<p>So i was just wondering if anyone has any information on the Focus program. Obviously I know the info thats on the website but I was curious about which clusters are popular and if duke students think it is a worthwhile program, if they reccomend it, if they wish they had done it. Basically Im just looking for opinions on the program</p>
<p>I would be very careful about choosing my cluster if I were you. I was in a cluster this semester that was supposedly one of the more popular ones, but no matter how interesting the topic is the professors in each can make or break it. Find the clusters you think are interesting and then I’d recommend looking up ratings for the professors in them. Overall though, the discussions were pretty interesting and the dinner you have with your cluster is a nice change from marketplace food, but in all honesty I don’t think I would do it again if I had the choice. There’s nothing wrong with focus and the classes can be a great to get requirements out of the way that you’re going to have to fulfill anyways, but there simply isn’t anything THAT special about the program, contrary to what most pre-frosh believe.</p>
<p>Thanks for that reply. Sorry to hijack the thread but I have a question. I am thinking about majoring in Computer Science and I was wondering which Focus Cluster is most closely related to that major. On the website, I didnt see a cluster that had a Computer Science Course.</p>
<p>Is the Focus Program worth it if im going to major in computer science?</p>
<p>ok thanks for your input. I don’t think Im going to do it since Im not extremely interested in any of the clusters and Im sure there will be other classes Id rather take</p>
<p>To answer the question about CS courses in Focus, I know the Genome Revolution Focus has a CS course on computational genomics, if you’re interested in that sort of thing. There’s also the Engineering Frontiers Focus – I don’t think it has a CS course, but you might be interested in it since a lot of engineering does involve computer science.</p>
<p>In terms of whether or not to do Focus in general, I agree with Arzachel – it really depends on which cluster you choose. I thoroughly enjoyed and learned a lot from the cluster I was in (global health), and my classes were, for the most part, very engaging, not too overwhelming work-wise, and I really liked my professors. But yeah, I would definitely look up professor ratings and spend some time thinking about whether you’ll genuinely be interested in any of the clusters you choose because otherwise, it’s definitely not worth it.</p>
<p>my son did Focus freshman year fall term and counted it as one of the highlights of his four years at Duke…a Russian focus that may not be in the rotation anymore and included a trip to St Petersburg. He is fast friends with many FOCUS members to this day…one in med school now…another in law school…work was heavy but the fact that the classes were related and the faculty was accessible added to a sense that for one semester…Duke was also like a smaller liberal arts college. Good way to get a writing credit if you are actually interested in your subject. Later on son did a semester abroad and traveled to another city to hang out with former FOCUS friends. They also attended a funeral together when one of the professors…emeritus…died a couple of years later.<br>
I don’t think FOCUS is necessary to enjoy Duke…not at all…but if you want to dig into a small group experience…can be a plus. He also had small group bonding in a language department…great way to get to know a faculty department and in one of the Duke arts programs…in music…took private lessons.
My point is that you should look at Duke and craft a few venues where going to a middle sized research institution can have some intimate moments with smaller focus groups…doesn’t have to be freshman focus but be creative and make sure to find ways to get to know your faculty in a few intense experiences whether in lab or in the field or in a service or research project or an art form. Duke is big enough to be grand and small enough to be intimate if you plan correctly.</p>