Duke University, renowned for its excellence in education and research, offers Merit Entrance Scholarships to high-achieving first-year undergraduate students.
These prestigious scholarships are designed to fully cover the cost of a Duke education, enabling talented students from diverse backgrounds to pursue their studies without financial barriers.
Overview:
The Merit Entrance Scholarships at Duke University cover the full cost of attendance for four years of full-time undergraduate study. This includes tuition, mandatory fees, room, and board. These scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, leadership, community involvement, and other talents. All first-year applicants to Duke University are automatically considered for these scholarships, so there is no need to submit a separate application.
Scholarship Benefits
- Full Tuition Coverage: The scholarship covers 100% of tuition fees for the entire duration of the undergraduate program (four years).
- Mandatory Fees: All mandatory student fees, which may include health services, student activities, and technology fees, are fully paid for.
- Room and Board: On-campus housing and meal plans are fully covered by the scholarship, ensuring students can focus on their academic and extracurricular pursuits without worrying about living expenses.
Application Deadlines
To be considered for the Merit Entrance Scholarships, students must apply for admission to Duke University by the specified deadlines:
- Early Decision Deadline: November 4, 2024. Early decision applicants have a binding agreement with the university, meaning that if they are accepted, they must attend Duke.
- Regular Decision Deadline: January 2, 2025. Regular decision applicants are free to apply to other universities and are not obligated to attend Duke if accepted.
Application Process
There is no separate application for the Merit Entrance Scholarships. All first-year applicants to Duke University are automatically considered for these scholarships when they apply for admission. To apply for undergraduate admission:
- Submit the Duke University Application: Students must complete the Common Application or the Coalition Application. Both applications require personal information, academic history, and extracurricular activities.
- Indicate Your Interest in Duke: While filling out the application, ensure that you have thoroughly detailed your academic achievements, leadership roles, community service, and any awards or recognitions received.
- Additional Documents: Submit the required supporting documents, including recommendation letters and essays, as detailed below.
Application Links
- Apply to Duke University: Duke University Admissions Application
- Learn More About Scholarships: Merit Scholarships for Incoming First-Year Students
Eligibility Criteria
- First-Year Applicants: The Merit Entrance Scholarships are open to all first-year applicants to Duke University. This includes both domestic and international students.
- Automatic Consideration: All students who apply to Duke by the admissions deadline are automatically considered for the Merit Entrance Scholarships. There is no need to submit a separate scholarship application.
Test-Optional Policy for 2024-2025 Admissions Cycle:
Duke University has adopted a test-optional policy for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. This means that students do not need to submit SAT or ACT scores when applying. Regardless of whether a student submits test scores, the admissions committee will consider their application fairly, using a holistic review of other materials such as academic records, recommendation letters, essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Other Application Requirements
- Recommendation Letters: Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation: One from a school counselor who can speak to the applicant’s overall character, academic performance, and leadership potential. Two letters from teachers who have taught the student in core academic subjects (English, math, social studies, science, or foreign languages) during their last two years of high school. For applicants to the Pratt School of Engineering, at least one of these letters must come from a math or science teacher.
- Professional Educational Résumé: As part of the application, students should provide a list of up to 10 extracurricular activities. These may include participation in sports, clubs, volunteer work, leadership roles, internships, or artistic pursuits. The activities should reflect the student’s interests, skills, and contributions outside the classroom.
- Essays: The Common Application and Coalition Application both require students to submit a personal essay (one page), which offers an opportunity for applicants to share personal stories, experiences, and ambitions.
- Additionally, Duke University requires students to answer supplemental essay questions, which are unique to Duke and focus on the applicant’s interest in the school and how they plan to contribute to the Duke community.
- Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee is required. However, students who demonstrate financial need may request a fee waiver during the application process.
- English Language Proficiency Tests: Duke University requires international students from non-English speaking countries to demonstrate English proficiency. Accepted tests include the IELTS or TOEFL. However, for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, Duke is test-optional for English proficiency tests as well, meaning applicants will not be penalized for not submitting these scores.
Admissions Selection Process
Duke University employs a holistic admissions process, meaning that the selection of scholarship recipients is not based on test scores alone, but rather on the complete picture of the student’s achievements, experiences, leadership, and personal qualities. The university seeks students who will contribute positively to the Duke community, both academically and socially.
Further Information
For additional details on the application process, admissions requirements, and merit scholarships, you can visit:
- Duke Admissions Requirements Page: Admissions Requirements
- Duke Merit Scholarships: Merit Scholarships for First-Year Students
This scholarship offers a unique opportunity for talented students to experience world-class education at Duke University, one of the leading institutions in the United States, without financial strain.
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