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More Than 880 Early Decision Applicants Admitted to Duke

The admit rate for Early Decision was 18 percent, the most selective Early Decision process in Duke’s history

In this video, current Duke students share their acceptance day stories.

On Thursday evening, 882 high school seniors will find out they are the first members of Duke University's Class of 2023. 

This year, 4,852 students applied under Duke's Early Decision program, a record number and 19 percent more than last year. By applying Early Decision, students indicate that Duke is their first choice and commit to enroll at the university if admitted. 

Students admitted through Early Decision this year will represent 51 percent of next fall’s incoming class of 1,720. This year’s admit rate for Early Decision was 18 percent, making it the most selective Early Decision process in Duke’s history.

“We received 800 more Early Decision applicants this year,” Guttentag said, “That’s the largest one-year increase we’ve recorded. We were struck by the talents and accomplishments of so many of the students who applied this year, and had a difficult time choosing from among them. We know they’ll set the tone for an exceptional class come next August.”

Of the 882 students offered admission, 714 will enroll in the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and the remaining 168 will enroll in the Pratt School of Engineering. 

Many accepted students took to social media to share the news.

North Carolina, New York and California are the states with the greatest representation among students admitted through Early Decision, followed by Florida and Texas. Students of color comprise 46 percent of those admitted, and international students make up six percent. 

For the third year, Duke participated in the QuestBridge Scholars program, a recruitment program geared specifically toward low-income and first-generation students; 32 of the admitted Early Decision students are QuestBridge Scholars.

Students admitted this year will also be the first class to be able to apply for funding through the Duke Gap year program, which will provide financial support for students participating in a year of service between high school and college.

“Great students from all over the country -- really, all over the world -- have made Duke their first choice of colleges. They have high expectations for what they’ll find here, and I know that Duke will exceed those expectations,” Guttentag said.

For the second year in a row, Duke will offer a Blue Devil Day program specifically for students admitted in the Early Decision process, where they will be introduced to many of Duke’s signature programs and opportunities; the date will be announced in early 2019.

Starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, students will be able to receive their decisions online. Typically several hundred students view their decisions in the first several minutes. Those admitted students who applied for financial aid will also receive information about much aid they will be awarded. 

Of those who applied via Early Decision this year, 903 were deferred to the spring Regular Decision process. Last year, Duke received more than 33,000 Regular Decision applications. 

The deadline for Regular Decision applicants is Jan. 2, and final decisions will be made available to students March 30.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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