Welcome Class of 2025

Parents and Families!

Duke Families,

Welcome to the Duke community! We are incredibly excited for the incoming Class of 2025 and to have you as part of our community. Each year we are thrilled to welcome your students to Duke University; their energy and passion inspire our community. This summer we would like to introduce you to the two primary offices that prepare you and your student for the transition to Duke.

The staff in Parent and Family Programs is here to provide support and services to all undergraduate parents and families, beginning with onboarding our new families the summer before their student starts their Duke career. This summer you can expect monthly newsletters from us, and we are always available by email as well: familyprograms@duke.edu.

Your student will be primarily supported by New Student Programs this summer. This amazing staff is dedicated to providing the needed information and resources so that your student can arrive to campus ready to begin their exciting career at Duke. New Student Programs also coordinates New Student Orientation, Pre-Orientation Programs, the Blue Book, the Summer Transition Series, and the Duke Common Experience.

Read more from Vice Dean of Students, Clay Adams.

Important Dates

May 25 • FOCUS Application due*
May 31 • Housing Application due
June 4 • Pre-Orientation Program Applications due*
June 15 • Immunization forms due
July 15 or 19 • Fall 2021 class registration opens
TBA • First-Year Student Move-In
TBA • Parent & Family Orientation
August 17 • New Student Orientation begins
October 15-17 • Family Weekend

* Optional applications/programs

Student Spotlight

Rising sophomore, Natalia Hauser, reflects on her first year at Duke. In this article, Natalia addresses many common questions and concerns of Class of 2025 students who may wonder what it is like to attend college during a pandemic. While the pandemic is not over, Duke does anticipate this fall to feel more like what we are accustomed to on campus. Natalia's article provides insight to students and families about the Duke experience even with COVID-19 precautions.

Duke Families on Facebook

Join the Class of 2025 Parents and Families Facebook Group. This is an opportunity to engage with other Duke families in a fun and informative setting. In order to join this closed group, family members will have to click the "Join Group" button at the top of the page and respond to a few security questions.

Get Ready for Duke!

Blue Book

The Blue Book is your student's guide to Duke this summer. It features deadlines, resources, and everything students need to do over the summer before they start, including course registration steps, immunization info, orientation program opportunities, and much more!

The Parents and Family section of the Blue Book provides an overview of resources and topics of interest to families, from wellness services and financial aid and billing information to explanations of student privacy laws and how to send students mail on campus. We encourage you to use this website throughout this summer and beyond to support your student while they are at Duke.

Summer content for students

Student Emails

Encourage your student to start checking their Duke emails regularly, as this is the email address where official University communications will be sent throughout the summer. Students should contact the Office of Information Technology (OIT) if they have issues accessing their Duke email.

Among the communications students will receive are weekly digest emails from New Student Programs, which began earlier this week. The digests will list the top five most important deadlines and pieces of information to help students transition before Orientation.

Summer Transition Series

New Student Programs also hosts a webinar series for students called the Summer Transition Series (STS). STS provides online opportunities for your student to get their pressing questions answered in real-time by the experts. All webinars are hosted via Zoom from 4-5pm (EDT) and will be recorded.

Message regarding COVID-19

We know that new students and families are eager to know what Duke is doing for the Fall 2021 semester. So are we! The University is now planning for a range of options that prioritize the health and safety of our campus community and will ensure that the Class of 2025 will have a terrific first semester of study and engagement as Blue Devils. Further information about the Fall semester should be available by the end of June. Be assured you will be among the first to know when our plans are ready.

In the meantime, you can always find the most up-to-date information on the Duke United website.

Upcoming Events

Student Move-In and Parent & Family Orientation

Among the details for the Fall that are still under review is student move-in. After these dates and details are confirmed, we will know more about in-person orientation events for families. We expect the majority of Parent and Family Orientation sessions to be online to accommodate the possibility of varying move-in dates as well as families who will not be able to travel to Durham this August.

Once we have confirmed student move-in dates, we will share this and more details about Parent & Family Orientation widely with families.

Family Weekend 2021

Mark your calendars! Duke University Family Weekend 2021 will be held Friday, October 15 – Sunday, October 17. We anticipate welcoming families to campus for this weekend; however, COVID-19 conditions could change this at any time. More details, a schedule, and registration will be posted to the Parent and Family Programs webpage the first week of August. Read the full Family Weekend 2021 announcement.

For planning purposes, please note that programming will begin Friday morning and continue through midday Sunday.

Duke Parents Advisory Council

The Duke Parents Advisory Council (DPAC) plays an instrumental role within the University by providing feedback, support, and counsel throughout the academic year. Interested in joining the DPAC? Stay tuned for application information coming later this summer.

Fall 2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

All students will be required to present proof of vaccination for the Fall 2021 semester. Documented medical or religious exemptions will be accommodated. Read the full announcement. After completing their vaccine series, students should email a photo of their vaccination card to Student Health at covidlabresults@duke.edu.

International Families

Fall 2021 International Student FAQ

There is a listing of frequently asked questions and answers about the Fall 2021 semester specifically for international students. This page includes details about the vaccine requirement, visas, and more. We encourage students and families to look here for more information.

Duke International House

Duke International House (IHouse) provides educational programs, services, and advocacy to the Duke global community on campus. Read IHouse's welcome letter to new international families.