<p>I just thought it would be good to have a thread for people curious about specific aspects of the Duke - current students, feel free to list activities you're involved in on campus.</p>
<p>Public Policy Major (likely)
Duke Symphony Orchestra (trumpet)
Navy ROTC
Club Lacrosse
Outing Club
greek life (sorority)</p>
<p>BME (likely)
Pre-med (likely)
Word Club (haha)
Delta SMART House
I will live in Crowell next year</p>
<p>i have several questions... how hard is Duke? are the classes manageable? how much studying do you have to do? does duke replace scholarship for loans while you're there? because i heard that there were some colleges that do that...and is it possible to bargain financial aid by using other schools that gave more financial aid as leverages?</p>
<p>after you answer oOo's questions, i have one too:</p>
<p>do you have any idea if any nanotechnology research is going on at duke and whether there is any nano work in BME?</p>
<p>what about the arts (music) at duke? also-- i know it's been discussed on here before but what's your spin on the belief/misconception that duke isn't as intellectual as its fellow schools?</p>
<p>hows duke's reputation with top tier law schools?
fun campus?</p>
<p>oOo: It depends on your high school. If it was tough, it won't be that big of a transition. It all really depends on your time management skills though some people around here seems to pull all-nighters all the time.. It also depends on your major, some are just naturally more work then others. I have heard of people bargaining FA but not with other schools packages. It's still worth a shot, just do it artfully.</p>
<p>darkhelmet: I haven't heard that much about nanotechnology research at Duke, but googling "nanotechnology Duke" came up with some results, most having to do with carbon nanotubes. Maybe if you emailed the professors in those links, they would have more info cause I doubt any of us have any substantial info. </p>
<p>Harpingchic: There are numerous arts societies at Duke. There's something on East Campus called the CoffeeHouse which hosts local and alternative musicians. There's an Art Gallery in the Bryan Center which showcases local artists. They are in the process of reopening the Nasher Art Museum next year. Finally, there is an Arts Theme House located in Edens Quad on West. I would say Duke isn't as artistic or intellectual as it should be, but you should have little trouble finding people to discuss these things with.</p>
<p>flamethrower: I heard law schools really don't care that much about school reputation, just GPA and LSAT. However, for the little differentiation that exists, Duke is counted among the top schools for law school applicants (along with I'd say maybe 25 schools of the same caliber). The campus...leaves a little bit to be desired in terms of things to do, we don't have a centralized student entertainment center like Georgia Tech for instance, but you can find things to do as they host entertainers often and there are parties every weekend ("weekend" starting on Thursday). If you get really desperate, there is a bus to UNC that leaves every hour.</p>
<p>i've got 2 questions. first of all, how difficult is it to switch schools (from pratt to trinity)? do you have to apply and write essays and all that to switch or is it as easy as declaring a new major or just starting to take classes at the other school? my other question is.. does duke have a lot of FUN clubs? like the kind where you just get together with people and watch movies or play games or something.. like non-service clubs.</p>
<p>another question: how good is duke's study abroad program? do many people opt for it?</p>
<p>thnks</p>
<p>I have a question! :-)
Approximately how much does it cost to join sororities?</p>
<p>Harpingchic: I find that the only thing lacking here is time - I wish I had more time to take advantage of everything (like free movies and such). I've enjoyed a bunch of amazing musical opportunities - from playing in the orchestra to attending concerts. The chorale here is amazing - every time I hear them perform, I'm in awe. We also have a number of acapella groups that are great entertainment (search for "the pitchforks" on your favorite file-sharing service). This year I've gotten to listen to the Moscow Phil, see Rent, listen to Ben Folds and Sister Hazel, David Sedaris and Lewis Black. As for discovering great new types of music, last semester an amazing Brasilian choro group came here - amazing musicianship and a musical style that I'd never heard before. </p>
<p>And I find the anti-intellectualism statement blown out of proportion. Somehow people equate a lack of pseudo-intelectualism as a lack of intelectualism altogether. When I visit my friends at Harvard, I notice people going out of their way to show how smart they are - here, you know everyone's smart - there's no need to shove it in everyone's face. You can talk about whatever you want, intellectual or mundane and feel totally comfortable. If you're willing to start an intellectual conversation or join in on one at 2am in your hall, you will be fine. I personally don't mind a lack of people "showing off" their knowledge or supposed superior literacy.</p>
<p>charmedone: I'm not certain of the process, but everyone I know who has wanted to switch schools has been able to (pretty much everyone switches from Pratt to Trinity). As for fun clubs, there's a lot of unorganized game playing (and gaming, i.e. halo) and movies. They just started a DevilDVD service here - free 3 day dvd rentals. The OC season 1, Napoleon Dynamite, I <3 Huckabees, Finding Neverland, Ray, Chapelle's Show, Arrested Development, and others. I have seen flyers for a Miniature Golf Social Club, so there's definitely organized groups for laid back entertainment.</p>
<p>@~flamethrower~@: Duke Study Abroad Participation</p>
<p>Trinity College of Arts and Sciences - 54.7%</p>
<p>Pratt College of Engineering - 24.9% </p>
<p>Total Class of 2004 - 50%</p>
<p>these are based on who's eligible (non-athletes/gpas over 2.7).</p>
<p>iceangeljt: first semester (i.e spring of freshman year) - (nat'l and chapter fees) - around 500-600 bucks. Each semester thereafter is about 250 bucks - so a grand total of roughly 2000 dollars for 4 years - definitely not bad considering what other girls have to pay at other schools (thousands a SEMESTER). Sororities don't have houses here, so that definitely cuts down on cost.</p>
<p>ok, here's another one ( :</p>
<p>can undergrads take courses in UNC Chapelhill's business school?
is it a drawback that duke doesnt have its own undergrad business school?</p>
<p>thanks alot</p>
<p>Thanks for the answer! More questions...
How is the business program? Are the classes really difficult?
Also, how is the communications program - I know it is not offered as a major but it is offered as a certificate or minor, I believe.</p>
<p>How does Duke help with job placement after graduation?</p>
<p>Hows the city itself? Is Durham a cool place to live? As in nightlife, partying, and just general stuff to do and places to hang out.
Thanks!</p>
<p>flamethrower: not unless you are a Robertson scholar probably, and no I don't think it's a big disadvantage not having an undergrad business school. Don't want to vocationalize too early you know.</p>
<p>iceangeljt: Duke doesnt have an undergrad business school, and I dont really know about the communications program. Duke has a career center which helps you with resumes and stuff, and they hold an annual career fair which allows you to meet with Duke Alum recruiters. Also, they have bluedeviltrack which is like Monster in that it lists job opps.</p>
<p>chaos55: Durham leaves some to be desired. Most kids don't go that far into the city, maybe some off-campus houses and there's a handful of clubs and restaurants but you can always go to UNC.</p>
<p>Sorry for all the questions (though I suppose that is what this thread is for), I have one more.</p>
<p>How much do you think a typical student spends in a week outside of what is figured into the $44,000 a year cost? What do they spend this extra money on (eating out, movies, shopping, groceries, etc.)</p>
<p>Are there a lot of big parties, or are their smaller groups of friends that sort of stay together, or both?</p>
<p>are all the sororities super preppy?</p>
<p>The financial aid question was never answered - do they usually change your package that much over 4 years?</p>
<p>i have another question.. for those who have done the focus program or know about it, does it mess up your schedule? i know it takes up a whole semester's worth of classes so does it make it difficult to fulfill all your requirements? also, are the classes super difficult and stressful? is the program worth it?</p>