Duke University
The numbers a parent will ask about first.
GPA NOTEDuke does not report the average GPA of its enrolled students, but considers it a 'Very Important' factor in admissions.
METHODTotal SAT range is computed by summing the reported EBRW and Math mid-50% ranges from the school’s CDS (Section C9). Use as an approximation — a student’s actual total places them within, not at, the summed endpoints.
When and how the school reads applicants.
| Plan | Deadline | Accept rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ED | Nov 3 | 13.8% | ED: Nov 3, ~13.8% |
| RD | Jan 5 | 3.7% | RD: Jan 5, ~3.7% |
What it costs and what families actually pay.
What the student's APs are actually worth here.
Duke University awards elective credit for most AP exams with scores of 4 or 5, with the amount of credit and placement varying by department. AP credit does not exempt students from the mandatory first-year writing course, and a maximum of two AP credits can be applied toward the 34-course graduation requirement.
Every CDS factor, weighted exactly as the admissions office files it.
No factors of this type recorded for this school's CDS.
What this school says it is — in their own words.
James B. Duke’s founding Indenture of Duke University directed the members of the University to “provide real leadership in the educational world” by choosing individuals of “outstanding character, ability, and vision” to serve as its officers and faculty; by providing a “liberal education” that would encourage students to become “persons of vision, understanding and leadership”; and by promoting “an appreciation of beauty, a sensitivity to unspoken laws of the human heart, and a spirit of tolerance.”
What 'what they value' actually means at the table.
- 01Duke is looking for students who will be leaders and change-makers, not just good students.
- 02They want to see what you're passionate about and how you've pursued that passion.
- 03Your character and what you'll bring to the Duke community are just as important as your grades and test scores.
What a strong application here should signal.
- 01Demonstrate a deep and sustained commitment to a few extracurricular activities, rather than superficial involvement in many.
- 02Showcase intellectual curiosity and a love of learning for its own sake, not just for grades.
- 03Write essays that reveal your character, personality, and what you would contribute to the Duke community.
Things that hurt applicants here, even when they look fine on paper.
- Submitting a generic application that could be sent to any top university
- Lack of demonstrated interest in Duke specifically
- A focus on grades and test scores at the expense of developing personal qualities and extracurricular talents
Where this school is genuinely best-in-class.
Every date the family needs to know.
Family deadline matrix
Does effort toward this school move the needle?
Duke considers applicant's interest, as stated in their 2023-2024 Common Data Set, and values a thoughtful 'Why Duke' essay.
- “Why us” essay specificity
Write a compelling 'Why Duke' essay that demonstrates a deep understanding of the university's programs and opportunities.