<p>I need as much feedback as I can possibly get, especially since Duke students won't be in class when I visit this week.</p>
<p>Here's my situation...
I was accepted off the waitlist at Duke today, having already committed to Notre Dame. I have loved Notre Dame all my life, largely the result of my father having attended. I love ND, but I realize that my college decision should not be based on the decision that another 18 year-old made 40 years ago (my father). I am prepared to give up ND, but it's going to take some convincing for me to choose Duke. So please, convince away :)</p>
<p>These are my preferences:
I don't like annoying grade deflation.
I don't like a cut-throat academic atmosphere.
I love going nuts for sports events.
I want to have free time away from academics, but I'm willing to study hard, too.
I want to have access to impressive research/internships.
And most importantly, though extremely subjective, I want to feel at home at college.</p>
<p>No need to comment on the weather. I know ND is frigidly cold. I will visit Duke next week, and I have visited Notre Dame many times.</p>
<p>I am planning on majoring in physics with a pre-med track and eventually specializing in orthodontics. I am a white male from Georgia.</p>
<p>I’m not a Duke quite yet, though I will be starting this fall. However, based on what I’ve heard about Duke, your preferences seem to match with a lot of Duke’s characteristics. </p>
<p>Going crazy at sport events? Check. Ever heard of Duke basketball? </p>
<p>Access to impressive internships/research? Check. I went to Duke to tour and was introduced to a lot of really cool people who were all working on impressive things. My host interned with Microsoft. Another girl I met was only a freshman but already had a research thing going on with a neuroscience professor. </p>
<p>And Duke is known for its “work hard play hard” motto…So I’m sure you’d have the best of both worlds. </p>
<p>Like you, I always thought I’d be going to a different school (Stanford), but this fall I will be giving Stanford up for Duke. It’s a little sad giving up a place you’ve loved for a long time, but I’m sure that once I go to Duke, I will be able to make the most out of my opportunities–and grow to love Duke equally if not more than Stanford. I think the same might be said of you if you end up going to Duke! Good luck choosing!</p>
<p>Well this largely depends on whether you are a Football or a Basketball fan but Cameron Indoor is about the nuttiest place on earth. I’m assuming you’ve heard of the Cameron Crazies? </p>
<p>“I want to have free time away from academics, but I’m willing to study hard, too.”</p>
<p>Again, Duke’s mantra is work hard, play hard. In my opinion Duke students do both a tad bit harder than those at Notre Dame.</p>
<p>On ‘research/internships’:</p>
<p>Duke has programs designed to help underclassmen get research opportunities and its proximity to Duke Medical Center, one of the top hospitals in the nation, lends itself to unique and easy to gain research. Check out this link, for example: [Research</a> Scholars Program](<a href=“http://dukeresearchscholars.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/]Research”>http://dukeresearchscholars.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/)</p>
<p>On ‘hominess’:</p>
<p>You’ll see for yourself when you visit but there are few universities with a more beautiful campus than that of Duke. It is isolated from Durham and never feels overwhelmingly large or small.</p>
<p>PM me if you have any other specific questions</p>
<p>I know alot about Duke because I have a sibling who is a graduate and works for one of the biotech companies in the area and many of the physicians on the advisory staff are Duke graduates. Duke is extremely respected in the medical field, and since you are interested in medicine, they have one of the best medical schools and medical centers in the country. There are alot of research opportunities in the area, especially with Research Triangle Park nearby where all the biotech/pharmaceutical/medical companies are located. I also have a close relative who graduated from Notre Dame and respect Notre Dame as well. But if you are interested in pre-med and becoming an Orthodontist, I think Duke is well-suited for you because you also love sports and have the work-hard, play-hard mentality. It seems like a really good fit!
Good luck!
P.S.- The atmosphere and sports teams at Duke are awesome!</p>
<p>Quoted from the link provided above by SoonToBeLionized
So Duke professors are not only brilliant (duh…), but also accessible? This is also important to me, having professors that are as interested in teaching as they are in researching.</p>
<p>
I just saw that they’re ranked #5 Best Medical School: Research by USN&WR. It sure would be cool to witness some of that awesomeness as an undergrad.</p>
<p>
ABSOLUTELY. To me, becoming a Cameron Crazy is the single most alluring non-academic aspect of Duke :D</p>
<p>
Exactly, I just changed it.</p>
<p>Also good to see that Duke students are collaborative and don’t suffer from grade deflation. Anyone have first-hand experience with this?</p>
<p>It’s too bad that Duke won’t be in session when you visit. When I accompanied our son on his Duke visits, I noticed that his shoulders relaxed and he smiled more. He “knew.” And it turned out well for him. But this is so individual. I hope you can get enough of a feel that you can feel good about the choice you make. Both schools are great. They are very different, but they are great choices.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about ND, but to me you sound like a perfect fit for Duke.</p>
<p>
I haven’t really experienced grade deflation here (I am an Econ major FYI…generally considered one of the more difficult majors in Trinity). Most of my core classes have been curved to a B or even B+. In classes that aren’t curved, I haven’t found it too difficult to get an A/A-. </p>
<p>
This is one of my favorite things about Duke: everyone is so smart and driven but the atmosphere is incredibly laid back. We work on problem sets together, spend hours studying in group study rooms, etc. Not cut-throat at all.</p>
<p>
Seriously, if this is important to you, come to Duke. The way sports brings the campus together is incredible. I still get chills walking into Cameron, and I’ll remember screaming and jumping up and down during the epic comeback this year vs. Carolina for the rest of my life. It really is that amazing.</p>
<p>
Duke students live by the “work hard, play hard(er)” motto. You may spend every weeknight in the library for hours, but then you won’t be alone if you want to let loose on the weekends. Even if you’re not into partying, there are an incredible number of clubs and organizations to get involved in when you want time away from the classroom. I haven’t found the workload to be so burdensome that I can’t get involved with other things. </p>
<p>
Other people covered this before already, but you will have access to plenty of research/internships at Duke (as long as you’re willing and determined to seek them out – nothing is going to be handed to you). Plus, you have a world-class hospital on campus. There are great opportunities for pre-meds here that you just won’t find elsewhere. </p>
<p>
As you’ve said, it’s very subjective. But if it makes you feel better, I’ve found my home at Duke and couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.</p>
<p>I posted this in the Notre Dame forum, might as well do it here also…</p>
<p>I just visited Duke, and I am 100% certain that it is where I want to spend my next four years. I will always love and respect ND, but it will forever be my father’s college; Duke will be mine. The stronger physics program, access to Duke Medical Center, milder weather (I’m from the South), and slightly higher prestige are nice touches… but the real reason I want Duke over ND is Duke’s extraordinary campus. I got a great feeling from the students, and I found all the ones with whom I spoke to be passionate, engaging people. I have to admit, the decision came largely from my “feel” of the school; and my inclination is too strongly in favor of Duke to resist going. The Notre Dame family is REMARKABLY special. My own path, however, lies with Duke. Thank you all for the advice. God bless.</p>
<p>Congrats! You made a great decision and I’m sure your experience at Duke will be one you’ll never forget and wouldn’t trade for anything. I felt the same way with Michigan as you do with Notre Dame - I grew up a Michigan fan and it was my dad’s college. But I chose Duke and it was great to forge my own path. And, hey, you can still cheer for ND in football and Duke in b-ball. :)</p>
<p>Thanks! My dad just bought tickets to the Notre Dame v. Wake Forest Game this year, and I’ll definitely be making a short trip from Durham to cheer on the Irish ;)</p>
</p>
Good luck choosing!</p>