FOCUS Entry Process
All first-year students entering Duke complete the First-Year Experience Preference Form, where they indicate their interest in either Constellations or FOCUS, along with their preferences within each program.
The form opens on April 1, 2026, and must be submitted by May 13, 2026.
Students who indicate interest in FOCUS will be asked to select and rank four (4) clusters (including course preferences) and respond to each essay question per cluster (4 essays total).
Students will receive a confirmation email upon successful submission of the form.
FOCUS uses a rolling review process, and the program makes every effort to accommodate student preferences.
All placement decisions will be released on May 26, 2026.
Starting the Process
Start the process by going to the preference form. The First-Year Experience Preference Form will be available on April 1, 2026. After April 1, 2026, go to https://trinity.duke.edu/first-year-experience to access the First-Year Experience Preference Form.
Student ID Number
Student ID number: When prompted for your Student ID number, enter the seven-digit number starting with 2 or 3. This number can be found in the “Confirmation of Enrollment at Duke University” email that is sent within 24 hours of a student completing the online enrollment process. Students are given access to online enrollment at the same time they access their admittance letter.
Please contact the Duke University Admissions Office (919-684-3214) if you are unable to locate your seven-digit Student ID Number.
When prompted for your email, please enter your preferred email address. You can use your Duke email address or another address. You will receive notices regarding the FOCUS Program at this address.
Cluster Choices
Please review the information and descriptions for the individual clusters. You must pick four separate clusters.
Remainder of 1st Page
Answer the rest of the questions as desired, indicating your t-shirt size and dietary preference/issues. If you have no dietary preferences, choose 'none'. If you choose 'other', then you will need to fill in the Dietary Needs box. Then click Next—>
2nd and 3rd Pages
Class Choice and Short-answer Questions: You will need to pick two different classes within each cluster. Please provide a short answer to the question/s. You must answer all questions to continue your form. Essays are approximately 400 words. If you wish to change your program choice, press the <—Prev button to return to the first page.
4th Page/Final Step
Review your answers very carefully. If you need to make a change, use the <—Prev button to go back to the appropriate page. Once you are happy with your answers, click Submit, and you will be taken to a Thank You page.
Changing your FOCUS courses
All changes to course enrollments are subject to approval by the FOCUS Program. You may not add or drop your FOCUS courses during the regular add/drop period. Please contact the faculty director of your cluster and the FOCUS Program staff if you wish to change your course schedule, at focus@duke.edu or 919-684-9370.
Withdrawal from the FOCUS Program is discouraged after registration is complete, and withdrawal during the add/drop period is not allowed. Students who want to withdraw must discuss this decision with the faculty director of their cluster.
Contact the FOCUS office
Email: focus@duke.edu
Phone: 919-684-9370