How to Apply
Each year, we recruit students from a wide range of academic and personal backgrounds. The result of our recruiting strategy is a highly competitive graduate program with outstanding, interesting, diverse and high-impact students.
Advice for all applicants
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 Statement of Purpose sections of the application. Work to be as specific as you can.
For example:
- List interests that tie to our departmental research areas
- Give examples of faculty members whose research you find interesting
- Tell us how Duke will help you pursue your interests and achieve your goals
Questions about Admissions?
Review our Frequently Asked Questions and feel free to contact the department's Director of Graduate Studies or Director of Master's Studies for MS and MEng programs.
application links
Doctoral (PhD) Programs
Through The Graduate School at Duke
To apply to your choice(s) for engineering PhD 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 PhD 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 PhD 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 PhD program, the Director of Graduate Studies will make a recommendation to the Graduate School. The Dean of the Graduate School will make the final decision, and the Graduate School’s Office of Admissions will notify each applicant when the final decision is available.
Master of Science (MS) Programs
Through The Graduate School at Duke
To apply to your choice(s) for engineering MS 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 MS programs. As application materials are received, they are checked in by The Graduate School’s Admissions staff and 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.
When the faculty have come to a decision on an application for admission to the MS program, the Director of Master's Studies will make a recommendation to the Graduate School. The Dean of the Graduate School makes 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 (MEng) and Master of Engineering Management (MEM)
Through our Professional Master's Program
Apply online for both the MEng and MEM program through our Professional Master's 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.