<p>for that BME/bio double major question, I’ll just add that if you are planning to have at least one major in Pratt, that Pratt one must be your primary major. Meaning that you’ll have to do that double major or any major combination involving engineering as a Pratt student. So apply to Pratt.</p>
<p>Can someone in Pratt (BME, if possible) answer some of my questions about laptops?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Do you use them frequently in your classes, or would it be in one’s best interest to get a more powerful and less expensive desktop?</p></li>
<li><p>Is there any specific software one will be expected to be able to run (like Matlab?), and what specifications would make the programs run smoothly?</p></li>
<li><p>I’ve taken a liking to the Lenovo ThinkPad T400. Thoughts?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>If there’s anything else you’d like to add, feel free to do so.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Biner_51:</p>
<p>1) Yes I use them in class…for facebooking (trust me, sometimes you’ll really want to have one in class for that). But regardless, you might want to consider getting a laptop because I often use them when study together with other people, doing group projects, etc etc. For engineers there’s the added requirement that I often run matlab while doing that so a netbook just won’t cut it. But if it makes you feel better, you don’t need to splurge on a tablet or ultrapowerful alienware laptops. I have a small ultraportable C2D 1.8GHz that I got 2 years ago for about $900 from Lenovo outlet and it’s worked well. I can definitely imagine getting something like this and then a midrange desktop for home or something. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Yes, you should expect to run Matlab (either through an SSH terminal or locally), probably LabVIEW, MultiSim, etc. Any Core 2 Duo machine should be able to handle that. Mine is a C2D 1.8 Ghz, 3 GB RAM and they all work fine. </p></li>
<li><p>I like Lenovo computers, I have an IBM X61 and it’s great. To maybe save some money, I would recommendation checking out lenovo’s outlet store. A lot of those laptops are new for up to 30% off MSRP the downside is that you don’t get to customize it. </p></li>
<li><p>I’ll just stress again, no need to get a tablet. I know that many people think engineers make drawings and stuff and thus need one. My advice is to not waste money. You can get a USB WACOM tablet for like $60 if you really want to draw stuff. </p></li>
<li><p>Duke also offers computers to freshmen through the TAP, a program that offers Apple, Dell, and Lenovo branded laptop packages. Those packages aren’t the best deals or configs you can find they are very convenient and many people take advantage of them. All computers come with Microsoft Office Pro (btw you can now get microsoft software for free from Duke) and 4-year warranty serviced through Duke’s onsite OIT help desk (except for Apple, theirs is 3 year apple care and serviced through Apple Store). And you can pick up your computer on move in day at Duke.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Great info, SBR!</p>
<p>One additional question: If I were to purchase a Lenovo laptop directly from the company and not through the Outlet, would it be to my advantage, when customizing, to choose the most basic Windows operating system and then upgrade to a better / more expensive one at Duke for cheap (Since they have the Microsoft contract that you alluded to)? Or would it be better to get the best one straightaway and pay a premium for it?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I’d say it depends on your computer skills. I personally would have no problems doing that but many people appreciate the convenience of having it preinstalled. Also, Thinkpads tend to have a bunch of extra programs installed that help sometimes. Most people find them useful and you can probably find them on lenovo’s website, but installing them in addition to the OS would be somewhat annoying if you are starting from scratch. On the flip side, I like clean installs since you know exactly what’s been installed and the machine runs cleaner. </p>
<p>It all depends on what you feel most comfortable doing. Either way would work. The Windows 7 version available for free from Duke is the professional version I believe, just an FYI.</p>
<p>hii!</p>
<p>I have a few questions regarding Duke:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I want to do finance as a major, is there an undergrad business program at Duke? </p></li>
<li><p>do a lot of people double major?</p></li>
<li><p>Is it true that Duke has a lot of stuck up rich people?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Oh boy here we go, I’ll try my best:</p>
<p>1). No, no undergrad business major at Duke. Despite the fact that fuqua is a great business school, we don’t have a program for undergrads. If you want that, I’d suggest Penn, Mich, NYU, etc etc. Most business who want to go into business do econ. That is not to say that Duke is looked down upon because of a lack of business majors. Recruiting by top-notch firms are commonplace on campus but since I’m not in that field I’ll defer to someone else or you can use the search tool, the question is answered almost every year in some form or another. </p>
<p>2). Yes, a significant portion of students double major. Duke makes it really easy in that there are lots of tailor made “tracks” for getting 2 majors, especially in Pratt. Plus, for the couple of popular ones, so many people do them that you won’t have trouble finding others. </p>
<p>3). No, while I understand your concern, I have to say that that was possibly the worst phrasing I’ve ever seen anyone use. I’m not offended really and I can understand since this is an anonymous web forum and all, but don’t be this blunt if you are talking with a real person, even if he/she is only a student. But I’m sure I don’t need to be lecturing you since you are (presumably) doing business and thus have the tact/subtlety that the profession demands. Back to your question, the answer is no, especially in this sort of economy. Just visit the campus for a day and take a look around.</p>
<p>Would it be possible to take courses at one of the graduate schools (e.g., biblical exegesis at the Divinity School) as a Duke undergrad?</p>
<p>Graduate courses are available to undergrads to some degree. </p>
<p>Generally, 200-level and above are considered “graduate” courses but you’ll find that some departments/majors will make a few 200-level courses required for graduation anyway so you’ll end up taking them for sure that way. </p>
<p>Other courses might depend on the department or graduate/professional school’s policy or might even be decided on a case-by-case basis based on instructor consent etc. I’ve had friends who have taken immunology and pharmacology courses or religion courses at the Divinity school but I doubt you can take classes at the Law school or Fuqua as an undergrad. Those are just anecdotal observations, perhaps someone who has more experience or knowledge can fill in more?</p>
<p>Thanks, SBR.</p>
<p>Wanna gimme a summary of blue devil days? Also, any input on project waves or wild?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Blue Devil Days is basically where Duke admits get a taste of Duke to see what the programs are like, what campus is like, and the general vibe of Duke. Many students spend the night with a Duke freshman to try to really get a feel for the school. Most attendees are RD admits deciding between Duke and other schools.</p>
<p>Here’s an example of events: [Duke</a> University | Trinity College of Arts & Sciences](<a href=“http://trinity.duke.edu/events/year/2009]Duke”>http://trinity.duke.edu/events/year/2009)</p>
<p>What do you mean by input? Like suggestions as to which is better? Sorry haha.</p>
<p>Blue Devil Days are basically the Duke pre-frosh event, where Duke opens its campus to what must be hundreds of pre-froshes. I think they last two? three? days, with programs designed to educate you on what DUke is. You sit in on classes of your choice, eat at the Marketplace, go on the standard campus tour, and you have the option to stay the night with a current freshman (as well as another pre-frosh I think. Some of my friends who are now freshmen at Duke are fast friends because they stayed together over Blue Devil Days.) There are structured programs like info sessions and so on, but as far as I know you’re also given quite a bit of time to just chill out on the very, very beautiful campus.</p>
<p>Oh yeah - you’ll hear Guttentag speak (dean of undergraduate admissions). I’ve met him and he’s pretty cool. You also get a T-shirt and a bunch of other free goodies like a backpack or something, and about 150 brochures.</p>
<p>Should I bring my car with me? What’s the most I’ll need it?</p>
<p>You don’t NEED a car, plenty of people bring one so you can always just bum rides from a friend. Or you can use zipcars (at least 2 available on campus). I believe the usual statistic is that 1/3 of the students bring a car. </p>
<p>That said, I’m a big proponent of having one if it’s not too much trouble because 1) you’ll feel much less isolated if you can get out of the duke bubble more easily 2) you can choose when and where to go 3) freshmen year is probably the best time to have car given that parking on east is great 4) parking is relatively cheap at Duke 5) you’ll be really popular with your friends ;)</p>
<p>I’ve had a car on campus since sophomore year, probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.on</p>
<p>Well where all do you go with your car? I imagine it’s easier to take the bus than to drive to classes and I can’t see much reason to go into Durham. I feel like if I brought my car it’d just be parked without use for weeks at a time</p>
<p>church on sundays, kroger, costco, target, walmart, raleigh, etc</p>
<p>Plus I live off campus so I commute and all my friends are also off campus so I drive over sometimes. Plus, late nights I always drive to lab, library, classroom buildings because almost all lots are open at night/on weekends.</p>
<p>Ahh ok, so basically to buy things. You have to live on campus for 3 years correct?</p>
<p>Correct.</p>
<p>"the Trustees require all undergraduates to live on campus for their first three years.</p>
<p>Undergraduates are housed on our three campuses. East Campus is home to the First Year Experience. The West Campus residence hall quads are home to our sophomore class, as well as numerous juniors and seniors. The Central Campus apartments house juniors, seniors, and graduate students. We house approximately 5500 students in our residence halls and apartments."</p>
<p>East Campus and West Campus have the dorms. Central Campus has the apartments, but is still considered “on-campus”</p>
<p>rk33, to aid in your decision, note that there isn’t a Target or Walmart within walking distance, though there is a Super Target that’s a relatively short driving distance away. Also, the only grocery store within walking distance is Whole Foods off of East Campus, which can get quite pricey if you do a lot of grocery shopping (though most students don’t).</p>
<p>It’s one of those things where if you don’t have it, you don’t really think about it, but if you have it, you use it often and become accustomed to having it.</p>
<p>As a side note, Duke sponsors a trip to the Super Target for freshmen near the end of Orientation, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting things either way. Devils After Dark also occasionally hosts similar trips.</p>