<p>This sure complicates things. >.< Duke used to be my dream school, but after being waitlisted, I started looking closer at my other options. And as fate would have it, while I didn't even really look into Rice that much when I applied (only applied 'cause my cousin likes it, and it's "cheap" for a good school), I fell in love with everything about it, the campus, location, smart/funny/friendly people, interesting classes/professors, college housing system (temperature wasn't really to my liking though haha). And that wouldn't have happened if I'd gotten into Duke, obviously. So now I'm stuck in a limbo...the parents are pressuring me to accept Duke's offer (Duke's giving me 2 weeks to decide) because the biomedical engineering program is better, and the location is closer to home. But to me, the extra cost might not be worth it anymore. The recent scandal highlighted some subtle racial tensions there, freshmen live off main campus, campus isn't in the middle of a city like how I like it, Greek life seems to dominate social life...but I don't know for sure if these are good enough reasons to reject Duke, or if they're legitimate.</p>
<p>So anyways, I was wondering if someone could give me more information of Duke's BME program, and how current students are doing grade-wise. Are there a lot of research opportunities? Also, I'm somewhat interested in pre-med as well, but I know that Rice and Duke both have extremely high med school acceptance percentages, as well as having hospitals right next to campus. Thank you for your help!</p>
<p>WOW! Congratulations! Sorry for not answering your questions, but I was wondering where you were from and what did you do to improve your chances of admission?</p>
<p>Thanks. ^^ I'm from Maryland, and I did absolutely nothing to improve my chances ('cause I became set on Rice after sending in that postcard thingie...x3)</p>
<p>Also, another factor that is keeping me from Duke is its student-faculty ratio is over twice that of Rice's. I'd like to have smaller classes, and also have more chances to interact with the professors...</p>
<p>By the way, you totally deserved getting into Duke (I checked your stats)...I am amazed you weren't accepted in the RD round. Regarding small classes and such...you should check out the FOCUS program...it has some small seminars with elite faculty, but some say that because the profs are so well-known and so busy otherwise with research, they don't really know how to TEACH to some first-semester freshmen. Otherwise I heard that you can e-mail any teacher and every professor is very helpful...if you haven't done so already, I think you should read this thread (especially post #66)...I really liked it:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=11158&page=5&pp=15%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=11158&page=5&pp=15</a></p>
<p>Well I'm from Houston, 2260 SAT, NM finalist, ranked 1, varsity tennis, some other things, i didnt do anything to improve my chances, but i know the four ppl that got accepted from my school all turned down duke. I wouldve loved to go to duke if i had gotten in reg decision, but when i got waitlisted i sorta just forgot about it. Now its not quite the same feeling, but i guess this is cool, kinda surprising.</p>
<p>From what I've read, Duke is really relaxing and comfortable. Can someone confirm this? I'm the laid back type, love playing and watching sports. And is it really competitive at Duke?</p>
<p>Did i miss out on anything with registration and housing and courses or anything?</p>
<p>Yes, I feel exactly the same way! I was crushed when I got waitlisted, then also forgot about it after I visited Rice. Now I'm just confused. xD</p>
<p>I think a lot of people will be like you this year on account of the predicted waitlist movements. I sent in the cards for three schools, but I don't know what to do if I get accepted since I've fallen in love with the college I sent my deposit to. I just wished they could have accepted me off the bat instead of crushing my spirit by waitlisting me. Now I find that I'm not so excited anymore about receiving an acceptance. Congrats on getting into Duke though.</p>
<p>OMFG! I JUST GOT IN OFF THE WAITLIST. Phone call from the admissions rep. I had my IB math test so I didn't find out for a few hours. OMG. I'm so happy. Everything has worked out in the end.</p>
<p>SO THAT'S WHAT THE PHONE CALL WAS?!!! I just got a phone call from duke..but...like i live in arizona...3 hours time difference..so by the time i called back..the admissions office was closed!! So is it to take me off the waitlist you guys think??? <em>crosses fingers</em></p>
<p>Haha, I got a call last week, but no message. Three hour time change. I left a message for the wait list coordinator, but she never called me back. Until the admissions rep called me today! </p>
<p>i got a call from paul something or other...ahhh i'm nervous cuz i already sent in my deposit to my school and like started to actually like it haha....hopefully it's good news! thanks gcards! what did they say when the rep called you back??</p>
<p>The call was from my regional rep. She said a spot has opened up and if I'm still interested they will send me the official acceptance packet. I also got an email since she couldn't reach me at home.</p>
<p>Yes, Alice, the person who called me, said she'll send my info to the financial aid office and that I have 2 weeks to decide from the time I receive my financial aid packet. I think money is a big factor for me here...if I get a decent amount, Duke it is.</p>
<p>hmm....do you think it's worth negotiating with them? like if we have scholarships from other schools (USC, full tuition, for example, or boston u)? lol ahhhh i'm so nervous..cuz money is a huge issue w/ me as well</p>