(Duke) I am by no means the type of person

How this student rated the school

Educational Quality	A	Faculty Accessibility	A+
Useful Schoolwork	A	Excess Competition	A
Academic Success	A	Creativity/ Innovation	A-
Individual Value	A	University Resource Use	A+
Campus Aesthetics/ Beauty	A+	Friendliness	A+
Campus Maintenance	A-	Social Life	A+
Surrounding City	A+	Extra Curriculars	A
Safety	A

Describes the student body as: Friendly, Approachable, Snooty Describes the faculty as: Friendly, Helpful

Female

ACT:35

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Quite Bright

Lowest Rating Creativity/ Innovation	A-

Highest Rating Faculty Accessibility	A+

She rated most things higher than other students did.

Date: Apr 27 2012
Major: Public Policy (This Major's Salary over time)
I am by no means the type of person one may expect to go to Duke. I'm not from an East Coast prep school, I don't come from wealth, and I am not interested in going into finance or consulting after I complete my undergrad. But, I am in love with this school.

First of all, people at Duke are really HAPPY. Of course, Duke is not perfect. It is not ranked number 1, but Duke has a seriously great reputation. But, to me, what matters about a college is not the ranking but if it produces well-educated graduates who are passionate about changing the world. This is Duke.

Duke is amazingly flexible in terms of its curriculum. Students can explore whatever interests them (I am not kidding. I have a bizarre combination of majors/minors/certificates but I am not alone among other students). Duke wants you to study what you are passionate about, and heavily stresses an interdisciplinary education. Faculty have really impressed me - most are willing to meet as much as possible for students to understand the given material, and I have developed close relationships with at least four professors in my past two years here. Additionally, Duke gives out research and travel funding like it's candy.

The student body here is simply inspiring. As a whole, we work very hard. But, we are constantly working and collaborating with friends. I have found this place to be supportive and open to new ideas.

Also, I have no idea why Durham has such a low ranking but Durham is honestly a reason why I came to Duke. Durham has absolutely amazing restaurants, great theater and cultural opportunities, and a really cool, gritty feel. Sure, it's not New York City or Boston…but I didn't want New York City or Boston. I'm at the point where I'm strongly considering living in Durham after graduation, and I know a number of my peers feel the same way.

The food on-campus is also REALLY good compared to other schools. I gained the freshman 15, and didn't regret it one bit…because every pound was made up of simply delicious calories. As a whole, students here really prioritize health - we eat well and work out a lot.

I love this school. I really, really love this school.

Responses

Thank you so much for your review. I've been looking at East Coast universities for a long time, and I have had a hard time finding one that would suit me. I've seen many bad reviews for colleges that I was initially excited about, and it really discouraged me. I doubt that I will be accepted, but thank you for giving me a reason to apply.

You mentioned that you're not from an East Coast prep school.. Do you ever feel kind of left out of the atmosphere because of that? Are a lot of the students from the south & are they welcoming to northerners?

I went to Duke in the 80s. My niece is there now. This seems like a bogus review, everything is so wonderful. It isn't. My niece has encountered creationists in her genetics classes. Social life is stratified. Beware any review that is unbalanced.

Imagining finding "creationists" at Duke! The admissions folks must be asleep at the wheel. Everyone with a brain knows that the idea of an always-existing god is absurd. However, saying that space, time, matter, and energy have always existed makes perfect sense.

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