Campus culture is a subjective weakness. Social interactions sometimes devolve into competition for who is heading the most organizations, in the top frats /sororities or SLGs, had the best study abroad experience, etc. People can be very superficial. Social scenes tend to revolve around drinking/partying-- take that as you want. Racial tension is noticeable. Not that is wasn’t present in the past, but there were several specific incidents in the past year that have brought it to the forefront. People here that are saying it’s not an issue are likely not students of color or have very little interaction with students of color.
^ Recently graduated from Duke (as a student of color). Currently at an HYP Ivy. Racial tensions were not more pronounced at Duke than they are at my current school.
Yes, it’s horrible! They’re never overt, but you can sometimes hear them snickering in the other cubicles.
Seriously, you may be disappointed to discover that people really don’t care about where you went to college.
Are you friendly? Competent? Organized? Can you make rain? That’s what employers, colleagues and clients really care about.
@arwarw The original question was a juvenile curiosity but I think this is debatable: “Seriously, you may be disappointed to discover that people really don’t care about where you went to college.”
From what I’ve seen working at a very prestigious financial firm, where you go to school matters in getting the interview and gaining trust, respect, and credibility during the first few months on the job. But I would echo what others have been saying for a long time and that is that after a few years of working, where you went to school virtually does not matter as much as what you’ve achieved professionally.
@Jwest22, Yes, your education can help in securing an entry-level analyst position, but, as I’m sure you know, that analyst from - say - Harvard may find him/herself assisting in placement of equity to an operating partner from Tailgate State U, who earns more on one deal than that analyst may earn over a lifetime.
@arwarw I don’t understand your point.
@lb43823: “If there were no weaknesses to Duke, everyone in the world would want Duke and regard it as the best university in the world.”
I have previously congratulated you on your Duke matriculation, and I now do so again. However, isn’t there another possibility, could a lack of in-depth knowledge – rather than a catalog of weaknesses – be the underlying reason “everyone in the world” isn’t as enthused with Duke’s undergraduate experience as you are?
If (for example) the Art Museum and the food plan are among the most significant deficiencies, then you are fortunate beyond reckoning.
Yes, Top Tier, exactly. And, as tried to indicate in my post, I actually think Duke is underrated in many aspects. In terms of academics, the range of courses, the size of the classes (small), the research opportunities, are incredible. Medical schools know, that is why for example Duke has such an exceptional admit rate for medical schools. People don’t really credit Duke for its academics as much as they should from afar, there is sometimes a sense on the board of well Duke really is an easier school. It is not. And the pressures and issues, race, dating, and so forth, are just as prevelant at other elite schools. More generally, looking for weakneses because you think your second cousin who went to Dartmouth thinks Duke focuses on atheletics is a waste of your time.
I am curious Ib43823 after completing your first year at Duke, what your experience has been? Were your concerns about the shortcomings of Duke valid or significant? What do you think the greatest strengths of your experience have been?