Admissions FAQs

• Verified AMCAS Application
• Duke SOM Supplemental Application (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 a 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.

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

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 reviewed, 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 reviewed, 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 prior to matriculation.

Duke Medicine takes all majors into consideration when applying to the program

DukeMed does not require pre-requisites for course completion at DukeMed. The choice of appropriate courses is the student’s and should prepare them not only for the MCAT but also broadly for the environment in which students will increasingly be expected to practice medicine. Any judgment 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.

You can choose best how to prepare for your MCAT test.

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.

Duke University School of Medicine, because of its unique curriculum, does not accept transfer students except under very compelling personal family circumstances as determined by the Vice Dean for Education and Associate Dean for Admissions. Students who wish to transfer must complete their basic science education and can only enter at the clinical education year and only when there is an open seat in the clinical year (Year Two) at Duke University School of Medicine.

Applicants who have done their undergraduate studies in Canada are considered in the same manner as United States citizens. Financial aid is limited for students who are not American citizens.

DukeMed considers international students and requires completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited United States university or Canadian University, or if the undergraduate degree is from a foreign college at least completed two years of university work, minimum of 48 credit hours at an American-accredited university or college before submitting your application.

The MD/PhD program does not consider international candidates.

International students are considered for admission to DukeMed without regard to their country of origin.

Eligible applicants to DukeMed include individuals who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services at the time of their application as well as undocumented students. If admitted, undocumented students could be eligible for institutional financial aid on the basis of financial need.

We do accept applicants who have attended schools outside of the US as long as the schools are accredited by the US. If not, the applicant should have completed at least two years of university work at an American-accredited university or college before 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.

Admissions Committee will notify applicants of its decisions in mid-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.

Duke Secondary Application Fee Waivers are considered for applicants who have received an AMCAS Fee Waiver. To be considered for a Duke Secondary Application Fee Waiver you must have been approved for the AMCAS Fee Waiver Assistance Program.

Your fee assistance request will be approved after you submit your completed Supplemental application. No payment will be required.

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) this year. We will hold interviews Monday through Thursday from mid-September through the end of January. DukeMed Office of Admissions will contact you via 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 traditional 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.

We do not offer an undergraduate program in medicine. All students accepted into our School of Medicine are required to have completed at least an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university before applying to medical school. There are some schools that have combined undergraduate/MD programs and the AAMC website could provide more details on those programs and requirements.

Students must have access to reliable transportation, such as personal vehicles, 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.