Applying to Duke: Who We're Looking For: What We Seek

Our Process | What We Seek | Class of 2011 Profile

Every year, roughly 19,000 of the world's best students apply to Duke. They come from public, private, and parochial schools, and from all points on the economic, political, and geographic spectrum. Most have graduated in the top 10 percent of their secondary school class. These top students are attracted to Duke for its academic challenge, stimulating campus environment, and reputation for educating men and women of influence and achievement. From those 19,000 students, Duke's Admissions Committee selects a first-year class of about 1,660 women and men.

First, please understand that there is no required minimum standardized test score or class rank.

Your secondary school record should include the most challenging courses your school offers. We recommend four years of English and at least three years of mathematics, natural science, foreign language, and social studies. We also encourage you to enroll in advanced-level work in as many of these areas as possible. We generally expect students to enroll in five academic courses per year, and if a student does not take four years in a particular subject area, it should be replaced with an academic course of equal rigor. If you are applying to the Pratt School of Engineering, calculus is required before you enroll. We also strongly recommend, but do not require, that you have taken physics.

Successful Duke applicants typically have significant extracurricular commitments, all of which we value. Most students admitted to Duke have demonstrated, in a word, impact. In some venue they have made a difference. It might be in the classroom, in the community, or on the athletic field. It could be doing one thing brilliantly, or several things exceedingly well.

We do not track the number of contacts or visits to campus an applicant has made. Although we are always glad when students visit campus, demonstrated interest is not an advantage in the admissions process. We prefer to focus on a student's strengths and accomplishments.

We do not report average SAT or ACT scores. But we can tell you the middle 50 percent range of our admitted students last year scored between 690 and 770 on the SAT Verbal/Critical Reading Test, between 690 and 800 on the SAT Math Test, and between 680 and 770 on the SAT Writing Test. That means 25 percent of them scored below the lowest part of the range while 25 percent scored above the top part of the range. The equivalent range on the ACT is 29 to 34. We do not have a minimum required score for either the SAT or ACT.

Likewise, we do not quote an average grade point average. We ask for a student’s GPA and class rank, when available, but we also realize that many schools consider GPA on different scales and some schools do not consider GPA or class rank at all. We consider this information in the context of what guidance counselors tell us about their schools.

Duke's SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and ACT policy