Admissions
Getting in, fall 2026
Duke admits about 1 in 21 applicants (4.7%). That puts it in the "Ultra selective" tier, more selective than 99% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (5.7% and 5.7%).
$85 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Yield
59% of admitted students enroll, one of the highest nationally.
Uses a wait list; numbers not published
Applying early
Offers early decision. The college doesn't publish how many apply or are admitted early.
Apply by Nov 1; decisions by Dec 15
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
Where you stand
How Duke reads a record
and GPA are both very important; class rank is important; tests are considered. Scores are optional. 48% of first-years sent an SAT and 27% an ACT. Requires 4 years of English, 3 of math, 3 of science, and 3 of social studies. See the years by subject
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Important | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Important | ||||
| Recommendations | Very important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Very important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Very important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required
Transferring in
8.7% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 4.7% of first-year applicants
1,812 applied · 157 admitted
Transfers may start in the fall.
At least 8 per credit completed to apply as a transfer.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: priority date March 15, apply by May 15, decisions by June 1
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 2 for fall 2026.
- Decisions are sent by April 1.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within a set number of weeks if admitted later.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 2 years.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Requires a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 3 |
| Science | 3 |
| Foreign language | 3 |
| Social studies | 3 |
| Total | 16* |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science. *Added up from the subjects listed; the college didn't give a total.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1540 on the SAT, 370 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students who entered in fall 2024.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
Nearly all who sent an SAT (96%) scored 1400 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (98%) scored 30 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an SAT (96%) scored 700 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an SAT (96%) scored 700 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (98%) scored 30 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (94%) scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 48% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 27% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:Duke University (Fall 2026), Fall 2026;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Duke University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;Duke University Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Duke University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)