Duke University

• Life Experiences StatementRequired

  Listed among the Graduate School's required documents; no more than one (1) page single spaced. Not listed on the MIDS program's own requirement lists.

• RésuméRequired

  Résumé: Required.

• Statement of purposeRequired

  Statement of Purpose: Required. Graduate School guidance: one to two pages, single spaced.

• TranscriptsRequired

  Unofficial transcripts required with application submission; official transcripts required upon admission. Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required.

• Letters of recommendation3 letters

  Request letters from people best qualified to attest to your capacity for graduate work. Academic references representing your major field are preferred, though the school recognizes this may not always be possible.

  3 required.

• GMAT not listedNot accepted

  Only the GRE General is listed for MIDS; the Graduate School accepts alternate tests (e.g. GMAT) only for the programs it lists, and MIDS is not among them.

• GRE General (optional)Optional

  GRE scores: Optional. Graduate School institution code 5156.

• Duolingo English TestIf your degree wasn't taught in English

  The school’s official pages say this differently. Here is what each one says — check with the school before you rely on it.

  Duolingo English Test (Graduate School minimum)

  Required if your first language is not English (TOEFL, IELTS Academic or Duolingo). Graduate School generally seeks no less than 125. Score report must include subscores.

  English Language Proficiency Test Scores ↗

  Duolingo English Test (MIDS FAQ minimum)

  The Graduate School and Duke MIDS generally seek scores no less than 115 for the Duolingo English Test.

  Frequently Asked Questions - Duke MIDS ↗
• Duolingo English Test, IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBTIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishRequired

  Duolingo English Test (Graduate School minimum): Required if your first language is not English (TOEFL, IELTS Academic or Duolingo). Graduate School generally seeks no less than 125. Score report must include subscores.

  Duolingo English Test (MIDS FAQ minimum): The Graduate School and Duke MIDS generally seek scores no less than 115 for the Duolingo English Test.

  IELTS Academic: Required if your first language is not English (TOEFL, IELTS Academic or Duolingo). Generally seeks no less than 7.0. Sent by IELTS e-delivery to Duke University Graduate School.

  TOEFL iBT: Required if your first language is not English (TOEFL, IELTS Academic or Duolingo). Generally seeks no less than 90 for exams taken before January 21, 2026, or 5 for exams taken on or after January 21, 2026. Institution code 5156. Scores must be dated August 1, 2024 or later for Fall 2027.

  Waiver / exemption: To be eligible for a TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo English Test waiver, you must have studied fulltime for two years or more at a college or university where the sole language of instruction is English and in a country where English is the primary spoken language, completed prior to the start of the program. Indicate eligibility in the Additional Academic Information section of the application; waiver requests are not examined or granted before an offer of admission.

• PTE Academic not listedIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishNot accepted

  The accepted tests are the TOEFL, the IELTS Academic, or the Duolingo English Test with subscores; PTE is not on the list.

• Interview (by invitation)

  Some candidates may be asked to interview if the committee has additional questions; most interviews take place in mid to late March.

• Video presentation

  The school’s official pages say this differently. Here is what each one says — check with the school before you rely on it.

  Video presentation (department guidance: 3-5 minutes)

  Submit a 3-5 minute video in which you tell us about a project you have worked on (work, class or personal interest), presented to someone very intelligent and familiar with data science but not a data scientist. No longer than 5 minutes; you must be seen speaking in at least part of it. Submitted as a link through the online application.

  Admissions Requirements - Duke MIDS ↗

  2 minute video (Graduate School requirement list)

  The Graduate School's MIDS program page lists '2 minute video (See department guidance below)' among its Graduate School Application Requirements.

  Master in Interdisciplinary Data Science ↗

Who can apply

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited institutionRequired

  Applicants need an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution (or will have completed their undergraduate degree before the fall semester begins). No specific major required.

• Quantitative coursework: linear algebraOptional

  Not required, but successful applicants tend to have previous quantitative coursework (i.e., linear algebra, statistics). Applicants without such classes must show aptitude through online classes, portfolios, code repositories or similar.

• Programming coursework or experience (e.g. Python)Optional

  Not required, but successful applicants tend to have previous computer programming coursework or experience (i.e., Python).

• Quantitative coursework: statisticsOptional

  Not required, but successful applicants tend to have previous quantitative coursework (i.e., linear algebra, statistics).