Duke University

If you are applying to Duke, the regular decision application deadline is January 3 and the application fee is $85.

Students who submit their applications to Duke for fall should hear back from Duke by April 1.

Duke Admissions Stats at a Glance

The following is an overiew of some of Duke's admissions stats.

Duke 2022	Admissions Statistics
Admitted Students in Top 10% of Graduating Class	95%
Admissions Test Policy	Test Optional
Applicants Who Submit SATs	47%
Applicants Who Submit ACTs	46%
Waitlist	Yes

Duke University Application Deadlines

These are the application deadlines for Duke University.

Application Type	Offered	Application Deadline	Notification Deadline
Early Decision I	Yes	November 1	December 15
Early Decision II	––	––	––
Early Action	No	––	––
Regular Decision	Yes	January 15	April 1

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Applying Early to Duke?

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Duke offers early decision but not early action. Early decision is binding, meaning you must attend if you are admitted, while early action allows you to apply early without committing.

🗓️ Early Decision I applications are due by November 1 EDI applicants should receive a decision by December 15.

The early decision acceptance rate at Duke is 16%, compared to an overall acceptance rate of 6%. In 2022, Duke admitted 828 of the 5060 students who applied early decision.

Some students apply early to college because they believe it will help their chances of getting in. When you apply early, your application is considered before all the regular decision applicants apply. Applying early may increase the chance of admission, since it shows your interest in a school.

➡️ Find a list of some top colleges that accept significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.

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More on Duke University Admissions

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Transferring to Duke University

Transfer student admissions is extremely difficult.

For Students Waitlisted to Duke

Duke has not reported data for waitlisted and admitted students.

What's Most Important for Getting Into Duke?

Colleges consider a range of factors when choosing who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college decides which factors are given the most weight in the admissions process. When creating your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengths and any possible weaknesses in your application, and apply to colleges that prioritize the areas where you shine.

Admissions Factors at Duke

What does Duke consider during the admissions process? Take a look at the list below to see which factors are most important during the admissions process.

Admissions Factor	Level
Academic GPA	Very Important
Character/Personal Qualities	Very Important
Extracurricular Activities	Very Important
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation(s)	Very Important
Rigor of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Talent/Ability	Very Important
Standardized Test Scores	Very Important
Alumni/ae Relations	Considered
Geographical Residence	Considered
Work Experience	Considered
Level of Applicant's Interest	Considered
First Generation	Considered
Interview	Considered
Racial/Ethnic Status	Considered
Religious Affiliation/Commitment	Considered
State Residency	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered

Make sure to check with Duke for more information on admission factors.

Duke Application Requirements

To apply to Duke, all applicants must submit the following items. Double check with Duke's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.

Area	Required	Recommended	Required for Some	Details (If Any)
Interview		√
Other Requirements			√	audition tape for dance, drama, or music; slides of work for art
Transcript(S) of College Record
Standardized Test Scores
Statement of Good Standing From Prior Institution(S)
Letter(s) of Recommendation	3
Written Essay or Personal Statement	√
Transcript of High School Record	√

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GPA and Testing

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What GPA Do I Need To Get Into Duke?

Duke has not provided an information about GPAs of accepted students. Any questions regarding applicant expectations should be addressed directly with the school.

Out of all students that were admitted, 27% submitted a class rank. At Duke 95% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school, 99% were in the top 25% and 99% were in the top 50%.

GPAs of Admitted Students

At Duke University, student GPAs fall in the following ranges.

GPA	Percent of Students
4.0 GPA	––
3.75 and 3.99	––
3.50 and 3.74	––
3.25 and 3.49	––
3.00 and 3.24	––
2.50 and 2.9	––
2.00 and 2.49	––

This chart depicts the percentage of all enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first year (freshmen) students who had high school grade point average within the given ranges.

Note: Some schools choose not release this information. If you have any questions regarding missing numbers, be sure to reach out to Duke directly.

About GPAs

Your high school grade point average (GPA) is a number that highlights your high school academic performance. A weighted GPA or an unweighted GPA are the two possible GPA scores considered by colleges.

An unweighted GPA is an average of your scores from each class on a four-point scale. Unweighted GPAs range from 4.0 to under 1.0. A weighted GPA considers your average grade and the difficulty of your classes. A weighted GPA boosts your average by adding extra points for honors or Advanced Placement courses.

Standardized Test Scores

Duke considers ACT or SAT scores as part of the admissions process.

Duke is test optional. Test optional schools allow students to choose if they want to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications or not.

In 2022, 47% of Duke's first-year students submitted their SAT scores with their application. 46% of admitted applicants sent ACT scores.

What is a Good SAT Score for Duke?

To be competitive with other Duke applicants, you should aim to earn between 1490 and 1560 (or higher!) on the SAT. At Duke 25% of admitted students scored higher than 1560 and 25% of scored lower than 1490, but the majority of students scored somewhere in between these two numbers.

On the SAT Math Section, 25% of Duke students scored 800 or higher and 75% of students scored 730 or higher. On the SAT Critical Reading section (formerly called the Verbal section), 25% of Duke students scored 770 or higher, and 75% scored a 730 or higher.

What is a Good ACT Score for Duke?

To be most competitive at Duke, you should strive to earn between 33 and 35 on the ACT.

An ACT score of 35 means you fall in the 75th percentile for Duke's admitted students. One out of every four students scored above a 35, and three out of four students scored lower than 35 on the ACT.

A 33 on the ACT is the 25th percentile for Duke students. Only one out of every four students scored below 33.

Want To Bring Up Your ACT Score? Access ACT practice tests and study tips and see upcoming ACT test dates.

More Information on Transferring to Duke University

For transfer students, it is extremely difficult to get admitted to Duke.

For transfer students wishing to start in the fall, the deadline to apply is March 15. Applicants should hear back by May 15.

Transfer students can enroll in Duke during the following terms:

• Fall Term

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Duke Admissions FAQs

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Can I defer my acceptance to Duke?

✅ Yes, admitted students can defer their admission to Duke.

Does Duke accept transfer credits?

✅ Duke accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions.

Does Duke accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?

✅ Duke accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) credits.

Do I have to submit test scores to Duke?

❌ No, Duke is test optional, so it's up to you if you want to submit test scores or not. If your scores are higher than the school's average, you may want to send them. If your scores are average or below average, you it might make sense to leave them out of your application.

What is Duke's acceptance rate?

✅ Duke has an acceptance rate of 6%.

What is the early decision acceptance rate at Duke?

✅ Duke's early decision acceptance rate was 16% in 2021.

Want To Learn More About Duke?

Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

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