<p>Hey.</p>
<p>Well first off, what made you want to come to this school? And secondly, how much are you enjoying it? Elaborate about that in terms of athletics, campus, clubs, curriculum, academics, food, social life, city life, things to do, student body, professors, financial help etc.
From your overall experience at this university, rate how much you like it on a scale from 1-10.</p>
<p>Well the biggest thing that made me want to come here is the fact that Duke has the most amazing combination of social/academic. Obviously the athletics are insane, and basketball games are out of control, plus there's so much going on outside of the classroom. So socially it's pretty awesome, PLUS it has world-class academics. So that was the number one thing for me. </p>
<p>Anyway, so lemme see</p>
<p>Campus: Beautiful...amazing...and the atmosphere is just so...awesome. </p>
<p>Clubs: It's so easy to get involved. They have a huge activities fair during orientation and there's pretty much a club for everyone. Most of the stuff I'm involved in is pretty small, so it's relatively simple to become an, im going to say this word one more time, involved member. PLUS there's tons to volunteer for, including DUMC. What's better then a world-class med center ON CAMPUS?</p>
<p>Curriculum: The T-req's system is kind of different and kind of weird, but you gradually find that you're filling up the reqs, and it's really not something to freak out about. There are a ton of classes and you generally have a lot of freedom.</p>
<p>Academics: AMAZING. My classes right now are very challenging, and it requires a lot of hard work outside of class, but it's definitely workable. There's a lot of time to just HAVE FUN too...it's a great balance.</p>
<p>Food: Tons of places to eat, but the freshman meal plan is kind of rough. You have to eat at the Marketplace a lot, but you get used to it.</p>
<p>Social life/City Life/Things to do: There's a fair amount of places off campus to go. There's Ninth Street with a few clubs, restaurants, and cute little shops...it's pretty boho, but cool. Then there's Brightleaf Square with a lot of restaurants and whatnot. Other that that city life is pretty much nonexistant. Durham isn't really too much of a college town, and town-gown relationships seem pretty strained. BUT that doesn't mean the social life/things to do situation is lacking. There's ALWAYS stuff to do on campus, whether it be parties, movies, lectures, or even comedians or something. There's even a hypnotist coming soon. PLUS UNC is like, 15 minutes away with their famous Franklin Street.</p>
<p>Student Body: AMAZING. SMART. HARDWORKING. BUT Duke students know how to have a good time. They'll amaze you.</p>
<p>Professors: I've had a pretty good experience my first semester. For my 2 smaller classes I've been fortunate enough to have a great professors, and I'm actually very pleased with my gen chem profs as well. There's the whole speculation that all gen chem professors hate that class because it's all pre-med but from talking with mine they're both caring, nice guys. My econ professors is kind of crazy, but you can tell he's a very smart guy...maybe not the best professor though. Even so, a lot of lectures break down into smaller TA Sections or labs, and I have 2 amazing TA's. My Chem TA is a great, smart guy and VERY helpful, as well as my econ TA who is just a very very VERY smart, knowledgable girl. I've been thoroughly impressed with the professors so far!</p>
<p>Financial aid: Eh, can't really comment. lol.</p>
<p>On a scale of 1-10 I give Duke a 15. For real. I adore this place!</p>
<p>what? you can't comment on fin aid? the most important part, i am an intl. what kind of fin aid does duke provide for people like me?</p>
<p>Right now, Duke is NOT need-blind for international students. If you are applying for aid and are international, admission is extremely competitive, even moreso that usual. I think they only have aid for about 25 total international students, and the rest are all people that don't need aid.
I'm not an international student, but Duke was very generous in its financial aid for me; if you're one of the few international students to get aid, it would probably be the same, but as I said, it won't be easy.</p>
<p>I didn't really get much aid because I had an outside award, so I don't want to lead you the wrong way with any info...I'm not too familiar with the process.</p>
<p>Campus: There are few campuses with such architectural integrity - there really aren't any "ugly" buildings. Unless you count Gross Chem, but that's out in the boonies (and I swear, that's not an adjective - it's actually the name of the building). East's classic Georgian-Palladian architecture is reminiscent of Jefferson's UVA and West's is strikingly similar to Princeton's gothic. The new buildings - CIEMAS, Bostock, and soon to be completed French Science Center, all take cues from the surrounding buildings and integrate WONDERFULLY. The addition to the Divinty school is almost indistiguishable from the original architecture. And Bostock, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful places to study on campus, save perhaps the Duke gardens on a 75 degree day like today (yes, it's November 14th and 75 degrees).</p>
<p>Clubs: The only thing lacking is hours in the day - trust me, if you can think of one, it's here. I'm in a sorority and Navy ROTC....I play trumpet in the orchestra, play club lacrosse when time permits, as well as do activities with club golf and outing club. Oh, and our fitness facilities are outstanding - and free! Just check out Wilson Gym on the Duke website - there are dozens of free aerobics, yoga, and spinning classes.</p>
<p>Food: Deal with the Marketplace - for institutional food, it could be MUCH worse. Also, Whole Foods is a godsend - just minutes away from east on foot. Also, Merchants on Points is outstanding. Just a sample of some great food - Indian, tasty sandwiches from Mad Hatters, lots of Italian and pizza, Cosmic Cantina (mexican), and soon Quiznos as well. There are over 16 restaurants who now deliver.</p>
<p>Students: I always admire the collaborative nature of students here. You have a question? Chances are a fellow student would be glad to help. After over a year here, I have yet to encounter any cutthroat tactics in grade competition. I've dabbled in physics for various reasons, and my class that is full of pre-meds isn't completely neurotic - just a bit hyper-competitive. All the same, competitive and hardworking does not mean these students wish to engage in sabotage or lying....you want to know how to work that problem? They'll sit down and show you how to do it.</p>
<p>Academics: I'm a Public Policy major and I love it - my core class I'm taking is this semester is outstanding and my major advisor has absurd experience - i.e. has advised Clinton, Gore - has served on numerous bipartisan Mid-East policy panels, etc...I've also taken advantage of niche languages here such as Turkish....the professor is outstanding and we frequently end up discussing the current and historical politics of the region.</p>
<p>Durham: Ok, so it isn't perfect, but I find that most people have abnormal standards for a college town. Yes, Franklin Street is definitely classier, but once you've shopped there once or twice, that's about it. You then have to wait until you're 21 to get into most of the bars. But regardless, a bus runs on the half hour, so it's even easier then finding parking.</p>
<p>Duke + Durham equals more than enough to do. Shooters and George's are staples of the Duke experience and are within walking distance (or a cheap cab ride) of East Campus. Shooters - a western saloon, complete with a cage to dance in and a mechanical bull to ride. Sororities and frats host nights, Lee Melchioni had his Birthday Party there....it's really a great place where everyone mingles. And for some random things about the 9th St. area - Francesca's makes delicious desserts and their own ice cream - strawberry champagne and mexican chocolate anybody? Cosmic is open til 4 am. Locopops - gourmet popsicles (paletas), complete with flavors like orange cardamom, mojito, chile chocolate, and hibiscus. For a buck each. Elmo's is a classic diner, Banh's Vietnamese is sketchily delicious. Nice Price Books is yet another place to find wonderfully cheap used books. While one can survive without a car, it definitely makes matters simpler (I didn't have one freshman year).</p>
<p>Also, the bus system is a lot more efficient than, say, Cornell, where you have to walk EVERYWHERE. Which is on a hill - and is, well, freezing. </p>
<p>And East Campus is an awesome experience as a freshman - everyone is clueless! That is to say, you know everyone else is on the same page as you are - not completely sure what's going on for those first few weeks. Additionally, having Lilly Library and the Music Department right there is a great deal.</p>
<p>The arts are also making a comeback on campus - admissions is finally helping beef up our music department, and therefore our orchestra is even stronger than before. Not to mention we have the former Principal Oboist of the New York Philharmonic as our new artist-in-residence. There are countless acapella groups, a number of theater groups, and numerous instrumental ensembles.</p>
<p>This is a place where students cheer "Dickie B" when President Broadhead stands up at basketball games.</p>
<p>Tailgate is one of the most absurdly awesome spectacles on any college campus. It's like halloween, but the goal isn't a "good" costume....the goal is to look ridiculous. And act it.</p>
<p>Yeah, we work hard and play hard. But luckily enough students here live balanced lives. That is to say, when you decide to go out on Saturday night, know that some people are studying in the library (I can't lie, sometimes that's me) - but not so many that you're necessarily screwing your academic career. There are enough people who are also out having a life. Playing hard. Making those classic college memories.</p>
<p>About financial aid - calculate your Expected Family Contribution [url=<a href="http://finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml%5Dhere%5B/url">http://finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml]here[/url</a>]. It spit out an EFC of $60,000/yr for my family, meaning that is the amount they believed my family could pay. I then received exactly $0 in financial aid. Seems to be a decent predictor, at least for Duke.</p>
<p>So athletics are huge here?</p>
<p>basketball is huge...tailgate is huge...but if you include football when you say "athletics" definitely not. The athletic presence is big but it doesn't run the school. If you're not into basketball now you either e) will survive or b) will be.</p>