Receiving an invitation to interview with Duke University is an exciting step in the admissions process. Known for its strong sense of community, collaborative spirit, and commitment to service, Duke uses interviews to better understand applicants’ character, values, and how they might contribute to campus life.
This guide will walk you through what to expect from a Duke interview, how to prepare, what interviewers look for, and tips for standing out. Later in this guide, you’ll also find a full list of sample questions with guidance on how to answer them.
How the Duke Interview Works
Duke interviews are conducted by alumni from the Duke Alumni Admissions Advisory Committee (AAAC). Because interviews depend on volunteer availability, not every applicant will receive one. Duke emphasizes that not being offered an interview will never hurt your chances of admission.
Most interviews are:
- 30–60 minutes
- Virtual or in-person depending on where you live
- Casual and conversational
- Focused on your experiences, goals, and personality
Your interviewer submits a brief report that highlights your strengths, interests, and overall impression as opposed to a score or rating.
Who Receives a Duke Interview?
Not every applicant is offered an interview. The availability of alumni volunteers in your area is a major factor. Regions with strong alumni networks tend to have more interview slots.
Again, not receiving a Duke interview does not negatively affect your application. Interviews are optional, but they offer a valuable opportunity to demonstrate your personality, interests, and fit with Duke’s community.
During the Duke Interview: What It Feels Like
Most Duke interviews feel like a friendly conversation with a mentor or friend. Expect questions about:
- Your academic interests
- Your favorite activities
- Projects you’re proud of
- Experiences that have changed you
- Your values and what motivates you
- Why you see Duke as a strong fit
See below for a full list of potential interview questions.
What to Do Before Your Duke Interview
Preparing doesn’t mean memorizing a script. Instead, focus on self-reflection and research.
Research Duke’s Programs
Review opportunities you might be excited about, such as:
- DukeEngage (service-focused global experiences)
- The Focus Program (first-year interdisciplinary clusters)
- Bass Connections (research teams tackling social and scientific problems)
Knowing specifics helps you articulate why Duke fits your goals.
Identify Stories That Show Who You Are
Interviewers remember stories, not lists of accomplishments. Think about examples that show:
- A challenge you overcame
- A moment you helped someone or led a team
- A time when curiosity pushed you to learn more
- An experience that shaped your values
Prepare Questions for Your Interviewer
Strong questions can demonstrate genuine interest and preparation. Consider asking about traditions, student communities, research opportunities, or interdisciplinary experiences. See more below!
Practice Staying Conversational
Duke interviewers want to get to know the relaxed version of you. Practice speaking naturally, listening actively, and responding honestly.
Duke Interview Questions + Answer Guide
Here are some questions you might expect during your Duke interview:
Why Duke University?
Be specific and thoughtful. Mention programs, professors, or traditions that inspire you, such as Bass Connections, the Focus Program, DukeEngage, or the culture within Trinity and Pratt. Connect Durham and the Research Triangle to internships and research. Explain how Duke’s spirit of collaboration, intellectual adventure, and service fits your goals and learning style.
What do you do for fun when no one is watching?
Share a real, small window into your life that shows joy, curiosity, or discipline. It could be sketching, coding puzzles, cooking, or learning new guitar riffs. Explain what the habit reveals about your personality and how it helps you recharge. Duke values authenticity, balance, and students who bring warmth to community life.
What brings you joy or gives you energy?
Describe activities that light you up and why. You might mentor younger students, train for a sport, compose music, or volunteer on weekends. Connect the feeling of energy to how you learn and collaborate. Duke appreciates students who create positive momentum and lift peers through enthusiasm, gratitude, and consistent effort.
What frustrates you most about the world right now?
Choose an issue that truly matters to you, such as health equity, misinformation, or environmental justice. Explain the roots of your frustration, then pivot to what you are doing or hope to do about it. Duke values compassion joined with initiative, realistic planning, and willingness to partner across disciplines to make progress.
Tell me about a moment when you changed your mind.
Describe a situation where listening and new evidence shifted your perspective. Explain what you misjudged, how you noticed it, and what you did differently afterward. Duke looks for humility and intellectual honesty. Show that you invite challenge, welcome dialogue, and can adjust course without losing conviction or respect for others.
What kind of community do you hope to find At Duke?
Paint a clear picture of belonging. Mention collaboration, curiosity, humor, and care. Explain how you contribute to inclusive spaces and how you seek mentors and peers who challenge you. Tie this to Duke’s House model through QuadEx, living-learning communities, clubs, and service that connect students across interests and backgrounds.
If you could teach a class at Duke, what would it be and why?
Propose a course that blends your interests in an original way. Describe the big questions, sample assignments, and who would benefit. Show how the class could partner with Bass Connections, a lab, or a Durham community group. Duke values creativity, inter-disciplinarity, and learning that moves from ideas to impact.
What is something you learned recently that surprised you?
Share a fresh discovery that changed how you see a topic or yourself. Explain where you found it, what challenged your assumptions, and how it shaped your choices. Duke interviewers appreciate curiosity in motion and a habit of seeking insights in class, labs, books, conversations, and everyday experiences.
If your best friend had to describe you in three words, what would they be?
Pick three honest words, then give quick, specific evidence for each. Show moments where you were reliable under pressure, kind in conflict, or inventive during a project. Duke values self-awareness, quiet leadership, and consistency. Make it vivid and grounded in real life rather than polished slogans or generic traits.
What would you do if you suddenly had a free day with no obligations?
Answer with sincerity. Describe how you might balance rest and exploration, perhaps reading, hiking Duke Forest, trying a new recipe, or volunteering. Explain what this reveals about curiosity, energy, and care for others. Duke wants students who renew themselves well and share that positive rhythm with their communities.
If you could solve one problem for your school or community, what would it be?
Choose a specific issue and outline concrete first steps. Mention how you would build a team, gather data, and learn from people closest to the problem. Duke values students who combine empathy with analysis and who design practical interventions that are measurable, sustainable, and respectful of lived experience.
What is our motto, and how does that resonate with you?
Duke’s motto is Eruditio et Religio, often understood historically as knowledge and faith, and the university emphasizes knowledge in service to society today. Explain how you pursue truth with integrity and empathy and how you connect learning to responsible action. Interviewers seek students who join intellect with purpose and care.
In your own words, what is Duke’s culture?
Describe Duke as collaborative, ambitious, and community-minded, with strong school spirit and a culture of trying new things. Mention QuadEx, Bass Connections, and DukeEngage as examples of interdisciplinary and civic energy. Connect this to your personality and how you enjoy working across fields, building friendships, and creating tangible impact.
What is your favorite subject and why?
If possible, choose a topic related to your major. If not, pick something that truly excites you. Describe a concept or moment that captured your imagination and how it changed the way you think. Duke interviewers want evidence of genuine curiosity and a desire to explore questions beyond grades and test scores, through seminars, labs, groups, or independent projects.
What will you bring to the Duke community and campus?
Emphasize empathy, leadership, and collaboration. Give examples of how you have supported others, built programs, or solved local problems. Duke looks for students who uplift peers, contribute to campus life, and unite ambition with kindness. Show how your voice, energy, and habits will strengthen the community.
What is your favorite book you have read that was required for school?
Select a book that challenged or inspired you. Explain how it changed your perspective or helped you think about people, ethics, or culture differently. Duke values students who approach assigned reading as an opportunity to question assumptions, build empathy, and discover meaning beyond classroom requirements.
If you could have lunch with any Duke alum, who and why?
Choose a Duke graduate whose work or philosophy inspires you, such as Melinda French Gates, Tim Cook, or Grant Hill. Explain what draws you to their journey and what you would want to learn from them. Duke values students who connect inspiration with action and lifelong curiosity.
What extracurriculars or outside-school activities do you do?
Highlight one or two activities that demonstrate long-term commitment and growth. Explain why they are meaningful and what they taught you about teamwork and leadership. Duke appreciates students who balance academics with purposeful involvement and who channel energy into passions that benefit others and build community.
What is one part of campus that you are most excited about?
Choose a space or experience that excites you, such as the Duke Gardens, the Innovation Co Lab, the Nasher Museum, or the Chapel. Explain why it appeals to you and how it connects to your interests. Show that you have explored Duke deeply and can envision yourself thriving there.
How do you approach learning something completely new or outside your comfort zone?
Describe how you handle uncertainty and curiosity. Give an example of when you explored a new subject or activity and how you stayed persistent. Duke interviewers appreciate students who embrace challenges, learn through experimentation, and transform unfamiliar experiences into opportunities for discovery and growth.
Describe a moment when your perspective changed after listening to someone else.
Share a conversation or situation that taught you empathy or challenged your thinking. Explain what you learned about perspective-taking and open-mindedness. Duke values students who approach dialogue with humility and curiosity and who grow through listening, reflection, and connection with people of different backgrounds or beliefs.
How do you hope to grow personally and academically during your college years?
Reflect on the person you hope to become. Discuss goals such as developing independence, global perspective, or leadership. Connect them to Duke’s programs, study-abroad opportunities, and research collaborations. Interviewers appreciate students who are eager to evolve and who see college as a journey of self-discovery and contribution.
How do you work with others or collaborate?
Describe a meaningful example of teamwork, explaining your role and what you learned about listening, communication, and flexibility. Emphasize cooperation over competition. Duke looks for students who strengthen groups by balancing confidence with humility and who value collective achievement as much as individual excellence within shared goals.
If you had unlimited resources, what would you do?
Describe a project or initiative that would make a lasting difference. Explain your motivation, how you would assemble a team, and what outcome you would aim for. Duke values students who dream boldly but think practically, demonstrating creativity, social vision, and leadership grounded in compassion and impact.
Is there anything you would like me to tell the admissions office about you that they do not know yet?
Use this moment to summarize your identity, growth, and enthusiasm for Duke. Reaffirm your curiosity, integrity, and readiness to contribute. End confidently and gratefully, leaving the interviewer with a lasting impression of sincerity, warmth, and the potential to make a meaningful difference at Duke.
What activities would you participate in at Duke?
Name specific clubs, institutes, or programs that align with your passions, such as DukeEngage, the Chronicle, club sports, or research groups. Explain how they connect to your goals. Duke seeks students who already imagine themselves involved, contributing energy and purpose to both academics and extracurricular life.
What initially sparked your interest in applying to Duke?
Describe the first moment Duke caught your attention, whether through its community focus, research strengths, or balanced culture. Explain how your interest deepened as you explored its programs and mission. Duke interviewers want authenticity and to see that your excitement grew through thoughtful reflection and self-discovery.
What is something you have recently learned outside of school?
Share an example of curiosity beyond the classroom. It could be learning a new skill, researching a social issue, or developing an interest in a cultural topic. Explain why it matters to you. Duke appreciates self-motivated learners who explore widely and apply new knowledge to everyday understanding.
Is there anything we did not talk about that you would like to bring up?
Use this question to add a meaningful story or reflection that shows your character. It might involve a personal value, creative project, or moment of growth. Duke interviewers appreciate students who end thoughtfully, leaving a complete picture of their voice, perspective, and integrity.
Questions to Ask During Your Duke Interview
Duke Interview FAQs
1. What surprised you most about Duke after you arrived, and how did it shape your view of learning?
Ask this to understand how students adapt to Duke’s academic rhythm and campus culture. It shows curiosity about learning styles, growth, and intellectual community. Duke values students who seek insights from lived experience and who are eager to join a dynamic, collaborative, and challenging environment.
2. How would you describe the sense of community among Duke students both in and out of the classroom?
This question demonstrates that you care about collaboration, inclusion, and personal connection. Duke values applicants who look for meaningful relationships and who understand that education thrives when students support and inspire one another both inside class discussions and in the larger university community.
3. How do Duke students balance academic rigor with friendships and personal growth?
Ask this to understand how Duke students sustain balance and well-being in a demanding environment. It reveals maturity and foresight. Duke values applicants who appreciate that thriving in college means caring for mental health, relationships, and joy while maintaining strong academic motivation and purpose.
4. What opportunities have you or other students found through Duke’s interdisciplinary programs, and how did that shape your experience?
Ask this to explore Duke’s culture of cross-disciplinary learning through Bass Connections or DukeEngage. It shows initiative and academic curiosity. Duke values students who are excited to blend science, humanities, and service to discover innovative solutions and who actively participate in experiential education.
5. How will studying or working in Durham influence your education and perspective?
This question reflects interest in Duke’s relationship with its city and region. It shows community awareness and respect for local culture. Duke values students who understand that meaningful education extends beyond campus and includes partnerships, civic learning, and shared responsibility with surrounding communities.
9. What do you think sets Duke students apart from those at other top universities?
This question reveals your curiosity about Duke’s identity and culture. It allows interviewers to reflect on spirit, energy, and values unique to Duke. Students who ask this show they are interested in belonging to a community known for balance between excellence, enthusiasm, and humanity.
Does Duke interview all applicants?
No. Duke does not interview all applicants. Interviews depend entirely on alumni volunteer availability in your geographic area.
Are Duke interviews evaluative?
Yes, meaning the interviewer submits a report that becomes part of your application file. However, the interview is not scored, and it’s considered one small piece of the overall holistic review.
Does Duke pre-screen before interviews?
No. Duke does not pre-screen applicants to decide who gets an interview. If an alumni interviewer is available in your region, you’ll likely be offered one; if not, you won’t.
Can you get into Duke without an interview?
Yes. Many admitted students never receive an interview, and Duke states clearly that not getting one will not disadvantage your application in any way.
Conclusion
The Duke interview is your opportunity to showcase your curiosity, values, and personality in a relaxed, conversational setting. With thoughtful preparation and genuine storytelling, you can make a strong impression and help Duke see the person behind your application
HelloCollege offers personalized, one-on-one interview coaching to help students build confidence and refine their answers.
Schedule a free consultation today.
