Hundreds of prospective freshmen visit campus in April for Blue Devil Days to see if Duke is where they want to go in the Fall. The Chronicle’s spoke with the p-frosh, their parents and their hosts to find out what they think of Duke so far.
“My sister goes here, my mom went here, and I love it. It’s been my dream for so long.”
—Katie Perlman, admitted early decision applicant from Illinois
“This is way more beautiful than where we’re from—so lush and green. I think I’m definitely going to come here. It seems like the students have a really well-balanced social life with the academics, too.”
—Aitana Zermeno, prospective freshman from California
“It’s going to be a good place for her. We visited all the other colleges, and I think by far this is the best.”
—German Zermeno, parent of prospective freshman
“There was no question where we wanted him to go and where he wanted to.” —Gary Koritzinsky, parent of a prospective freshman from Maryland
“I just really like the atmosphere. It’s warm and because I’m from Alaska, it’s a huge change. Everyone’s been really friendly, too. When someone finds you’re a p-frosh they’re all like ‘Hi!’ I like that.”
—Olivia Tice, prospective freshman
“It’s been kind of overwhelming.... I’m just trying to get my bearings. It’s just fun to be on campus and see all the people. I’m looking at [University of] Notre Dame, but it’s kind of between these two, and this was my dream school.”
—Marisa Olsen, prospective freshman from Minnesota
“Duke on paper was obviously really appealing, but seeing it in person is unbelievable. Everyone’s been so nice and welcoming and just really makes it feel like home. Shooters [II] was an experience that I will never forget.”
—Sam Berger, admitted early decision applicant from Massachusetts
“North Carolina is—out of all the places I’ve visited so far—it’s the one that looks the most, in terms of weather, like Lima because it’s warm and the weather’s nice. I love the campus—it’s big, it’s got a lot of movement.”
— Ernesto de Losada, prospective freshman from Peru
“It is one of the most rewarding things to encourage people to come to my favorite school... I didn’t get to do it as a freshman, so I think that’s part of the reason I’m even more excited.”
—Anna Benson, freshman host
“I’ve been trying to get to classes, but it’s been craziness, and so I keep missing them accidentally, and I’ve been going around in circles, and everyone’s just so focused on what they’re doing, and I feel like a fish in a big ocean... The people seem really cool, and they say thank you and excuse me, and that was a shocker for me about college kids. I always thought they were insensitive and cold.”
—Levi Obama, prospective freshman from Georgia
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