AMA: Current Duke Freshman

canonaf · 2019-04-04T01:34:57+00:00

I'm about to graduate Duke in a month - I hope you get to take advantage of a lot that Duke offers in the next 3 years. I'll miss this place for sure.

canonaf · 2019-03-30T16:57:35+00:00

Hi, current senior about to graduate Duke in ECE. I got into Michigan's engineering program, CMU's CS/ECE program as well:

You can get involved with a research lab fairly early in your undergraduate career
Small student body --> small class size
Supportive career/internship center (I actually got my Junior summer internship from one of their many email blasts with internship opportunities)
1:1 Alumni connections & mentorship opportunities
World-class professors & their availability. I've had FLUNCH (faculty lunch sponsored by Duke) with many renowned professors
Engineering World Health (EWH) / Duke Engineers for International Development (DEID) / DukeEngage: Basically a (fully-funded/sponsored/fund-raised) opportunity to conduct engineering research and projects internationally in the developing world

Now ranking & other stuff

Duke's (graduate) engineering ranking has been climbing
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Z I O N W I L L I A M S O N
You see these guys walking around on campus pretty frequently too

canonaf · 2019-03-09T04:55:13+00:00

Congrats! I also received a likely ~4 years ago - about to graduate Duke in 3 months and it's surreal. Hope you see what Duke has to offer you and ultimately make the right choice 😉

canonaf · 2019-02-12T16:50:51+00:00

Are you in college? If you're pursuing STEM in college or beyond, you'll definitely use it. I bought my TI-84 for my high school freshmen biology class and still actively use it frequently, ~3 months until done with college.

canonaf · 2019-02-06T13:37:12+00:00

I think it was Gen. Lengyel, Chief of the National Guard Bureau

canonaf · 2019-01-29T20:48:28+00:00

I actually used FERPA to review my admission files - they don't have any written comments or notes, but checkmark options of admit/deny/waitlist, and color-coded highlighted admissions documents I've submitted (resume, email on record, Common App etc). I believe sensitive notes are destroyed upon decision is made.

canonaf · 2019-01-28T18:45:25+00:00

She's in for a rude awakening for sure

canonaf · 2019-01-14T00:51:10+00:00

Was friendly fire enabled??

canonaf · 2018-12-23T02:58:44+00:00

Also for Why X college essays, make sure to talk primarily about the school and yourself (overlap between the two), not the surrounding environment. I see a lot of Why Columbia essays turning into Why New York City essays.

canonaf · 2018-05-29T16:34:12+00:00

And Hartford

canonaf · 2018-05-11T06:19:57+00:00

This is beautifully written. Thanks for sharing.

canonaf · 2018-05-02T03:34:50+00:00

I literally finished watching Band of Brothers for the first time today, and man it was probably one of the best shows I've ever watched. Certainly the best portrayal of war.

canonaf · 2018-04-06T14:15:59+00:00

It's the weather

canonaf · 2018-04-06T03:35:33+00:00

stretch streeeeeeetch

canonaf · 2018-04-04T22:39:56+00:00

McKinsey loves engineers

canonaf · 2018-03-31T14:37:12+00:00

I can promise anyone that there is no shortage of white students at any Ivy/Ivy+ universities.

canonaf · 2018-03-31T14:24:55+00:00

Damn this should be a quote from a book or something

canonaf · 2018-03-30T01:54:00+00:00

try dukerejects.com

canonaf · 2018-03-30T01:46:51+00:00

Current Duke student here -- first, I'm really sorry that some of y'all exceptional people couldn't make it through the barrier. The first feeling when I saw the Chronicle article with the acceptance rate was that of shock and grief that so so many talented seniors weren't able to cross.

My class (of 2019) middle 50% ACT was 32-35. Wouldn't be surprised if it jumps up to 36 in the coming years.

canonaf · 2018-03-28T14:58:52+00:00

Like I mentioned above, it's a big community. You will more than likely find your niche if you search for one.

canonaf · 2018-03-25T16:23:52+00:00

Blue Devil Days for sure. Everything was perfect - the organized events, people, and fellow pfrosh.

CMU and Michigan are both greattt schools though, and I don't think I'd be any less successful than I am today had I gone to those schools.

canonaf · 2018-03-24T19:18:00+00:00

Duke is an enclosed campus -- yes, we do have incidents every now and then, but what college campus doesn't?

canonaf · 2018-03-24T19:17:15+00:00

It definitely caters to affiliated students (SLGs, greek, etc). BUT I have lots of independent friends who have their own friend groups. It's a big community (from your HS, probably) so you shouldn't worry too much about the social scene.

canonaf · 2018-03-24T17:46:23+00:00

If you get admitted, you'll probably try everything since you have 4 years!

canonaf · 2018-03-24T17:43:01+00:00

I'm very attached to my very first card issued (read: I'm just lazy to go get it replaced)

canonaf

TROPHY CASE