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Duke Offers Admission To 3,739 for Class of 2015

For the first time, students will be able to reply online to offers of admission or the opportunity to be placed on the waiting list.

More than 3,000 top high school seniors from across the country and around the world can go online at 6 p.m. Wednesday (today) to find out they have been accepted to Duke University.

Out of a record 29,689 applications this year -- an 11 percent increase over last year and a 46 percent increase over just three years ago -- 3,094 students will receive a notice of acceptance today inviting them to become members of the Class of 2015. These students have until May 1 to make their final decision. Duke's admission rate for Regular Decision applicants was 10.8 percent.

In December, 645 students were admitted under the university's binding Early Decision program.

"This was an incredibly challenging year, both for the applicants and for the staff of the admissions office," said Christoph Guttentag, dean of undergraduate admissions. "We wanted to ensure that every application received a thorough review, while being aware that we had a limited amount of time to do so."

Duke's admissions policy is "need blind" for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, meaning applicants are accepted regardless of their ability to pay for college. Duke also meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students.

All admitted students are invited to campus for Blue Devil Days, which provides the opportunity for students and their parents to discuss Duke's offerings with faculty and administrators, attend classes, and tour Duke's campus, as well as the chance to get acquainted with other members of the Class of 2015. This year, the two-day event will be held four times: on April 11-12, April 14-15, April 17-18 and April 25-26.

All students will be able to receive their decisions online, but only those students who are admitted will automatically receive mailed letters. Students who are placed on the waiting list or denied will be sent printed letters on request, or if they have not viewed their decision online within 72 hours. For the first time, students will be able to reply online to offers of admission or the opportunity to be placed on the waiting list.

"All of us were deeply impressed with the exceptional academic and personal qualities of the students who applied," Guttentag said. "I know the Duke community will be very pleased with the diverse talents, accomplishments and interests of the students who arrive here in August."