Duke Accepts 800 Early Decision Applicants

On Saturday, 800 students learned they will be the first members of Duke University’s Class of 2027.

Of these, 634 plan to enroll in the Trinity School of Arts & Sciences, and 166 in the Pratt School of Engineering, said Christoph Guttentag, dean of admissions.

Guttentag said 745 of the admitted students had applied as Early Decision applicants, indicating that Duke is their first choice and committing to enroll at the university if admitted; 55 identified as QuestBridge scholars and were admitted through the QuestBridge National College Match program.

Duke received 4,855 early decision applications, an increase of 20 percent over last year’s total, and the second highest number of Early Decision applicants at Duke. The new students represent a 16.5 percent admit rate, compared to 21 percent last year, Guttentag said.

The states most represented by the early decision admits are North Carolina, New York, California, Texas and Florida. Ten percent are international students, and 52 percent identify as students of color. Of the Early Decision admissions, 57.5 percent are female.

“We were struck in particular by the personal qualities and commitments of the students admitted Early Decision this year,” Guttentag said. “They are community-minded, eager to make a difference, and committed to the environment and sustainability. We are also pleased to have matched with a record number of QuestBridge applicants this year. We’re excited by the way they will be setting the standards for the students we’ll be admitting in the spring.”