Admitted Students: Welcome to Duke!

After Receiving Your Admission Offer Letter:

• See the Enrollment Decision Deadline in your letter
• Download and print a copy of your admission offer letter for your records
• Review the curriculum: On-Campus or Online
• Review student services and support: On-Campus or Online

By Your Enrollment Decision Deadline:

Submit Your Decision

After Submitting Your Acceptance of Admission Offer:

• If you have already completed your degree, request official transcripts from your college or university.
• If you have not completed your degree, request official transcripts AFTER you graduate - it's fine if they arrive by July 15 for Fall enrollment.
• US Citizens and Permanent Residents:
  
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

• International Students:
  • Complete the F-1 Visa Application Process with Duke Visa Services (Note that this process usually begins in March for Fall)
    
  • Funding guidelines

Within two to three weeks, Duke will matriculate you—

• Within a few business weeks, you'll receive your Duke NetID credential—your electronic key to Duke email and much more

For all who accept Duke's offer of admission

Now that you've been admitted and have accepted Duke's offer, you should now submit final official transcripts from each institution listed in your application.

• If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at pratt_masters@duke.edu
• If your transcripts cannot be sent due to a valid extenuating circumstance, contact pratt_masters@duke.edu
• NOTE: There is no need to provide separate transcripts from study-abroad institutions, as long as the study-abroad credits appear on your official transcript from your home educational institution

How to Submit Your Transcript

Please request that each institution you have attended send Duke a final official transcript. Electronic transcripts are preferred.

Each transcript should show:

• All work completed
• Name of the degree conferred
• Date degree was conferred
• A signature, in ink, of the appropriate official (examples: Registrar, Recorder of Records)
• Official institutional seal

Electronic Transcripts

• Are preferred by Duke
• Electronic transcripts sent directly from the educational institution to Duke are considered official
• Have electronic transcripts sent to pratt_masters@duke.edu
• If your educational institution uses the Parchment digital credential service, we are listed as:
  • "Duke University-Master Of Engineering Management (MEM) And Master Of Engineering (MEng)"

Paper Transcripts

Electronic transcripts are preferred.

Questions? Contact pratt_masters@duke.edu

Transcript Concerns

• Your Degree Has Been Conferred
  If you have already completed a degree, please request that the school send Duke a final transcript showing all work completed, date degree, and degree conferred. However, if your transcript does not include the date and degree conferred, you must also submit a copy of your diploma, graduation certificate, or degree verification document.

• Your Final Transcript is Not Yet Available
  If you completed your degree very recently or are still enrolled in a degree program, your final official transcript may not be available until very close to your enrollment date (late December/ early January or late summer). Duke will matriculate you without the final transcript. However, you must submit your final official transcript during new-student orientation, or your student status may be in jeopardy. Once the final transcript becomes available, request that it be sent to Duke immediately.

• You Only Have One Final Official Transcript
  We are aware that some international schools issue only one official transcript. If this is the case for the school or schools you attended, DO NOT send these documents to us. Unfortunately, Duke cannot return materials submitted in support of an application. Instead, send us exact copies that have been stamped as "Certified True Copies" by the appropriate institutional official of each institution that you attended. Copies that are not certified are not acceptable.

• Your Transcript is in a Language Other Than English
  If your final official transcripts are not in English, please provide BOTH the original official transcript AND an English translation. If your institution does not issue documents in English, you must have the transcripts translated by a professional translation service. Self‐translations and notarized translations will not be accepted.

• You Do Not Submit Your Official Transcripts
  The submission of the final official transcript is essential for enrollment at Duke. If you do not verify your degree and submit your transcript before orientation, your enrollment could be in jeopardy. Therefore, you must send the required transcripts to Duke as soon as possible.

For international students

We look forward to having you join our community at Duke! As an international student who will need a student visa (F-1 sponsored by Duke, J-1 sponsored by Fulbright, or another visa status), please follow these steps to enroll:

1. Accept the offer of admission via our Application Portal
2. Review estimated student expenses for the academic year: Campus or Online
3. Look for an email from the Admissions Office with visa instructions and a link to the Duke Visa Services Request for Temporary Visa Form, Part II. (Note that this process usually begins in March for Fall)
4. Complete the request form in its entirety and follow the step-by-step process outlined in the email
5. In the Visa Portal, upload the Signature Page and all required documents for the Admissions Office to review

Processing Your Documents

Upon receipt of your Signature Page and supporting documents, the Duke Admissions Team will verify your documents and complete Part I of the Duke Visa Services Request for Temporary Visa Form.

The Admissions Team and the Visa Services office reserve four (4) weeks total from the date of receipt of all required documentation to issue visa documents.

The Visa Services office will send visa documents to you via FedEx after the visa documents have been issued. Only one form will be issued per student. Any unused form must be returned to the Duke Admissions office.

Arriving in the US and at Duke

To enter the United States, you will need:

• Passport
• Visa documents
• Visa stamp

While it may be cheaper to book your travel far in advance, you take a big risk doing so. If you do not have a visa stamp, you cannot travel—you may lose money canceling and rebooking. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you wait until you have the visa stamp in your passport before booking your travel. 

You can enter the United States 30 days before the start of classes. Your I-20 will note the date you can enter the United States. If your visa is sponsored by Duke, you will register with Duke Visa Services during orientation. Non-Duke-sponsored new students register directly at Visa Services. More information will be included in communication before orientation.

For US citizens and permanent residents

• US citizens and permanent residents should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• For further information, visit the US Department of Education’s student aid programs website
• Duke's school code is 002920
• Once you have received confirmation that your forms are complete and have been forwarded to Duke, a financial aid officer will complete your aid award
• If you have any questions, contact Duke Graduate Financial Aid at 919-681-3247 or egrp-finaid@duke.edu

For all students

• Duke maintains information on lenders for US Citizens and Permanent Residents, and for non-US citizens.

For Campus and Online Students

Whether you're part of our on-campus program or an online student attending a residency—all Duke Engineering Management students will visit the Duke campus. Take time to learn about Duke and our hometown of Durham, North Carolina.

From a sunny climate to an outstanding entrepreneurial culture, Durham is a vibrant city in the heart of North Carolina. You'll find your pick of sports, history, food, and the arts — all right in the Research Triangle Region.

And, take time now to learn more about Duke, especially on the topics of housing, parking and transportation, and health care.

Durham, North Carolina

Duke's hometown—also known as the "Bull City" and the "City of Medicine"—is ranked as #2 Place to Live in the USA by U.S. News and World Report.

Learn about things to do, events, restaurants and more at the Duke in Durham and Discover Durham websites.

Duke University

As a Duke Engineering Management campus student, you have access to everything that a globally-ranked research university has to offer:

• Duke Athletics
• Student Affairs
• Duke Libraries
• Campus events calendar

Housing

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING IN DURHAM              

CONGRATULATIONS! On behalf of the Office of Student Affairs, welcome to Duke and Durham, North Carolina. As your new home, Durham is a vibrant community with a lot to enjoy. To begin your housing search, we’ve listed below some tips, resource links, and suggestions for you. We hope you find this helpful!

WHERE CAN I BEGIN MY HOUSING SEARCH?

• A useful Duke housing search engine, https://neardukeguide.com/pratt is managed by The Chronicle.
• DukeList (Duke netID required for login) allows Duke community members to post ads for both housing and roommates, as well as items for sale and services.
• Duke Housing & Residence Life has limited, on-campus apartments available for rent for graduate and professional students. Please direct inquiries to housing@duke.edu.  

WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT THE SAFETY OF LOCAL HOUSING OPTIONS?

• Review the Durham Crime Statistics & Community Crime Map in advance of selecting a neighborhood, complex, or house. 
• Browse apartment or neighborhood reviews (google reviews, apartmentratings.com, or connect with current Duke student residents through your program, department, or school).
• Ask the apartment management or landlord about safety protocols they have in-place for their residents. Ex: Is your apartment community gated? Do you utilize cameras in exterior locations? What type of crime preventative measures is your apartment complex taking?
• Consider affordability. Setting a realistic budget for your expenses and housing is important. Be forewarned, the least expensive options may have downsides associated with safety, noise, or lack of amenities.
• Review Duke’s emergency notification system, Duke’s safety mobile app (LiveSafe), and tips from Duke Police for personal safety.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I CONSIDER?

• Transportation: If you have a car, your off-campus housing search can include places in the broader Durham area. If you won’t have a car, consider living close to campus and understand your options for getting around:
  • Duke bus routes – free to all students
  • Duke Vans – late evening, free rides from campus to nearby apartment complexes
  • Durham & Triangle area bus routes – free with GoPass
  • Uber / Lyft – reliable ride-share in the area
  • Bicycles, Scooters, and Walking
  • Personal Property: Consider protecting your personal belongings with Renter’s Insurance.
  • Amenities: Complexes in the area will offer a range of services (gated entrance, gym, computer workstations with printers, cable TV, Amazon locker pick-up, etc). Understand what is included in your monthly rent.

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AS A TENANT?

• Know your rights as a tenant and the responsibilities of a landlord.
• The Durham NC Tenant Training Manual provides detailed information about local Landlord and Tenant responsibilities.
• The US Department of Housing and Urban Development also provides information about tenant protections.

Disclaimer: This guide is intended for general informational purposes only.
Duke University does not recommend or endorse any landlords, tenants, or rental facilities.

Transportation and Parking

Air Travel

• Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is 14 miles (22.5 km) from Duke's campus
• Be sure to arrange for ground transportation from RDU airport to Duke

Parking on Campus

• See parking.duke.edu for details. A Duke student must obtain a permit to park a motor vehicle on campus

Buses and Transit

• During the day, Duke provides free scheduled bus service along selected routes
• From 6:30 pm-1:30 am, Monday through Saturday, Duke Van Service provides free, on-demand transportation for students

Regional Resources

Duke's International House has a lot of useful information on getting settled into Durham and our Research Triangle Region—whether you're an international student or not. 

Health and Wellness

• Student Health
• Student Health Insurance Requirements
• Immunization Requirements
• Student Disability Access Office

For On-Campus Program students

Attendance at the orientation is required for all new students in the On-Campus Program. It is a great opportunity to be fully introduced to the Duke Master of Engineering Management Program. A schedule will be sent to you.

All new students should consider arriving in Durham, North Carolina, at least a few days before orientation begins. Then, you can use that time to get settled.

Notes for International Students

Arrival: You may arrive in the United States up to 30 days before the first day of classes.

English Placement Exams: All international students may be required to take oral and written English placement exams administered at Duke prior to the start of classes. These exams are independent of the TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo score submission requirement. Depending on placement results, students are either exempt from, or placed into, English course(s). Students with English course requirements must make satisfactory progress toward completing these requirements while in the program.

Note for Duke MEM Online Students

The information above applies to on-campus students. For your program, please see MEM Online residency dates »