<p>So this is what it basically comes down to... I want to go on the pre-med track and major in chemistry most likely, with a possible minor in french. My top choice right now is Duke, but after financial aid, it's going to be about 28k a year. My backup choices are UGA Honors and Georgia Tech, both of which are around 7k a year because I'm in state. My question is, though I love Duke and woud like to go there, is it really worth accumulating anywhere between 80k-100k undergrad? Thanks for any feedback you guys have</p>
<p>I'm in a similar situation--I got accepted into Duke, UNC, GW, and William and Mary. With in-state tuition/scholarships from the other three, Duke is by far the most expensive. But, much to the chagrin of my father--or rather, his wallet--I'm choosing Duke.</p>
<p>It really came down to a personal choice, though. Have you visited all the campuses? I knew that I would probably fit in wherever I went, but Duke stood out in my mind as the one place I would be truly excited to go. </p>
<p>Personally, I had always laughed off those folks that said "You'll know the right college for you because you'll just FEEL right when you walk on campus." "Come on," I thought, "Buildings and landscaping can't produce some great mystical experience." But I've gotta tell you, that's what it came down to in the end. I walked into Duke and knew it was where I belonged.</p>
<p>Now, can you get that sense of belonging enough to pay an additional 18k a year? That's up to you.</p>
<p>I'm in the same situation as you now. I realized that my Duke scholarship is need-based, and my dad found a job this year, so next year my scholarship will decrease and we will have to pay around $30,000 a year. No way. I guess I'll have to reject.</p>
<p>I was in a very similar situation last year - do you choose the academic powerhouse/dream school or do you take the money (a full ride in my case) and run? Well, I ended up choosing Duke, and I would make the same choice over and over again given my experience this year. Yes, you will incur debt, but won't you always wonder what life would have been like had you chosen Duke? Plus, there are definitely ways of mitigating the debt you incur. I came in expecting to accrue probably a maximum of around 80,000 dollars (20,000 for four years - my parents agreed to finance about half). However, that number looks like it will be quite a bit smaller - all it takes is some creativity and effort. Scholarships and money from a grad party knocked out 13,000 or so from the first year. Then, I was able to get a job as an RA next year - so if any of you are coming Duke, I may get to know you quite well. The RA job covers room, board, and provides a stipend. This will cut my costs in half. In addition, you can always get a job TAing a class or doing research which can pay well. Last, as an upperclassman, you can get internships in places like NY over the summer at great companies that may eventually offer you a job. These internships often provide housing and pay very well so you can further reduce debt. All in all, I would say my indebtedness is looking a lot better than it was a year ago. You just have to find the right opportunities.</p>
<p>Would you say that alot of people can find these ops? Or are you the lucky one of the bunch?<br>
Also, what is involved with being an RA? Is it a lot of work?</p>
<p>I'd say if you stick your foot out there, you can find these ops.
Duke advertises hardcore to get RAs... and quite honestly, it's not such a bad deal. If you RA as a sophomore, then you're an RA for freshmen on East. The only downside to this is that you bust for alcohol violations and don't live on the same campus as your friends, but from what you get out of it-- it seems worth it to me. As an upperclassmen, being an RA is the best job on campus, I'm convinced. You're guaranteed a large single and air conditioning, and you just have to do some minor programming events (mine ordered pizza one night to watch the OC). I don't see my RA, I don't talk to her, etc. She lives her life for free. It's a gorgeous thing.</p>
<p>Duke seems to have lots of these opportunities available. You just need to be proactive on your part to get the job or internship. As far as being an RA, I'm really excited about because it just seems like a lot of fun. Your job is to socialize with your residents, plan fun events (subsidize trips to the movies, plan parties for b-ball games, etc) and create a "positive residential community." As far as alcohol, as long as you have the respect of your residents, they likely won't put you in a situation where you are forced to enforce policy.</p>
<p>buy as an RA, don't you have to live on the freshman campus while all your other friends are on the other campus? :/</p>
<p>Nope. Sophomores and juniors need RAs, too.</p>
<p>good place to play lacross</p>
<p>If you are an RA your sophomore year, you will live on East campus, which is the freshman campus. So yes, almost all of your friends will move to West. However, if they truly are your friends, you shouldn't have a problem staying in touch with them - as an RA, you're only on-call once every other week so you can always crash at your friend's place on west if you want to. Also, living on East does present the advantage of actually really getting to know a lot of new people (ie the entire new freshman class), and then when you move to West junior year - you will really know a lot of people on West campus.</p>
<p>How much work is being an RA? It can't be as easy as it seems.
BTW, what other cool financing options are there?</p>
<p>I was also in your situation last year - Duke with EFC of ~26000 or in state at UF Honors for free. I ended up choosing Duke and I also must say that I don't regret my decision at all. The education here is intense and there Ive had so many opportunities to pursue things I never would have thought possible just a year ago - doing cutting-edge research in chemistry, becoming a tour guide at an art museum, etc... Aside from the opportunities, one thing that is not stressed enough is the student body. I think I've learned equally as much from my conversations outside the classroom as in. I've stayed up on quite a few occasions with buddies of mine, just talking about things that we find interesting, sometimes until 3 or 4 in the morning. In my sincere opinion, I don't think I could have gotten the same first-year experience had I gone to UF.</p>
<p>The amount of work for an RA changes as the year goes on. At the beginning of the year if you're on East, you have to invest huge amounts of time helping the freshman get settled on campus. Though, I really enjoy doing that kind of stuff because it really involves just going out to restaurants, helping them get into their rooms, and showing them around campus. You'll find as I did this year if you attend Duke that freshman move-in day and orientation run like clockwork and are loaded with events. RA's are key to making it very cohesive and helping the freshmen figure things out. Then, as the year progresses, your job is really just to make sure that dorm is functioning as a healthy community and staying in touch with your residents. You also plan the occasional event or two.</p>
<p>Like, does it interfere with schoolwork?</p>
<p>To answer the OPs original question, "Is Duke Worth it?" You will find different answers from everyone you talk to. It really becomes a personal choice. You have seen in posts above that many are doing whatever it takes (extra jobs, loans, RA,etc) to make Duke a reality and ther is nothing wrong with that. For our S, Duke was going to cost us $39K each year for 4 years. At the same time, he was offered $37K per year in merit aid from a very nice LAC. Is Duke a better school than this LAC? Absolutely yes. Is Duke worth that kind of differnence in money? Absolutely not! If I were in your shoes, I would look hard at UGA or GT. My two cents, YMMV.</p>
<p>They tell us that the RA position is supposed to be second only to academics in terms of what your priorities should be when you accept the position. Will it interfere with academics - not if you do a nice job managing your time. It can even help because you're required to stay in the dorm after 7 PM while you're on call once every two weeks. This presents an opportunity to do homework.</p>
<p>As described in my earlier post, I made the opposite choice than the last poster - the choice has worked out great for me, and I would make the same choice again (even with the debt load I will have). However, you do need to look at your personal situation and choose what's best for you.</p>
<p>Duke is not worth it. It's reputation is based on its sports program and medical school.</p>
<p>Yes, that's exactly why Duke made top ten in the WSJ Feeder Rankings. And why it has an insanely high placement rate for law and med school. And such a high peer assessment rating in US News. Those admissions officers and university deans are looking at it and thinking, "Man did Shelden Williams tear it up last night."</p>
<p>How do you apply for an RA? And when are internship interviews (on campus?))</p>