<p>I recently received word that my transfer application would not be reviewed - because I was too OLD?!? I just turned 26. I spent four and a half years serving in the military, then jumped back into school, cranking out a 4.0 in five semesters of community college classes. Now, after I have spent time and money on the application process, they're telling me that they will not consider students over the age of 25... even though I can't find a single piece of published information on their website about such a policy. </p>
<p>They suggested I look into their 'adult' education program, which is basically night school, with no degree-granting purpose. </p>
<p>This policy seems... absolutely ridiculous, and is a slap in the face to anyone who has forked over a part of their life in service to a cause bigger than their own self-interest. </p>
<p>Can members of the Duke community comment on this?</p>
<p>Don’t stand for that man, I was in the same boat as you, prior military, etc. I applied when I was 25 and was 26 when they told me the same thing.</p>
<p>I fought it and they reversed their decision, i’ll be considered as a “normal” transfer applicant. </p>
<p>I’ve never heard of that happening anywhere else but Duke. It’s BS, fight it.</p>
<p>^ Yeah but do I even want to go to a school like that? I don’t want to be where I’m not particularly wanted. </p>
<p>I just got in to Dartmouth, and everyone there I have been in touch with has been super friendly and really warm and helpful. Their outgoing president, a former Marine, was one of the writers of the new GI Bill, and has made it a point to admit prior service students, which is SHOCKING within the liberal bastion known as the Ivy League.</p>
<p>That, when all is said and done, has put a pretty good taste in my mouth, as opposed to the stunt Duke pulled.</p>
<p>Go to Dartmouth, it’s definitely a better school, and I would like to think an ex-serviceman would enjoy the peace and quiet that the Dartmouth campus would afford.</p>
<p>wow…that is so mean
all people regardless of age should get education and be able to get a degree if they want to at a good school, especially people who help keep our country safe</p>
<p>Make a big issue of it! Make sure the military knows about it! Call the Raliegh newspapers, cuz down there, they love thier military men. Then, go to Dartmouth because it’s a much better school. Duke is overrated. I’m not kidding about letting the military know, btw. I doubt that’s even legal.</p>
<p>I think this policy sucks, but this thread is getting out of hand. </p>
<p>Dartmouth is not a better school by any legitimate measure (especially in terms of research/ sciences). In reality, the schools are incredibly similar (strong alumni networks, very big on wall street), but academically Duke is at least on par and in many regards, better than Dartmouth. </p>
<p>Back on topic. As a person in my mid-20s, I would really not want to go to Duke or Dartmouth. Both are very contained to their own campuses and greek. Personally I would want a big city scene, but Durham is probably better than NH. Plus Duke has about 5x the number of grad students as Dartmouth. If I were you I would be ****ed at Duke, but as a 26 year old I would not want to be in Hanover, NH where the only people my age are ex-ibankers enrolled at Tuck.</p>
<p>OSU–if you read my post closely, you’ll note I was partially joking. But, H and SIL and FIL are Tarheels…so…it would be very unpatriotic of me to like Duke. But, the Dartmouth program, with a lot of leaving and coming and going from the campus COULD really suit an older student better, if they weren’t the city type.</p>
<p>haha, my fault I misread that. I was basing that on your and Westsidewolf’s comments. </p>
<p>I agree about the non-city type. I would like to spend a few summers up in the rural northeast. The winters, not so much. Although I think the mountains of North Carolina cannot be beat for backpacking in the US.</p>
<p>At this point, Dartmouth is a great option. I’m basically getting a full ride, and after years of life that can only be described as chaos, it would actually, despite my age, be a welcome change to slow down for a little while. I also like the LAC approach, tiny classes, tight community vibe, laid back kids, etc. If the price of that is living out in the woods and having to withstand snow and beer pong more often than I would like… I think I’m OK with that. Despite the fact that I’m a city kid, I’m really outdoorsy, so it could be kind of cool to have a chance to live in that environment for a few years before I settle back into city life for eternity. </p>
<p>That said, this is about the principal of the matter - so I just emailed Susan Coon, who is the Senior Assistant Director for the Office of Undergrad Admissions. At this point, it may be fruitless to do so, as they’ve likely completed their decision-making process for the coming fall, but I want to find out what the hell is going on in Blue Devil country.</p>
<p>This kind of policy is highly discriminatory to those who serve in the military. Wherever you end up going, and you have some excellent options, I hope you shine a laser beam on this Duke policy and effect a change to it.</p>
<p>So guess who Ms. Sue Coon called this afternoon… while he was in the middle of his sister’s HS graduation at DAR Constitution Hall in DC… to congratulate on being the most newly admitted student at Duke University?</p>
But, the Dartmouth program, with a lot of leaving and coming and going from the campus COULD really suit an older student better, if they weren’t the city type.</p>