The Duke University School of Medicine strives to attract, educate, and guide students who have extraordinary empathy and compassion, are visionary leaders and dedicated to caring for others. We have consistently encouraged our applicants to have a broad and balanced undergraduate academic education in addition to a wealth of productive life experiences. To accomplish this growth and maturation process, a rigorous, challenging, and interdisciplinary academic preparation in the sciences and humanities is of paramount importance.
Our medical students are required to have fulfilled “academic expectations” based on competency-based, cross-disciplinary training in the traditional biomedical sciences. Students need to appreciate the influence the basic sciences have on informal training in medicine. In conjunction with the traditional preparation of the biomedical sciences, the need to understand the larger psychosocial context in which medicine plays a role requires significant exposure to the social sciences.
Duke University School of Medicine acknowledges the constant evolution of the biomedical sciences. Those aspiring for clinical and research careers must be prepared to expertly address the ever-changing healthcare environment. The faculty of the School of Medicine, knowledgeable of these constant challenges, continues to create modifications to the curriculum to align our expectations with this evolving environment of medical school.
Expectations of Applicants:
Duke University School of Medicine MD program seeks students with outstanding demonstration of the following skills and experiences:
- Rigorous academic preparation and intellectual achievement incorporating sciences and humanities
- Insight into the role that traditional biomedical sciences have in medicine
- Comprehension of social sciences to understand the psychosocial context of medicine
- Committed delivery of in person patient care through long standing clinical experiences (volunteer or paid)
- Establishment of personal first-hand relationships with patients
- Dedication to community service
- Research experience including active engagement in basic science or clinical research, contribution to a project or publication, and the ability to speak to the methods and findings
- Demonstrated empathy, compassion, commitment to learning and growth
- Capacity to inspire others through teamwork and collaboration
- Ability to engage others to creative positive change
- Adaptability to an evolving healthcare landscape
Coursework Expectations & MCAT Examination:
While not required, the courses denoted below would be helpful in your preparation for the MCAT and for the first year of our medical school curriculum. These are considered a component of the ‘academic expectations’ as part of more formal training in undergraduate or post-baccalaureate programs.
The fast-paced curriculum requires that applicants have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a score of 500 on the MCAT to be reviewed and evaluated by our committee.
Biochemistry: May be fulfilled by a single course in Biochemistry, or through coursework which incorporates principles of Biochemistry as part of an interdisciplinary course in Cell and/or Molecular Biology and/or Genetics.
Cellular Biology: May be fulfilled by a single course in Cell and/or Molecular Biology and/or Genetics.
Statistics/Biostatistics: An understanding of the application of statistical methods in the analysis of data is expected given the increasing reliance on current biomedical and healthcare research as part of the curriculum.
Physics: An understanding of the correlation of basic physics to human physiology and anatomy (e.g. physics and/or biophysics) should be completed. Labs are optional.
Sociology: An introduction to the principles of social organization, with particular emphasis on the social determinants of healthcare is expected.
Psychology: An introduction to the basic principles of psychology with emphasis on the biological basis of behavior are recommended.
Expository Writing: Experience in expository writing across the humanities, including but not limited to formal courses in English, is a fundamental element in the preparation for medicine. This may be accomplished through coursework in a number of disciplines, including but not limited to Philosophy, History, Public Policy, Political Science, Religion, etc. and may be accomplished through an Honors Thesis or completion of a major research paper.
The preliminary coursework leading up to the cross-disciplinary courses, e.g. Biochemistry, Cell/Molecular Biology, etc., will vary among colleges and universities, therefore the academic expectations as listed represent a sample of the courses we hope to see in our matriculants to the School of Medicine.
Any courses that are taken at community colleges and accepted at your undergraduate institution will also be accepted. In addition, we will consider AP coursework if approved by your undergraduate institution.
Grading: For the upcoming admissions cycle, DukeMed will accept courses from Spring, Summer, and Fall 2020 on a Pass/Fail, Pass/No Pass, and Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. In addition, DukeMed will also accept online courses. We prefer, however, that science and laboratory classes are conducted in person and for a letter grade.
MCAT: Duke requires the MCAT for acceptance consideration. MCAT tests must be completed by September 12, 2026 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 2023).
Non-Discrimination Statement
Duke is committed to encouraging and sustaining a learning and work community that is free from prohibited discrimination and harassment. Duke does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status, in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid, employment, or any other institution program or activity.