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Application Review

The application review process includes a thorough evaluation of a candidate's performance in previous law studies. Also of special significance are the applicant's areas of special interest and expertise, professional and personal goals, strong letters of recommendation and English proficiency. 

Admission Decisions

Admission decisions are made soon after the application deadlines. 
 

Exchange Application Procedures

Applicants to the exchange program must submit their application materials directly to our office. Please note that you must omit the box number from our address if you plan to send application  materials via courier (DHL, FedEx, etc.) to the International Admissions office. Application materials may also be submitted electronically to international@law.duke.edu

It is important to review the detailed application procedures.

• Application Checklist
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply
• Resume
• Personal Statement
• Recommendation Letters
• Academic Transcripts
• TOEFL Score Report
• Contact Us

Application Checklist

The following items are required to complete your application for Exchange program admission. Application files will not be evaluated until all required items have been received. Applicants will receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt of materials that contains login and password information to check the status of their application. Please note that e-mails are not sent indicating completion of application files.

• Application form completed. You must also complete and sign the Certification Letter and submit to International Admissions.
• Resume. 
• Personal statement 2-5 pages in length. 
• Transcripts for all previously attended academic institutions. Include transcripts for all completed work. 
• Recommendation letters. Exchange program applicants should include at least one recommendation letter from a person identified as best suited to judge the applicant's academic ability. 
• TOEFL score report. Have ETS submit your score to Duke, institution code 5156, department code 03.

Application Deadline

The recommended application deadline for the Exchange program is March 15 for the fall semester, and by September 15 for the spring semester.

How to Apply

You may submit your application materials in hard copy form directly to the International Admissions office (address below). Please note that you must omit the box number from our mailing address if you plan to send application materials via courier (DHL, FedEx, etc.).  Application materials may also be submitted electronically via e-mail to international@law.duke.edu 

Resume

Please submit a resume with your application.  

Personal Statement

Provide a statement about your professional and educational experience, goals in studying law in the United States, future plans, previous overseas experience, and anything else relevant to your application. If you have a particular reason why you want to attend Duke (alumni in family, interest in specific professor or course, spouse or significant other applying), please let us know.

Recommendation Letters

A minimum of at least one letter of recommendation should be submitted on behalf of the Exchange program applicant. Such letters should not be from relatives or close family friends. The letter(s) should explain the relationship of the writer to the applicant and should be from a faculty member well acquainted with the applicant's academic ability. 

There are two methods for submitting letters of recommendation. Applicants may include with their hard copy application materials recommendation letters that are in sealed envelopes which the referee's signature across the seal. Referees may also submit recommendation letter directly to the International Studies office. We prefer recommendation letters in hard copy format but will accept electronic letters if referees are unable to submit letters prior to the application deadline. 

Academic Transcripts

Transcripts for all previously attended academic institutions must be submitted. Transcripts may  be submitted directly by the applicant with their application materials. Please note that all transcripts must include an English translation, containing the seal or signature of a professional translator, and an explanation of the grading system.

TOEFL Score Report

Register for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) at least two months before the examination is given. Because it may take more than one month for score results to reach Duke, it is advisable to take the test as soon as possible. TOEFL scores must be less than two years old from the date of application to be considered valid. Candidates who are native English speakers or who have received degrees of at least three years in length from a university where English was the medium of instruction and where English is an official language of the country, may be exempt from this requirement. All other applicants must submit test scores in order to complete the admissions process. Duke's TOEFL institution code is 5156 and its department code is 03. Students admitted the Exchange program have scores of at least 98 on the Internet-based test (iBT).
 

Information on study abroad options for JD students can be found at the Study Abroad site.