Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I've been researching Duke as one of my top choices. I know they're a highly selective school, but I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight into what SAT scores would make me a competitive applicant there? Thanks in advance!
Hello! You're right that Duke is indeed a highly selective school. To be considered a competitive applicant, it's important to be in the range of SAT scores that Duke typically admits. According to their most recent publicly available data, here is a breakdown of the middle 50% of admitted students' SAT scores:
- Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 730-770
- Math: 750-800
These ranges indicate that 25% of admitted students scored lower than the mentioned ranges, and 25% scored higher. However, being within the middle 50% range does not guarantee admission, nor does scoring outside of it automatically disqualify you. Duke University uses a holistic admissions process, which means they'll consider your essays, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and other achievements, in addition to your SAT scores and academic record.
To increase your chances of admission, aim to score at least within the middle 50% range for both sections, but remember, the higher your score, the better. If you're able to get scores in the 75th percentile or above (around a 770 or higher for reading and writing, and an 800 for math), that would be even more favorable. Keep in mind that all applicants have unique strengths and weaknesses, and your other application materials will also play a significant role in the admissions process.
Best of luck as you continue researching and preparing for college applications!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.