This guide covers everything you need to know about how to get into Duke University, including its acceptance rates, key deadlines, application requirements, and admissions tips.
If you’re just looking for the application requirements, click here.
Duke University has an acceptance rate of around 4.7%. Around 60,000 students applied to the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, and only 2,802 students were offered admission. That means Duke University’s rejection rate is 95.3%.
Duke University’s Early Decision (ED) acceptance rate is 12.8%. Over 6,600 students applied ED in the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, and only 849 students were accepted to Duke via ED.
Getting into Duke University is extremely challenging. In the recent admissions cycle, Duke admitted fewer than 5 in every 100 applicants.
Take our data-driven quiz to get a better understanding of your chances of getting into Duke.
Duke University applicants must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement to be competitive.
While Duke doesn’t report a formal average GPA, admitted students typically earn near-perfect grades. A GPA of 3.9 or higher is recommended to score competitively.
Duke reported a middle 50% SAT score range of 1520 to 1570 for the Class of 2028. To be a competitive applicant, aim for a score above 1570.
The middle 50% ACT score range for Duke’s Class of 2028 was 34 and 35. To maximize your chances of acceptance, target an ACT score of 35 or higher.
Duke University looks for strong academic and non-academic profiles in successful students.
Duke University hasn’t released a Common Data Set (CDS) report since 2021-2022. According to the last published CDS, Duke University marks the Rigor of your Secondary School Record, your Class Rank, your Academic GPA, your Standardized Test Scores, Essays, and Recommendations to be ‘Very Important’.
Although Duke University rated essays and standardized test scores as ‘Very Important’ in its 2021-2022 CDS, that emphasis has recently shifted. As of the 2023-2024 cycle, Duke no longer assigns numerical ratings to essays or test scores.
Until recently, Duke University used a numerical scoring system to evaluate applicants across six categories:
Each of these areas was scored on a 1–5 scale, and the totals contributed to an overall evaluation score out of 30. Now, that scoring system has changed.
According to Duke University’s Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Christoph Guttentag, the admissions office no longer assigns numerical values to essays and test scores. He explained that the change was prompted in part by the increasing use of generative AI tools:
“We’re just no longer assuming that the essay is an accurate reflection of the student’s actual writing ability,” he wrote. “Essays are very much part of our understanding of the applicant … [but] content and insight matter more than style.”
Duke University now gives numerical ratings only to the following four areas:
These four areas are considered more reliable indicators of a student’s consistent effort, character, and potential.
The removal of numerical ratings does not mean essays and test scores are unimportant. It means that Duke considers them in the context of your full application. Here’s how to approach these elements:
The Duke University admissions committee ranks an applicant’s Extracurriculars, Talent, Character, and Personal Qualities as ‘Very Important’.
The Interview, your First-Generation status, Alumni/ae Relations, Geographical Residency, State Residency, Religious Affiliation, Volunteer and Work experience, and Level of Interest in the school are also ‘Considered’ in the application process.
The ideal Duke University applicant demonstrates ambition, collaboration, intellectual curiosity, resilience, and fit with Duke’s community.
Here’s a table summarizing the key traits Duke looks for and how to show them:
Here are Duke University’s admissions requirements, as well as key admissions details and deadlines:
Duke University doesn’t have specific course requirements. However, students are recommended to complete four years of English and at least three years of mathematics, natural sciences, world language, and social studies.
To improve your chances of getting into Duke University, take the most rigorous courses available, show genuine intellectual curiosity, highlight moments where you supported your peers, and share stories of persistence and leadership.
If you're a first-generation college student, explain how that shaped you and what you’ll contribute to Duke University.
Here’s a closer look at Duke University’s most valued traits and how to demonstrate them in your application:
In a Duke Research Blog titled Secrets From Duke Admissions, Duke’s Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Christoph Guttentag, explains that Duke:
“... looks for students who are ambitious but celebrate each other’s success. While they are excited about their learning, they see no conflict between enjoying oneself and fulfilling responsibilities.”
To show these traits, you should:
Guttentag says Duke students are “prepared but not complete,” arriving academically ready but eager to learn and grow.
Duke’s selection process page further demonstrates this by saying Duke expects students to take “the best available and most challenging courses,” usually five academic classes yearly. These classes often include AP, IB, or honors courses.
To show these traits, you should:
Duke’s selection process page also emphasizes “ambition and curiosity, talent and persistence, energy and humanity.” The school values students who overcome obstacles, deeply engage in their interests, and show empathy and leadership.
To show these traits, you should:
The CDS notes that Duke considers first-generation college status when evaluating applicants. Being the first in your family to attend college shows determination and brings valuable perspective to Duke’s diverse campus.
To show your first-generation status, you should:
Yes, Duke University is test-optional through the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. Submitting strong SAT or ACT scores can strengthen your application, but scores are not required for admission.
Yes, Duke offers optional, virtual alumni interviews. Alumni interviews are assigned based on availability, so not every applicant will receive one. Not receiving an interview won’t hurt your chances of admission.
Although it’s unlikely, it is possible to get into Duke with a 3.5 GPA. This GPA is below the average for most admitted students, especially given the competitiveness of Duke’s applicant pool. While there is no official GPA cutoff, Duke places high importance on both GPA and academic rigor, according to its Common Data Set.
To be competitive with a 3.5, you need to show that your GPA reflects the difficulty of your coursework, such as AP, IB, or honors classes, and not a lack of effort.
You should also demonstrate strong academic potential through other areas of your application, such as high test scores (if submitted), academic awards, research projects, or advanced learning outside of school.
Admissions officers will consider the context of your GPA, including your school’s grading scale and available opportunities. However, you’ll need to present a compelling case in the rest of your application to make up for a lower GPA.
To craft a compelling Duke application, you need to highlight both your academic rigor and personal character. Our Duke University admissions counselors can help you tell your story clearly, strategically, and in a way that resonates with Duke’s holistic review process.
Book a free consultation today to get started on your standout Duke application.
