<p>@splashdown94 Thank you so much for your comprehensive answer. He has finally decided on the ED at Duke :)</p>
<p>Hello again!
Sorry, I have another question 
I was wondering if double major’s are possible at Duke? Do a lot of people take them and if so or if not, what are the most common? Also, this is a bit of a generic question but what majors are Duke best at teaching?
Thank you so much! Sorry to haggle you with so many questions again.
I really like Duke :))
Thank splashdown!</p>
<p>@maths185 - Yes, double majors are definitely possible if you want to do them. I’m not sure how many people actually do double majors, so I’m afraid I can’t answer that question. By “what majors is Duke best at teaching”, I assume you mean what departments is Duke known for. The BME program at Duke is fantastic; I think it’s somewhere around number two or three in the country. Duke is also known for having very good Public Policy, Political Science, and English departments I believe. The most popular majors are Econ, Pub Pol, and Biology if that tells you anything :)</p>
<p>The questions aren’t a problem at all! I really like Duke too :D</p>
<p>What is the party scene like at Duke? Also what is the average course load?</p>
<p>@Leggomyeggo990 - I feel like everyone keeps asking about the parties haha. I won’t lie, the party scene is very active. There’s always something going on on Friday/Saturday nights. Most of them are frat parties, but SLGs host parties as well (depending on the SLG, of course). All of the big parties take place on West and Central, but there are some frats that hold off-campus parties in rented houses (off-campus partying may be changing, though, because Durham County just passed a lowered noise limit during nighttime hours). But in general most of the parties are on campus. East is dry, so most people generally aren’t stupid enough to drink/party on East. </p>
<p>The average course loud is 4 classes per semester. Taking 5 - 5.5 is considered an overload; anything less than 4 is an underload. As a freshman, you are actually limited to 4.5 credits - this means you may only take four courses and one half credit course your first semester (most people just stick to four though; 4.5 is generally reserved for FOCUS students because FOCUS dinner counts as half a credit). Hope that helps!</p>
<p>Sorry for asking about the parties again haha. And would you mind telling me more about the Focus program and what it involves once you’re in it? I’m really interested in it. (Sorry if you already answered that)</p>
<p>@Leggomyeggo990 - Haha, it’s okay. I understand that a lot of people want to know about partying in college; I certainly did last year 
I have already been asked about the FOCUS program, but I’ll repost my answer for you here:</p>
<p>Basically, each FOCUS cluster has its own topic, such as medieval society or neuroscience. Within that cluster there are four seminar classes relating to the topic, and you sign up for two of them. Every week your FOCUS cluster and professors meet for dinner. Usually there’s some reading to accompany that week’s dinner, and after everyone eats, you hold a discussion on the reading. Other times the dinner will involve a guest speaker, generally from a prestigious university or company. Also, most clusters take field trips throughout the course of the semester, either abroad or domestically. It’s a great program, but only if you’re really interested in the topic. FOCUS clusters also house together. That means that all of the people in your cluster will live in the same dorm, but not necessarily the same floor, and your roommate may not be in FOCUS. The classes, dinners, and housing model for FOCUS insures that you spend a lot of time with the people in your cluster and get to know them very well - it really is a tight-knit group. You’ll make some very close bonds with the people in your FOCUS program. That being said, you don’t only hang out with the people in the FOCUS program. I have lots of friends who aren’t in FOCUS, and a lot of them definitely aren’t in the field of study for my FOCUS. As a current FOCUS student, I can tell you from first hand experience that FOCUS is genuinely an awesome program; I cannot speak highly enough of it. I encourage you to research the different clusters and see if there’s something your interested in. But only do it if you find something in your niche because it is a very immersive program and you will do a lot of work relating to the topic.</p>
<p>Thank you for doing this, it’s so helpful!</p>
<p>@maths185 - pertaining to your double majors question, this is something we looked into while we were visiting. My son is applying to Pratt for ECE and would like to double major in Computer Science at Trinity. That is very possible, as there is some overlap, and you can even find a course sample listed as to how to get it all done. I’ve heard that if you take two majors in Pratt, it’s called “dual majoring” and if one is Pratt and the other Trinity, then it is “double majoring”. Not everyone, including tour guide, seemed to know this, so I’m thinking the terms may actually be interchangeable. However, I don’t think for Engineers, there would be time to do a double major AND a FOCUS group as well. Splashdown, feel free to correct me if I’m wrong with any of this. :)</p>
<p>I’m not sure if this has been asked or not, but can you tell me how prevalent the Greek scene is? I have gotten a lot of mixed answers on this point so I am a little confused</p>
<p>First semester some mid tier frats throw open parties and SLGs will throw open parties as well. After rush, most parties become more exclusive (members). If you aren’t part of a sports team, Greek org, SLG, or club, you probably won’t find a party, but every organization throws them so join something and you’ll be fine. Also, most parties are like 90 mins and then everyone heads to Shooters.</p>
<p>@ Splashdown94</p>
<p>I’ve Currently applied to Duke in ED and am nervous beyond belief! I don’t think this month and a half can possibly go any slower! I just want to get your take on a few admission questions.</p>
<p>Basically, I am a white male (hopeful) Biomedical Engineer from Wisconsin obviously no favors there!</p>
<p>I submitted an ACT with a composite score of 34 (36 science, 33 math, 34 writing, 35 reading and 11 on the essay)</p>
<p>I took two SATsubject tests: 800 on Chemistry and 740 on US History</p>
<p>I have taken 3 AP’s: Chemistry(5) APUSH(5) and German(4)</p>
<p>I am #1 in my class of 419 students with a 4.0 unweighted GPA</p>
<p>My senior class load is: AP Psych, AP Calc, AP Stats, AP Lit and Comp, AP Government, AP Physics, AP Physics Lab and Independent Study German 6</p>
<p>Major Awards: AP Scholar, Academic All-Confrence for soccer, nothing major</p>
<p>Some of my extracirriculars include: 4 year soccer player, 2 year varsity letter winner. 3 year quiz bowl member. Organizer for the local blood drive. Student member. I participated in a thing called High School of The Future where I helped modernize my school. I also organized a soccer clinic for kids with need in downtown Minneapolis</p>
<p>Essays: For my common app essay I wrote about my passion for soccer and how it has been a common themem throughout my life and how I have been able to channel my passion into my community. For my Duke one, I talked about how I have always loved science and how I love Dukes big campus feel witha relativley small student body, and their emphasis on going beyond the classroom.</p>
<p>From what I’ve read, I have good recs</p>
<p>A potential draw is I have lived in Germany for 3 years</p>
<p>Firstly I would like to get your take on whether or not I should send the third recomendation thing from someone not affiliated with the school. I would get my step dad to write it,because he has a different perspective on things than just being a parent. Secondly, I would like to get you take on my admission chances. For juniors, my school only offers one AP class (APUSH) and I went above and beyond by taking three. Compared to a lot of people however, that number is relativley small. Do you think that will count against me? Secondly, I dont think my extracirriculars are very strong, because, again, my school doesnt offer many. I just tried to focus on my passion for soccer. Do you that will count against me? I would love any feedback you can provide and maybe you can give me some tips to get my mind off this waiting period! Thanks!</p>
<p>@maths185/my3gr8boyz - I’m fairly certain that dual and double are interchangeable. In the tour guide manuel, the only thing it says on the subject is that “two-thirds of Pratt students double major, minor, or do certificates.” While I do know some Pratt students are in FOCUS, I’m not sure if they are double majoring or not. I think that it would be possible, just extremely difficult. I know that Pratt students already have to overload sophomore year just for a normal degree without FOCUS, so I’m sure you would have to overload one to two times after that to meet all requirements.</p>
<p>@Anseio - I feel like I have answered this already, but I’ll just write a new response. You’re getting mixed responses because Greek life is a fairly mixed thing here. While there is no traditional “Greek row” or housing for Greeks, they still do block together and many of them are now living together on Central. This means that although parties are open, the Greeks still do live together and have exclusive events. In short, Greek life is present but not particularly “dominant.” As username29 points out, other groups besides Greeks throw parties, probably most significantly SLGs, but clubs do as well. I wouldn’t say that unless you’re involved in some other group you “won’t have a shot” at getting into “exclusive” parties after fall semester, but it definitely makes it easier. Like I said, most parties are open.</p>
<p>@CaptnKirk - Only send the third recommendation letter if you honestly think it will add something new and different to your application. If your stepdad is just going to be repeating what your other recs have said about you then there is no point in sending it. I would be very careful with this one because I’m pretty sure they prefer to have non-family members writing extra recs. So like I said, only send it if you’re positive that it will definitely add something unique and fresh to your app; if not, don’t. </p>
<p>You number of APs will not count against you. When your school sends in your transcript, they also send in a “transcript” of your high school itself, such as the number of APs offered. Duke will consider how many of the APs OFFERED you have taken, not simply the number. If your school only offers, say, two APs and you take both of them, Duke recognizes that, and you will be in fine standing. But if your school offers, say, fifteen, and you’ve only taken five, Duke will also recognize that, and it certainly will not help your chances. Also, based on the number of APs you’re taking senior year, I’d say you’ll be fine. Speaking from personal experience, my school only offered one AP for sophomores, and I still got in haha.</p>
<p>ECs may be a problem, but they may not be, I can’t really say for sure. I do know that the admissions committee prefers to see applicants who have strong passion and dedication to a small number of ECs than applicants who participate in a large number of ECs but feel no real connection to any of them. Focusing on your passion for soccer will definitely help to supplement your app, though. I think a big thing for the admissions committee, however, is also seeing what you’ve done beyond your school. Perhaps your school doesn’t offer many things, but I’m sure there are many opportunities for you in the community to get involved. Duke wants students who are engaged and take initiative. Have you done that? It seems like you may have to some extent, considering the blood drive and soccer clinic.</p>
<p>Finally, all I can advise you to do is have fun. Enjoy senior year. Honestly, when you submit your app, it feels like it will take forever for December to come. But it really doesn’t take that long - trust me. Just know that you’ve done all you can, and you can’t do much else about it at this point. So just take in all you can of senior year because it’s going to be gone before you know it. Live it up! You’re the big man on campus (for now). Also, don’t take your friends for granted. Don’t get me wrong, I love Duke and I love college, but I miss my friends more than anything. It’s tough, so enjoy it while you can. Oh, and to ease the Duke deficiency in your system, make sure to tune in to some of our sporting events. It’s the best feeling in the world to sit on your couch and watch the Cameron Crazies, thinking that one day you too could be a part of that. Hope this helps, and good luck!</p>
<p>@splashdown94
Can you tell me more about the undergraduate dorms on East campus… Which are the best ones and which one would you recommend?
I have heard about the buses running between campuses… Is the frequency of the buses good? are the distances walkable? Can you do without a car on campus?
What kind of public transportation is available for students to go to town?</p>
<p>@amdmom - It’s really hard to paint an accurate picture of Duke “dorms” because they seriously vary soooo much. But I’ll try and do the best I can. On East Campus, there are fourteen dorms. Only three of these dorms have air conditioning (Bell Tower, Randolph, and Blackwell), because they are the newer ones. None of the other dorms have A/C, but it’s really fine once you get past the first two weeks or so. Plus, all the dorms have air conditioned common rooms that you can hang out in, so it’s not like there’s no A/C anywhere. </p>
<p>Like I said, all the dorms are really different, and each one has their own pros and cons. For that reason, I don’t think that there’s really a “best” dorm on East. They all have some good parts and they all have some bad parts. For the most part, though, everyone grows to love the dorm that they’re living in. I guess a lot of people would say that Bell Tower is the best dorm, but I don’t really think so. Bell Tower is super nice on the inside - it basically looks like a hotel (it’s nickname is Hotel Bell) - but it’s really far from the main quad and the bus stop and basically everything on East. Also, I’ve heard from several people in Bell Tower that they don’t really know a lot of people in their dorm, and they don’t like the fact that it doesn’t “feel” like a college dorm because it’s so much like a hotel. In contrast, I live on the main quad and I know almost everyone in my dorm, and it really feels like something you would expect at college. Plus I have a really big room with three walk in closets and real walls, whereas the A/C dorms like Blackwell and Randolph have tiny rooms and cinderblock walls. So it really just depends what you’re looking for. That being said, though, you cannot choose what dorm you live in. You can opt to do the Performing Arts dorm (traditionally in Pegram), the Wellness dorm (this year it’s in Jarvis), or if you do FOCUS, everyone in your FOCUS program lives in the same dorm, but which FOCUS gets which dorm changes from year to year, so you can’t pick your dorm based on that, either. </p>
<p>During the weekdays, the buses run fairly quickly. The most time you ever have to wait for a bus is five to ten minutes, usually not even that. They stop running as many buses in the evening and on the weekends, so you have to wait longer then, but it’s really not that bad. East and West are 1.2 miles apart, which is walkable, but not recommended. You can also rent bikes (for free!) to ride between campuses or just have to ride around. You can definitely go without a car on campus. In fact, people who have cars here really only use them to go OFF campus - there’s certainly no need for one on campus.</p>
<p>To go to town, there are several options. Choice number one is to walk - just off of East Campus is Brightleaf Square, Broad Street, and Ninth Street, which all have many restaurants and shops and such. Choice number two is to take a local bus. All Duke students get free access to Triangle Area Transit, which includes all local buses in the Durham/Chapel Hill/Raleigh area. Those buses will take you further into town or to malls or wherever, you just have to check the different routes. You can also take the Robertson Express from West Campus to Chapel Hill, which has a very nice variety of shops and restaurants and such (if you’re willing to risk venturing into UNC territory). Finally, choice number three is to rent a WeCar through Duke. It’s only eight dollars an hour to rent, so if you get a bunch of people to chip in and go together, it’s very cheap.</p>
<p>Hello! I’m a history major looking to focus on Southern US history & I am considering transferring there. What is the outlook for older (44 years) students transferring in from a Community College. I’m Hispanic, currently have a 3.8 GPA, in Honors classes, & member of PTK. Also I’m currently working on my MDiv at a local seminary (non accredited).</p>
<p>@frank5150 - I’m sorry, I really don’t think I can help you. I’m not sure as to what the admissions process is like for transfers. I’m fairly certain that transfer acceptance rate is very low, though. I would advise contacting your regional admissions officer for more information. Sorry I can’t be of more help!</p>
<p>No problem. You are responses on the other questions have been very informative. I was only thinking about Duke for graduate school & only recently starting considering it for my undergraduate work. We’ll see, I got nuthin to lose.</p>
<p>Hi splashdown94, I’m an international student big on creative writing, but intending to study electrical and computer engineering at duke. May I submit a portfolio? Do you have any experience with guys that have done so. I want to submit a shortlisted entry for an international competition. If I should, please how do I go about it since the Common App Arts supplement has spaces for dance, music, visual arts ,etc…and not creative writing samples.
Thanks.</p>
<p>Hey Splashdown, your dedication and helpfulness is pretty impressive. Keep up the good work, bud.</p>