So far, Duke University has been everything 2011 alumnus Vijay Menon expected.

“It combines the quasi-Ivy league intellectual atmosphere with a laid-back student body in a very unique way,” Menon said.

Duke has allowed Menon to meet a diverse array of individuals and has consistently challenged him academically.

“Few other schools can combine academics with an equally vibrant social and athletics scene, so I think that is what really makes Duke great,” Menon said.

When choosing where he wanted to go for college, Menon considered Georgetown, UC Berkeley, Cornell and the University of Chicago in addition to Duke. Menon said, he eliminated Cornell for its weather and Berkeley for because it was too close to home.

“The decision between Duke and Chicago was the hardest because they are both solid, top 10 schools,” Menon said. “I was pretty set on going [to Chicago] until the visit. Duke was certainly more friendly, bright and vibrant, and Chicago seemed more dreary and unenthusiastic.”

Highly respected as an excellent college for research, Duke is also considered “an elitist, rich, ‘white bread’ party school,” according to Menon. In response to these stereotypes, Menon said that while some of these perceptions are true, others are only accurate only to some extent.

“There are certainly an inordinate amount of popped collar, boat shoe wearing types,” Menon said. “But the majority of people certainly don’t fit these stereotypes. you just have to look in the right places to find the right people.”

On the whole, Menon considers Duke a great fit for him and a fantastic place in all aspects.

“It may be the school that everyone loves to hate, but we don’t mind,” Menon said. “Plus, the basketball team isn’t too shabby either.”