We are excited for you to join our Duke Divinity community! In the coming months, you'll receive a lot of information from us outlining your next steps. 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. New Student Orientation is scheduled for Friday, August 21, 2026. You'll receive detailed orientation information throughout the summer. Check the Academic Calendar for program-specific dates.
Destination Duke Divinity
- Save 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 applicant status portal.
- Pay your enrollment deposit via Duke University's Bursar's Office. Your student ID number can be found in your admission 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)
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. Official transcripts sent through third party services, such as Parchment, may be submitted to the Admissions Office via email at admissions@div.duke.edu. Transcripts may also be mailed to the Admissions Office using our official mailing address:
Duke Divinity School
Office of Admissions
Box 90965
Durham, NC 27708-0965
Image
- Explore housing options in Durham and surrounding communities.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for federal student aid (Direct Loans and work-study).
- You will be notified when you are officially matriculated in Duke systems.
- 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.
- Explore housing options in Durham and surrounding communities.
- Request final transcripts be sent to the Office of Admissions.
- Complete the background check through Castle Branch. Instructions will be sent in June.
- Submit proof of immunizations for graduate students (residential students only)
- Review Student Medical Insurance Plan (SMIP) requirements (residential students only).
- Research parking permits and transportation options (parking permit registration typically begins in July).
- Those seeking accommodations should contact the Student Disability Access Office.
- Accept federal financial aid and complete loan entrance counseling via DukeHub.
- Apply for the pre-orientation programs- Bri(DDD)ge (residential students) and RISE.
- Register for onboarding events for incoming students. See your applicant portal for a full list of opportunities.
- Review program paradigms and academic course schedules.
- Review the academic calendar and register for courses in DukeHUB.
- Review Duke policies and Duke Divinity School Bulletin and Conduct Covenant.
- Register for a parking permit if you need one (residential students).
- Make enrollment selection for the Student Medical Insurance Plan (residential students only).
- Register for RISE, you still can!
- Pay fall student bill by August 1st.
- Get your Duke Mobile Card.
- Attend Bri(DDD)ge (residential students) and RISE pre-orientation programs. Pre-registration is required for both.
- See you at New Student Orientation and the Opening Fall Convocation!
- Welcome to Duke Divinity School!
Checklist by Month for International Students
- Accept admissions offer
- Review Financial Aid Notification (FAN)
- Receive visa communication from Admissions 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.
- Submit requested documents and SEVIS fee (if required) to Duke Visa Services.
- Explore housing options in Durham and surrounding communities.
- Schedule and attend consular meetings to obtain a visa stamp.
- You will be notified when you are officially matriculated in Duke systems.
- 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)
- Review Student Medical Insurance Plan (SMIP) requirements (residential students only).
- Research parking permits and transportation options (parking permit registration typically begins in July).
- Make travel arrangements to North Carolina. The closest airport to Duke University is the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).
- Explore housing options in Durham and surrounding communities.
- Request final transcripts be sent to the Office of Admissions.
- Complete the background check through Castle Branch. Instructions will be sent in June.
- Submit proof of immunizations for graduate students (residential students only)
- Review Student Medical Insurance Plan (SMIP) requirements (residential students only).
- Research parking permits and transportation options (parking permit registration typically begins in July).
- Those seeking accommodations should contact the Student Disability Access Office.
- Apply for the pre-orientation programs- Bri(DDD)ge (residential students) and RISE.
- Register for onboarding events for incoming students. See your applicant portal for a full list of opportunities.
- Review program paradigms and academic course schedules.
- Review the academic calendar and register for courses in DukeHUB.
- Review Duke policies and Duke Divinity School Bulletin and Conduct Covenant.
- Register for a parking permit if you need one (residential students).
- Make enrollment selection for the Student Medical Insurance Plan (residential students only).
- Register for RISE, you still can!
- Pay fall student bill by August 1st.
- Get your Duke Mobile Card.
- 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
- Attend Bri(DDD)ge (residential students) and RISE pre-orientation programs. Pre-registration is required for both.
- See you at New Student Orientation and the Opening Fall Convocation!
- Welcome to Duke Divinity School!