Duke University Top Questions

Don't go by what is on paper. If you only look at lists and rankings, you will miss the essence of the college and will not get an adequate understanding of the school. The only way to learn about a college and to decide if it is right for you is to visit, talk with the students, and spend a couple days there. Too many students send their acceptances to the college with the highest ranking, and do not consider their gut instincts. There are so many variables to consider, and prestige is only one of them. Even if you get into Harvard, would it be worth it to go if you weren't happy? Choose a university where you think you can succeed, and where you feel you can experience an unforgettable four years and leave a better person. Get your goals in order. Are you going to college to party, or to study? Do you want to live it up these four years, or do you want to work hard? Small school, or big? The decision on which college to attend is the biggest of your young life thus far. Don't let it go to waste.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, there are plenty of things that I could tell myself so that I would have been more successful my first semester in college. First of all, in high school, I definitely took developing study skills for granted. It's so easy to cram the night (or the class period) before a test and still do well. However, this is not the case in college. It's very important to have strong study skills to be successful in classes. It's also important to manage your time very carefully because you are given more freedom in your life to do what you want. Another thing that I would have told myself is to enjoy the waning hours of relaxation. I'm not saying that college is about working 24/7, but it is hard to find time to rest without getting away from your studies, especially after being a second semester senior. Live life to the fullest while you can because you don't know how long the calm will last.

The hardest things in life are the most worthwhile. Some transitions are difficult and college is a time of tribulation, especially when you're a thousand miles from home with people that you've never met before. Remember what got you through high school and continue to rely on God, your family, and your friends. Keep Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight," close to your heart and remember that your family is always one phone call away. Never be afraid to admit you're scared, because there is always someone to share your fright and another to lend you a hand. God has a plan for your life and no matter how hard it is to see sometimes, faith is believing that one day you will understand. In Robert Frost's words, "I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." It's a long and winding road, but there's a spectacular display just around the bend. It may be tough, but it's definitely worthwhile.

Looking back now in time, I wish someone told me my senior year to relax and enjoy myself more. It was not necessary to be so nervous about going from the west coast to the east coast for college. I became so worked up with school, crew, and my job as a way to hide how nervous I was about the upcoming transition I was going to make. In hindsight I had no need to be so stressed. College is a time where you are supposed to branch out and really find out who you are. I feel like I have definitely grown up a lot in the past semester and already have learned so much about myself. I have even noticed I am much happier and content with myself despite being so far away from the comfort of my home and family. Deciding to leave southern California and experience something different, the likes of Duke in North Carolina, was the best decision I could have made for myself. Therefore, I wish last year as a senior in high school, someone told me that everything was going to be more than fine; it was going to be great.

If I could talk to myself in high school, I would say to calm down and to enjoy the end of high school much more than I did: it passes quickly, college goes even quicker, and one must enjoy making memories while one still has the freedom. I would encourage myself to try out more extracurricular activities that I didn?t have the opportunity to do in high school. My first three semesters I did the same activities as in high school; I still enjoyed them, but I didn?t try anything new. My fourth semester I started tutoring elementary school children, and I found out that I really enjoyed it. I had seen ads for tutoring as a freshman, but had never pursued it. Now I wish I had started doing it from day one! I would encourage myself to make the same friends that I did. I found people with the same values that I have, who like the same things I do, and who are fun to be around. I briefly tried to fit in with a ?cooler? group, but I?m glad I stuck to my true friends ? they make the college experience so much better!

The piece of advice I would give my high-school self would be not to take anything too seriously. Yes, these choices are seriously going to impact your life and grades are no joke, but everything is what you will make it to be. There is no reason to worry about whether you'll fit in or whether your professors will hate you and bombard you with intimidating workloads. College life is less of an anxiety forced upon you and more of an open arena for you to explore. You get to take the initiative to tackle new avenues and find new problems. Nothing is concrete. Everything can and will change. Feel free to get involved in any off-the-beaten-path experience and stop expecting there to be a path for you to follow. The days of fast track anything are over because there are simply no tracks. So don't feel pressured to build up any constraints just yet. Relax and go with your gut. And never be afraid.

Follow your passions. Instead of worrying about will make you happy in the future, think about what will make you happy now. You should be living every moment to the fullest - not constantly stressing about a distant graduate school or career. Drop anything that you are only doing "for your resume" and spend that time on your favorite activities. If you follow your life passions now, you will be much a happier and satisfied - not to mention authentic - person. Everything else will fall into place. I spent my time in high school careful calculating a plan to get into a top-tier school. Looking back, I wish I had spent more time going to football games, hanging out with friends, and just enjoying being a teen. I don't think the sacrifices that I made were worth it - I may have even been happier at a regular college. If you do what makes you happy now, you will no regrets looking back at it.

Keep PUSHING. Yes, it is hard to work up the energy senior year to make As, impress your teachers, and stay engaged with your community. But once you get to school, that effort will pay off with an easier transition into college life. Cherish the moments with your family and friends, but know that amazing new experiences are waiting for you in August. Seek them out! Try new things: join a political club, get a part time job doing something you love, volunteer at a local school, organize a food drive, meet your professor outside of class, have coffee with a senior who you admire. Make the most of every moment. Anyone can be successful in college with hard work, but only you can tailor the experience to be perfect for you! Never be intimidated by those for whom college seems easy; the challenge will make you stronger, a better student, a better friend, a better person. So push yourself to get there. Because college is a time of self discovery, a time to achieve your dreams. You can do it, and do it well.

Don't go to college with a girlfriend. Explore a wide variety of social groups and activities, and stick with the ones that feel like the best fit. Make friends who share your interests and passions, but don't compromise your values in order to fit in with a group. Most importantly, take your classes seriously. The new freedom is great, but if you're not there to learn, you don't deserve to be there. And don't fret that everyone around you seems to know exactly where their lives are headed; odds are, they're probably lying.

High School seniors need to understand the importance of their college choice and to choose carefully. Check out websites that tell about colleges, ask people who have been to the school what it is like. The official college brochures will always paint a pretty picture. The high school student needs more information than the college provides. There are several questions to ask. Are the professors experienced teachers or are they researchers? Is partying expected or optional? What are some of the traditions for students? Are the dorms decent? What's the local transportation like? Is the on-campus food good or just edible? These aren't covered or covered well in the brochures, and you have to live there for at least four years! Also, the high school senior should not slack-off during the senior year if he/she is expecting to go to a top-notch school. Keep up the learning.

Go to college and participate in everything that you have the chance to because as an adult, those opportunities are harder to find. College is the time for you to experience, not necessarily experiment. You can enjoy yourself without going buck wild because, as an adult, you will face the consequences. That said, choose your college wisely. Some have much better student activities and opportunities than others. Consider that in your college choice!

Jennifer, you have got to stay focused and stay on top of all of your assignments. You need to schedule regular appointments with all of your professors to have them look over papers, guide you on how to succeed in their classes, and let you know your status in their class. Do not be afraid to try new things or non-race affinity groups. Come in with a mindframe to study abroad and do service trips so that way you can meet all the proper deadlines and make the most of your Duke experience. Lastly, do your best everyday so that should you fail at something, there is no doubt that you did not make a valiant effort.

I would not want to influence or change a single thing. I was rejected from my ED school and somehow got into Duke. Now I can't imagine being anywhere else. I don't just say "I LOVE DUKE!" loudly and blindly ( I wouldn't). But I truly appreciate all the opportunities I've had and amazing faculty I've met here. I've done things through Duke that I don't think I would have been able to do at any other university. I mean, I would have been happy and made the most of it wherever I would have went, but this has been amazing for me. Absolutely no regrets at all.

Dude, look at you. You've been in school for something like 12 years, and while there's a lot you've enjoyed, there's a lot you've hated too. You've worked hard to get here, and you know you've got to go to college because a HS diploma isn't going to get you very far. But before you -- or your parents -- spend a small fortune, make sure you're going to get your money's worth. College isn't just a place to play around and 'figure out' what you want out of life. If you want to be a doctor or a lawyer, or if you want to work for Google, you'll need to get your act together quickly. If you're going into the humanities, you'll probably need even more education if you want a nice career. Now is the time to really think about the kind of life you want to lead: how important is money, free time; how soon do you want to start a family? Ask these questions now, and talk to people in the fields in which you're interested to get a realistic picture of them.

The best advice I can give is to pay attention to details. Often the novelty of college and the excitement of transition can cloud a person?s judgment in discerning the proper learning environment that matches their personal needs. One underutilized tool to finding the right college are college visits. Try picking college days that are not necessarily set aside to welcome visiting prospective students. As a family you should all take a day to observe the regular interactions of your prospective classmates in neutral environments as well as try to gauge whether you will be able to acculturate to their everyday hustle and bustle. Often you will be able to pick up a more distinctive and personal vibe from those careful observations than what you would normally rely on from colorful glossy brochures and pamphlets. Also be sure to stop and interview students about their choice in study, their general opinions on professors, and their tips for staying relatively stress free and healthy both mentally and physically. Often older students have the sagest wisdom on how to successfully complete a four year degree and offer the best advice on decisions that worked for them and mistakes they learned from.

Make sure you visit this campus and spend a night here before you decide if it's the right fit for you. There is a certain type of person that attends this school/can fit in. Academically Duke is a wonderful, top notch school. But honestly academics isn't everything. You can excel most anywhere. Being socially happy is vey important too. Don't forget.. you only live once!!!

There is nothing in this world like the four years you spend at college. It is not a decision to take lightly. There are a lot of factors to consider: academics, financial aid, extracurriculars. All of these affect your school decision. But there is no substitute to visiting a campus and just feeling, knowing it is where you belong. It is the feel of the campus, the friendliness of the students, the sitting in on classes. Experiencing this first-hand before deciding on a college is a major factor. Once there, take advantage of everything, even if you don't think you'll like them. Go to the sporting events. Go to the movies they offer, the theater perfomances they have. There are so many things to do once on a campus and you need to experience it all. You will never know what you find that you like, such as a flamenco class, a psychology class. Take advatange of the variety of classes. Do everything once so you don't look back and regret not having done it when you had the chance with your friends.

Follow your heart and find a school where you can really see yourself. Take advantage of everything that exists on campus. Live with no regrets

Parents, let your child check out the schools and stay overnight to see what it is really like and see if he/she likes it. Students, find a place that has your interests, but also has people with whom you get along.

Go to fastweb.com and talk to high school counselors who get so much information and don't always share it with parents.

My advice would be to utilize every resource you can, whether it be a counselor, career office, or older student, when planning your future. However, you have to make sure that every decision you make, you make for yourself. Don't choose your major, social group, or activities because someone else told you to. It may sound corny, but you can achieve anything you want following college as long as you are persistent in pursuing your dreams.

The best advice I can give regarding choosing the right college is to simply follow you heart. In choosing Duke, I had not even visited the campus before I made my decision. I just sounded likethe place where I wanted to spend the next 4 years of my life. I weighed all of the positive and negative aspects I felt each school I was accepted to would offer and in the end just decided to go for it and see what the future would hold.

Many colleges and college advisors will tell you that there is definitely a college that will be a perfect, or close-to-perfect match for you. That might be true for a good majority of people, but it is not true for all people. When I chose my university, I made my decision with certainty, and I do not regret that choice. Duke was the university where I was most comfortable. However, I have learned while here that I really cannot be a close-to-perfect fit anywhere, because I hold on too tightly to my individuality; I am unwilling to mold myself to better socially fit into my campus environment. As a result of this, I have only a few friends, and I might be what some would call an outsider. However, this hasn't stopped me from focusing my full attention on learning, and seeking opportunities to get involved in research and to improve myself. Choose your college where you feel most comfortable, but realize that even then it might not be ideal. Whether or not it's a perfect fit, always keep an eye out for opportunities; you must find them, for they will not seek you.

Always look at location and class size, because a huge part of getting the most out of college involves everything outside of the university as well as the ability to learn in the classroom. Never focus solely on the name or reputation of a school.

Visit the school and see if it's a fit. Talk to students about what they like and don't like. Does it offer the course of study you want, and the social environment as well? Take part in activities at college, but keep your focus on studies. Use the resources at the school, and take advantage of all the opportunities.

College is none other than the four years dedicated to learning the complexity of the natural/social world in which we exist in, a period fostering intellectual stimulation, masqueraded under the assumption of a stepping stone towards a life of financial stability. Getting a job is all well and good, and something everyone eventually must succumb towards. But, there will be no other period in one's life to have all the resources necessary to explore the different facets of history, science, ethics, etc. It is a period that allows you to indulge the beauty that is the human spirit and mind. While college is an investment, it should be taken for what its namesake delivers: open access to stimulate yourself in any way you feel fit. We all must work, we all must embed ourselves within the social fabric, we all must function as a byproduct of the system at large. Do not lose your innocence in college, the rest of your life is dedicated to that. Take the time to explore and stimulate yourself, pick up hobbies and books, read the poets of years past, indulge the intellect. Go renaissance, you only get one chance.

Read about lots of colleges and never settle with something that doesn't feel right to you. There are tons of options out there and a college that's just right for everyone. I was fortunate enough to find Duke quickly and easily, as well as have an incredible financial aid option which sadly is not available at most institutions. Just remember that you can make practically anything happen if you give it your all!

Students - Although listening to your parents insight and advice is important, don't make the choice to attend a particular college just because they want you to go there. This is your life. Your happiness on the line for the next four years. Your decision.

I would advise students to VISIT! Don't make a decision without coming to the school first and getting a feel for things. Duke was my number one choice, but when I visited I KNEW it was the place for me and many of my friends talk about having that same feeling at the school of their choice. When you actually get to college, remember that your campus would not be the same without you. Make the most of it. Become involved in the things that you want. Try something new. Don't feel intimidated by others because you have just as much right on campus as anyone else. If you need help, get it. Remember that the college is better because of you, and you are better because of the college. Finally, be the change you want to see, both on campus and after you leave.

Visit the college first before you pick it.

Almost everyone loves their college and will be loyal no matter what school it is

Visit the campus and go with your gut feeling. If you are comfortable with the campus, the people you see, the weather, it has a good chance of being a good fit.

Look for a school that will fit your needs as a person as well as a student. Choose a college that you can make yours and that you will thrive in. It is important to remember that what you see during visitor days is not a good example of campus life. If you are truly interested in a school, shadow a student for a day or take the opportunity to spend the night/weekend with a student host if this is something the college offers. Could you see yourself living there for a number of years? Be sure to look at the courses the school offers but also look into activities and volunteering opportunities. When you do choose a school, make the most of your time there. College is the time in your life when you have opportunities to do things you have never done before and may never have the chance to ever do again. Make each opportunity worthwhile because the years really do fly by and you don't want to remember all the things you wished you had done. The memories you cherish most don't involve exams or classes, but smiling faces and new best friends.

Do your research.

I would advise parents and their children to focus not on any one aspect of the university (ie prestige) or any single perspective (that of tour guides, recruitment faculty, etc), but instead to evaluate all of the potential and actual costs and rewards that that particular university will afford them. Too often I see people who feel like they may have been misled in their selection process. They feel as if somebody might not have been completely honest with them about what would truly transpire during their collegiate careers. Unfortunately, at times I feel like one of those students. I wish I had really evaluated my personal goals (academic, career, and social) more closely in relation to the my school's environment. My university has undoubtedly helped me attain some of those goals, but I feel it may have failed me in others. In my opinion, your college experience should not be dominated by any one factor of the college, but rather a solid balance of time and activities will make these four years the most productive and enjoyable.

Parents and students need to research, research, research. Visit as many campuses as possible, go to information sessions, and speak with admissions representatives. Students will know by how a campus feels whether they belong there or not.

no what you want to do before you attend a particular college, at least if you think you might lean towards an artistic major

Think about what would be right for you: not what your parents want or what other people would respect. I chose a school because of pressure from my parents and because I knew it was a top school, and I am not particularly happy with my choice. I should have thought about who I am and what makes me happy. Do what is true to you.

Visit as many schools as you can and try to stray a little bit from the tour. Very rarely does a tour itself offer anything the school's website doesn't. But look around you. Are people smiling? Talking to each other? Listen to conversations. What are they saying. It can be hard to gauge whether or not you'll "fit" at a school, but these are the best signs.

The college experience is just as important as grades, so take advantage of every opportunity that is out there and you will graduate with no regrets.

Finding the right college is a decision that should be thought about long and hard. For me, there were a lot of factors that went into choosing the right school. Academics was the number one priority. It was also important that I could see myself being happy at the school if I was not playing a sport. I took into consideration the size of the school, how far it was from home, the type of people that attended the school and the types of activities that are available to students to partake in. It is important to take all of these things into consideration and decide on a school based on who you are and what you like rather than what your friends are doing or what makes somebody else happy. I believe if you follow your dreams and follow your heart you will make the right decision.

Make sure to visit the schools that you are interested in and not only spend the night but spend time talking to students who go there. Ask them to give you their honset opinion about the school, if it is really like what the brochures say or if it is completely different. Everyone will tell you they like their college so be sure to have specific questions that you know interest you specifically. Examples: "Tell me the most exciting thing that's happened to you in college." "What was your favorite class and why?" "If you could change one thing, what would it be?" "If a school had everything that this school had except your teachers and friends with the previously mentioned problem solved, would you go there?" Getting someone's honest opinion about a school can be difficult but if you cna get a student to open up to you he/she is the most valualbe resource you can find.

In high school, apply to as many colleges as possible, even ones that you think are out of your league. Visit all colleges that accept you, and take your time in making the decision. Make a list of what you want out of your college experience and determine which colleges match this list the best. Finally, make sure that the college you choose not only has majors/courses offered that fit with your future career plans, but also offer a wide variety of majors and courses in case you change your mind.

Why do you want to go to college. This is not meant for parents. So if you are a parent, please stop reading now. Why? I know you will probably be paying for your kid to go to school, but still, it's not about you. College is one of the most formative times in your life. Our generation has too long been a victim of the micro-managing parent. Alright, fellow kids...Choose the college based on the courses. It doesn't matter what you major in. Do you really want to be a doctor or lawyer? If so, great, but if you just think you do because your parents told you to, then try and open your mind to other options. What classes look fun? College is about learning. Not your grades, not your teachers, and definitely not your parents. The campus should be fitting (I needed grass and birds and trees), but the classes must be fun. Social life is important, but the most important thing is enjoying what you are learning about. Once at college, talk to your professor, get involved with things you *enjoy* and try to start figuring out who you are.

The advice that I would give to parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to really think about what kind of a person you are and what kind of atmosphere can you thrive in. Some people would not thrive in a large college atmosphere that is very challenging. Others would be bored in a small town setting with not much to do outside of the campus and still others might not do well far from home. Take the time to go to the college and spend some time there. Talk with some of the students there and ask them the questions that are important to you. You will be living there for the next four years so make sure that it is a place that you can thrive.

I think that during the application process, it's easy to idealize the whole college experience. Many people speak of college as the best time of their lives, and it certainly can be, but it's important to remember that no college can truly be a perfect fit. All colleges and universities have both strengths and weaknesses. It's essential to assess these attributes and find a school that fits well with what is most important to you, but don't expect any college to provide an amazing experience while you passively sit by. While choosing a school wisely is important, of equal importance is the mindset that you bring to your college experience. Plan to be engaged and enthusiastic; plan to learn a lot within the classroom and perhaps even more in the time you spend outside of class. Seek out experiences that excite and challenge you, whether through extra curriculars, athletics, exploration of the community in which your school is located, a class that intrigues you even though it doesn't fit neatly with your major, or simply through conversations with a professor or with your peers. No matter where you end up, you can make it amazing!

When deciding where to apply, you should take the classic approach by choosing 2 safeties, 2 matches, & 2 reaches. If possible, you should visit all the schools that accept you. Visiting campuses & getting a feel for student life is the best way to figure out which school is your perfect fit. Something to consider: it may be tempting to choose the school where you're certain you'd fit in & be happy. You only get to do this once, so: don't be afraid to choose the school that'll push you outside of your comfort zone. That is where you will be challenged the most & be presented with the most opportunities for growth! To make the most of your college experience: get ENGAGED! Join clubs, volunteer, sign up for bizarre classes. Try new things that spark your interest & hang onto the things you're passionate about. Don't spread yourself too thin, but do all the things you want to do.

know what you want

Visit the school, talk to the students already there, make sure it is a place in which you will be happy.

Visit the college and stay overnight without your parents during the school year to get a real feel for what the campus is like. Most people don't do this and it's a huge mistake