Duke University

Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is one of the nation’s most prestigious private research universities, blending academic intensity with innovation, collaboration, and global engagement. Known for excellence in engineering, business, public policy, and the sciences, Duke offers world-class opportunities within a spirited, close-knit campus community.

📊 Admissions Overview

• Freshman Applicants (2025): 51,795

• Acceptance Rate: 5.7%

• Early Decision Applicants: 6,013

• Early Decision Admitted: 1,042 (~17%)

• Admission Difficulty: Most Difficult

• Preference Given To: Children of alumni, minorities, and North Carolina residents

🎓 Who Gets In

• Class Rank: 99% of freshmen ranked in the top half of their HS class; 92% in the top 10%.

• GPA Profile: Nearly all admitted students earned unweighted GPAs near 4.0 with exceptionally rigorous coursework.

• Test Scores:
  Middle 50% SAT: 1520–1570
  Average SAT Section Scores: 740 Verbal / 770 Math
  Middle 50% ACT: 33–35+ (average 34)
  Over 99% of students scored 30+ on the ACT and 98% scored 1400+ on the SAT

📝 What Matters in Admissions

• Very Important: Academic GPA, rigor of coursework, recommendations, extracurricular activities, character/personal qualities, and talent/ability

• Important: Class rank

• Considered: Standardized test scores, essays, alumni relation, interview, state residency, first-generation status, geography, racial/ethnic background, religious affiliation, volunteer work, work experience, level of interest

• Test Policy: Test-optional (SAT/ACT considered if submitted)