Duke University has received almost 18,500 applications for the 1,665 places in the class that will enter Duke this fall -- the second largest applicant pool in the school's history.
The total of 18,495 applicants was exceeded only by last year's total of 19,387, and represents 1,748 more applications, or an increase of 10.4 percent, compared to three years ago.
"For a long time we've been fortunate to have many more students applying than we can admit," said Christoph Guttentag, dean of undergraduate admissions. "I'm pleased that we're close to last year's record. The size and scope of the applicant pool this year reflects the continued recognition on the part of students and their families of Duke's academic and intellectual opportunities. We know too from talking with students that the university's sense of energy and spirit are an important part of what makes Duke so appealing. The admissions staff, along with alumni and current students, does a terrific job of describing how our undergraduates can create an outstanding educational experience that reflects their particular interests and passions."
During the next three months, admissions officers will read and evaluate each of the applications. "While people sometimes think we care only about academic qualifications, the selection process takes so long because the staff is dedicated to understanding each applicant as a unique individual, not just as a student," Guttentag said. "We want to give our applicants all the attention they deserve."
As in previous years, in early April the admissions office will notify applicants of its admissions decisions online as well as through the mail. The university expects 1,665 of the admitted students to enroll this fall, including the 475 who were admitted in December through the Early Decision program. While the university received 20 percent fewer Early Decision applications this year compared to last year, the drop in Regular Decision applications from last year to this year is less than 3.3 percent.
High school seniors apply either to the university's Trinity College of Arts and Sciences or the Pratt School of Engineering. This year's applicant pool includes 15,831 applicants to Trinity College and 2,664 applicants to the Pratt School, numbers that may grow slightly in the coming months, Guttentag said.
A record 1,756 students have applied from North and South Carolina, and more than 700 applicants are children of Duke alumni. This year's pool of applicants also includes 1,252 Latino students, 2,037 African-American students and 4,995 Asian and Asian-American students.
"The number of students of color applying to Duke continues to increase; as a result Duke now has one of the most diverse student bodies of any of the nation's leading private universities," Guttentag said.
In addition, 2,141 international students have applied for admission, up from 1,985 last year and nearly double the number of international applicants five years ago.
"Since the university expanded its financial aid program several years ago to include international students, we've seen a steady increase in the number of students from foreign countries who are interested in Duke," Guttentag said.
Although it is too soon to assess the overall strength of the applicant pool, indications are this will be among the most qualified group of applicants in Duke's history, Guttentag said.
"That is something of a good news-bad news situation," he said. "It's wonderful that so many intelligent, accomplished students are interested in attending Duke, but it means we'll need to deny admission to a good number of students whom we would have admitted just a few years ago."
As in previous years, many of the applicants applied for financial aid. More than 40 percent of Duke undergraduates receive financial assistance from the university in the form of grants, loans and work-study jobs. The average aid package for students receiving need-based financial aid in 2006-2007 is more than $24,000. The cost to attend Duke, including room and board, is $43,075 in 2006-2007.
For U.S. citizens and permanent residents, Duke's admissions policy is "need blind," which means that applicants are accepted regardless of their ability to pay for college. Duke will meet 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students requiring aid.