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I meant the average grades of classes as a whole. Overall, I think the average GPA at Duke at graduation is ~3.44, which is slightly below average (I think…check gradeinflation.com if you want more statistics on GPA and grade inflation).</p>
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Yep, that was my point exactly. Getting A’s in almost any class here isn’t easy by any means, much less getting A’s in most/all of them. However, I’ve found that there aren’t really any classes where A’s are entirely elusive once you put enough time and effort into them. The “hardest” classes are just the ones that require the most work (studying).</p>
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I drink occasionally, but about 3/5 of my friends don’t. You won’t have any trouble finding things to do on weekend nights–from Disney sing-a-longs (which are surprisingly well-attended) to basketball games. There are a few people who smoke pot here, but that’s not really a social drug in the way that alcohol is–usually they just go in a little group outside, smoke, then come back in. That won’t bother you, and it’s only a small minority of the students here who do that. Other drugs aren’t really prevalent at all except for frats. Long story short–no, you’ll have no problem fitting in. Contrary to what most people think, most people here actually don’t drink/smoke. It’s just that the ones who do drink are much more visible–from the knocked-down trashcans and what not–than the the ones who don’t. It’s the representative heuristic.</p>
<p>Are you Christian by any chance? Many of my friends who don’t drink are, and there are a variety of Christian organizations (InterVarsity, Campus Crusade for Christ) that hold drug-free social events on weekend nights.</p>
<p>If you think you’d feel uncomfortable at all by the presence of alcohol/drugs, you can consider joining Brown, the substance-free dorm.</p>
<p>Yes, Kid Cudi did come yesterday, but colleges invite music artists all the time. What makes the difference is the student body–I’ve never visited JHU, but I can tell you that Duke students are pretty lively. No one will pressure you to go to anything/to do anything, but if you’re ever in the mood to (whether it’s midnight soccer or swing lessons), then the opportunities will be there.</p>