Duke is an amazing school with an incredible, if sometimes overwhelming, number of opportunities available every day. Duke administration and students work to be academically, artistically, and socially open to new things and representative of the incredibly diverse student body. A Duke student is sure to have a one of a kind experience and is sure to find a place they feel at home.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Even the easy classes at Duke aren't easy. Because of the low student-professor ratio, it's often not possible to get away with just not doing your work or preparing for class.
Students taking more difficult classes, from something in the natural sciences to a language to an entry level weed-out class often have more trouble than they can handle, and are forced to withdraw from a course.
All this said, academically, Duke isn't too scary for most students. There are systems in place that make it difficult to just completely fail or to be utterly lost in terms of classes and grades; the system is easily navigable and there are always people there who can help along the way.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Not everyone loves dorm life, but it has its perks. Dorm life is very conducive to the creation of community regardless of the dorm one finds themselves in. Additionally, by the end of their first year it seems most freshman LOVE the system of all freshman on East campus. It becomes a place of refuge and is a great first place to learn your way around.
Some prefer apartment style living to dorm life mostly on the basis of space, kitchen access/cooking ability, and overall comfort.
I know some individuals who dislike the small amount of space they feel they've been given to live in compared to the amount of space others in other dorms get; but I haven't known anyone to find their space unlivable and unbearable. Most dorm rooms (doubles for two people, at least) have plenty of space for two beds two desks, two small bookshelves, and if there isn't closet space, a wardrobe.
On the issue of kitchen access, the dorms are fit with kitchens. Though those who enjoy cooking and preparing meals might prefer to have a kitchen shared with fewer people or access to more cooking devices and utensils, I've found that dorm kitchens have more than enough amenities to accommodate everyone's basic needs.
I found my dorm experience to be fairly comfortable. There aren't any Duke dorms known to be particularly prone to infestation or flooding or any other kinds of disasters/discomforts. While those living in dorms may have to walk a bit farther to get to the bathroom, those with apartments have to keep their bathroom and any hallways clean themselves. Dorms are also just fit with more public spaces for social events to go on and interaction to occur.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The worst part of food and dining is the same no matter who you ask - the freshman meal plan. Every duke student gets food points. $1 = 1 food point. Food points are payed for through the dining plan (bursar's account) and are accessed through the use of one's DukeCard. Food points are easy to refill if you run out and as a freshman, it is likely that you will run out. Here's why: all the freshman meal plans include swipes in to East Campus' dining hall: The Marketplace. Marketplace, quite frankly, becomes inconvenient for most students, as there are only specific times one can eat at that specific location. Especially as a student who participated in tenting, the increased time spent on West campus meant that I needed more access to food points and fewer meal swipes. Additionally, the
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Duke sporting events are always incredibly exciting - don't let them go to waste!
Frats are likely the most common source of open parties, but many organizations throw parties throughout the year as well.
Shooters is the go-to club in the area, a 5-10 minute walk from East Campus. Devine's is another, less common, club that people go to.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Duke is an incredibly expensive university - but often times the amenities offered seem to make up for this. There are top notch academic professors, there is easy to find funding for special events and activities, new, well kept athletic facilities are readily available, freebies are often easy to find, and one always feels safe on campus. I can't say for sure whether Duke is worth the price tag, but most students rarely feel they're being cheated.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Tenting! Check out http://kvillenation.com/ to learn more.
Bench burning after Duke beats UNC or wins another big game.
Most unusual traditions at Duke have to do with basketball games and traditions, or Duke sports in general.
Duke has an all day party every year, on LDOC the Last Day of Classes. Great artists are hired to come and perform, and it's a great way to de-stress and have fun before reading week and finals.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Academically competitive. Socially, students who rarely or even never plan on going out and students who plan on going out multiple times a week all find their place and enjoy the scene at Duke.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
The possibilities are literally endless. Duke has more clubs than one could ever even consider joining, and making new clubs is a simple process.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Greek life is a BIG part of life at Duke, and not always in a good way. Those who choose not to participate in Greek life will feel the difference between themselves and their peers. This is not to say that one cannot have a social life without joining a Greek organization - quite the opposite is true. It is only that Duke is socially dominated by Greek Life in many ways, but unimportant in some others. Duke also has selective living groups, which allow students to join organizations and live with a specific group without Greek traditions.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Duke is very safe. Durham, though there are mishaps, is a wonderful, historic, often misunderstood city. Those who call it ghetto or dangerous have likely only heard about Durham from news channels and Duke Alerts (announcements that some criminal or dangerous activity has gone on nearby).
Duke police are kind and helpful, and are always available if needed.
The danger at Duke, like at many other universities, is mostly connected to women and sexual assault. I do commend Duke on it's commitment to talk about this issue, much more so than many other schools do, but I cannot condone the way students accused of sexual violence are only minimally punished.
Duke is an amazing school with an incredible, if sometimes overwhelming, number of opportunities available every day. Duke administration and students work to be academically, artistically, and socially open to new things and representative of the incredibly diverse student body. A Duke student is sure to have a one of a kind experience and is sure to find a place they feel at home.
Even the easy classes at Duke aren't easy. Because of the low student-professor ratio, it's often not possible to get away with just not doing your work or preparing for class. Students taking more difficult classes, from something in the natural sciences to a language to an entry level weed-out class often have more trouble than they can handle, and are forced to withdraw from a course. All this said, academically, Duke isn't too scary for most students. There are systems in place that make it difficult to just completely fail or to be utterly lost in terms of classes and grades; the system is easily navigable and there are always people there who can help along the way.
Not everyone loves dorm life, but it has its perks. Dorm life is very conducive to the creation of community regardless of the dorm one finds themselves in. Additionally, by the end of their first year it seems most freshman LOVE the system of all freshman on East campus. It becomes a place of refuge and is a great first place to learn your way around. Some prefer apartment style living to dorm life mostly on the basis of space, kitchen access/cooking ability, and overall comfort. I know some individuals who dislike the small amount of space they feel they've been given to live in compared to the amount of space others in other dorms get; but I haven't known anyone to find their space unlivable and unbearable. Most dorm rooms (doubles for two people, at least) have plenty of space for two beds two desks, two small bookshelves, and if there isn't closet space, a wardrobe. On the issue of kitchen access, the dorms are fit with kitchens. Though those who enjoy cooking and preparing meals might prefer to have a kitchen shared with fewer people or access to more cooking devices and utensils, I've found that dorm kitchens have more than enough amenities to accommodate everyone's basic needs. I found my dorm experience to be fairly comfortable. There aren't any Duke dorms known to be particularly prone to infestation or flooding or any other kinds of disasters/discomforts. While those living in dorms may have to walk a bit farther to get to the bathroom, those with apartments have to keep their bathroom and any hallways clean themselves. Dorms are also just fit with more public spaces for social events to go on and interaction to occur.
The worst part of food and dining is the same no matter who you ask - the freshman meal plan. Every duke student gets food points. $1 = 1 food point. Food points are payed for through the dining plan (bursar's account) and are accessed through the use of one's DukeCard. Food points are easy to refill if you run out and as a freshman, it is likely that you will run out. Here's why: all the freshman meal plans include swipes in to East Campus' dining hall: The Marketplace. Marketplace, quite frankly, becomes inconvenient for most students, as there are only specific times one can eat at that specific location. Especially as a student who participated in tenting, the increased time spent on West campus meant that I needed more access to food points and fewer meal swipes. Additionally, the
Duke sporting events are always incredibly exciting - don't let them go to waste! Frats are likely the most common source of open parties, but many organizations throw parties throughout the year as well. Shooters is the go-to club in the area, a 5-10 minute walk from East Campus. Devine's is another, less common, club that people go to.
Duke is an incredibly expensive university - but often times the amenities offered seem to make up for this. There are top notch academic professors, there is easy to find funding for special events and activities, new, well kept athletic facilities are readily available, freebies are often easy to find, and one always feels safe on campus. I can't say for sure whether Duke is worth the price tag, but most students rarely feel they're being cheated.
Tenting! Check out http://kvillenation.com/ to learn more. Bench burning after Duke beats UNC or wins another big game. Most unusual traditions at Duke have to do with basketball games and traditions, or Duke sports in general. Duke has an all day party every year, on LDOC the Last Day of Classes. Great artists are hired to come and perform, and it's a great way to de-stress and have fun before reading week and finals.
Academically competitive. Socially, students who rarely or even never plan on going out and students who plan on going out multiple times a week all find their place and enjoy the scene at Duke.
The possibilities are literally endless. Duke has more clubs than one could ever even consider joining, and making new clubs is a simple process.
Greek life is a BIG part of life at Duke, and not always in a good way. Those who choose not to participate in Greek life will feel the difference between themselves and their peers. This is not to say that one cannot have a social life without joining a Greek organization - quite the opposite is true. It is only that Duke is socially dominated by Greek Life in many ways, but unimportant in some others. Duke also has selective living groups, which allow students to join organizations and live with a specific group without Greek traditions.
Duke is very safe. Durham, though there are mishaps, is a wonderful, historic, often misunderstood city. Those who call it ghetto or dangerous have likely only heard about Durham from news channels and Duke Alerts (announcements that some criminal or dangerous activity has gone on nearby). Duke police are kind and helpful, and are always available if needed. The danger at Duke, like at many other universities, is mostly connected to women and sexual assault. I do commend Duke on it's commitment to talk about this issue, much more so than many other schools do, but I cannot condone the way students accused of sexual violence are only minimally punished.