Duke University is one of the earliest private research institutions in North Carolina, however, its single-digit acceptance rate makes it one of the most selective American universities.
Duke is one of America’s finest institutions and the most selective for undergraduate admissions.
The university offers decorative degree programs at undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. Duke University provides a top-quality education and research through schools and colleges scattered across Durham, North Carolina.
While admission remains selective, new freshmen were admitted into Duke University for the class of 2027, presenting a higher GPA and test scores. The Early Decision at Duke is less competitive for applicants who were successful in the last admission cycle.
About Duke University
According to Wikipedia, Duke University is a private research institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The university traces back to 1838, initially established as Trinity College, founded by Methodists and Quakers. Fifty-five years later, the school was relocated to Durham, North Carolina.
Duke University came into existence in 1924 when James Buchanan Duke, an American industrialist, established the Duke Endowment, and hence Trinity College became Duke University.
Duke offers a wide range of degree programs at undergraduate and graduate levels through ten distinctive schools and colleges across an 8,693-acre campus in Durham. Duke-NUS Medical School and Duke Kunshan University are international graduate campuses of Duke University located in Singapore and China.
More institutes and centres of the university are also located throughout Durham.
Duke University spends over $1 billion annually on research, and it’s among the 10 largest research institutions in America.
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School and Colleges at Duke University
Here are the ten schools and colleges at Duke University.
- Trinity College of Arts and Science
- School of Law
- Pratt School of Engineering
- School of Medicine
- Divinity School
- Graduate School
- Fuqua School of Business
- Nicholas School of Environment
- Stanford School of Public Policy
- School of Nursing
Duke University Ranking
Duke University has built an academic reputation since its inception, and currently, it occupies top positions in recent rankings.
According to U.S News & World Report, Duke University is ranked #7 in National Universities, #17 in Best Value Schools, and #19 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs.
Duke University is ranked #57 on the list of the world’s top 100 universities according to QS World University. Times Higher Education also ranks Duke University 26th on World University Rankings.
Duke University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Duke University is quite selective with thousands of applications for the next graduating class.
In the past few years, the acceptance rate at Duke University has been on a selective standard, with 10.8% in 2017, and dropping to a low 7.7% in the 2020 application year.
During the last admission cycle at Duke University, 49,476 applications were received and only 1,743 students enrolled at Duke. The acceptance rate at Duke University for Regular admission is 5.2% for the class of 2027.
According to Duke’s admission statistics, the overall acceptance rate at the university is 6.3%, which is extremely competitive.
Duke Acceptance Rate for Early Decision
The Early Decision application at selective colleges and universities is always less competitive and many applicants use this medium to gain admission.
Duke University Early Decision applicants were 4,855 and only 800 were admitted. This makes the acceptance rate for Early Decision stand at 16.5%, which is less selective than the admit rate for Regular Decision.
GPA Requirement
Duke University has a single-digit acceptance rate, which requires the best grades and high test scores.
According to Prescholar.com, Duke’s standard for high school GPA is an average of 4.13.
SAT Requirement
Duke University requires an average SAT score of 1510 on the new SAT scale. The SAT score for tye 25th percentile and the 75th percentile is 1510 and 1560.
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 1510-1560
ACT Requirement
Ther average ACT score for first-year applicants seeking admission to Duke University is 34. The ACT score for the 25th percentile and 75th percentile is 34 and 35.
- ACT Range: 34-36
Application Requirement at Duke University
Applicants who applied in the last admission cycle submitted their application via the Common Application or the Coalition Application.
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First-Year Application Requirements
All first-year applicants must provide these secondary/high school documents and apply through the application platforms.
Application Options
Duke University accepts the Common Application and the Coalition Application.
Application Fee
Pay a non-refundable $85 application fee or fee waiver request together with the Common Application or Coalition Application. These application platforms accept online payment and you can pay with a credit card.
Fee Waivers: Duke University offers fee waivers for eligible students. This simply means that Duke will waive the application fee of $85 for students with financial needs.
Transcripts
Duke University will evaluate the courses in your transcripts from your school curriculum. Your grade in each course, overall GPA, and class rank will also be assessed thoroughly.
Your official transcript must be submitted by your school counsellor or other officials.
College and Summer School Transcripts; If you have completed postsecondary or summer coursework, and it is not indicated in your high school official transcript, kindly request an official transcript from the school you attended.
Letters Recommendation (3)
Ask two teachers from your school who have taught you in core academic subjects and your school counsellor to write letters of recommendation for you.
Submit the three recommendation letters to admissions.
You can also submit personal recommendation letters written by your mentor or individuals who can give a good account of your behaviour outside the classroom.
Extracurricular Activities
Duke University requires that you include your extracurricular activities. During application, you will fill up spaces with your extracurricular activities. Ensure to include your involvement in school, family, work, and community.
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Standardized Test
Duke University is test-optional for first-year and transfer applicants for the 2022-2023 application year.
Applicants can self-report their test scores during application.
English Proficiency Test
International applicants who are non-native English speakers or applicants who received instructions at tertiary institutions in a different language are recommended by Duke to take the English proficiency test.
Applicants can take any of these English proficiency tests.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: the average score is 180
- Duolingo: the average score is 120
- IELTS: average band score of 7
- PTE Academic: average score of 70
- TOEFL: 100 and 75 on the internet-based and the revised TOEFL paper-delivered test.
Essays
If you are an applicant who has completed the Common Application, you must respond to One of Seven Essay Prompts for the 2022-2023 application year.
Those who completed the Coalition Application will respond to One Five Essay Prompts for the 2022-2023 application year.
Additionally, more application requirements include optional interviews for applicants and supplements for applicants with extra talent in music, dance film, etc.
For more information on this application requirement, kindly visit Duke’s official website.
Application Requirement for Transfer Students
All transfer students must meet this application requirement, for a successful transfer to Duke University.
Eligibility
- All transfer applicants are eligible to apply to Duke University if they have attended any tertiary institutions within the last four years and have completed a year of transferable college work.
- Duke University will not consider college work completed at a vocational, technical, or performance.
- Transfer applicants with bachelor’s degrees will not be considered.
- Duke also demands academic qualifications such as a big school diploma or GED.
Evaluation
The acceptance rate for transfer at Duke University has ranged from 3% to 7% in the past few years.
The admit rate is very selective and all applicants must have good grades and high test scores. Transfer applicants who were admitted to Duke University had a minimum GPA of 3.7.
Required Materials
All transfer applicants must submit their application either through the Common Application or the Coalition Application.
The required material includes your college report, transcript, final high school transcript, required financial aid forms, and two instructor evaluations.
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How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Into Duke University
Getting into Duke University is very challenging, due to its low acceptance rate. The latest freshmen enrolled in different programs at Duke had good grades, test scores, and a concerning application.
Increase your admission chances by;
#1. Apply Early Decision
The Early Decision plan of Duke University has an acceptance rate of 21%. Those who applied through Early Decision in the last admission cycle were over 4,000 and 855 applications were accepted.
An application through Early Decision will enhance your admission chances, and you must be certain that Duke University is your first once admitted, you won’t hesitate to attend.
#2. Write Interesting Essays
Good grades will get any applicant just fine in the position of getting to Duke without much stress.
Essays are very important in your application and are considered during the admission process. We already provided the essay prompts you will respond to during your application.
The Duke Supplement essay also requires responses and you should answer them uniquely.
Express yourself in your essay and convict the admission committee of your candidacy.
#3. Aim for the Highest GPA While Taking Hard Classes
The acceptance rate at Duke University is highly selective and stirs competition among applicants. Getting into Duke demands academic excellence in high school, with an exquisite application profile.
The admission committee at Duke considers GPA and course rigour.
If you want to get a better shot at admission, aim for a high GPA of 4.0 and above or take hard classes (AP or IB courses) available in your school.
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Is Duke University a Good School?
Duke University is one of the best and most prestigious universities in the world. It’s an institution that values academics and research, inculcating the best knowledge in students.
Duke University is basically for any student who is interested in engineering, business, and medicine. Duke University offers degree programs at all levels through schools and colleges, with graduate schools in China and Singapore.
Duke University Tuition
Heere is the cost of attendance for first-year undergraduate students at Duke University before financial aid.
| BILLED COSTS | |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $63,450 |
| Estimated Fees | $2,722 |
| Housing | $9,884 |
| Food | $9,182 |
| Total Billed Expenses | 85,238 |
Duke University Contact Address
- School Address: 2080 Duke University Road, Durham, NC 27708
- Phone: (919) 684-8111
Frequently Asked Questions
These are some of the frequently asked questions about Duke University’s acceptance rate.
What GPA do you need to get into Duke?
The standard for GPA is 4.13 or above. You should aim to achieve a minimum GPA of 4.13 or you can take hard classes (AP or IB courses) available at your school.
Is Harvard or Duke harder to get into?
Harvard University is more selective in its admission procedures than Duke University. Harvard University is harder to get into because of its acceptance rate.
Is Duke as good as an Ivy League?
Duke University is one of the best private research institutes in the United States and the world entirely.
Duke University is ranked 7th (tie) among National Universities, according to the latest ranking by U.S. News & World Report. Duke University is ranked above Ivy League schools like Dartmouth College (18th), Brown University (9th), and Cornell University (12th).
Is Duke a hard college to get into?
Duke University is extremely selective and difficult to get into with an acceptance rate of 6%. However, you can apply during the Early Decision application cycle to increase your admission chances.
Conclusion
Duke University is a good school for any student who wants to acquire the best knowledge in different fields of study. The acceptance rate at Duke University looks for the best students from high school and other tertiary institutions.
If you are eager to join the Duke community, then you should prepare your application profile with convincing details.
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References
- U.S. News & World Report: Duke University
- TopUniversities: Duke University
- Times Higher Education: Duke University
- Crimsoneducation: Duke Acceptance Rate at 6% For Class of 2027