How to Apply
Each year, we recruit students from a wide range of academic and personal backgrounds. We look beyond grades, like GPA and GREs, to how well you fit into our program and our faculty, and what impact you will have on the field when you graduate. The result of our recruiting strategy is a highly competitive graduate program with outstanding, interesting, diverse, high-impact students.
Advice on Your Application
Our graduate engineering programs are very flexible--we emphasize cross-disciplinary research. As a result, we look for students who have thought in depth about the areas they want to study. It is very important that you tell us your areas of interest in the Specialization and the Statement of Purpose sections of the application. Try to be more specific than just selecting the department. For example, list interests that tie to our departmental research areas. You can also give examples of faculty members whose research is interesting to you. Doing this will help us make sure that your application is reviewed by the best faculty for you. Tell us how Duke will help you pursue your interests, and about your strengths and weaknesses. In addition, when you pick your references, be certain to find people who know you well and can recommend you and your work style.
Questions about Admissions?
Review the Frequently Asked Questions section of this website (see the navigation on the left), and feel free to contact the department's Director of Graduate Studies.
How the Admissions Process Works
M.S./Ph.D. Program
To apply to your choice(s) for engineering M.S and Ph.D. programs, complete and submit the Duke Graduate School application for admission.
For more information about Graduate School admissions and requirements, please visit the Graduate School's admissions website.
How decisions are made
The Graduate School’s Office of Admissions processes applications for admission to the M.S. and Ph.D. programs. As application materials are received, they are checked in by the Graduate School’s Admissions staff and they are made available in the Department’s electronic application review database. The faculty who are closest to your areas of interest review your qualifications, including GPA, GRE, letters of recommendation, and your fit as a researcher in our program.
Some applicants to our Ph.D. program who are currently residing in North America may be invited to come to Durham and get to know Duke, the department and our faculty. When the faculty have come to a decision on an application for admission to the M.S. or Ph.D. program, the Director of Graduate Studies will make a recommendation to the Graduate School to admit or deny that applicant. The Dean of the Graduate School will make the final decision on each individual application, and the Graduate School’s Office of Admissions will notify each applicant when the final decision is available.
Master of Engineering and Master of Engineering Management
Apply online for both the MEng and MEM program.
If you need more detail about the application process visit the MEng website or the MEM website.
How decisions are made
The Professional Masters Programs Office in Duke's Pratt School of Engineering keeps your application until it is complete - including references, transcripts, and GRE scores.
Once complete, your application will be sent to our Department and a decision will be returned.
