Questions about Duke

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

Hi everyone,

I will almost definitely be going to Duke next fall (go Blue Devils!) and just had a few questions about the school

(1) I know that taking 4 classes / semester is the norm, but do a lot of people take 5 or 6 classes instead? If so, how manageable is it?

(2) Duke seems to have a TON of general education requirements. From your experiences, did these hinder your ability to pursue the fields you really wanted to study (for me its math and computer science, but I also want to continue piano heavily as well as writing to some degree). Would you say Duke’s GE requirements are as rigid and numerous as, say, Columbia’s Core (which I don’t really like)? Also, I realize that there are classes that cover many different modes of inquiry - are there any classes you recommend (especially in the humanities) that simultaneously cover three modes of inquiry (the maximum # allowed I believe)?

(3) I heard that Duke has moderate grade inflation (which is a good thing) - can any current students comment on that? I did, however, hear that some biology classes and introductory math classes were heavily grade deflated.

(4) I’m still a bit confused as to how AP credits work. If I, say, have credit for AP government and AP US history, am I able to use those two credits to opt of some of the Natural Sciences and Civilization requirements?

(5) (this one is kind of specific) For musicians, are there ample practice rooms with pianos in them? Also, are there grand pianos (not upright) that students can practice on?

(6) If you are comfortable with it, could you post what a general schedule of your day looks/looked like at Duke?

Sorry for the long post, but lots of thanks to anyone who could share some of their insights!

2
  1. Many freshmen do 4 classes, some do 4.5 w/ a half credit gym or art class for fun. As you get a little better with adjusting, some students take 5 classes, I think the max is 5.5.
  2. Meh, the only classes that I've taken that I really didn't want to were language classes and Environmental Science. I'd say many classes in your major give you a lot of those gen eds (I was freaking out before I got to Duke about those, but really don't worry) 3.Not really sure what this is asking, some classes are awful (intro to math, econ, sciences are known as being hard classes, but electives in those majors aren't usually too hard if you put in the work).
  3. No, but you can use them to get your overall load of classes down to 34 to 32 (or if you have more you can use them to graduate early, but can only use 2 if you're doing a 4 year graduation). 5.I know there are music practice rooms, some with pianos. Couldn't really tell you the difference, although I think I know what a grand piano is and I'm fairly sure there are some, but that there tend to be more of the other kind.
  4. It varies a ton student to student, usually only a class or two a day (sometimes 3, very rarely 4, but that depends on if you wanted to schedule a free day or are overloading).
3

@RunningForLife‌:

I hope you’ll allow me to comment regarding #2 alone (I’ll leave your other questions to current/recent students). My experience strongly indicates that those General - Core - Distribution (universities refer to them differently) requirements are VERY important, because they complement and enrich areas of concentration AND because they are the fundamental root of much education and even more wisdom.

The fact is, I wouldn’t advocate reducing them, even slightly. Here’s why:

  • Many individuals, especially those with the qualities that permit them to be admitted to schools like Duke, will eventually evolve from hands-on "doers" to large-scale "leaders."
  • In their senior managerial/leadership roles (and this frequently is management of medical, legal, religious, governmental, not-for-profit, volunteer, etc. enterprises -- it's absolutely NOT only business/finance/commerce), they are repeatedly challenged with decision-making that includes all sorts of variables, often extending well beyond both the quantitative and the attributes directly associated the the enterprise's primary focus. For example, selection of candidates potentially to fill Board of Directors positions should require decision makers to look beyond demonstrated technical and managerial competencies, and at traits such as judgement, ethics, broad perspective, prudent risk taking, and MUCH more.
  • This is where (among MANY other situations) those General Education Requirements become especially helpful. Those GERs really are the core of the "liberal arts," which is essential to ALL undergraduate education. They -- in aggregate -- teach a youngster about civilizations' proven values through history, humanities, literature, science, psychology, and MUCH more. They should also impart the foundations of wisdom that stretch back to the beginnings of recorded history.
  • Learning about these things not only is what makes an individual "educated," as contrasted to "trained," it is also what allows leaders to make WISE long-term and enduring decisions, as well as merely competent ones.
  • For example, select almost any contemporary ethical fiasco and you'll find generally analogous situations in the Greek tragedies, in Shakespeare, in history, and in literature. Therefore, studying and UNDERSTANDING these timeless "civilization lessons" is of immense importance in making the right, the smart, and -- especially -- the wise choices and decisions (when your time to lead and to assume these such high-level responsibilities comes . . . and it near-certainly will).

I urge you to embrace Duke’s GERs. They are the foundation elements of civilization and of education, they may well serve as your best guide when things are extremely confused, uncertain and non-quantifiable, and they convey eons of wisdom (often paid for at tragic costs).

Dick Brodhead, Duke’s President, was the Co-Chair of a National Commission on the value of the Liberal Arts. He has written about and addressed this subject-area extensively in the last few years. You might do very well to read his viewpoints on this subject, which are easily found on duke.edu, before you depart for your undergraduate campus in five months.