<p>^Yes I’m afraid that the EFC is practically set in stone unless your family’s finances change significantly. This has more to do with federal regulations which requires financial aid to be adjusted for outside aid. </p>
<p>So essentially the policy really just incentivizes you to get 4-6K of outside scholarships a year so that you wouldn’t need to take out any loans, anything beyond that (unless you get 50K), would only reduce the amount of grants you’d receive.</p>
<p>Thanks for your views SBR and Ouroboros313…
I am eagerly waiting to listen to other current Dukies answer my questions about the wellness dorms…anyone out there…please…</p>
<p>@TangentQueen</p>
<p>While what was said above is true (Duke takes away loans first based on outside scholarships, then grants, so no point in having outside scholarships exceed loans), I’d like to add a suggestion if your $7k+ in outside scholarships exceed your loan amounts. Ask one of the scholarship granting entities to delay payment to your school for a year. As said above, it’s on a per year basis. I got outside scholarships that were both lump sums, and Duke automatically split them in half - half went to first semester freshman year, the second half went to second semester. For me, it didn’t exceed my loans so it didn’t matter. They don’t automatically split it across years unless the agency gives it in different years. If it’s a single $7k scholarship, ask them to pay $3.5k your freshman year, and $3.5k your sophomore year. Duke would then reduce loans in both years instead of grants your freshman year. At least, it’s worth making a single phone call to save $1,500 or so. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>Is it worth it to take the AP Lit exam if i’m going into a science major? I already have lang credit and 6-7 others.</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t think so. English AP credits aren’t worth much placement-wise and Trinity only accepts 2 AP’s anyway. As a science major, you’d be better off using your bio/chem/math/physics AP since they’ll help with the major and with placement.</p>
<p>Did any of you do pre-orientation programs? I’m thinking of doing Project BUILD or Project Change, but the thing is is that I have an internship this summer and it doesn’t end until August 15. So I’m going to have to go straight from my job down to Duke. 
Will it hurt me if I don’t do any of these programs? I just wanted a good way to make friends before school because I don’t know anyone at Duke.</p>
<p>Hm, ok. Does the system automatically pick for you which two go towards graduation? The non-science/math AP credits I have are english lang and ap gov…so i’m hoping those two will go towards graduation while i can use my science/math credits for placement.</p>
<p>@calibrationx, are you in Pratt?
In short, you can pick which two to use and ask the registrar (just send an email) to change that info in your file.</p>
<p>Nope, trinity. So I guess it wouldn’t be much value taking lit huh? Might as well get that money back :P</p>
<p>I am afraid that the intellectual life at Duke is fairly vapid as compared with the Ivies. Am I right? I mean that the odds are that you will sit down with someone for dinner and the conversation will be about basketball (for the 10,000th time) instead of what you learned or were wondering about that day in class. Am I right that Duke is basically a frat-jock school with not much intellectual firepower?</p>
<p>I saw your post on another thread and was trying to ignore you, but now I felt compeled to post.</p>
<p>First a little perspective, I got in Stanford, Cornell (full ride), JHU (full ride). I guess they are what you call intellectual/ Ivy/ academicaly intense (in that order), and I do consider myself a nerd at heart, so I asked myself the same question too, as Duke does have a reputation of being quite frat-jock-party, whatever you call it.</p>
<p>However, after researching a little bit, I realize that the people at Duke are actually pretty intellectual (they wouldn’t get into a top ten school in the nation otherwise), but, here’s a catch, they don’t feel the need to shout to the world or proudly label themselves as such. Case in point: I was searching for my roommate, and of some 100+ posts on the Duke’s roommate thread, I chanced upon someone whom I thought I can get along pretty well with. After a few messages back and forth, we started discussing about various aspects of the books we like (Crime and Punishment, Brave New World), elitism vs. populism, our purpose in life, blah blah blah, at the same time still find time to talk about Xbox, EPL, and yes, Duke basketball.</p>
<p>So, if are a complete stuck-up pseudo-intellectual who takes himself or his “intellectual need” too seriously, Duke is not the place for you. But if you know how to truly enjoy yourself in whatever way you feel appropriate, who knows how to relax, who, cliche permitting, work hard play hard, then do consider Duke. I am not there yet, but I’m sure I won’t regret coming there.</p>
<p>meh let the dude/gal go wherever he wants. It’s not like he/she HAS to pick Duke once admitted. It pretty much sounds like placido’s already made up his/her mind to discount any possibilities of Duke and is just ■■■■■■■■ on these forums now. </p>
<p>PS: when I read that post, all I can picture in my mind is a *****<em>-y fratboy in aviators with a popped pastel polo going “dude, am I right or am I right???” *HIGH FIVE BRAH</em> I’m sure placido is nothing like that though so carry on.</p>
<p>Are there overlap between Areas of Knowledge and Modes of Inquiry courses? These could be very useful in killing two birds with one stone.</p>
<p>@ dragoneye776: Yes there is.</p>
<p>Just canceled the lit test. Feels good :)</p>
<p>Hey guys. </p>
<p>I recently got off of Duke’s waitlist but was otherwise planning on matriculating to Brown. I have about half a week more to make the decision, but I just wanted to know if anyone had any advice to offer. Unfortunately because of the short notice, I won’t get an actual chance to visit the Duke Campus. </p>
<p>The pros of Duke are the BME program, the facilities, the unique programs like FOCUS (though I’m not sure if I’d even get in - people are already applying), the abroad opportunities and the student activities.</p>
<p>As for Brown, I liked the cozy nature of Providence, but I was relatively disappointed by their core engineering curriculum (ironic, considering how liberal the rest of the school is). Their BME is leagues behind Duke’s. On the other hand, I think the grade inflation at Brown is more generous than Duke’s. Because I’m from the Northeast, there’s a lot more prestige to the Brown name, and although I shouldn’t be, I feel like I might be disadvantaged by employers who for whatever reason, place that much emphasis on the Ivy League name. </p>
<p>I’m hesitant about Duke’s emphasis on Greek Life and Basketball, not because I’d never see myself participating in those activities, but because I feel like they might create a social hierarchy and sense of cliquey-ness at the school. At Brown the campus is a lot smaller and I got the impression that the student body was very cohesive, which I liked. I hate to base any of my decisions on rankings, but it’s hard for me to make a decision qualitatively. Brown win’s with student happiness but has about half the endowment of Duke. I get the impression that Duke’s atmosphere is a little more “work-hard, play-hard”, while Brown is more laid-back.</p>
<p>Any input, guys?</p>
<h1>76 what a great choice you have!</h1>
<p>I am a parent of a recent Pratt graduate–one who did not go Greek, but who thoroughly enjoyed the Basketball business.</p>
<p>So, as a parent, my observations are from a different place through a different prism. I would love to hear from Duke students whether they think my observations are accurate.</p>
<p>While I am certain you will not go wrong either way, I want to mention that Duke life is not accurately defined by the shorthand in so many guides. (By inference, most other schools are probably similarly shortchanged, but you asked on a Duke forum.)</p>
<p>There are cliques. You can be concerned or not, as you choose. The place is large enough that you can be part of that or not and still have plenty of company. Social hierarchy? It is what you make of it, but I imagine some manifestation will be present at Brown, as well.</p>
<p>Speaking as a parent of a recent Duke grad who
-was not Greek
-was in Pratt
-had/has a large group of friends and a smaller group of very close friends
It is what you make of it.</p>
<p>To elaborate on the MOI/AOK question: a course can count for only one area of knowledge and up to three modes of inquiry. (if a course carries more than one AOK code, you’re automatically assigned to one based on where you need it). So if you play your cards right, you can knock out four requirements with one class.</p>
<p>My son was psyched to go to Vanderbilt and was accepted off the waitlist to Duke today. He plans on pursuing a career in medicine and is concerned about the level of competition at Duke. It seems that many drop pre med at Duke. He thinks he can shine at Vandy. Need help making this decision. Thanks</p>
<p>Does anyone has info regarding finding a job on campus? And how does the procedure work? Thanks!</p>