2008 Woodie Awards
State school, that great school?
Shenanigans
By: Stacy Chudwin
Issue date: 3/23/07 Section: Columns
Last update: 3/23/07 at 6:19 AM EST
Last update: 3/23/07 at 6:19 AM EST
Considering the only choice of venues available at Duke is sketchy or more sketchy, I was in ecstasy.
Furthermore, despite the recent concerns of the Campus Culture Initiative, the students at the University of Illinois happen to enjoy their sprawling, mansion-like greek houses. In Champaign, Ill., the greeks and the independents peacefully coexist on a campus at which vodka and beer flow like milk and honey.
Academics: The winner: Debatable. Honestly.
According to sheer rankings and name-brand value, Duke appears to be the clear winner. That piece of paper with four letters we receive upon graduating is our golden ticket to the top of any resume pile. Furthermore, some of my personal observations happened to back this up.
I went with one of my friends to sit in on her physiology class (yes, on my Spring Break). As I entered the giant, aquarium-sized lecture hall, I thought it might be fun to see what a U of I academic experience was actually like. However, I was shocked and amused to find that the primary textbook used to teach the class anatomy was a coloring book.
That's right. A coloring book. And they got extra credit if they colored it all in by the end of the semester.
While I have heard that this can be a very effective way to memorize the different body parts, I couldn't help but to let out a chuckle at this.
Coloring books aside, there are some very real arguments for why a school like the University of Illinois might offer a better academic experience. First of all, with 150 undergraduate programs offered as opposed to our puny 40, size really does matter. I realized this after trying to explain in several job interviews that an English major and Markets and Management Certificate are practically the same thing as an advertising major….
Also, with 31,000 students, a large public school like U of I has no problem drawing very famous guest speakers like Dan Rather and Spike Lee and very popular concerts like the Dave Matthews Band. I mean, I love Common and… who is it? TI?... like everyone else, but come on.
All things considered, I think it is difficult to determine if a Duke education really is worth the extra $20 grand a year in the end. But regardless of the fun times I had at the University of Illinois with some of my closest childhood friends, I made my choice to come to Duke, and you can never really know how things might have turned out differently.
I like my Gothic Wonderland just fine, sketchy bars and all.
Stacy Chudwin is a Trinity sophomore. Her column runs every other Friday.
Furthermore, despite the recent concerns of the Campus Culture Initiative, the students at the University of Illinois happen to enjoy their sprawling, mansion-like greek houses. In Champaign, Ill., the greeks and the independents peacefully coexist on a campus at which vodka and beer flow like milk and honey.
Academics: The winner: Debatable. Honestly.
According to sheer rankings and name-brand value, Duke appears to be the clear winner. That piece of paper with four letters we receive upon graduating is our golden ticket to the top of any resume pile. Furthermore, some of my personal observations happened to back this up.
I went with one of my friends to sit in on her physiology class (yes, on my Spring Break). As I entered the giant, aquarium-sized lecture hall, I thought it might be fun to see what a U of I academic experience was actually like. However, I was shocked and amused to find that the primary textbook used to teach the class anatomy was a coloring book.
That's right. A coloring book. And they got extra credit if they colored it all in by the end of the semester.
While I have heard that this can be a very effective way to memorize the different body parts, I couldn't help but to let out a chuckle at this.
Coloring books aside, there are some very real arguments for why a school like the University of Illinois might offer a better academic experience. First of all, with 150 undergraduate programs offered as opposed to our puny 40, size really does matter. I realized this after trying to explain in several job interviews that an English major and Markets and Management Certificate are practically the same thing as an advertising major….
Also, with 31,000 students, a large public school like U of I has no problem drawing very famous guest speakers like Dan Rather and Spike Lee and very popular concerts like the Dave Matthews Band. I mean, I love Common and… who is it? TI?... like everyone else, but come on.
All things considered, I think it is difficult to determine if a Duke education really is worth the extra $20 grand a year in the end. But regardless of the fun times I had at the University of Illinois with some of my closest childhood friends, I made my choice to come to Duke, and you can never really know how things might have turned out differently.
I like my Gothic Wonderland just fine, sketchy bars and all.
Stacy Chudwin is a Trinity sophomore. Her column runs every other Friday.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Chris S.
posted 3/23/07 @ 8:48 AM EST
You might want to survey some medical students at Duke who have used "coloring books" to help them with anatomy. It is an option, and it does help some to learn. (Continued…)
Crazy
posted 3/23/07 @ 4:00 PM EST
I think that Duke has actively hurt it's undergraduate draw, b/c of it's negative perception when it comes to social life.
The Childhood Friend :)
posted 3/24/07 @ 11:38 AM EST
Since I was the "childhood friend" that Stacy sat in on Physiology lecture with, I do have to clarify one point. The coloring book was written and published by the professor, and it was PREVIOUSLY used as extra credit one semester if it was colored in. (Continued…)
An Illini
posted 3/29/07 @ 1:24 PM EST
As an Illini I would like to point out that while the anatomy students may have coloring books, you should have trekked north to our engineering campus which is consistently ranked within the top tier of enginering schools nationwide. (Continued…)
Also a friend from UofI
posted 7/15/07 @ 4:04 AM EST
First I would like to say it has become very hard to get into UofI especially from the state of Illinois. Moreover, our large alumni base lends its self to result in better and more job opportunities. (Continued…)
Post a Comment