Duke Families,

Welcome to the Duke community! We are incredibly excited for the incoming Class of 2023 and having you as part of our community! Each year we are thrilled to welcome your sons and daughters to Duke University; their energy and passion inspires our community.

Each month we will send you a parent and family newsletter. Much of our newsletter information will be shared on our social media platforms; however, we do encourage you to read each edition for additional insights, context, and official University response.

Read more from Associate Dean of Students and Director for Parent & Family Programs, Clay Adams. 

May 31  •  Housing Application Due (includes Dining Plan selection)
June 1  •  Pre-Orientation Application Due (optional)
June 15  •  Immunization Form Due
July 9 or July 11  •  Class Registration Opens
August 1  •  Fall 2019 Tuition & Fees Payment Due
August 20  • First-Year Student Move-In Day
August 20-21 •  Parent and Family Orientation
October 25-27  •  Family Weekend

We encourage you to think critically about how to best support your student during his or her transition to college. In partnership with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Parent and Family Programs has developed a series of videos to help you prepare for some of the changes your student is about to face and reflect on how to support your student in the coming months. Click above to watch the first video.

Students should begin checking their Duke email regularly, as this is the email address that will be used for official University communications throughout the summer. Included in these student communications are weekly digest emails from New Student Programs, which began earlier this month. The digests will include updates for first-year students and deadline reminders. If students are having issues accessing their Duke email, students should contact the Office of Information Technology (OIT).  

One way students can learn about Duke is through the Summer Transition Series. This series includes helpful online videos about Duke that prepare students for live chat sessions with campus experts throughout the summer. Encourage your student to watch the coordinating videos and develop a list of questions before each webinar. 

The dedicated team in the Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support is here to help explain the financial aid process. Understanding your student's financial obligations will help you and your family feel more confident, less stressed, and better equipped as your student embarks on their first year at Duke.

Your student is able to view and accept financial aid, including loans, grants, and work study on their MyDuke account. Encourage your student to visit the Financial Aid website for more information. 

Our advice? Start planning now! This website offers resources, tips, and commonly asked questions about financial support. This summer it will be important to have honest conversations with your student about educational and personal expenses, developing a budget, and what it means to "live like a college student." Helping your student develop fiscally responsible habits during his or her first year will prevent unnecessary debt and ultimately set your student up for success after college. 

Whether your student is with Trinity College of Arts and Sciences or Pratt School of Engineering, there are several resources and individuals available to help guide your student through his or her first year.

In Trinity, students will be assigned a college advisor in early August prior to orientation. For more information about college advisors, first-year advising resources, or how the Academic Advising Center is here to assist your Trinity student, please visit their website. 

Pratt students are assigned a faculty advisor who they are required to meet with prior to each registration period. Information regarding the Pratt first-year curriculum and academic advising is all available online and in the Blue Book. 

We look forward to welcoming your family to campus Tuesday, August 20 and Wednesday, August 21 for move-in and Parent and Family Orientation! A tentative schedule is posted on our webpage to help your family plan for the trip and understand the time frame. The final schedule for the Class of 2023 Parent and Family Orientation will be available on our website in July. Be sure to check back for updates!