Duke University offers admission to 3,372 for Class of 2014

http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/6877168/article-Duke-University-offers-admission-to-3-372-for-Class-of-2014?instance=breaking_news

DURHAM -- Close to 3,400 high school seniors can go online at 6 p.m. today to find out if they have been accepted to Duke University.



Out of a record 26,770 applications this year -- an 11 percent increase over last year -- 3,372 students will receive a notice of acceptance today inviting them to become members of the Class of 2014. These students have until May 1 to make their final decision. Duke’s admission rate for regular decision applicants was 13 percent.



Six hundred students were admitted in December under the university’s binding early decision program.



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 2014. This year, the two-day event will be held five times: on April 5-6, April 8-9, April 11-12, April 20-21 and April 25-26.



“We’re very excited about the students we were able to admit; at the same time we’re quite aware that we’re also going to be disappointing a great number of exceptionally qualified students,” said Christoph Guttentag, dean of undergraduate admissions. “My colleagues and I were surprised by the sharp increases we’ve seen in applications over the last two years, particularly given the state of the economy. It’s made the admissions process even less predictable for families than it used to be.”



Technology is changing the traditional “fat vs. thin” letters that are anxiously anticipated by prospective students. Following up on a precedent that began last year, all students will be able to receive their decisions online, but only those students who were 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.



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.