Applying to Duke: Who We're Looking For

A Message from the Dean of Undergraduate Admissions:

Duke enrolls multi-faceted, multi-talented students. Every year we are fortunate enough to receive applications from thousands of the most accomplished students in the world. But we're most interested in those students who will challenge us, make original discoveries, use their leadership skills in new venues, and take advantage of the depth as well as the breadth of this university's offerings.

We want to find the ambitious and the curious, students who want to tackle issues head-on and are open to change. Duke is a community of talented learners, and we look for people who have unique qualities, who can challenge us as much as we challenge them. We want some bumps. We want some students who are well-rounded, some with sharp edges. We want people who are not afraid to undertake things that are messy, complex, and extremely difficult to do well—because they love it. We like students who already know what it means to succeed and those who know what it means to reach and not succeed and reach again. We like students who make intelligent and interesting mistakes, students who understand that only in risking failure do we become stronger, better, and smarter.

Our 6,200 undergraduates are among the most engaged, brilliant, passionate, and funny students in the world. Are you? Are you ready to learn a lot more about things you already know and everything about things you know nothing about? Are you ready to take on challenges that you aren't quite sure you can meet?

That's what Duke is, and that's what we see in our students. We want you to make real discoveries, serious contributions—even change the world. We want to help you achieve your very best. That kind of openness provides the most valuable undergraduate education and it's part of what we look for in our applicants.

Good luck with your college decision process. We look forward to hearing from you soon.