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More Than 3,100 High School Students Apply Early to Duke

Applicants who apply through this process commit to enroll at the university if they receive an offer of admission.

More than 3,100 high school seniors have applied to Duke University this year under its Early Decision program, the second largest number in Duke’s history.The 3,146 applicants who are applying through this process have identified Duke as their first choice college and commit to enroll at the university if they receive an offer of admission in December. Last year, Duke admitted 797 Early Decision candidates, about 47 percent of the incoming class.“We’re pleased at the number of students who have already decided that Duke is their absolute top choice for college,” said Christoph Guttentag, dean of undergraduate admissions. "These are students who have outstanding academic and personal qualities, and who are excited at the prospect of attending Duke.  They’ve applied from all 50 states and from 62 countries, and we look forward to reading their applications and hearing their stories.”Last year, Duke received record numbers of Early Decision applications (3,180) and Regular Decision applications (more than 29,000). Guttentag anticipates Duke receiving a large number of Regular Decision applications again this year.“Because of the number and quality of Early Decision applicants last year, we were able to admit about 50 more students in December than we had the previous year. The number we admit this year will depend entirely on the qualities of the students applying,” he said. “We don’t go into the Early Decision process with a particular goal in mind; we’ll admit those students who we believe are the best match for Duke."At the same time, we realize that there will be a considerable number of applicants who would be terrific Duke students and who aren't ready or able to make that level of commitment, and we always leave room in the class for those exceptional Regular Decision applicants we’ll receive later in the year.”  Guttentag said an increased number of students applied early to the Pratt School of Engineering. “It speaks to the greater visibility that the Pratt school is enjoying, and the appreciation of the interdisciplinary education the Pratt School provides,” he said. Top states for applicants are North Carolina, New York, California, Florida, New Jersey and Virginia.Students who applied Early Decision should learn in mid-December whether they have been accepted. Duke's deadline for Regular Decision applications is Jan. 1.