questions to Duke admits

xilin_

hehe, seems most didn't decide to enroll or not.

delphine18

Jane, could you disclose a little of the bad things about Durham? Just want to know more as factors when making the decision...

Veronica_Melody

thanx

janechen

delphine18-
first, note that the "bad" things are about the city, not Duke itself. So I wouldn't entirely base my decision on the school's surrounding (we'll only be there for 2 years). second, my sources of information are a few friends who attended Duke either as undergrad or med students. So statistically, it's not a very large sample pool

That said, here is what I know. Durham is not a big city (definitely not as metropolitan as Chicago or NYC). And since it's in the South, it's a bit of different culture (conservative vs liberal). And the rumor says the crime rate is not low in Durham. That's all I can remember for now. I personally am not too bothered by these factors. Many of the top schools aren't exactly in "safe" neighborhood. My friends, however, complained quite a lot about how there isn't much to do after school etc etc etc.

Part of the reason I'm debating to go & check it out during BDW is to see, just exactly, how the surrounding is like. I applied to a few urban schools, as well as schools in more or less "remote" locations. Had campus interviews at 2 of the latter ones. Frankly, I was a bit "shocked" by just how "out of no where" they are. (I need to point out I live in an area in which you can find 4 Starbucks w/in 3 blocks. So obviously, I'm biased). Remoteness by itself is not necessarily a bad thing. The downside is that it may impact the recruiting to certain extent.

I'd love to hear what current Fuqua students & others may say about what they like or dislike about the city (and the school). It'll definitely help us the less-informed. If I end up going to the Admit Weekend in April, I'll definitely post my impression. Ultimately, my decision will be hinged upon: job placement (in my post-MBA career goal), brand, school culture/fit, & financial aid.

just my 0.02...

ruiyu25

thanks jane for your insightful information

eutopia

one post from a Duke 2Y student in BW forum indicated that finding a job in marketing or GM for internationals is somewhat difficult due to the graduates VISA concerns from many recruiters. Is it true that consulting is the only way out for us? I don't care too much about the city vs county stuff, job placement and alumni network are all that count.

My ex-colleague used to live in RTP(Research Triangle Park) and her appartement got broken-in last year...one testimonial for the security concern...hehe...but life quality and climate there are good.

delphine18

Thanks Jane.  Hope that you will go to the BDW to bring us more information...

janechen

marketing job is typically hard to land for international students anyways. Not sure about general mgt job, though. However, I'd hope that w/ the economy picking up in the US, jobs are not too hard to come by (perhaps my wishful thinking, of course

As far as I know, Duke is really known as a GM school. It's not a big feeder to MC. MC still recruits at Fuqua. But judging by the recruitment numbers on its website, it doesn't look like there are too many end up in McK/Bain/BCG. Certainly not at the level at the H/S/K/MiT. someone correct me if I'm wrong.

and I agree that the surrounding probably only matters when all things are equal at two schools...

janechen

FYI to all R2 admits,

Fuqua just started to release scholarship notifications for R2... check your emails.

mbaapplication0

did not get any money from Duke, and now I am considering whether to go or not....