<p>I am a parent of class of '16. My S absolutely LOVES Duke. Classes seem to be rigorous but not impossible. He is learning to work and study harder than he ever had before, but there is plenty of time for him to do many other things as well. School spirit is incredible especially during BB season. Classes are a little difficult to get exactly what you want, depends on your registration time period, however I think this happens at any school and of course first years are on the bottom of the totem pole. His assortment of classes has worked out well however, three time now ( just finished registering for next semester). My S's dorm is just ok, however his social life revolves around all the kids he has met in his dorm. Some dorms are much nicer than others, his is one of the oldest but it's more than fine with him. I know he spends a lot of time in the common room of his dorm, which is where he met most of his friends. He doesn't have a printer and I don't think this is an issue at all. I never hear about the laundry so I am assuming that is fine also.</p>
<p>My S obtained a great research job by emailing profs about one month after he started school. I think research opportunities abound for anyone that is looking. His job is so great I think he will stick with it for 4 years. He had no intention of joining the greek scene when he first attended Duke, however he is a now a brother in a frat. He LOVES that also - pledging took a large amount of his time for most of the semester, but it wasn't abusive at all. Several times during pledging he told them he could not participate because his work load was too much, which was completely understood.</p>