Duke University

Date: Jun 06 2011
Major: English (This Major's Salary over time)
Many cool and smart people with diverse interests. Was not sure Duke would be a good fit when I applied. I came from a private west coast school and thought North Carolina? Really? After I got in, I visited for the first time for Duke Days. I felt at home and turned down a few top schools and decided on Duke. Duke is definitely what you make of it. The campus is beautiful, the people diverse and friendly and people have a strong sense that this is a community not just a grade factory. Durham is only OK but you are in the middle of a huge forest and the Duke community is so alive you really don't care. People don't really discuss grades, but grades are competitive. However, the student are not competitive with each other. Students are encouraged to help each other out. There are so many things to do from clubs to sports to whatever. The UNC thing is a bit overblown in my opinion. I spend a lot of time in Chapel Hill (UNC) and the schools are athletic rivals but the students really get along. Duke is socially vibrant community where everyone mixes very well. All my friends seem to be working hard but seem to be very happy. Work hard, play hard is the best way to describe Duke. I was never a sports girl (more of a nerd type I guess), but the school spirit around basketball is contageous (albeit I am not into the tent thing). The guys are generally great and pretty normal, and I was able to find a great boyfriend in my first semester. I kind of think the student body tends to be a bit more conservative politically, but every view seems respected. I thought about schools closer to home. I love all my teachers in English and other areas, and I have so many new, smart, diverse and interesting friends. In sum, I am just really happy here. I think going to Duke was the best decision I have ever made.