Early Decision (ED) 

November 4

Regular Decision (RD)

January 2  

College Questions
What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there's something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (Max 250 words)

Optional Short Essays
We want to emphasize that the following questions are optional. Feel free to answer one or two if you believe that doing so will add something meaningful that is not already shared elsewhere in your application. Five optional questions are available - a maximum of 2 can be selected. (Max 250 words)

1. Perspective response: We believe a wide range of viewpoints, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making Duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.

2. Intellectual experience: Tell us about an experience in the past year or two that reflects your imagination, creativity, or intellect. Five optional questions are available - a maximum of 2 can be selected. (Max 250 words)

3. Beliefs & values: We believe there is benefit in sharing and sometimes questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with? What are you agreeing or disagreeing about? 

4. Orientation, identity, expression: Duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community.

5. Being different: We recognize that not fully “fitting in” a community or place can sometimes be difficult. Duke values the effort, resilience, and independence that may require. Feel free to share with us circumstances where something about you is different and how that’s influenced your experiences or identity. 

Artistic Supplements

If you have exceptional talent in dance, music, photography, film/video/digital, or theater, you may submit optional arts supplement(s) to be evaluated by a Duke University faculty member in that program or department. Typically, such submissions should demonstrate extraordinary talent beyond standard high school level accomplishment. Arts supplement applicants have often received significant awards and honors at a state, national, or international level. Consider carefully whether your supplemental materials demonstrate unusual talent before submission. For more information about what we look for, you may reach out to the departments directly. 

About Duke

 • Ranked #7 

 • Durham, NC 

 • Founded in 1838 

 • Private institution 

 • Total undergraduate enrollment in 2024: 6,418 

 • 7% acceptance rate

School Is Known For 

 • Research 

 • Highly ranked programs: 

           •  School of Medicine 

           • School of Law Pratt 

           • School of Engineering 

           • Fuqua School of Business Sanford 

           • School of Public Policy 

           • School of Nursing  

 •  Notable alumni include Melinda Gates, co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; former NBA player Carlos Boozer; and former U.S. Congressman and three-time presidential candidate Ron Paul

Culture 

• Durham, North Carolina surrounds Duke's campus; offers a variety of activities including shopping, dining and entertainment
• Students at Duke are required to live on campus for their first three years. Freshmen live together on the East Campus.
• The Duke Blue Devils: Fierce rivalry with the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Tar Heels.
• Outstanding men’s basketball program More than 700 student groups