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Native wrote:It's Duke.

Happy to hear you have made a decision, and happy to know that you had some pretty special opportunities to choose from. Congratulations, and best of luck to you!

Native wrote:It's Duke.

Congratulations!

Native wrote:It's Duke.

We all figured it would be ;)

Congrats on the decision but didn't interacting with all of the Duke alumns here and seeing how they turned out make you more reticent to choose Duke?

Woo hoo! Native, congratulations!

Native wrote:It's Duke.

Wow! Congratulations! What a difficult choice to make - you really couldn't go wrong, no matter what you chose.

Congratulations! I know you'll be happy at Duke.

The OP and I are SURE to be blamed for this. But, I swear we were neutral to even leaning toward State. I went over to the house this morning, expecting to learn that he had come to a conclusion, but within 15 minutes of the time I arrived he had changed his mind four or five times. It was clear he was in anguish over this. It's a LOT of money to tell your family you are considering turning down when they are going to have to make major lifestyle changes to send you.

So, I asked him to take the OP and me over to State and show us the whole facility and everything involved with the Park. We walked our buns off! We were very, very taken with the whole scene. Then we drove over for one last look at Duke. When he stepped out of the car on East Campus and took 8 or 10 steps, his face broke into the first smile I'd seen all day. His gait quickened and he began to chatter on and on about the various dorms and about who his room mate might be and where Rolvix lives, and the different options he would look into for a double major etc, etc. As far as I was concerned, the decision was clear. We all grinned and bumped fists.

Thanks to all of you for keeping us grounded as much as possible through all this.

Now then. He needs a job..... badly.
Love, Ima

Ima Facultiwyfe wrote:The OP and I are SURE to be blamed for this. But, I swear we were neutral to even leaning toward State. I went over to the house this morning, expecting to learn that he had come to a conclusion, but within 15 minutes of the time I arrived he had changed his mind four or five times. It was clear he was in anguish over this. It's a LOT of money to tell your family you are considering turning down when they are going to have to make major lifestyle changes to send you.

So, I asked him to take the OP and me over to State and show us the whole facility and everything involved with the Park. We walked our buns off! We were very, very taken with the whole scene. Then we drove over for one last look at Duke. When he stepped out of the car on East Campus and took 8 or 10 steps, his face broke into the first smile I'd seen all day. His gait quickened and he began to chatter on and on about the various dorms and about who his room mate might be and where Rolvix lives, and the different options he would look into for a double major etc, etc. As far as I was concerned, the decision was clear. We all grinned and bumped fists.

Thanks to all of you for keeping us grounded as much as possible through all this.

Now then. He needs a job..... badly.
Love, Ima

That's a great story, Ima! Kudos to you and the OP for helping Native make his decision. And, Native, congratulations on your decision and best wishes for a wonderful 4 years at Duke!

Native wrote:It's Duke.

Woooooooooooooo-hooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

You went with your heart! You will never regret this decision.

Congratulations!

Ima Facultiwyfe wrote:The OP and I are SURE to be blamed for this. But, I swear we were neutral to even leaning toward State. I went over to the house this morning, expecting to learn that he had come to a conclusion, but within 15 minutes of the time I arrived he had changed his mind four or five times. It was clear he was in anguish over this. It's a LOT of money to tell your family you are considering turning down when they are going to have to make major lifestyle changes to send you.

So, I asked him to take the OP and me over to State and show us the whole facility and everything involved with the Park. We walked our buns off! We were very, very taken with the whole scene. Then we drove over for one last look at Duke. When he stepped out of the car on East Campus and took 8 or 10 steps, his face broke into the first smile I'd seen all day. His gait quickened and he began to chatter on and on about the various dorms and about who his room mate might be and where Rolvix lives, and the different options he would look into for a double major etc, etc. As far as I was concerned, the decision was clear. We all grinned and bumped fists.

Thanks to all of you for keeping us grounded as much as possible through all this.

Now then. He needs a job..... badly.
Love, Ima

I believe early on I told him to take the money (the Park Scholarship) and run. But having said that, the State campus really is very ugly. My daughter went there her freshman year and she's the one who told me that. Taking him over there was a stroke of genius!

Channeling my inner Ren and Stimpy: "Happy, happy, Joy, joy!!" Go Native!!! Welcome to the Blue Devil, Cameron Crazie Tribe!!

Native wrote:It's Duke.

Congratulations!!!!!!! You Devil, you.

Ima Facultiwyfe wrote:The OP and I are SURE to be blamed for this. But, I swear we were neutral to even leaning toward State. I went over to the house this morning, expecting to learn that he had come to a conclusion, but within 15 minutes of the time I arrived he had changed his mind four or five times. It was clear he was in anguish over this. It's a LOT of money to tell your family you are considering turning down when they are going to have to make major lifestyle changes to send you.

So, I asked him to take the OP and me over to State and show us the whole facility and everything involved with the Park. We walked our buns off! We were very, very taken with the whole scene. Then we drove over for one last look at Duke. When he stepped out of the car on East Campus and took 8 or 10 steps, his face broke into the first smile I'd seen all day. His gait quickened and he began to chatter on and on about the various dorms and about who his room mate might be and where Rolvix lives, and the different options he would look into for a double major etc, etc. As far as I was concerned, the decision was clear. We all grinned and bumped fists.

Thanks to all of you for keeping us grounded as much as possible through all this.

Now then. He needs a job..... badly.
Love, Ima

Ima, this was a terrific move by you and the OP. We are all thrilled that Native is going to Duke, of course, but I'm glad he made the decision to go where his heart led him.

Ima Facultiwyfe wrote:The OP and I are SURE to be blamed for this. But, I swear we were neutral to even leaning toward State. I went over to the house this morning, expecting to learn that he had come to a conclusion, but within 15 minutes of the time I arrived he had changed his mind four or five times. It was clear he was in anguish over this. It's a LOT of money to tell your family you are considering turning down when they are going to have to make major lifestyle changes to send you.

So, I asked him to take the OP and me over to State and show us the whole facility and everything involved with the Park. We walked our buns off! We were very, very taken with the whole scene. Then we drove over for one last look at Duke. When he stepped out of the car on East Campus and took 8 or 10 steps, his face broke into the first smile I'd seen all day. His gait quickened and he began to chatter on and on about the various dorms and about who his room mate might be and where Rolvix lives, and the different options he would look into for a double major etc, etc. As far as I was concerned, the decision was clear. We all grinned and bumped fists.

Thanks to all of you for keeping us grounded as much as possible through all this.

Now then. He needs a job..... badly.
Love, Ima

He doesn't need a job. He needs a winning powerball ticket. What an incredibly tough decision. When I went to Duke, I made about $1000 with each summer job I worked and my parents and I split the tuition each year. It started off at $2100 for my freshman year and, when I graduated, it was $2500. The summer before my junior year, I made about $2500 and I got to do whatever I wanted with the extra $1250 I had earned. I bought a stereo for about $200 and saved the rest.

Fast forward to the last eight years. My kids made $5000-$7000 several summers and that amounted to about 1/5 to 1/6 or less of their tuition bills. An amazing difference. For the class of 2015, tuition now exceeds $40K. That's why this is an incredibly difficult decision. I congratulate him on the amount of time and anguish he experienced coming to this conclusion. We are all Dukies here in some form or another and of course we are pleased with his choice. I think most would have been just as happy and admired him equally had he chosen the Park. Well done and have a great career at the Gothic Wonderland.

Ima Facultiwyfe wrote:Now then. He needs a job..... badly.
Love, Ima

Guess we should start the adoption paperwork so Native can use the discount I get for my kids to attend Duke. ;)

OZZIE4DUKE wrote: I believe early on I told him to take the money (the Park Scholarship) and run. But having said that, the State campus really is very ugly. My daughter went there her freshman year and she's the one who told me that. Taking him over there was a stroke of genius!

Actually, the State campus was gorgeous. Very well manicured, flowers blooming. The buildings, inside and out, were pristeen. It's clear that their landscape and agriculture schools have an affect on the grounds. The Honors Village he would have lived in was first rate. The Centennial campus where the Park facility is located along with all the corporations affiliated with it is astounding and growing. Lots of busses running students and anybody else from place to place over the rolling hills of green between facilities. I have a new respect for State.
Love, Ima

Ima Facultiwyfe wrote:

OZZIE4DUKE wrote: I believe early on I told him to take the money (the Park Scholarship) and run. But having said that, the State campus really is very ugly. My daughter went there her freshman year and she's the one who told me that. Taking him over there was a stroke of genius!

Actually, the State campus was gorgeous. Very well manicured, flowers blooming. The buildings, inside and out, were pristeen. It's clear that their landscape and agriculture schools have an affect on the grounds. The Honors Village he would have lived in was first rate. The Centennial campus where the Park facility is located along with all the corporations affiliated with it is astounding and growing. Lots of busses running students and anybody else from place to place over the rolling hills of green between facilities. I have a new respect for State.
Love, Ima

OK, 10 years ago the State main campus was ugly. Nothing but mundane red brick buildings. The Centennial Campus is pretty nice.

Good luck!
Aren't cha glad that part's all done?
You had many fine choices. That, in itself, is quite an accomplishment.

Congratulations, Native! Welcome to Duke!