<p>Hi cynthiahxp,</p>
<p>Let me start by saying that I don’t have any experience with transferring, but I’ll try to help as much as I can.</p>
<p>First of all, here’s a brief overview on transferring to Duke: [Duke</a> University Admissions: Transfer Students](<a href=“http://www.admissions.duke.edu/jump/applying/apply_transfer.html]Duke”>http://www.admissions.duke.edu/jump/applying/apply_transfer.html)</p>
<p>To answer your questions:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Yes, your credits should transfer. There seems to be a rather burdensome bureaucratic system that you must go through to get each credit to transfer, though. Read here for more details: [Duke</a> University | Trinity College of Arts & Sciences : Academic requirements](<a href=“http://trinity.duke.edu/academic-requirements?p=transfer-credit]Duke”>http://trinity.duke.edu/academic-requirements?p=transfer-credit)</p></li>
<li><p>See #4.</p></li>
<li><p>I have no idea whether it’s more or less difficult to transfer (compared to applying as a first-year student), so I can’t help you with that. You seem like you’d have as good of a shot as anyone, though, especially seeing how focused your studies have been.</p></li>
<li><p>First of all, I don’t think international students are guaranteed to have their financial need met 100%. However, since your permanent residence is in the US, I’m guessing you’d still qualify as a domestic applicant. On the other hand, I’m not sure how financial aid works for transfer students. Here’s the official site: [Duke</a> Financial Aid: Transfer Applicants](<a href=“Homepage | Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support”>Homepage | Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support). Looking at that, it seems as though 100% need is still met for transfer students, since the webpage for “International Students” states explicitly that “Financial resources for international students are limited” (while the page for “Transfer Applicants” makes no such statement). If 100% need is met, then I think you’re likely to be able to afford it. Duke’s recently passed new financial aid initiatives that aimed to especially help out lower income families. You can contact Duke’s financial aid office (finaid AT duke.edu) if you have any specific questions; they’re pretty helpful and quick to respond.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Let me leave you with two other contacts, both of whom co-taught an introductory biology course that I took last semester.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Dr. Ron Grunwald - He’s the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies for Duke’s Biology Department. He’d be the one to contact for any questions about transferring your credits. Email: ron.grunwald AT duke.edu</p></li>
<li><p>Susan Alberts - She’s a biology professor here whose research might be somewhat in-line with your academic interests. You can read more about her research on her lab page: [Alberts</a> Lab, Duke University Biology Department](<a href=“Front Page | Department of Biology”>Front Page | Department of Biology). She doesn’t hold any administrative positions, but she’s a genuinely compassionate lady, so I’m sure she’d be more than willing to help you out in any way that she could. Email: alberts AT duke.edu</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I hoped that helped a little. I know I don’t know much myself, but hopefully this will provide you with a starting point. Feel free to ask anymore questions if you have them. Good luck!</p>