“Our growing national reputation”

Nov 11 2011, Written by Ibe Alozie in News, 0 Comments

The news of a 23 percent increase in the number of Early Decision applicants indubitably brightened a couple of faces in the Undergraduate Admissions office.

These Duke officials say they attributed the increase in applicants to Duke’s growing national reputation. Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Christoph Guttentag agreed, adding that Duke has created a national identity of achievement in a diversity of fields.

“Duke is one of a very small number of schools that manages to do several things exceptionally well,” he said. “It’s more than balance. Our academic offerings are incredible, we compete in the highest level of athletics and we pay lots of attention to our undergraduates. Simply, Duke is supportive and spirited and every student is excited to be here. No other school can say that.”

But what is Duke’s national reputation among students after incidences such as the Karen Owen scandal and the Lacrosse case, among other things?

Sophomore Peter Struckmeyer does not believe that our national reputation has been damaged by these extracurricular events because of our strong academic reputation.

“I think, at the end of the day, Duke’s reputation is preserved by its academic standing,” he said.

Junior Ruebe Holmes agreed but added that Duke’s “work hard, play hard” reputation is recognized nationally and may affect Duke’s perceived reputation.

“Personally, I do not think that Duke’s image academically has been tarnished,” he said. “However there is a sense that this is a school with many students that think that they can get away with partying every other night and still graduate. We still do turn out very successful graduates and strong research, and that steady production of success keeps our image as “doing good for society” prevalent. Therefore, if there are a few bad apples, they do not spoil the bunch.”

Other students disagree and seem to believe that Duke is no longer taken seriously among their tier 1 peers. Several noted the drop in global ranking as a symptom of the problem and proof of the problem. Following negative ESPN coverage of tailgate, even our historical traditions seemed under fire—until they were reformed entirely, that is.

“Regarding our reputation nationally,  I do not think that Duke has garnered the same respectability or respect as the Ivies with regard to academics, even though we’re right up there due to the opinion that we are a school, full of smart kids who cannot help but do stupid things,” said sophomore Michael Farruggia.