We are excited for you to join our Duke Divinity community! In the coming months, you'll need to meet several deadlines and milestones. Meeting these deadlines will be crucial to your successful transition into graduate school. If you have any questions, please contact Admissions.
Orientation
Orientation is required for all new students and is an opportunity to introduce you to Duke Divinity School as a community of learning and faithful service with attention to both spiritual and vocational formation. Detailed orientation information will be sent in June with additional content sent through June, July, and August. Check the Academic Calendar for specific dates when classes begin for your program.
Destination Duke
Within 30 days of receiving your acceptance notification
- Print a copy of your admission offer letter for your records.
- Let us know you are planning to attend by clicking the "Reply to Offer of Admission" form on your Application Status Link opens in new tab page.
- Pay your enrollment deposit via Duke e-check Link opens in new tab.
- Student ID number, required for this paperwork, can be found on your acceptance letter
Within 2 weeks of accepting your admission offer
- Make note on your calendar of important dates to start planning for the academic year (click through for the At-A-Glance document) Link opens in new tab.
- Request final transcripts from your college, university, or seminary. If you're currently enrolled in a degree program, you should send your final transcripts as soon as your degree is conferred and you confirm with your registrar's office that the degree has been awarded on the transcript.
Note
At this time, the Admissions Office is still experiencing some paper mail disruption. We request that you not mail any documents to our physical addresses if possible. Many schools can send official documents to us electronically. If your school does not have the ability to send electronic transcripts or you cannot contact your school, please let us know by emailing admissions@div.duke.edu.
- In the spring, international students will begin working with admissions staff and Duke Visa Services Link opens in new tab on completing the student visa application process Link opens in new tab.
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- You will be notified when you are officially matriculated in Duke systems (in most cases this will take place in mid-May).
- After you receive that notification, you will be able to activate your Duke NetID and set up your Duke email account.
- Instructions on how to do this will be sent within 5 business days by Duke OIT.
- Submit proof of immunizations for graduate students (residential students only; due June 15)
- Review Student Health Insurance requirements (residential students only).
- Research parking permits and transportation options (parking permit registration typically begins in July).
- Complete the background check (this request will be sent to your Duke email account in June)
- Make sure you have submitted proof of immunizations for graduate students (due June 15)
- Student Unique ID numbers, required for this paperwork, can be found in the "My Profile" section of your DukeHub account
- Those seeking accommodations should contact the Student Disability Access Office.
- Accept financial aid and complete loan entrance counseling via DukeHub.
- Residential students may apply in the summer for the pre-orientation programs, Bri(DDD)ge (residential students) and RISE.
- Open enrollment for Duke Student Health Insurance
- Review program paradigms and academic course schedules.
- Review the academic calendar.
- Review Duke policies and Duke Divinity School Bulletin and Conduct Covenant.
- In early July, register for courses.
- Register for a parking permit if you need one.
- If you haven't already signed up for RISE, you still can! (residential students)
- Pay fall student bill by August 1st.
- Attend Bri(DDD)ge (residential students) and RISE pre-orientation programs (pre-registration is required for both).
Checklist by Month for International Students
- Apply for November 1 early deadline
- Apply for January 15 deadline
- Accept admissions offer
- Receive Financial Aid Notice
- Receive visa communication from Admission and complete the Visa Checklist (pdf). Special notes:
- Email admissions@div.duke.edu if the student’s legal name on the passport differs from the name on the Duke application and the student needs to apply for a F-1 or J-1 visa.
- Follow “Destination Duke” process outlined in above section.
- Submit requested documents and SEVIS fee (if required) to Duke Visa Services
- Find housing (if needed)
- Schedule and attend consular meetings to obtain a visa stamp
- You will be notified when you are officially matriculated in Duke systems (in most cases this will take place in mid-May).
- After you receive that notification, you will be able to activate your Duke NetID and set up your Duke email account.
- Instructions on how to do this will be sent within 5 business days by Duke OIT.
- Submit proof of immunizations for graduate students (residential students only; due June 15)
- Review Student Health Insurance requirements (residential students only).
- Research parking permits and transportation options (parking permit registration typically begins in July).
- Purchase airfare to the U.S., if needed
- Complete the background check (this request will be sent to your Duke email account in June)
- Make sure you have submitted proof of immunizations for graduate students (due June 15)
- Student Unique ID numbers, required for this paperwork, can be found in the "My Profile" section of your DukeHub account
- Those seeking accommodations should contact the Student Disability Access Office.
- Accept financial aid and complete loan entrance counseling via DukeHub.
- Residential students may apply in the summer for the pre-orientation programs, Bri(DDD)ge (residential students) and RISE.
- Open enrollment for Duke Student Health Insurance
- Review program paradigms and academic course schedules.
- Review the academic calendar.
- Review Duke policies and Duke Divinity School Bulletin and Conduct Covenant.
- In early July, register for courses.
- Register for a parking permit if you need one.
- If you haven't already signed up for RISE, you still can! (residential students)
- Pay fall student bill by August 1st.
- Travel to U.S. and arrive at Port of Entry (POE) with documentation no more than 30 days before scheduled orientation or first day of classes (the start date on the I-20 or DS-2019). Find more information on arriving.
- Upon arrival:
- Register with Duke Visa Services (DVS) by presenting your passport in-person or register online
- Open U.S. bank account, if needed
- Activate U.S. phone service, if needed
- Move into housing
- Complete Duke Card form and schedule an appointment with Duke Card Office to receive a physical card
- Attend Bri(DDD)ge (residential students) and RISE pre-orientation programs (pre-registration is required for both).
- Attend Orientation and classes begin