Admissions FAQs

• Verified AMCAS Application
• DukeMed Secondary Application
• Required four letters of recommendation
• Official MCAT scores
• Application fee ($100)

The DukeMed Secondary Application is a self-managed process and we do not send emails to you until the interview. Your current application progress can be found on the "Status" bar on the left navigation menu. 

Your current application progress can be found on the "Status" bar on the left navigation menu. 

DukeMed will see all of your MCAT test scores. We do not combine scores of the sections to make your cumulative score higher. The highest score of any single attempt will be used.

If you are planning to retake the MCAT include this note in your application. If your application was reviewed with previous MCAT scores and a decision was not made, DukeMed will re-evaluate your application once your new MCAT score is submitted.

Each applicant must submit a minimum of four (4) letters of recommendation. The letters should have a significant level of familiarity with the applicant, whether it is from the academic, research, clinical or community service environments. Letters should not be a reiteration of academic achievements or course grades.

• If your school submits a committee letter, this satisfies the four-letter rule. if you have a committee letter, you do not need to submit four letters of recommendation.
• Letters should be on letterhead, dated and signed.
• Letters must be received by the deadline of November 15th.

We require four letters of recommendation with a maximum of eight letters. If you have a committee letter, see the question above. 

AMCAS may show a different number of letters than our system. Update AMCAS to reflect the number of letters you expect us to receive and our system will automatically update. 

Update your contact information on the AMCAS application. Once updated, the DukeMed application will be automatically updated.

Updates to your secondary application can be made on the "Application Updates" bar on the left navigation menu.

Updates include accepted publications, elections to honorary societies, a new MCAT score, service or travel awards.  Please note, any academic or social infractions should be included in your application if not already denoted. 

Once your application is verified by AMCAS, an automated email will be generated by the DukeMed application system. Check your spam and junk folders. If you cannot find this email, contact the DukeMed admissions office and request an additional email.  

The DukeMed application review process is rigorous and ongoing throughout the admissions season (August - January). The status of your application can be found on the "Status" bar on the left navigation menu. A timeline of notifications is available on the MD Admissions Timeline page.

Personal characteristics and learning skills are as important as excellence in academic performance. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to service to others and to society. Applicants should demonstrate well-informed and carefully explored reasons for seeking a career in medicine.

Clinical experiences should highlight your relationship with patients and can include paid or volunteer experiences in:

• EMS/EMT
• Medical Scribing
• Hospice work
• Clinic research coordinating
• Crisis center hotline work
• Hospital Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant (MA) positions
• Shadowing (in person or virtual)

DukeMed does not have a set requirement for number of hours on clinical duties. The value of clinical work is placed in your interactions with the people that you are working/caring for during your experience. 

The minimum MCAT score is 500. While the MCAT will be one factor of your application review, we expect a minimum level of academic competency to be able to be successful in the fast-paced curriculum.

The minimum GPA is 3.0. While the GPA will be one factor of your application review, we expect a minimum level of academic competency to be able to be successful in the fast-paced curriculum.

Applicants must complete an undergraduate degree from an accredited United States University or College prior to matriculation.

DukeMed takes all majors into consideration when applying to the program

DukeMed does not require pre-requisite courses. The choice of appropriate courses will be determined by you and should prepare you for the MCAT and, more broadly, for medical school. Judgement about your preparation in this area will be based on the MCAT performance, the inclusion of sociology/psychology-based exposure(s) in your list of activities, and the quality and breadth/depth of your essays. If you are invited to interview, these experiences will contribute to discussions with our MMI raters and interactions during the interview day with faculty and students.

Any courses that are taken at community colleges and accepted at your undergraduate institution will also be accepted at DukeMed. Online courses will be accepted during the Spring, Summer and Fall 2020 semesters.

AP credits that are accepted by your undergraduate institution are also accepted as part of your medical school application.

DukeMed will consider both your undergraduate and graduate degree(s) when reviewing your application.

MCAT tests must be completed by September 13, 2025 to be considered for the upcoming 2026-27 application cycle. MCATs taken previously must be no older than 4 years at the time of application (January 2022).

October 15, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST is the last day to submit the AMCAS application.

November 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST is the last day to submit the DukeMed Secondary application.

Early application does not necessarily increase your chances of getting admitted, however it may allow you to interview earlier in the cycle.

The Admissions Committee will notify applicants of decisions in mid to late February. 

DukeMed accepts credit card or e-check payments for $100 (USD) made online via CyberSource. Once your secondary application is complete, you will be directed to pay the fee.

DukeMed Secondary Application Fee Waivers are considered only for applicants who have received an AMCAS Fee Waiver.  We do not waive the fee for any other requests.

Your fee assistance request will be approved after you submit your DukeMed Secondary Application. No payment will be required.

Forward the payment confirmation email to medadm@duke.edu for investigation.

There is limited financial aid for international students. For further details refer to the financial aid website.

DukeMed scholarship/financial aid is determined independently of your offers from other schools and as such, DukeMed does not match other scholarship/aid offers you receive from other schools.

DukeMed will hold virtual Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) on Monday through Thursday from mid-September through the end of January. You will receive an email if you have been selected for an interview.

DukeMed will send rolling invitations to interviews from September through January. During this time, if selected for an interview, you will receive an email with further details and your status will change on your secondary application. If you have not yet received an invitation to an interview, typically by the end of January, you will no longer be considered. Formal decision letters will be sent via email in mid-late February.

You must submit your application through AMCAS and indicate MD/PhD. You will be given the option on the DukeMed secondary application to choose MD/PhD (MSTP) with MD consideration or MD/PhD (MSTP) only. If you choose MD/PhD only, your application will not be reviewed by the MD program.

If you selected MD consideration on your MSTP application the MD program will review your application in conjunction with the MSTP committee review process. 

All PCLT applicants will be considered for the MD track if not considered by the PCLT program.

We will not be offering any in-person events, including tours. The campus is open if you wish to visit.

Students must have access to reliable transportation, such as a personal vehicle, in order to travel to clinical training sites located off main campus. With limited public transportation options in Durham, if you do not have a personal vehicle, you should be prepared to rely on alternate modes of transport such as Uber/Lyft or other personally-sourced modes of transportation. Please note that training at clinical sites in the community is a fundamental part of our curriculum in preparing you to care for patients and families.