How Duke University weighs each factor in first-time, first-year admission decisions. Source: Section C7 of the official Common Data Set, verified by MyAdmitFit.
The following factors are rated Very Important — the highest possible rating in the CDS: Rigor of secondary school record, Academic GPA, Recommendation(s), Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability, Character/personal qualities. Focus your application strategy here first.
| Factor | Importance |
|---|---|
| Rigor of secondary school record | Very Important |
| Class rank | Important |
| Academic GPA | Very Important |
| Standardized test scores | Considered |
| Application essay | Considered |
| Recommendation(s) | Very Important |
| Factor | Importance |
|---|---|
| Interview | Considered |
| Extracurricular activities | Very Important |
| Talent/ability | Very Important |
| Character/personal qualities | Very Important |
| First generation | Considered |
| Alumni/ae relation | Considered |
| Geographical residence | Considered |
| State residency | Considered |
| Religious affiliation/commitment | Not Considered |
| Volunteer work | Considered |
| Work experience | Considered |
| Level of applicant's interest | Considered |
Data sourced from Duke University’s official Common Data Set. Ratings reflect the most current available CDS filing (2024–2025 academic year). CDS is published annually by each institution. MyAdmitFit verifies all entries directly from the institution’s published document. — Visit Duke University Admissions Office →
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