay for the priority track application, but I have no idea what they are really supposed to be like. A search on the forums didn't turn up many examples. I can't visit Duke and don't know anything other than what I've gleaned from its website. The essay I'm posting below is one that I was going to include in my Virginia app, but decided not to. Is this what a Why X should look like, or is it too generic (first draft, don't worry about style and grammar issues)? Like Duke, I don't have deep personal knowledge of the school. Thanks for your help!

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My decision to apply to the University of Virginia School of Law is based primarily upon its excellent opportunities in environmental and public interest law. I am impressed by the breadth of environmental course offerings, from NAFTA and the Environment to Urban Law and Policy, which will provide me with a strong intellectual foundation no matter what area of environmental law I enter. I am very interested in the Environmental Law and Conservation Clinic, one of the only year-long clinics I discovered in my research. I am also excited about the chance to participate on the Virginia Environmental Law Review and volunteer for and network with local organizations through the Virginia Environmental Law Forum.
It is also evident that UVA Law is highly committed to supporting its public interest students and alumni. Its dedicated public interest career counselors, annual job fair and alumni network all increase the chances of students securing a job in the highly competitive field of environmental law. I also intend to work in public interest both summers, and the PILA grant program will allow me flexibility in choosing an internship. The school’s loan repayment program is also one of the fairest in the country, making it possible for me to attend a top law school without worrying how to repay my loans on a public interest salary. Its immediate loan forgiveness and lack of income cap and asset consideration make it stand apart from other programs.
The school’s location is also highly attractive to me, as I would like to work in the D.C. area after graduation. Several practicing environmental attorneys have told me that environmental law is highly regional, and that networking plays a large role in career prospects. Attending UVA will give me the chance to meet staff from government and nonprofits alike. Combined with the school’s excellent national reputation, I believe these qualities will foster my intellectual and personal growth and prepare me for success in a public interest career.

Strike the D.C. statement. Duke is not located in D.C. but in NC. It is probably a few hours drive through Virginia. You can add to the strength of your essay by doing about two hours worth of research. GO to the web site. Look up all the faculty that are current professors. Find two who are producing interesting research. Write a couple of sentences showing that you've actually read their publications and are interested in taking their classes. Or look up a clinic or school activity that does something in a field that you are interested in. Read about what they've done in the last two or three semesters and write about that. I find it easier to say what I want to do in law schoolrather than what I want to do after law school.

Thanks for the comments. The essay I posted was the one I wrote for Virginia (so I wouldn't mention D.C. in a Duke one), I just posted it to see if I'm even on the right track for these things.

Duke PT requires a Why Duke essay?

No, it's an optional essay for everyone. I'm assuming it would be stupid not to write one?

If you're borderline it would be stupid not to write it, but if you are in the clear as far as LSAT and GPA it doesn't matter. Also from the interviews that have been posted here on TLS it would seem that you could write the Why X essays in many different ways and still be effective. It also seems like to me that the style of writing means a lot more than the content itself.

I got in with Duke PT and didn't write one.

What you have to remember about these, I think, is that only a minority of applicants post on TLS. And thus, only a minority know that "you're supposed" to write these. The rest of people are not going to be aware and are likely not going to write an optional essay.