Admissions Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does it cost to apply and what are the major deadlines?
The final deadline to submit an application for admission is December
15. The application fee is $75, but applications that are submitted on
or before November 15 are charged a reduced application fee of $65. The
Chemistry department does not offer fee waivers, as the application fee
pays for the time and effort that goes into processing and reviewing each
application.
- How do I apply?
You must apply through the Graduate School website at www.gradschool.duke.edu
-> Admissions -> Apply Online. Paper applications forms are no longer
accepted by the Graduate School for admissions. One you have completed
the online application, you should mail all supporting materials (official
transcripts, letters of recommendation, test scores, etc.) to the Graduate
School Admission Office, where they will be filed with your online application,
then sent to the Chemistry Department for review.
- What graduate degrees are available in the Department of Chemistry?
The Department of Chemistry offers admission only to the doctoral program
and does not offer a terminal M. Sc. Program. In cases where a student
either chooses to terminate their PhD. Studies or fails to advance to candidacy,
however, the Department may allow the student to defend a M.Sc. thesis.
- Can I apply for Spring or Summer admission?
The Department of Chemistry offers only Fall admission.
- How many people apply each year to the doctoral program and how many
get admitted? Is there a quota or limit on how many international students
are accepted?
Each year between 200 and 300 application are received by the department,
from students from all over the world. In a typical year, 15-20 matriculate
into the Department in the Fall. The Department accepts the most qualified
and talented applicants, regardless of country of origin, and we are proud
of the gender and ethnic diversity in our research community.
- What are the GRE, GPA and TOEFL requirements for admission?
The typical profile of successful applicants to the doctoral program in
chemistry at Duke can be found here. While the department does not have
minimum score requirements, the typical applicant who gains admission has
an overall UGPA of 3.2 or higher, GRE quantitative scores well over 700,
and previous research experience in chemistry or a related area. International
applicants must submit a TOEFL exam demonstrating facility with English.
The minimum TOEFL scores for admission are 550 (paper-based test), 213
(computer-based test), or 83 (iBT).The (IELTS) exam is also accepted, and
a minimum score of 7.0 is necessary in order to be considered for admission. The
GRE subject test in chemistry is recommended, but not required. Absence
of a GRE subject test in chemistry will not have a negative impact on an
application.
- My GRE and/or TOEFL scores are out of date. Can I still apply?
ETS will not submit GRE scores older than 5 years or TOEFL scores older
than 2 years to any university. As long as ETS will send your scores, Duke
will accept them. If you wish to send photocopies of your in-date test
scores with your application, you may do so. However, if the Department
of Chemistry wishes to tender an offer of admission and your official GRE
and/or TOEFL scores have not yet arrived from ETS, that offer will be withheld
pending receipt of the official scores. Failure to supply any form
of GRE scores, or TOEFL scores when required will prevent the consideration
of your application.
- Can I receive a TOEFL/IELTS waiver if I have studied at an English
speaking university in the past? Can I submit a TSE score?
The Department of Chemistry does not have the power to offer TOEFL waivers.
Only students who have either lived a significant period of time in an
English speaking country or have received a 4 year degree from an English
speaking institution may petition the Graduate School for a TOEFL/IELTS
waiver. A 2 year Master’s program at an English speaking university
is not enough to receive a TOEFL/IELTS waiver from the Graduate School.
The Test of Spoken English (TSE) cannot be accepted in lieu of a TOEFL
or IELTS score.
- What financial aid is available, and how do I apply?
Financial aid for graduate school is not necessarily based on financial
need but on the academic strength of the candidate. Therefore, no proof
of financial need is required to apply. In order to apply for any and
all available financial aid, an applicant need only to indicate “YES” on
the financial aid section of the online application. The Department of
Chemistry financial aid package for doctoral students is typically composed
of a 5.5 year tuition and fee waiver and a stipend. The stipend is made
up a combination of Teaching and Research Assistantships and fellowships
.
- What documents are required for a complete application?
The following are required:
- Online application and application fee submitted by the December
15 deadline
- Official copies of academic transcripts from all institutions from
which one has earned a degree
- General GRE scores
- TOEFL/IELTS scores for international student for whom English is
not their first language
- A minimum of 3 letters of recommendation
- A personal statement.
CVs, resumes, and writing/research samples, while appreciated, are
not required. The GRE subject test in chemistry is recommended but not
required.
- When can I expect to hear whether my application has been accepted?
Offers of admission are typically announced from mid-January to mid-April,
but the majority of offers are extended before the end of February.
- Where should I mail my application materials, once the online application
is complete?
Do not mail any application materials to the Department of Chemistry;
all applications must be processed through the Graduate School Admissions
Office. Please mail all application materials to:
The Graduate School
Admissions Office
Box 90065
Duke University
127 Allen Building
Durham, NC 27708-0065
919-684-3913