Applying for DukeEngage

Each program has its own application link, located under the featured photo on the program profile page:

You can apply for one DukeEngage program at a time. If you’re not selected, you can apply again in the future (as long as you continue to be eligible).

Think about:

• Which social issues matter to you? Use the filters on the group program page to consider what excites you or connects in meaningful ways to your journey.
• What type of work do you want to do? Work directly with community members, such as teaching, tutoring, or outreach? Capacity-building work such as fundraising, marketing, or evaluation? Policy-level research? Work with your hands? Read group program profiles carefully.
• What type of community do you want to be immersed in? Rural or urban? U.S. or international? Is there a culture or language you have been studying? Seek out articles, films, speakers, events, and resources on campus to learn more.
• Can you make a contribution? Consider how your skills and background relate to the program that interests you. Program leaders aren’t always looking for previous experience, but think about what you have to offer.

Learn more:

• Read program profiles carefully.
• Attend DukeEngage Days information sessions for any program you are interested in. If you can’t attend, write to the program director with your questions.
• Talk to students who have participated. Ask the program director, or DukeEngage, for names.

The application consists of a series of short essays—about why you are interested in the program or project, how your background makes you a good candidate for that program, and what your personal strengths are.

Don’t wait until the last minute and risk missing the deadline:

• Reach out to us (on a business day) before the deadline with any questions.
• Compose your responses in a separate document.
• Submit well ahead of the deadline.

Language ability is assessed and evaluated by each program director. If you have questions about your level of proficiency, please contact the program director for more information.

If you intend to apply for an international program, you’ll need a passport that is valid at least six months after your return. (Most countries will not permit a traveler to enter without this.)

If you don’t have a passport, apply as soon as possible. Your application may be accepted without the passport in hand – but if you don’t have a valid passport by mid-February, you risk not being able to participate in DukeEngage.

If you do have a passport, check the validity, and apply for renewal if necessary.

• Important: We’ve heard from the State Department that the standard passport application process is taking much longer than in the past – up to 12-18 weeks.
• Also note: Your passport may also need at least two consecutive blank pages, depending on the country you’re traveling to. Consult Duke’s Global Administrative and Travel Support office for more information.

DukeEngage does not cover the cost of applying for or renewing student passports, but you can apply to the Duke Student Passport Fund for help with passport-related expenses.

Participants must be in compliance with the Duke COVID-19 vaccine requirements (absent a medical or religious exemption).

Some countries and/or programs may have additional vaccine and/or testing requirements necessary to enter/remain in country and/or to participate in a given activity.

Applications are read, and students are selected, by each program’s directors.

Many program directors, but not all, interview some portion of their applicants. Interviews can take place any time during the application review period. Not all program directors conduct interviews at the same time, nor do they all send out interview invitations at once.

You are free to withdraw your application at any time before being accepted and committing to the program, without penalty, through the online application system or by writing to dukeengage@duke.edu. If it’s after the application deadline, write to the program director as well.

DukeEngage has traditionally been selective, with an overall acceptance rate of approximately 50%.

The individual programs with the highest application numbers change from year to year. Some programs attract a broad swath of students, while some appeal to specific interests. The real question is: Do you bring motivation, skills, and/or personal qualities for the programs you’re interested in? Your chances of being selected increase when you apply to programs that match your skills and interests.

All applicants will be notified about the status of their applications by email, as listed in this year’s Dates and Deadlines.

Applicants will either be selected, not selected, or designated as an alternate.

No, but if you remain a student in good standing and meet all eligibility requirements, you’re welcome to reapply in a future year. Reapplication does not guarantee preference or acceptance.

If you’re selected you’ll be given a short time, approximately one week, to commit to the program. Be ready to act!

You’ll sign a participation agreement, register for the DukeEngage Academy, submit health and travel questionnaires, and supply a US Social Security card or ITIN, among other requirements.

For international programs you’ll be asked to submit a scan of your valid passport, complete an additional medical questionnaire, and submit visa application materials (if necessary).

All applicants to international programs are urged to have a valid passport in hand by February.

Your commitment indicates to us that you are no longer considering other summer options. If you withdraw after committing to the program, you may have prevented another student from participating or left a community partner without the assistance they were expecting. As such, students who withdraw after committing for reasons within their control are not eligible to reapply to DukeEngage in future years.