<p>I'd really appreciate any insight that you guys could give me. I have a couple questions - firstly, how is the competition at duke? Not as far as are there plenty of good students - i'm aware all students at duke are quite amazing. My question is if there is a sense of comradery between students or are all majors cut throat and ovelry competitive. A couple schools i'm looking at, such as case western, sound as though many programs are overcompetitive creating extra stress. I was wondering what kind of environment i could expect at duke. My financial aide package suprisingly made duke a legitimite option for me and I would love to hear how you guys feel about the experience. Thanks.</p>
<p>In my experience, Duke isn't cut throat with student competition. It's very, very common to see students completing problem sets with each other, editing papers, throwing ideas off of one another and studying for exams in groups. I got into schools where people would intentionally try and sabotage another student so that they would in turn do better in the class. I have never experienced anything like that at Duke.</p>
<p>that's excellent to hear - i appreciate it. Are their new engineering facilities pretty impressive? I'm also a little scared because I'm used to being relatively smart compared to classmates but feel as though at a presitigious college i'd be the bottom of the pack - do you think i should take this fear into consideration?</p>
<p>The engineering facilities are amazing. With the brand new Center for Interdisciplinary Engineering, Mathematics, and Applied Sciences just finished at the beginning of the year, it is hard to find better facilities anywhere. The Melinda French Gates Science Center is under construction and you can see how much energy and resources Duke is devoting to the sciences and engineering right now when you visit. I would definitely not be intimidated by coming to a prestigious school. First of all, you are obviously qualified enough to succeed since you were accepted. Second, especially in a collaborative (rather than cut-throat) environment such as Duke, I believe having smarter peers and more challenging classes actually makes you perform better, as you can discuss ideas with other kids and solicit their advice and help. Oh, and about Case--PM me about it because I have a good friend there on scholarship doing BME and can tell you about his experience--he's actually trying to transfer to Duke.</p>
<p>benndaman, i'm having the exact same fears! SOMEONE has to be at the bottom of the pack and i'm just scared it'll be me. i'm especially worried about this at one of my other choices, johns hopkins. i hear that it is very cutthroat there.</p>