Duke University

Duke University is extremely difficult to get into. Around 6% of applicants get into Duke University each year. In 2023, just 2,921 out of the 49,523 students who applied were accepted.

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

Students who apply to Duke University for fall should hear back from Duke University by April 1.

Duke University Admissions Stats at a Glance

Here is an overiew of some of Duke University's admissions stats.

Duke University 2023	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	1 3	April 1

---

Considering Applying Early to Duke University?

---

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

Some students apply to college early to increase their chances of getting in. When you apply early, your application is considered before all the regular decision applicants apply. Applying early may increase your chance of admission, since it shows that you are very interested in a school.

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

---

More on Duke University Admissions

---

Transferring to Duke University

It is extremely difficult to be admitted as a transfer student.

For Students Waitlisted to Duke University

Duke University has not reported data for waitlisted and admitted students.

What's Most Important for Getting Into Duke University?

Colleges consider a range of factors when choosing who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college decides which factors are they consider most important when choose which applicants to admit, and which to deny. When assembling 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 admissions factors where you're strong.

Admissions Factors at Duke University

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

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

Duke University Application Requirements

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

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

---

GPA and Testing

---

What GPA Do I Need To Get Into Duke University?

Duke University 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 University 95% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school 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 University 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 University 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 University'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 University?

To be competitive with other Duke University applicants, you should strive to score between 1490 and 1560 (or higher!) on the SAT. At Duke University 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 University 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 University students scored 770 or higher, and 75% scored a 730 or higher.

To be most competitive at Duke University, 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 University'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 University students. Only one out of every four students scored below 33.

More Information on Transferring to Duke University

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

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 University during the following terms:

• Fall Term

---

Duke University Admissions FAQs

---

Can I defer my acceptance to Duke University?

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

Does Duke University accept transfer credits?

✅ Duke University accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions.

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

✅ Duke University accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) credits.

Do I have to submit test scores to Duke University?

❌ No, Duke University 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 probably want to include them. If you scored lower than a school's average, you may want not want to include them in your application.

What is Duke University's acceptance rate?

✅ The acceptance rate for Duke University is 6%.

What is the early decision acceptance rate at Duke University?

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

Want To Learn More About Duke University?

To learn more about Duke University, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Tuition & Aid

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Duke University

Explore other colleges in North Carolina or use the college admissions predictor to calculate your chances of getting into some of the top colleges and universities in the U.S.