Duke University Top Questions

Yes.

Generally yes, although there are groups of students that do not fit into the categories

They are true for certain segments of the population. By definition though no stereotype is all true.

There are quite a few students that match this stereotype, but there are plenty of students that are very down to earth and awesome.

yes

mostly

These kids are the vast minority at Duke and contrary to a lot of people's opinions Duke is actually an incredibly diverse place when you get outside the rich, white frat life.

Not all members engage in these activities. When a bunch of fraternity brothers get together they tend to act way way more "fratty" than when they are alone. On an individual basis they can be amazing people. Sorority girls, once again, are usually very incredible, friendly, good people on an individual basis. Collectively, they can be exclusive and sometimes think that they are too good for some people. Sometimes girls who aren't attractive or cool happen to be in sororities like Tri-Delt and Pi Phi, so they think that they're the shit, when in reality they are not and someone should tell them that. Asians do study a lot, but so does almost everyone else...

isn't every stereotype?

No. Not at all.

I believe that my first stereotype is true and I'm a person that enjoys engaging with many different races but sometimes it appears that they are always in the same packs and it can be quite intimidating. On my second stereotype I believe it false I believe that duke does take the best students and any leniency in bringing in African-american students is warranted. Although it might not say it on their record it is a difficult being black and intelligient when the general norm tells you should be considered with more superficial things. The third is very true and the fourth one I thought was also true but ever since spring I believe a majority of them have started to bloom.

absolutely. we are the smartest and we deserve the best

to some extent - no stereotype is 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} true, but these exist for a reason.

To some extent, there is a lot of wealth here, and a lot of preppy. But this school is incredibly diverse (I know, since I do not fit the stereotype), with people from all over the country and the world. The people here are really smart, and really cool. They're not all cookie cutter. And we're definitely not rapists, contrary to the popular belief of those oh-so-witty haters.

The idea that everyone here is from the South is completely inaccurate. Duke students come from all over the country and around the world, and there is no single stereotypical Duke student. Regarding the party scene, it is definitely true that there is almost always something (or many things) going on at night, so students are never stuck on their room on a Friday night with nothing to do. Duke manages to strike the perfect balance between academic intensity and fun.

As a member of dukeDebate, the president of Duke Students for the Protection of Animals, a political theory thesis writer, daily reader of the New York Times and occasionally Financial Times, I'd beg to differ. Duke basketball is just one of the many overlapping, mutually edifying communities that enrich campus life. What Duke does lack are good undergraduate publications, particularly creative and humorous ones. Thankfully, this school offers the most funding to start and maintain student groups, perhaps in the nation.

both hold kernels of truth. Most student here, in fact, are nerdy in some way (they have to be to get in) but tend to be socially adept and interested in having a good time, all the time.

Unfortunately, a lot of the time they are, and I am often appalled by the behavior of people here. Of course, most students here are very intelligent and hardworking, but they are overshadowed by the rude behavior of others. And even the obnoxious students are often smart too, but they buy into the system and social norms of Duke and don't let their intelligence shine through.

They are all extreme examples of subcultures that certainly exist at Duke, but they only define a few? though easily identifiable? sectors of a much more diverse, progressive, and dynamic campus.