Alumni interviews are an optional part of the Duke application process. While we’d love to interview every applicant, the high volume of applications means we can’t offer interviews to all students. The Admissions Office prioritizes interviews for those applicants where additional context is helpful, but rest assured—not receiving an interview will not affect your chances of admission.
How it Works
All interviews are conducted virtually or by phone by Duke alumni who volunteer their time. They are not employed by the Admissions Office and do not have access to your application, academic records, or other admissions-related information. Importantly, alumni interviewers cannot predict or influence your chances of admission.
We strive to assign alumni interviewers based on your location, but there may be instances where assignments are made differently. Our goal is to ensure that your interview is a productive and comfortable experience.
In the rare case that you’re assigned to an interviewer you know personally, please let us know, and we’ll be happy to reassign you. While we do our best to ensure interviewers do not have prior connections to applicants, we understand that this can occasionally happen. In such cases, interviewers are asked to recuse themselves, and a new interviewer will be assigned.
What to Expect
The virtual or phone interview should feel more like a relaxed conversation, where you can discuss your interests and aspirations, and ask the alumnus/a questions about Duke. It’s a great opportunity to get to know Duke better and provide additional context about yourself beyond the written application.
Timeline
- Early Decision interviews begin in late October and continue through early November.
- Regular Decision interviews take place from early December to late February.
