Graduate Program.How to Apply

Applying to Duke BME

We admit both M.S. and Ph.D. students. Some Ph.D. students choose to get an M.S. degree as part of their Ph.D. work, but this is not required. M.S. students are admitted for both thesis and non-thesis degrees. Students admitted to the M.S.T.P. program, Duke's M.D.-Ph.D. degree, join the BME Department following third second year of medical school.

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.

Admission Requirements

You are eligible to be admitted to Duke BME after completing an undergraduate degree. Because Duke BME is a diverse and flexible program, we have graduate students with undergraduate degrees in biology, mathematics, physical sciences, and all branches of engineering. We tailor your graduate curriculum to complement your experience so there are no undergraduate course requirements. To be admitted to Duke BME you need to apply to the Duke University Graduate School. You can find their rules at Bulletin of the Graduate School.

You will need to take the basic GRE test. The Graduate School requires a minimum of 1250 combined quantitative and verbal score and an undergraduate GPA of 3.2. Occasionally, we can petition the Graduate School for exceptional students who fall below this minimum. Duke BME has no minimum requirements.

If English is your second language (ESL students), you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The Graduate School requires a minimum of score of 550 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test). You may also be required to participate in Duke's ESL classes after you join our program.

How to Apply

To apply to Duke BME, complete and submit the Duke Graduate School admission forms by selecting from the list under the admissions icon at the Graduate School site. The rules for applying are at Bulletin of the Graduate School.

Duke BME is a very flexible program. We look for students who are focused and have some insights into what area of BME they want to study. It is very important that you tell us your areas of research interest in the Special Field and the Statement of Purpose sections of the application. Try to be more specific than writing "BME". For example, list interests like tissue engineering, biomechanics, imaging, or optics, etc. You can also give examples of faculty members whose research is interesting to you. Doing this will help us begin to make sure that your application to Duke BME is reviewed by the best faculty for you.

When you write your Statement of Purpose try to be as specific as you can. Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses and what particular aspects of BME interest you. Tell us how Duke BME will help you pursue these interests.

When you pick your references, try to find people who know you well and can talk about you and your work style.

Good luck on your application.

How Decisions are Made

The Graduate School Admissions Office keeps your application until it is complete - including references, transcripts, and GRE scores. Once complete, your application will be sent to our Department (typically around January 1). The BME 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. Based on those reviews, individual faculty members may call you to get to know you and see if you are interested in their research programs. In February, we will begin interviewing students. If selected, you will come to Durham and get to know Duke BME, and our faculty. You will meet several faculty including the ones that you identified as an advisor, and the ones who have identified you as a prospective student. Shortly after your visit, we will contact you again and talk to you about potential advisors and your suitability for our program. Finally, the faculty and the Director of Graduate Studies will make a recommendation to the Graduate School. The Dean of the Graduate School will then send you an official notification. We make all enrollment decisions by April 15.