Duke University

I worked on my Ph.D. degree at Duke's Fuqua School of Business. During my stay at Duke, the Ph.D. program in business grew in size dramatically and kept the quality as high as it used to be, if not higher. Business faculty are great scholars and teachers. They are leaders in their fields and continue to innovate in both research and teaching. They are also friendly. They treat Ph.D. students as colleagues. The program is very supportive with research databases, great offices (much better than some other university's faculty offices)/cubicles, computers, phones, copy machines, and other supplies. Basically, everything you need to learn and do research is provided. You only need to have interests in research and work dilligently. I would go to Duke again for my graduate degree.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

I'll speak of the 2 worlds of Duke: academics and social life.
Academically, I cant imagine a better place. Nobody that I have spoken to dislikes their classes (with the exception of people taking math classes). Classes r challenging but not cut-throat (at least not in the social sciences and humanities). Generally, the larger the classes r, the harder it will b to get a good grade. FOCUS is great if u can write well and r interested in the subject being discussed. I think the biggest plus about academics here is that most people help out each other with studying as opposed to compete with each other.

Socially, Duke is not as good. I'm sure that if you're in one of the few elite frats here, you'll have an awesome time. and maybe the same goes for other frats if u like ur brothers well enough. but if ur an independent (i am), life can get boring. most parties r in off-campus bars and clubs and many times the frats and sororities themselves r running them (mixers). these parties rnt closed to independents, but its easy to get that im-not-invited feeling if u dont know many people there. the easiest thing to do would b to join a frat that has a lot of parties. problem is, if u dont have connections to them b4 rush, theyre really hard to get into. when i was applying to duke, i expected to party and have a good time every weekend. it hasnt really turned out that way.

still, duke -- and college in general -- is all about the people u meet and r friends with. most people here r really friendly. its just the structure of the social scene that gets in the way of people getting to really know each other and making friends. and the fact that the administration is trying to kill the frat scene just makes the frat scene more exclusive.all in all, if ur thinking duke is a school that has it all -- academics and a party scene -- ur right to a degree: many people dont experience that latter to a great extent.

1st Year Male -- Class 2007

Campus Aesthetics: A, Surrounding City: F

1st Year Female -- Class 2007

Education Quality: A+, Surrounding City: B-