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Duke University
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Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

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Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Toughest College Degrees?

Hi, I'm just curious to know, what are some degrees which are considered difficult due to their rigorous curriculum? I want to challenge myself and explore a range of possibilities.

a year ago

It's commendable that you're seeking to challenge yourself academically. The difficulty of a degree can depend on many factors, including individual strengths and interests, but some degrees are generally considered challenging due to the depth and breadth of their curriculum, the abstraction and complexity of the concepts, or the workload. Here are a few:

1. Engineering: It consistently ranks high on lists of challenging majors. Fields like civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering demand a good understanding of high-level math and physics, along with applications in specialized areas. The coursework often involves complex problem-solving, rigorous project work, and a heavy workload.

2. Physical Sciences: Majors in physics, chemistry, and biology often require an in-depth understanding of complex theories, lab work, and research projects. Physics, for example, requires a profound understanding of mathematical equations and theories that describe the natural world.

3. Mathematics: This major usually requires students to take advanced math courses, such as calculus, linear algebra, and statistics, and then go even further with classes in abstract algebra and complex analysis, which delve into mathematical theories and principles at a deeper level.

4. Computer Science: This field not only requires an understanding of programming languages, but also abstract concepts about data structures, algorithms, and computer architecture. Moreover, the rapid evolution of the tech industry means students often have to independently learn the latest technologies.

5. Medicine and Pre-Med Studies: Students pursuing these degrees often have intensive course loads covering a range of subjects, from biochemistry to human anatomy, and they typically involve extensive lab and coursework.

6. Law: While not typically a bachelor's degree, pre-law, and political science can prepare you for the rigor of law school, with extensive reading and writing, logic, argumentation, and in-depth analysis of legal systems and theories.

Remember that your passion for a subject can make even a rigorous degree enjoyable and more manageable, so it's essential that you like the field you're studying. Consider exploring your interests and thinking about how they align with these challenging fields before making a decision.

a year ago

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