FAQ

Questions

  1. How selective is the Graduate Program in Religion?
  2. When is the application deadline?
  3. What do I need to include in my application?
  4. What is the minimum GRE score?
  5. Is there a separate financial aid application?
  6. When will I find out if I have been accepted?
  7. How can I arrange a campus visit?
  8. If I applied last year and was not accepted, how do I apply again?
  9. Is graduate housing available?
  10. What do I do if I have additional questions?

Answers

  1. How selective is the Graduate Program in Religion?

    The Duke Graduate Program in Religion is highly selective. For the 2007-2008 academic year, the program received 226 applications to the Ph.D. program and offered admission to 9 students, or 4 percent. (See Admissions and Enrollment Statistics.)


  2. When is the application deadline?

    Applications received before November 15 are eligible to pay a reduced application fee of $65. After that date the fee increases to $75. Students desiring financial aid must file the completed electronic application by December 8. No applications will be considered after December 31.


  3. What do I need to include in my application?
    • Application form
    • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
    • Three recommendations from academics who can address your scholarly ability
    • GRE and, if applicable, TOEFL scores (sent to institution code 5156)
    • A statement of intent, including, in roughly 2 double-spaced pages, your reasons for pursuing graduate education in religion and your specific interest in the Duke program
    • a sample of scholarly work of 15-20 double-spaced pages (to be sent directly to Graduate Program in Religion, Duke University, Box 90964, Durham NC 27708-0964)

    For more on application requirements and procedures, see Admissions Requirements


  4. What is the minimum GRE score?

    There is no minimum score. For the 2007-2008 admissions cycle, Ph.D. students admitted to the Graduate Program in Religion presented a mean GRE verbal score of 760 and a mean GRE quantitative score of 720. For more information, see Admissions and Enrollment Statistics.


  5. Is there a separate financial aid application?

    No. In most cases, applicants who are accepted into the Ph.D. program are fully funded for 5 years, including tuition and fees, stipend, and health insurance premiums.


  6. When will I find out if I have been accepted?

    Applicants will be notified of their status early in the spring semester, usually by mid-February.


  7. How can I arrange a campus visit?

    After the applications have been evaluated, top-ranked candidates will be invited to Duke for on-campus interviews and an introduction to departmental programs. (Reasonable travel expenses will be paid by Duke.) This will allow both candidates and faculty members to assess whether there is a good match between the student and his or her prospective program.

    To arrange a visit on your own, contact Gay Trotter, Administrative Assistant, (919) 660-3512

    See maps of campus and driving directions at the University website.

    The Religion Department is located on Duke’s West Campus in the Gray Building, next to Duke Chapel.


  8. If I applied last year and was not accepted, how do I apply again?

    There are certain procedures required to reactivate your file for consideration. First of all, there is a separate application fee for each term to which you seek admission; thus a new application fee must be paid. Second, you must fill out new application forms. You may request, in writing, that supporting documents used in your first application be used again, eliminating the need for resubmitting transcripts, recommendations, etc. However, you should update your application with any materials that will make it more current: transcripts showing any further academic work; perhaps an additional recommendation; revised personal statement; and new GRE/TOEFL scores, should you decide to retake these exams. Furthermore, bear in mind that we only keep inactive files for one year beyond the original term of admission you have requested.


  9. Is graduate housing available?

    Generally, on-campus housing is not available for graduate students, though there are some opportunities for graduate students to serve as residence directors in undergraduate dormitories.

    Inquiries about off-campus housing should be directed to

    Duke Community Housing of the University
    Room 102, 402 Oregon St
    Central Campus
    Durham, NC
    (919) 660-1785

    or communityhousing@duke.edu, which deals with university-owned and off-campus, privately-owned housing.

    10. The graduate office will also assist students as best it can (tel. 919-660-3512).

  10. What do I do if I have additional questions?

    Many more admissions-related questions are addressed at the Graduate School site. You may direct questions specifically related to the Graduate Program in Religion to Gay Trotter, Administrative Assistant, (919) 660-3512.