Contents
GENERAL ADMISSIONS QUESTIONS
May I submit an application after the deadline?
We do not accept applications after the deadline date.
How much is the application fee?
The application fee is $80.
What are the minimum GRE and GPA requirements?
The mean GRE is about 164 quantitative and 160 verbal, and the average GPA of our incoming students is 3.7, but there is no specific minimum GRE or GPA requirement. GRE scores and GPAs are considered alongside several other factors during the application review process.
Can I apply to more than one program?
Yes. You will need to create a separate application account and complete a separate application for each program. Standardized test scores need only be reported once, even if you are applying to multiple programs. If you plan to use the same letters of recommendation, you can do the following: In one application, fill out the recommender information as you would normally. In the other application, provide the names and e-mail addresses of your letter writers, and in the Additional Information section, make a note saying, “Please use letters from my other application.” Let your letter writers know that they may receive additional requests but they do not need to re-submit anything.
Can The Graduate School mail me an admissions catalog or a brochure about a specific program?
The Graduate School no longer prints admissions catalogs or program brochures. Detailed admissions and program information can be found on the website.
What are my chances of being accepted?
Admission to the Duke University Graduate School is a competitive process, and your chances of being admitted will differ from year to year depending on the strength of the applicant pool. Admissions and enrollment statistics for graduate programs can be found on The Graduate School website’s Statistics page (scroll down to Social Sciences>Economics).
Can I submit my application before all of my recommendations or official test scores are received?
Yes. Submit your application as soon as you have completed all the sections, sent recommendation requests to your recommenders, and requested that your official scores be sent to Duke. After you submit your application, the graduate admissions office can add recommendation letters and official test scores to your application file as they are received. It is critical that your recommendations and official test scores arrive by or before the application deadline.
Should I mail application materials or supplemental documents?
No. All application materials should be submitted electronically. Supplemental documents can be uploaded to the Additional Information section of the online application. Do not mail paper copies of application materials or supplemental documents unless we specifically request that you do so. Mailing materials will create duplicate records in your file and delay the processing of your application.
I applied before and was not admitted. I would like to reapply. Can I reuse application materials from my previous application?
Yes, if your application materials are less than 1 year old. In the Additional Information section of your new application, please upload a document listing the materials you would like to reuse. The Graduate School will add these materials to your new application after you submit it. Test scores can also be reused if they have not expired.
Should I submit an example of my original research?
If you have one or more papers that demonstrate your research interests and capabilities, we welcome you to submit them. Research papers in English are preferred, but submissions in your native language also are acceptable.
I have accepted the offer of admission. What should I do next?
Consult the Admitted Students section of The Graduate School’s site for details on how to proceed. Pay special attention to the items mentioned in the checklist.
Whom should I contact if I still have a question?
If you have a technical problem with the application, click the Technical Support link on each page of the online application.
If you have a general admissions question, please use the Contact Admissions via The Graduate School’s site.
If admitted, I will need help financing my studies. Do I need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form?
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident seeking a master’s degree and you wish to receive financial aid from the federal government, you should complete the FAFSA. The form is available on the web at https://fafsa.ed.gov/. It is also available at any college or public library, as well as from the Department of Education. Additionally, the Department of Economics awards a limited amount of financial aid to students — both domestic and international. For more information about our tuition waivers, please see the Program-Related Questions page.
APPLICATION SUPPORT
What do I do if I am having trouble uploading documents?
First, make sure the file you are uploading is not larger than 1.5 MB. To reduce the file size of your document, do not scan in color and make sure your scanner is on a low-resolution setting (less than 200 DPI). Next, confirm that your document is in PDF format. If you still have problems uploading and viewing a legible document, submit a help ticket via one of the Technical Support links in the online application. If technical support is unable to assist you, contact the graduate admissions office via the form on our site.
Can I update my application after I submit it?
No. Please proofread your application carefully before submitting it.
We do accept transcript updates or updated CVs listing new awards, appointments, or publications. Send the updated documentation as a PDF attachment to grad-admissions-center@duke.edu.
I have submitted my application. Should I print my application and send a paper copy of it to your admissions office just as a backup?
No. The Graduate School only accepts online applications. Do not send paper copies of your application documents unless you are asked to do so.
TRANSCRIPTS
What is a transcript?
The academic record that we call a transcript should provide a year-by-year listing of all courses taken and the grade or mark received for each one. Do not submit transcripts from secondary schools. If your Social Security number appears on your transcripts, please mark out all except the last four digits of the number before uploading the transcripts to your application.
Do I need to provide a transcript from every institution I have attended?
See the Transcripts instructions page to determine whether you need to provide a transcript.
Do I need to provide a separate transcript for a study abroad course?
No, as long as the name of the study abroad institution, the course names, and the course grades appear on your baccalaureate transcript. If these course details are not on the baccalaureate transcript, consider the following questions:
- Did you receive at least 12 hours of credit from the study abroad institution?
- Did you attend the study abroad institution for at least one semester?
- Did the courses you take relate to your graduate study interests?
If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” obtain a transcript from the study abroad institution and upload it to your application. If the answer to all of the questions is “no,” you do not need to provide a separate transcript for the course.
Can I upload screen shots from my online account at my school?
Yes, if your name and the name of the school appear in each screen shot, you may upload these as your unofficial transcripts.
When should I mail my official transcripts?
If you are offered admission and accept, we will contact you to request that you send your official transcripts to The Graduate School. Do not send your official transcripts until you are contacted.
What makes a transcript unofficial or official?
Unofficial transcripts: Transcripts uploaded to the online application are unofficial. An unofficial transcript is also one that
- has been opened by the student,
- did not come directly from the school,
- is an uncertified photocopy of the original,
- was not produced by the school, or
- was translated by the student or a nonprofessional translation service
Note: Notarized transcripts are unofficial unless they are mailed directly from the educational institution and bear the institutional seal.
Official transcripts: Transcripts are official if they are sent directly by the institution to The Graduate School. Transcripts must bear an official signature in ink of the appropriate official at your institution, such as the registrar or recorder of records, and must bear the institutional seal. Certified true copies must be stamped and signed by the institution.
Note: Official transcripts are only required if an offer of admission is made. When you accept the offer of admission, we will contact you to request your official transcripts. Do not send your official transcripts before you are contacted.
My transcript is not in English. Do I need to provide a translation?
Yes. Provide both the original transcript and a translation from either the school issuing the transcript or a professional translation service.
How can I report grades I have received since submitting my application?
Save a scanned copy of the updated transcript and e-mail it as a PDF attachment to grad-admissions-center@duke.edu. Include your first (or given) name, last (or family) name, and date of birth in the body of the e-mail.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
How does the online recommendation process work?
See the Letters of Recommendation instructions page.
Who should I get to write my letters of recommendation?
It is important to have recommenders who know you well, and who can attest to your research interests, achievements, and academic performance. Writers also should be able to elaborate on your record beyond providing information that is available on the transcript.
Some, but not all, letters can be from a senior supervisor, but it is also important to have letters from faculty who can attest to your academic ability. Do not write a letter for someone and have them sign it: this is easy to detect and harmful to your application.
Can I submit my application before all of my recommendations arrive?
Yes. Submit your application as soon as you have completed all the sections and sent recommendation requests to your recommenders. After you submit your application, the graduate admissions office can link recommendation letters as they are received. It is critical that your letters of recommendation arrive by the application deadline.
What should I do if one of my recommenders is having trouble submitting a recommendation?
First, click on the Technical Support link in your application and submit a help ticket. If technical support cannot assist you, contact the graduate admissions office using the form on our site.
Can I submit my recommendations through a letter service like Interfolio?
Yes, if the service is compatible with our online recommendation system. If you are using a letter service, enter the recommender’s name in the recommendation section of the application and enter the e-mail address provided by the letter service.
Can I change one of my recommenders or add a new one after my application has been submitted?
You cannot change a recommender that is already listed in a submitted application. If you have already submitted your application and need to add a new recommender because one of your original recommenders is unavailable, please contact the graduate admissions office using the form on our website. In your message, be sure to specify your name, your date of birth, the program(s) to which you applied, and the name of the new recommender. If you have more than one application on file, you should also specify which application requires the new recommendation. We will then reply to you with detailed instructions for submitting the new recommendation.
Is it OK to list more than three recommenders in my application?
We strongly discourage you from requesting more than the required number of recommendations. Rather than improving your chances of admission, an excessive number of recommendation letters may actually cause application reviewers to view your file unfavorably.
What does it mean to waive your right to examine a letter of recommendation?
If you waive your right to examine a letter of recommendation, you will not be able to view the letter at any time. This gives the recommender confidence that the letter will remain confidential.
What if my recommendation letters arrive after the application deadline?
If the recommendations arrive late, The Graduate School will still forward them to the Department of Economics. Try to facilitate timely submissions by communicating with your recommenders at least two months before you plan to submit your application.
I have been asked to submit a recommendation for an applicant. How should I proceed?
You will receive an e-mail message that includes step-by-step instructions on how to submit your recommendation electronically. This message will come from support@hobsons.com, not The Graduate School. Please adjust your e-mail spam filters, if necessary, to ensure that you receive the e-mail message in your inbox.
STANDARDIZED TESTS
Do you accept GMAT scores?
No, the Department of Economics requires all applicants to submit GRE scores.
What is the difference between self-reported and official test scores?
Any scores reported by an applicant — including paper copies of score reports submitted by an applicant — are considered self-reported and are not sufficient to complete an application. Scores sent directly from ETS (or other testing agencies) to The Graduate School are considered official.
What institution code should I use when asking ETS to send my scores? Do I need to include a department code?
Use institution code 5156. A department code is not needed. If ETS requires you to enter a department code, select any one of the department codes listed on their site. Regardless of the department code entered, the scores will come to The Graduate School, as long as you use institution code 5156.
When do my test scores expire?
TOEFL and IELTS scores expire after two years. GRE scores expire after five years.
I have taken the GRE more than once. Will you consider multiple scores?
Yes. We will look at the scores from multiple test attempts and take the highest score from each section of each test.
Will you accept official scores after the application deadline?
The Graduate School will continue to add official test scores to applications after the application deadline. However, if your scores are received late, it may negatively affect the review of your application.
Can the GRE requirement be waived?
No. GRE scores must be reported.
Do I have to take the GRE subject test as well?
No. We do not require any GRE subject tests for admission to our master’s programs.
What is the minimum GRE score or GPA required to apply?
The mean GRE is about 164 quantitative and 160 verbal, and the average GPA of our incoming students is 3.7, but there is no specific minimum GRE or GPA requirement. GRE scores and GPAs are considered alongside several other factors during the application review process.
What should I do if I took the old GRE?
As long as your scores have not expired, you may use the scores from the old GRE test.
Do I need to provide TOEFL or IELTS test scores?
If your first language is not English, you must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.
What is the minimum TOEFL or IELTS score required to apply?
The minimum scores are 90 for the Internet-based TOEFL, 577 for the paper-based TOEFL, and 7.0 for the IELTS test.
What should I do if you have not received my official test scores?
Please wait three to four weeks after requesting scores from the testing agency before contacting The Graduate School. If the scores still have not been received after four weeks, please contact The Graduate School using the form on our site.
To what address should my IELTS score be mailed?
The IELTS score should be mailed to the address on the Contact Admissions page.
REVIEW AND NOTIFICATION
Who reviews my application?
The actual in-depth review of your file is conducted by the department’s admissions committee.
When are decisions made?
For fall admissions, the earliest decisions may be made in January, with the review process continuing into February, March, and April (particularly for those on waiting lists).
How can I check the status of my application?
After submitting your online application, you can check the status of your application materials via the Applicant Self-Service system. You should log in to this system periodically to ensure that all required application materials have been received. Incomplete applications will either not be considered or will be rejected on the basis of incompleteness.
Instructions on activating your Applicant Self-Service system can be found on the Duke SISS website.
How will I know when a decision has been made on my application?
You will receive an e-mail stating that a decision has been made. That message will provide instructions for accessing the online decision letter.
Why have I not received the official decision letter in the mail?
The Graduate School does not mail paper decision letters. Follow the directions in your e-mail notification to access the online decision letter via your Applicant Self-Service account. If you are admitted, be sure to print a copy of the decision letter for your records.
How can I accept or decline an offer of admission?
See the Application Review Process page.
Once I receive an offer of admission, how long do I have to decide?
Fall admission offers are valid until April 15 or within 15 days of the receipt of the admission letter, whichever is later.
Can I defer admission to a different semester?
Requests for deferral are rarely approved by The Graduate School. Valid reasons for a deferral include health issues, visa issues beyond the student’s control, or military service.
I have accepted the offer of admission. What should I do next?
See the Admitted Students section on The Graduate School’s website for details on how to proceed. Pay special attention to the items mentioned in the checklist.
