Duke University
Top private university in Durham, NC known for basketball and pre-med. Founded in 1838 as Trinity College and renamed Duke in 1924 after a family endowment, the university is built around the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences and the Pratt School of Engineering. Duke Basketball and Cameron Indoor Stadium are central to campus culture, but Duke is equally known for strength in public policy, pre-med, and the DukeEngage service program. Strong in everything from business to the arts.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education. Figures reflect the most recently published class — always confirm current-cycle numbers on Duke's official admissions site before applying.
What SAT/ACT Scores Do Admitted Students Have?
The middle 50% of Duke's admitted students scored within these ranges:
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (25th–75th percentile of admitted students). Get your own personalized chance estimate →
Will You Get Into Duke?
This estimate compares the test score you enter against Duke's real published middle-50% band (1500–1570 SAT, 34–35 ACT) and its 5.7% acceptance rate to produce a Safety, Target, or Reach label. It intentionally does not use GPA — no institution publishes real per-school GPA distribution data, so we don't invent one.
With only a 5.7% acceptance rate, Duke is a reach for almost every applicant, regardless of test scores.
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Source: Duke admissions, 2026–27 (fall 2027 entry), verified Oct 2026.
Required Supplements
- Common App or Coalition
- Duke Supplement
- School Report
- Teacher Evaluation
Optional but recommended:
- Interviews
Requirements vary by cycle. Confirm what Duke currently asks for on its official admissions site.
What Should Your Duke Essay Focus On?
- Show intellectual vitality — Duke wants curious students
- Demonstrate fit with Duke's specific programs
- The "Duke community" prompt is crucial
- Be authentic about your genuine interests
What Is Duke Looking For in Applicants?
- Academic excellence across a genuinely broad range, since Duke spans everything from pre-med to public policy to the arts
- Fit with a culture that blends serious academics with high-energy campus traditions like Duke Basketball
- Genuine, specific enthusiasm for Duke rather than reasons that could apply to any similarly ranked school
- A believable plan to contribute to campus life, whether through the DukeEngage program, a specific school, or student organizations
See where you stand at Duke.
Skora estimates your chances from Duke's acceptance rate and its admitted students' test scores, then gives you feedback on every essay. Free to start.
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