Duke Dilemma and Questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>I am having a great deal of trouble choosing between Dartmouth and Duke. After visiting both schools, I have decided that I like each equally, but for different reasons. Is anybody else facing this problem?</p>

<p>About Me: I am a student from Miami, FL, so I am not used to the cold weather. I am hispanic, but you can't tell unless I say that I am. I would like to study economics, and I would like to create a good relationship with my professors. I enjoy doing things outdoors (camping, kayaking, etc.), and I may like to continue rowing in college. I am conservative, but open-minded. I don't really like cliques. I like a campus where there is a lot to do, as well as one where there is a strong bond between students.</p>

<p>Questions about Duke:
Does Duke offer any activities in the Duke Forest (Ex. hiking, camping)?
Do students create good relationships with each other? Does finding your niche mean finding your clique?
Are the professors accessible? Are they willing to become friends with students?
What is the influence of the Frat scene on Duke life?
How does the campus lean politically?</p>

2

<p>Professors are really accessable. Frat parties are on Thursday nights I think, accordign to my blue devil days guy. but it's not forced upon you. It is a moderate campus, probably slightly liberal (athough some say conservative), depeding on your orientation.</p>

3

<p>
[quote]
Does Duke offer any activities in the Duke Forest (Ex. hiking, camping)?

[/quote]

Unfortunately, camping isn't allowed in the Duke forest. Hiking is definitely popular, though. The Eno River is close and also popular with nature lovers. The EOS department also does activities; next weekend we're going canoeing.</p>

<p>Duke has an active outdoors group:
<a href="http://www.duke.edu/web/outing/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.duke.edu/web/outing/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>You should also check out P-Wild and P-Waves:
<a href="http://www.duke.edu/web/PWILD/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.duke.edu/web/PWILD/&lt;/a>
<a href="http://www.projectwaves.com/index.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.projectwaves.com/index.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
I may like to continue rowing in college.

[/quote]

I know a couple of people who do crew and really like it. A lot of people have trouble getting up that early, though. :rolleyes:</p>

<p>
[quote]
Do students create good relationships with each other?

[/quote]

Yes. Things like freshman East and K-ville foster student bonding.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Are the professors accessible?

[/quote]

Very. I'm studying for finals right now, and I emailed my professor about an hour ago- she responded within 30 minutes. Professors are usually very willing to meet with students outside class, and some professors favor the students who regularly come during office hours. </p>

<p>
[quote]
What is the influence of the Frat scene on Duke life?

[/quote]

It's pretty big, but there are definitely plenty of alternatives for people who don't like Greek life or large parties (like me). This has been Duke's weak point, and students and administrators have done a LOT to improve this in the last couple years.</p>

<p>
[quote]
How does the campus lean politically?

[/quote]

Liberal 36.3%
Moderate 36.7%
Conservative 22.2%
Extreme liberal or conservative 4.8%</p>

4

<p>you really sound like a dartmouth person from your description of what you want. I dont see the dilemma.</p>

5

<p>Everything you said makes it sound like you want to go Dartmouth, except the cold weather. They are both great schools though.</p>

6

<p>My son also loved Dartmouth but is crazy about Duke and loved it from the first week of freshman year. Both schools have lots of school spirit for sports as well as a national and internationally based student bodies, and the students at both schools seem to be really adventurous. Both schools have high academic standards and offer good access to fine graduate schools. Durham is no Chapel Hill, but Duke offers easy access to more things to do off-campus for internships, community service and fun than you will find at Dartmouth. In this way, the graduate schools at Duke also enrich learning options. Two major highways run through Durham. The weather is fantastic at Duke and this does lift spirits although Darthmouth kids seemed incredibly cheery to us. In my opinion, there is a stronger influence on the student body re Greek life dominating weekends at Dartmouth than at Duke. I think there are more alternatives groups for independents at Duke socially. The arts scene is really exceptional at Dartmouth considering the isolation but the visiting artists series at Duke was a huge draw for my son, who never misses a performance if he can help it. The Duke cultural arts offerings are really dazzling considering Durham is not Philly, Chicago or NYC. </p>

<p>My son looked for liberal arts college aspects at Duke for himself and found ways to make Duke more personal in the classroom. He was initially looking for a more liberal arts atmosphere. He has had lunch with a Chem prof and coffee with others, and struck up friendships with a handful of teachers. FOCUS turns Duke into a more LAC type experience for one semester. </p>

<p>However, Dartmouth is smaller, has much fewer graduate programs and graduate students and is cozier, no doubt. My son loved Dartmouth's authentic little historic campus and the focus on undergraduate teaching. There is something wonderful about Dartmouth's intimacy and about the small classrooms, which may outnumber the small classes at Duke if that is important to you. </p>

<p>You have fantastic choices. Both schools have tremendous vitality and you will meet fantastic students with interesting and varied pasts in either school when you arrive. My advice is to go determined to love your school and give it 100%. Duke and Dartmouth graduates are very loyal to their alma maters..so it is all good.</p>

7

<p>Haha, funny, when I read your post you seemed like a Duke person!</p>

<p>If you come to Duke, make sure to do Project Wild when you become a freshman. Look it up, it might interest you!</p>

<p>Jag, the Triangle area (where Duke is located) is really liberal. (The rest of the state, definitely not lol.) I think one of the Poli Sci and Econ professors is running for governor next year actually (not a Republican).</p>

<p>Duke definitely has better econ. In fact they're offering a prestigious BS in economics...might want to look into that as well...</p>

8

<p>Econ rank is completely irrelevant. Both place equally well with recruiters (Dartmouth might have a small edge) and do equally well at grad school placement.</p>