<p>Duke is awesome from the catalogs and info I have and I liked my tour and info session and all that when I visited but I think Blue Devil Days will determine it for me since the debate between Cornell and Duke that's in my mind is constantly going on and I always feel like Cornell is ahead in terms of opportunities, academics, and reputation, but I also always feel that Duke would be the better place. I dunno, it's tough.</p>
<p>lol, Cornell's ahead in academics, reputation, and opportunities?</p>
<p>Check the US News rankings or average SAT scores or something, but everyones entitled to their own opinion.</p>
<p>lol that is true, though i didn't even consider going to Cornell when I was accepted</p>
<p>I never believe USnews rank. Judging a school can not only be based on its rank and SAT! It will be stupid if you do so.IMO,Duke is really good school while cornell is,too. Top20 schools are in the same level or just in a slight difference.My suggestion is to go to both schools and then decide where to go.And major also will be an important factor.</p>
<p>personally, because the boys are cute, heterogenous, and desperate there. haha.
on a more academic level: the variety of course offerings.</p>
<p>well when i toured campus for the first time, i simply fell in love. not only was it absolutely gorgeous, but it is one of the most prestigious and best academic schools in the south. i hate the cold so thats exactly what i wanted- the best school i could find in the south. plus, i like the fact that there is a lot of school spirit and the students are really into sports as well as academics. because theres nothing that bothers me more than i bunch of lazy smart people who sit around and study all day with out doing any physical activity.</p>
<p>Oh man, after being at Duke for a year... I've got to say my favorite thing is the people. Most of them are such a unique breed it's amazing. I always wonder how they manage to get such smart and incredibly fun people... with so much sincerity, genuinity and... I dont' know... heart? All the students at Duke that I have met love being at Duke, even though it wasn't their first choice to begin with (myself included). My girlfriend visited me from Berkeley during Spring Break, and she told me that the friends I had made and the people she met had this quality, and it really stuck out for her.
Love it :)</p>
<p>The fact that Duke is located in a warmer climate than most top-tier schools. Also, Duke's classes in Persian are a plus when very few US colleges offer Persian language classes--I really want to improve my persian.</p>
<p>well... as has been said before, Id have to say the people</p>
<p>Sempiturn555,
Hi, I was reading the "Why Duke" thread and saw that you thought your "Why Duke" essay helped you get in. I'm actually writing mine right now and wanted to take a creative path (aka I walked out of my <em>specific</em> class towards the Bryan center...) Do you mind explaining how you wrote yours? Thanks!</p>
<p>As a '87 Trinity grad, it warms my heart to hear that Math 32 is still taking names and kicking the a$$es of overconfident Duke frosh. I too thought after straight A's in HS calc that I could blow off Math 31, but egad what a rude awakening to college. as in, you don't know *****, son...I limped out with a D-, my tourniquets and casts barely holding me together</p>
<p>Oh my...That's rather disconcerting. I love math, and I'm looking forward to getting my butt kicked (If I get in, that is). I realize that this thread is incredibly dead, but I'm going to ask a question (hopefully not in vain). </p>
<p>Overall, how are the professors at Duke? I know that the students can sometimes fall by the wayside in a large research university. Is this what happens at Duke?</p>
<p>Again, I'm talking 20 years ago, so maybe some current students or recent alums can comment. Don't be scared, just be sensible and don't try and get advanced standing just for an ego trip, cuz it'll backfire.</p>
<p>In anything larger than a small LAC, the onus is on YOU the student to make the connections with faculty and administration staff to get what you need/want. Like in life.</p>
<p>Very friendly student body--not to mention generally very hard-working yet not cut-throat like kids at some other schools in the same 'tier' that I looked at. Doesn't hurt that Duke lives up to its reputation of having extremely attractive students!</p>
<p>BTW, Indydukie is two people who met at Duke 20 years ago; we have 2 sons, one of whom is a junior who has visited campuses all over the country and is hell-bent on going to Duke. Guess I (the wife) should create my own handle...</p>
<p>I'm writing my Why Duke essay now, and I've already written two paragraphs, the first being very short. The application asks that this response be limited to one to two paragraphs, but I feel like there's so much more I want to say! How long (in terms of # of words) do you think it should be?</p>
<p>Roughly 250-500 words. Brevity is the soul of wit!</p>
<p>:| Wish I remember what I wrote on my Why Duke essay back when I was rushing it for the interview deadline.</p>
<p>I need to research again for my interview tomorrow. :|</p>
<p>I have the same debate. The Cornell v. Duke thing. I applied to both regular, and I like them both. I like Cornell because it has one of the best Anthro programmes in the nation, and Duek for its Architecture and the fact that they both teach about the same number of languages. I'm going to be a Linguistics-Archaeology Professor. In addition, the climate cannot be beaten. Then again they both have nice surrounding areas. Duke has a forest, and Cornell has plantations and ravines and such. So, it is kinda tough. I'm suprisised to see someone else out there like me in this dillema.</p>
<p>jacquesier, UNC Chapel Hill is strong in those areas too. If you come to Duke, you have the resources of both, which is something to consider. :)</p>