General Questions
- What is the FOCUS Program (FOCUS)?
- How long is FOCUS?
- Do I have to live with other FOCUS students?
- Can Pratt students take part in the FOCUS Program?
- Does FOCUS fulfill graduation requirements? (Related: What do the letters like NS, R, STS, EI next to the course name indicate?)
Application Process
- How do I apply to the FOCUS Program?
- What are the application dates?
- When do I hear back about my application?
- If I'm only interested in one cluster, do I have to write an essay for all four?
- Is my FOCUS application binding?
Classes and Start of Semester
- When will I know my FOCUS courses?
- How do I register for my FOCUS courses?
- I'm in a class I didn't pick on my application. How do I change classes?
- Do I take Writing 120 the same semester as my FOCUS courses?
- What if I need to drop FOCUS?
If you have questions we haven't answered, contact focus@duke.edu or (919) 684-9370.
General Questions
What is the Focus Program (FOCUS)?
The FOCUS Program (FOCUS) is an exciting living-learning community that exposes students to ideas from the vantage point of different disciplines across the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities in seminars with up to 18 students. The FOCUS Program offers these extraordinary opportunities to first-year, first-semester students only:
- Interdisciplinary seminar clusters that nurture the FOCUS students' intellectual curiosity and sense of academic adventure. Students apply to FOCUS, the program, not to a specific course. Each cluster offers a range of interrelated seminars and features a community element while fulfilling Duke curriculum requirements. FOCUS courses do not have prerequisites.
- Small group seminars of no more than 18 students interacting with some of Duke's most distinguished professors. This intimate learning experience fosters personal intellectual responsibility while establishing student-professor rapport. Faculty and students engage in a comfortable interaction that continues throughout their academic careers and beyond.
- Shared housing with other FOCUS students that facilitates discussion and scholarly exploration while taking part in Duke's rich East Campus living environment. Students participating in FOCUS as part of their First-Year Experience live in the same residence hall but not the same rooms. FOCUS students live with other first-year students, enabling them to form a companionable academic and social community while encouraging friendships with all their first-year classmates. Exceptions can be made. Contact the FOCUS office for more information.
- Integrated learning experiences across academic disciplines and opportunities to venture beyond Duke's campus into the community. Field trips, travel, community service, and research are incorporated into the interdisciplinary FOCUS learning experience.
How long is FOCUS?
FOCUS is part of Trinity's First-Year Experience and spans the entire first year, with two seminar courses and IDC in the fall and the Writing 120 course in the spring. We also offer events, talks, and other engaging activities that students can participate in throughout their Duke experience.
Do I have to live with other FOCUS students?
Students participating in FOCUS during their first year at Duke live in the same residence hall, which they also share with other first-year students. This arrangement enables them to form a companionable academic and social community while fostering friendships with all their first-year classmates. FOCUS students request roommates through Residence Life & Housing Services. All FOCUS students can request a single room or request roommates for a double or triple room.
Can Pratt students take part in the FOCUS Program?
Yes, many Pratt students take part in FOCUS every year. We recommend that Pratt students wishing to take part in FOCUS discuss this with their Pratt dean so that they can ensure to fulfill their Pratt first-year requirements alongside FOCUS.
Does FOCUS fulfill graduation requirements? (Related: What do the letters like NW, WR, etc., next to the course name indicate?)
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of FOCUS, different clusters fulfill different requirements for different students. Courses can fulfill major, minor, certificate, and other curricular requirements for both Trinity and Pratt.
Trinity:
The FOCUS Program will fulfill the First-Year Experience requirement for all Trinity students. In addition, FOCUS courses carry codes that also count towards other curricular requirements.
Pratt:
Pratt students can also fulfill some of their general education requirements, specifically the Social Science and Humanities requirement.
Application Process
How do I apply to the FOCUS Program?
The application process is simple. You need a Duke Student ID number to apply. You will receive notices regarding the FOCUS Program to your Duke email, so please check it regularly!
After inputting your information, you will select 4 (four) clusters (including course preferences) and answer a one to two-question essay about your interest in the clusters. The FOCUS Program makes every effort to accommodate student preferences.
The FOCUS application is available here.
We practice rolling admissions, and the application is open from April 1 until May 8. Your application must be complete before it is processed.
What are the application dates?
Applications Open: April 1st
Applications Close: May 8th
Duke matches students to their first-year experience on a rolling basis.
When do I hear back about my application?
We will do our best to inform students of the status of their application within one week of its submission for applications submitted April to May.
If it has been over two weeks and you have not heard back, please email us at focus@duke.edu
If I’m only interested in one cluster, do I have to write an essay for all four?
YES. We require students to apply to 4 clusters. Incomplete applications will not be processed and will be sent back to the student.
If you do not wish to be in a cluster, you can decline your spot.
Is my FOCUS application binding?
No. You can decline your place in any FOCUS cluster if accepted.
Classes and Start of Semester
When will I know my FOCUS courses?
Students will be able to see their FOCUS course when the shopping cart opens for first-year registration.
How do I register for my FOCUS courses?
The FOCUS Program and Registrar’s offices register students for their FOCUS courses. Students cannot add or drop a FOCUS class.
I’m in a class I didn’t pick on my application. How do I change classes?
Due to FOCUS classes having a maximum of 18 students per course, we cannot guarantee that all students will be placed into the courses they marked as their preference on the application. Additionally, FOCUS directors make course decisions based on the best combination of classes in a cluster for the students, which may not be the students' preferred classes.
If you have a conflict that might require a course change, please contact the faculty director of your cluster and the FOCUS Program office. However, we cannot guarantee a course change, no matter the reason.
Do I take Writing 120 the same semester as my FOCUS courses?
FOCUS students take the Writing 120 course in their FOCUS cluster in the spring semester of their first year.
What if I need to drop FOCUS?
We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise that require students to drop FOCUS. If you need to drop, please contact the FOCUS Program office and the faculty director or your cluster. You will not be able to add/drop FOCUS courses yourself. Note that all Trinity students are required to complete the First-Year Experience. Withdrawal from the FOCUS Program is not only discouraged after registration has been completed, but it is also contingent on availability in the Constellations program.