Duke Announces Changes in Admissions Calculations
In February, Duke announced that they would no longer be assigning numerical rankings to standardized test scores, or the essays submitted in the application process. Previously, the Duke admissions office would consider six factors: curriculum strength, academics, recommendations, essays, extracurriculars, and test scores, to which they would assign numerical rankings with a total score of 30. These scores would be considered in the admission process.
In an email to the Duke Chronicle, the campus newspaper, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Christoph Guttentag explained the decision. He noted that the essays would no longer be assigned numerical rankings in large part due to the rise in AI-generated assistance. He emphasized that the essays would still be an important part of the application. However, the admissions office is more interested in what insights the essay can provide about the student rather than the style of the essay itself.
“Essays are very much part of our understanding of the applicant, we’re just no longer assuming that the essay is an accurate reflection of the student’s actual writing ability,” wrote Guttentag.
Ivy Link has written about this ad nauseam. AI-generated essays are bland at best. They are full of cliches and surface-level statements. They will NOT gain you admission into any competitive college. What Guttentag emphasized is what we always advise our students: the essay you write must tell the college who you are and what you will contribute to the college environment. It should be filled with insight and introspection. This is what colleges want to see in candidates.
He also noted that standardized test scores (SAT and ACT) are still considered with the application, they are just no longer being assigned a ranking. This is in large part because of the test-optional policies that were put in place during the pandemic. As of the 2023-24 cycle, the test-optional policies remain in place for Duke. Guttentag gave no indication what the testing policy will be moving forward. However, as always, we strongly encourage students to take the tests and submit high test scores!
The Duke admissions office is still assigning numerical rankings to the other four categories: academics, recommendations, extracurriculars, and curriculum strength. Guttentag was quick to acknowledge that these rankings are merely a few factors out of many considered in the admissions process.
So if you’re planning to apply to Duke, focus your essay on substance over style, and submit your test scores!
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