Duke University

That said, there are some really horrible things about this university. The first is the recent rash of armed robberies. You are not safe here. Last year there were the bathroom rapes that got everyone's attention. Now we have to deal with not being able to walk unarmed without fear at night. Recently a student was robbed at gunpoint at an ATM in the student center, which is in the middle of west campus. Central is worse, and East is essentially in the ghetto. You can't walk to any off-campus eatery without being accosted by hoodlums.

Let's talk about the students, shall we? I'm not the type of guy who identifies with any particular group; my friends span all ethnicities and cliques. Some are greek, some aren't; I don't care. However, this is not the case with most people. The social cliques here are as seregated as they are in high-school. Worst is the racial self-segregation that occurs. Asians associate with asians, indians with indians, blacks with blacks, and so on. It really is ridiculous.

I know that students here got great SAT scores and did tons of extra-curriculars, but they really aren't all that unique or adventurous. For so many people here, the goal is to get the grades, the recommendations, the extra-curriculars, etc. which makes the Duke experience very similar to high-school. I can't say if it's like this at all colleges, or even if it's possible to have an elite University without this depressing characteristic. Here's my point. Duke seems suited to the type of person who enjoyed all the school spirit, position jockeying, and grade getting. Most of the people here are very ordinary 18-22 year olds who are especially good at playing the game, and they seem to enjoy it. If you are a true scholar with a genuine passion for learning you'll have to grin and bear all the BS, because the faculty really are incredible, and there are some awesome things happening here if you know where to look.My hope is that someone will read this and better know what to expect out of Duke. I don't mean to per/dissuade anyone. I just wish I was told these things from the outset.