I’m in a major dilemma. I really love everything about Duke, and in a way it’s my dream school. I feel as though I have a decent shot at getting accepted… IF I apply ED. Plus the net price calculator shows that I can attend at a lower cost than a public university. The thing is, I have one concern about Duke, I’ve heard multiple times that it’s a pressure cooker. I hate and can not handle stress well, although I’m more than willing to challenge myself, I’d hate to lose sleep over something and still get a bad grade in it. I enjoy working hard, and have done so throughout high school, but I want to enjoy college, and don’t think I can do that if I’m overwhelmed with work to do and have little to no time to devout to other things. That being said, how bad is the workload at Duke compared to a top public university? Is it really a pressure cooker like I have read multiple times?
Every top university is a pressure cooker. If you want less pressure go to an easier school where the academics are less difficult.
Of course it will be more difficult than a top public university, Duke is one of the most elite schools in the nation. But if you are found to be qualified to join their class of 2020 by admissions, I’m sure you are capable of handling it.
Depends on your major.
I hope you applied. As much as I think “I should’ve gone to state school” I also think “I’d be bored and miserable there”, yeah it’s tough, but that’s what you get for going to a top ten school
I’m currently a Pratt first-year. Yes, it is the toughest workload I have managed my entire life. Yes, it is nowhere near a cakewalk, but all the other events (Do I hear Duke basketball?) and friendships that were formed and to see them deal with the exact same situation enables me to power through the responsibilities.
A lot of first-years struggle to maintain decent scores, and some break down. But it does get better as time goes by.