Know Your Ambassador: Rapid Fire with Aryaman@Duke

Name: Aryaman Arora
High School: Delhi Public School R.K. Puram
College: Duke University
Major: Mechanical Engineering (but undeclared right now)
College Year: Freshman

Q1: When did you decide that you wanted to study abroad?
A1: I thought about it in the 9th grade and then firmed up my decision before starting 11th grade.

Q2: Why did you want to study abroad?
A2: I wanted to study in the United States so that I could have greater flexibility in choosing my courses and I will have to declare my major in the junior year vis-a-vis the more constrained approach that is followed in India.

Q3: Who helped/guided you with the College process?
A3: My parents, friends, school counselor and the internet.

Q4: What was your proudest accomplishment(s) during your High School years (in or outside of school)?
A4: All my achievements in badminton and martial arts.

Q5: Why do you think your College admitted you?
A5: My essays and standardized testing scores could be a probable reason. I may have just gotten lucky.

Q6: What has been the biggest surprise so far in college?
A6: I haven’t experienced enough of college life to come across any surprises as such.

Q7: Something that you know now, that you wish you had known in High School?
A7: Class 11 grades matter a lot!

Q8: Are you happy with your College decision?
A8: Yes, I’m quite happy with my decision.

Q9: How many students from India are in your batch in College?
A9: 12

Q10: Your advice to College-bound aspirants? (2 or 3 things)
1. Grades and standardized testing probably matter the most. Everything else comes later.
2. Try to finish all your essays in the Summer of 12th grade.

Hope you liked this Rapid Fire. If you have questions for Aryaman about Duke, now is the time to ask!