What We Look For

First year students waving their arms in the air with peer advisors
five students playing hacky sack

What We Look For

Duke offers a multitude of opportunities to its undergraduates. We’re looking for students ready to respond to those opportunities intelligently, creatively, and enthusiastically. We like ambition and curiosity, talent and persistence, energy and humanity.

five students playing hacky sack
First year students waving their arms in the air with peer advisors
Quote Created with Sketch.

We’re looking for students ready to respond to those opportunities intelligently, creatively, and enthusiastically. We like ambition and curiosity, talent and persistence, energy and humanity.

We’re guided initially by our assessment of five primary factors:

  • The rigor of a candidate’s academic program
  • Academic performance as measured by grades in academic courses
  • Letters of recommendation from two teachers and a counselor
  • Extracurricular activities
  • The quality of thought and expression in the application essay

SAT SCORES

1520-1570
middle 50% range for admitted students who submitted scores

DEMOGRAPHICS

58%
of students have attended public/charter schools

GEOGRAPHY

14%
of students are international
students in neon-colored tshirts shouting with their hands up
First year advisors welcome students on Move-in Day.
six students sorting food at a food bank

Required

LONG ESSAY

Get creative, be concise, and don't forget to proofread.
Learn more

Required

SHORT ESSAY

Tell us your "Why Duke".
learn more

Optional

PERSONAL ESSAY

Craft your short writing as carefully as the longer personal essay.
learn more