<p>Welcome to hell, future blue DEVILS!
We are current Duke freshmen eager to put off our finals studying as long as possible.
Seeing as early decisions have just come out, we're here to answer any questions you might have. The dumber the questions, the better!</p>
<p>I DON’T WANT TO STUDY. OH MY GOD. MY HEAD IS GOING TO EXPLODE IF I HAVE TO STUDY FOR ANY MORE FINALS. </p>
<p>And I’m only half-way done :(</p>
<p><a href=“http://global3.memecdn.com/the-5-stages-of-procrastination_o_302869.jpg[/url]”>http://global3.memecdn.com/the-5-stages-of-procrastination_o_302869.jpg</a></p>
![http://global3.memecdn.com/the-5-stages-of-procrastination_o_302869.jpg[/url]](http://global3.memecdn.com/the-5-stages-of-procrastination_o_302869.jpg%5B/url%5D){kind=link}
<p>Hi I have a MILLION questions! First, what is the food like? Should I request a single or a roommate? How often do you go into Durham?</p>
<p>My question is regarding money. I was just accepted and intend to do everything in my power to go to Duke. I haven’t got my financial aid asessment yet, but I’m in that gray area where I probably won’t get a dime, but my parents aren’t that wealthy to afford 55k a year. I was just wondering what scholarship, work, or other oppurtunities there are to reduce the cost of going to Duke? I realize I’m defenitley need to take on some loans to get it to work, but I was wondering what kind of ways I could reduce the cost for attending. Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Here is a silly question that I’m sure I could look up but I’ll just ask here. Most schools have “admitted student days” in the spring so students can make their final decisions. With binding, that’s not necessary, but wouldn’t it be great for ED students to have one more time to visit the school before August 20th? Is there anything like that?</p>
<p>@Leggomyeggo990</p>
<p>The first-year dining plan is different from the upperclassmen plans. Most of your meals will be at Marketplace. At first, you’ll think it’s not that bad. But it gets old fast. Sometimes, they try to spice it up with some lobster macaroni and cheese or theme nights. Thanksgiving dinner was GLORIOUS. But you always have options on West Campus as well as around Durham. Just don’t burn through your food points on West or by ordering food from Merchants-on-Points. </p>
<p>Single or Double? - Depends on your personality. I live in a single this year and I like it a lot. Mostly because I had a roommate at boarding school for two years so it was a nice change of pace. If you’d rather be alone, request a single. If you want to meet somebody who could potentially become your best friend, get a double. However, a triple is not recommended. Having to make decisions between three people can divide the room if it’s 2 vs. 1. </p>
<p>Personally, I don’t go into Durham that often. Not because it’s dangerous but just because I don’t have time. I have a car here so I drive where I need to go. I don’t walk into downtown Durham though just because I don’t have a need to. Durham as a city is fine, just use common sense. Don’t go anywhere alone, especially at night.</p>
<p>my3gr8boyz-There’s Blue Devil Days in April! Even though the primary purpose is for RD, it’s still a great option to visit again. I was early decision and I went, although I will warn you that Duke doesn’t offer hosts to early decision applicants, so it’s either hotel or ask a friend who goes to Duke.</p>
<p>CaptnKirk,
Duke is pretty good in that it covers all demonstrated need. Based on the financial information you provide, the school’s financial aid office will calculate your expected family contribution (EFC) and will give grant money, student loans, and work-study to cover the rest of tuition that exceeds your EFC. Unfortunately, there aren’t many scholarships through Duke that you can apply for, but you can always apply for scholarships outside of Duke. However, the EFC will still remain and in the event that you take outside scholarship money, your finaid packet from Duke will be reduced. But they do take the loans and work study away before they begin reducing your grant amount. So, depending on your EFC, it may be in your best interest to apply for outside scholarships. In the end, if you ultimately feel that you still absolutely cannot pay for tuition, you can appeal to the finaid office; lay out your reasons, explain it pretty well, and you’ll probably get more money. It worked for me. Hope this helps! :)</p>
<p>What would you say is the best dorm? How do I choose my dorm and roommate and all that? A/C?</p>
<p>Leggomyeggo990,
I know kgoodwin already answered your questions, but I just thought I’d offer another perspective on the housing. I’m in a double and my roommate is my best friend. We found each other and requested each other through the Duke Facebook page (we found love in a hopeless place. jk, Duke’s not hopeless), so I guess I can attribute some of our success as roomies to that. However, our neighbors, who also love each other, did not. Having a double can be a great experience and is a cheaper option than having a single. I do agree, though, that it is a matter of personal preference and you’re bound to meet wonderful people either way.</p>
<p>ILoveDesk, </p>
<p>You might get a few biased answers on this one. I live in Blackwell, which has A/C but smaller rooms compared so some of the other dorms. There are three A/C dorms on East Campus: Blackwell, Randolph (which is Blackwell’s twin, just turned in a different direction) and Belltower. If you want A/C + adequate space, then Belltower is “the best.” It’s nickname is actually Hotel Bell. However, it’s pretty far from the bus stop. However, if you end up in a dorm without A/C, you can say you have a medical condition or an allergy and have an air conditioner installed (but you need to show proof and it costs more). </p>
<p>Honestly, it’s the people in your dorm that make your dorm life experience. </p>
<p>You don’t get to choose a dorm, unfortunately, unless you select a preference for Wellness, the Performing Arts dorm, in a FOCUS or become a Cardea Fellow. Though, these groups move dorms every few years or so. </p>
<p>As for roommates, you can either choose a roommate or you can go random. There’s a lot of ways to meet your potential roommate: on the 2017 FB Group, at Blue Devil Days, someone you already know. </p>
<p>(Also, any other 2016er can come in and correct me, since I’m only 90% of everything, especially when it comes to dorms.)</p>
<p>ILoveDesk,
First of all, loving the anchorman reference in your username.
That being said, let’s get down to answering those questions.
The best dorm:
People seem to love the dorms on the Main Quad. Location wise, they’re the best. Alspaugh and Giles are right next to the library. Brown and Wilson are right next to the Union. However, none of these dorms have A/C. Blackwell, Randolph, and Bell Tower, in the backyard, all do. Bell Tower is by far the swankiest of the dorm buildings. The facilities are new and have been compared to a hotel.
Roommate:
I sort of talked about this earlier, but there will likely be a Facebook page to match up roommates once regular decisions are in. If you find someone you like, you can request them in your housing application. If you don’t, you can always go random. There is a survey that you have to fill out as part of the housing application so they’ll match you based on smoking/nonsmoking, study habits, noise level, your desire to live in a performing arts community, wellness community, etc. You’ll probably end up with someone you get along, but if not you can always request a change once you get here.
Hope that helps!</p>
<p>ILoveDesk,
If we ever run into each other on campus, we should be best friends. ANCHORMAN FOR THE WIN.
However, another current freshman here to answer questions :)</p>
<p>ISwimWithWhales that helps a lot! Thank you so much, I’m sure everything will work out for the best!</p>
<p>Can we really though? That would be awesome 
I love that movie!</p>
<p>That’s definitely an awesome movie. Awesome in the same way as Duke. Except Duke is more awesome.</p>
<p>That is agreed.</p>
<p>see? friendships being formed EVERYWHERE. duke is seriously the best.</p>
<p>I’m regard to dorms, for any of you 2017ers interested in the performing arts, you MUST consider Pegram. It’s the Performing Arts themed dorm and one of the only ones you can request on your housing application. We’re on the main quad, right next to Biddle (the music building) and Baldwin Auditorium. It’s not all performing arts, and I have plenty of friends who aren’t, but it is great to always have people singing or playing the piano all the time. I’ve really met my best friends here. Did I mention we have concerts in our common room? Oh and our faculty in residence is so adorable. And she makes us bubble tea. That’s my Pegram schpeel. WELCOME TO DUKE, EVERYONE!</p>