DCID

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Admissions

Who Should Apply
Arrival & Orientation 
Campus Service & Activities 
Tuition & Funding

APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM
Applications are processed through Duke’s Graduate School. Candidates must apply on-line. The GRE is not required.

A complete application includes:

1. Electronic application form, available at: www.gradschool.duke.edu/admissions
   
2. An official undergraduate transcript with degree posted. The term “transcript” may not be a familiar term to some applicants. In the U.S., a transcript includes the following information:
   
   1. the dates you attended the institution
      
   2. the titles of the specific courses or subjects in which you were enrolled
      
   3. the number of hours of instruction involved in each course or subject
      
   4. the grade, mark or some other form of evaluation you received for each course or subject
      
   5. any degree, diploma, or certificate awarded for completion of your studies

3. To be considered an official transcript the document (s) must contain the institution’s stamp or some other form of certification that clearly indicates authenticity. If your institution does not make a practice of sending original transcripts, copies of the original documents that have been certified by the issuing institution may be accepted.

4. Transcripts from additional colleges and universities attended must also be submitted and be official using the same criteria as stated above.
5. For non-English transcripts, translated transcripts done by an official translator and bearing the insignia and signature of that translator.
   
6. Three letters of recommendation
   
7. Statement of Purpose: Write a one-page essay explaining your purpose for study in the PIDP.
   
8. Policy Essay: Identify one of the most critical problems related to a developing/transitional country and describe what you would do to solve this problem. Discuss the policies that have (or have not) been implemented to address this issue, and how these policies are effective (or ineffective). What would you do if you were in the position of a policy maker? Please limit your response to 300 words.
   
9. All applicants whose first language is not English must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores (not older than 2 years). Minimum TOEFL scores are as follows:
   
   1. 550-paper based
      
   2. 213-computer based
      
   3. 83-internet based
      

10. Note: A minimum overall band score of 7 must be scored on the IELTS. Details on the TOEFL and IELTs exams and registration forms are available at U.S. embassies and consulates as well as U.S. Information Agency offices, or from www.toefl.org or www.ielts.org. Please request that the official TOEFL or IELTS scores be sent to the Duke Graduate School admissions office, institutional code 5156.

11. Application Fee: $75
    
12. A current Curriculum Vitae or Resume
    
13. List of funding organizations, including names, addresses, email, phone and fax, to which you have applied for financial support. Applicants must apply to at least two funding sources to be eligible for PIDP scholarships. If your funding is confirmed, include official proof of financial support.
    
14. State how you learned about the PIDP (ad, internet search, website, colleague, direct mail, brochure, etc. Please be as specific as possible.)
    

Application Deadlines
We accept applications on a rolling basis. However, we prefer that applicants submit their materials by the deadlines below whenever possible. Late applications will be considered on a space available basis.
Fall admission consideration deadline: December 31
Spring admission consideration deadline: October 1*
*Spring application available ONLY to one-year degree applicants applying through approved sponsored program agreements

ARRIVAL AND ORIENTATION (Back to top of page)
We recognize the many challenges incoming international students face upon their arrival, and we make every effort to help them settle in and adjust to their new community. To assist with this transition, an orientation to the academic program, Duke and Durham takes place when fellows arrive on campus to start the academic year. For information about PIDP Orientation, 2008, please visit the Student Resources section of this website.

DCID staff members also provide a full range of support to PIDP Fellows and their families.

CAMPUS SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES (Back to top of page)
Duke University also provides a wealth of services activities to its students, and we encourage all fellows to take advantage of these opportunities on campus and in the community. In some cases, these university-wide offices provide services which cannot be provided by PIDP faculty and staff. Please see the links on the Current Students page for more specific information. 

TUITION AND FUNDING (Back to top of page) 

2008-2009 Tuition and Fees
9 Month Academic Year:

Summer Session, Term I* 

*Fellows enrolled in the one-year M.A. degree program are required to attend Summer Session, Term I, and will incur these additional tuition costs, university fees and living expenses.

Additionally, if you are an international student, Duke requires that you demonstrate possession of additional funding for living expenses during your first nine months of study BEFORE they will issue visa documents. The estimated living expenses for the 2008-2009 academic year are US $1,830/month. Based on this estimate, international students must show they have $16,470 for living expenses for their first nine months of study. Those applying to the one-year program must show proof of living expenses for the 11-month duration of that academic program, which totals $20,130.

Funding Options
The vast majority of fellows secure their own financial support to cover their participation in the program, either through their employer, government, foundations, or through other funding agencies that have fellowship programs targeting their home countries. The search for funding should begin as early as possible (at least one year in advance), as most agencies have early application deadlines.

The foundations, agencies, and programs that offer financial support change information and application deadlines each year, it is best to contact them for the most recent and accurate information on funding opportunities. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply to as many funding agencies as they are eligible.

If you are admitted to the PIDP, DCID will be happy to provide a letter of recommendation to the funding source on your behalf.

PIDP Tuition Scholarships
PIDP offers a limited number of partial tuition scholarships. The purpose of the scholarships is to allow participation by the most qualified applicants to the program who otherwise could not attend due to financial limitations. Competition for these awards is extremely high. Since PIDP cannot offer full scholarships, all applicants to the program who need financial assistance should explore every possible source of financial support for their study. (We require applicants for the PIDP scholarships to submit their completed application to the program by the application deadline (December 31 for fall or October 1 for spring), to apply to at least two appropriate funding agencies, and to demonstrate that they have done so in order to be considered.)

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