MIDP Application Process & Requirements

GRE

Applicants are not required to submit GRE scores. However, if you have taken the GRE and would like to submit your scores, please request that the official GRE scores be sent to the Duke Graduate School admissions office, institutional code 5156. 

Language Proficiency

All applicants whose first language is not English or who are not U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents must submit TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or PTE scores (not older than two years):

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 TOEFL and IELTS. Please request that the official TOEFL scores be sent to the Duke Graduate School admissions office, institutional code 5156. 

For PTE scores, please follow the instructions listed on the exam and select the MIDP program. Learn more about the PTE exam.

For Duolingo scores, please follow the instructions listed on the exam and select Duke University. Learn more about the Duolingo exam.

IELTS scores may be verified electronically with the TRF. Please send your TRF to the MIDP admissions office at midpinfo@duke.edu or request hardcopy scores to be mailed to the following address:

Duke Center for International Development
Attn: MIDP Admissions Office, RH 196
Box 90237
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina USA 27708-0237

In your personal statement, please describe the following:

• Why you are interested in this program
• How you expect the program to benefit you and your home country or region
• How aspects of your professional, academic and personal experiences have shaped you
• Your professional goals upon graduation

Please limit the statement to one page, single-spaced.

Three letters of recommendation are required in support of your application. The letters must be submitted electronically via the online application. 

You will be required to enter the contact information of your recommenders (including email address), and the recommenders will, in turn, be sent a link from which they can access the online recommendation form, fill it out and upload a letter in support of your application. We cannot accept recommendations outside of the application portal.

Please request letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic references who are best qualified to testify to your potential and skills in the field.

Prior to submitting your application, you are required to upload one copy of your scanned unofficial transcript from each institution you have attended. We can review your application with the unofficial transcript(s); however, official transcript(s) are required for full admission to the program. 

Please note that non-legible scans will not be accepted. Make sure your scanned documents are readable before uploading, as non-legible documents will result in delays.

Important guidelines for uploading transcripts:

• Transcripts should be in English and should list the specific courses taken while enrolled in the institution, along with the grade.
• Make sure that all critical and identifying marks have been scanned and are legible. These include the institution's name, your name, the names of your courses and the grades you have received.
• Make sure that your file is in Word (.doc) or PDF format and does not exceed 1.5 MB (1,500 kb) in size. To reach the minimum size, you may have to scan your file at the lowest DPI that produces a legible image. In most cases, you will be able to use a DPI under 200. Do not scan in color. Use grayscale if possible, otherwise use black and white.
• Once you have uploaded your file, click the "View Document" button to ensure that the document you've uploaded is legible throughout. If it is not legible, try again. You may need to adjust the settings of your scanner to produce a scan that is both legible and smaller than 1.5 MB.
• Finally, if you are unable to upload a legible transcript, you will be asked to have an official transcript sent to the MIDP Admissions Office.​​​

A Note for International Applicants

The term “transcript” may not be a familiar term to some applicants. In the U.S., a transcript includes the following information:

• Your name
• The institution’s name
• The dates you attended the institution
• The titles of the specific courses or subjects in which you were enrolled
• The number of hours of instruction involved in each course or subject
• The grade, mark or some other form of evaluation you received for each course or subject
• Any degree, diploma or certificate awarded for completion of your studies

Non-English transcripts must be translated by an official translator and bear the insignia and signature of that translator.

If the grading scale of your institution is different from the 4.0 grading scale used at U.S. institutions, you will be asked to complete an International Transcript Evalulation Form, one for each international institution you have attended. 

Accepted Applicants

If you are accepted to Duke's MIDP program, you will be required to provide official copies of your transcripts at that time. Official transcript(s) with degree posted from all institutions you have attended is required for admission to our program.

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.

Non-English transcripts must be translated by an official translator and bearing the insignia and signature of that translator.

Official transcripts must be in sealed envelopes, issued by the institution and submitted via mail to the following address:

Duke Center for International Development
Attn: MIDP Admissions Office, RH 196
Box 90237
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina USA 27708-0237

We strongly recommend that international applicants send transcripts by express mail (FedEx) to ensure delivery.  

The application fee is $80. We accept payment by Visa or MasterCard (debit/credit). Please note we do not review applications until we have processed the application fee.

There is no separate application required for financial aid consideration. Your online application serves as the application for admission and the application for financial aid consideration.