<p>I posted this in the Harvard forum as well, but I wanted to make as informed of a decision as possible. For those who don't know, the Angier B. Duke Scholarship is a full-ride to Duke with an all-expense-paid six-week summer program at Oxford. </p>
<p>Anyway, I'm not exactly set on a major yet, but it will probably fall along the lines of history, political science, economics, etc.</p>
<p>Some factors that I'm taking into consideration-</p>
<p>I'm not a super-crazy sports fan, but I do think a healthy dose of school spirit is great. Above that, however, I value an intellectual community and I'm really not a big fan of Greek life or the drugs and alcohol scene. Ultimate goal is grad school, whether it be law, medical, business, whatever. I'm still pretty unsure.</p>
<p>Weather is moot point for me because I've lived in (and enjoyed) places with all sorts of weather. </p>
<p>depending on how much debt you’ll incur at Harvard then even a name as prestigious as Harvard isn’t worth 40k+ debt if you can walk away debt free from Duke. Graduating from Harvard over Duke isn’t going to translate into that much more money or opportunities as Duke is still an extremely well-respected institution.</p>
<p>Everyone keeps on talking about the money, but I don’t think that is a huge factor in this situation. With an education at either university, 250k will not seem like such a burden in the future.</p>
<p>I would more strongly consider the differences in opportunities at each institution. Does the AB program actually provide you with an edge over other students at Duke? Will you be able to excel above the average student to move on to a top grad school? Or will you just be an average Duke student. If so, it might be wiser to then be an average Harvard student - which is far more superior.</p>
<p>Whoa to say 250k is not a lot is outrageous. Sure, maybe with a great education and smart career choice you’ll be able to pay that back rather quickly, but it’s a quarter of a million dollars, which is still a ton of money. </p>
<p>Harvard gives good financial aid, but bring able to go to a ton ten college on a full ride with benefits such as studying at Oxford seems like an amazing opportunity. Harvard is a great college (obviously) and it does have a ton of huge parties on weekends per my friends who attend school in Boton, but so does Duke. At either place you’ll find some kids who want to party, some who want to go sporting events, and some who want to study, and obviously these aren’t mutually exclusive. I guess just go with your gut choice, its a hard decision, but you’ll have an incredible opportunity either way.</p>
<p>I can tell you, as an AB Duke student who transferred out of Duke, the notion of a “free ride” is not compelling if your undergraduate experience isn’t fulfilling or meeting your expectations. Being an AB Duke is a WONDERFUL opportunity to attend an excellent university free and go to Oxford (not a whole lot of other differences between being an AB Duke student and a random Duke student), but ONLY IF YOU WANT TO BE AT DUKE. I was swayed to attend Duke because of the AB Duke Scholarship, so I understand the temptation, but Duke needs to be where you want to be, based on what you know now, to make it “worth it.”</p>
<p>The students in this program have by themselves won more Marshall and Rhodes scholarships than all but maybe 25 schools in the country. They are ridiculously well-represented at the top PhD programs at Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, etc. as well as the ultra-elite professional schools like Yale Law and Harvard Med. You will be surrounded by 15-20 of the movers and shakers of the world and your entire cohort will be heavily supported by the faculty and be granted special grants at every turn during your academic career.</p>
<p>In my graduating year at Duke (2011), out of the 9 AB Dukes, two won the Marshall Fellowship, one won the Rhodes, 2 are currently at Harvard Med, and one started her own enivronmental services organization I believe. That’s pretty impressive company.</p>
<p>Personally I would go with the debt, because 20 years down the line I wouldn’t want to be thinking to myself “What if…” Sure, there are plenty of debt “horror stories” going around, but if you’re motivated enough to get accepted to both colleges, you’re certainly motivated enough to handle student loans.</p>
<p>AB Duke is NOT “just” a full-ride and $160k+ (although that’s certainly a large incentive). It’s a specialized program that gives you amazing opportunities and obviously an experience in Oxford. As goldenboy said above, AB Dukes win awards at astounding rates; much higher than a “normal” Harvard student. As an AB Duke, you won’t be just a “normal” Duke student (which, again, is still pretty good), so it’s not just a money decision. Since you say you want to go onto grad school, saving money is also quite key and going to Duke will not put you at a disadvantage at all. I’d personally choose the opportunities that Duke has to offer with the program and save money for grad school. </p>
<p>Having said that, as medman said above, if you’re really not into Duke and just going for the scholarship, then it probably won’t work out. You certainly need to actually be excited about and want to be at Duke. If not, choose Harvard. Looks like medman transferred to Georgetown.</p>
<p>Absolutely. I think I responded to this in the Harvard forum as well, but this question is much more than a matter of finances: Do you want to be guaranteed to be the cream-of-the-crop at a top (if slightly less “wow”-inducing) institution, or do you want to be surrounded by exceptionally bright peers without a guarantee you won’t fall to the middle or the bottom of the pack? Do you want to be part of a tight-knit brainiac community, or one of many very smart kids? etc. </p>
<p>Assuming you like both schools, there’s no right answer. I know people who’ve chosen the HYP over the AB and the AB over HYP. Both groups are happy, having chosen the route that fit their personalities best.</p>
<p>^I think you are assuming a lot that AB Dukes all “rise to the top” by virtue of “opportunities” provided to them–I think they rise to the top by virtue of who they tend to be and that they will likely rise to the top at any place WHERE THEY ARE HAPPY AND FULFILLED.</p>
<p>I’m in almost the same position as crimsondevil, with one exception: I’ve already confirmed enrollment at Duke and accepted my scholarship. There was absolutely no way I could pay for four years at my dream school, UChicago, as they denied my financial aid appeal and refused to give me any merit aid, and the A.B. Scholarship was far too good an opportunity to pass up. That said, I don’t like Duke’s social environment at all from what I’ve seen so far- I’m not a partier, I don’t like sports, the hook-up culture is a huge turn-off, and Greek life often seems silly and vapid. </p>
<p>So how feasible is it to avoid those aspects of social life? Can one still find an atmosphere of quirky, intellectually thirsty people at Duke? I figure you can… but where can I best seek it out?</p>
<p>Good choice Ancolie! And congrats on the AB! Although I wouldn’t say UChicago and Harvard are equivalent schools. A lot of people choose Duke over UChicago with no money difference; with Harvard, it is much rarer. In any event, I wouldn’t worry too much about your social concerns. While it’s true there is a subset of Duke students who are into the Greek scene/partying/hooking up/etc. this is not a majority of the population. They are simply more visible individuals so perhaps it seems like it’s the overwhelming culture. 70% of males and 60% of females do NOT join a Greek chapter, so clearly the majority of independents still enjoy their Duke experience. Yes, you can find plenty of intellectual and quirky people at Duke - my freshman year roommate was quite possibly the most quirky person I know and loved his Duke experience. He, himself, would definitely call himself a nerd. He had more friends than me, haha. Just meet people through dorms, class, and extracurriculars. Join a few clubs and just be active in class, and you’ll easily find people like you. Good luck.</p>
<p>Can AB scholars do well at any school? Sure. But rise to the top? That’s hardly a guarantee. </p>
<p>Plenty of top students get to Harvard and its peer schools freshman year and are instantly overwhelmed by the quality and intensity of the student body. It’s easy to flounder, especially during first semester, before you really have a sense of the advising and other resources available to you. With the AB, students have a built-in support network and insta-validation that they’re some of the top students at the school. </p>
<p>I know, for example, that a friend of mine who chose the AB over an HYP wouldn’t have been happy at the HYP. Why? He’s more Type A and likes to be constantly rewarded for his hard work. That doesn’t happen for many HYP students–after all, the vast majority of them are “average” simply by definition.</p>
<p>Implicit in your argument is the claim that AB students are smarter than the average HYP student. Maybe that’s true (although the AB committee is looking for something a little different than Harvard adcoms). But just because they aren’t likely to fall to the bottom at an HYP doesn’t mean they’ll rise to the top. And that’s fine. But that’s not an environment where everyone will succeed or be happy.</p>
<p>You should look into an SLG called Nexus. It self-identifies as “a society at Duke dedicated to intellectual discourse. Their values include curiosity, positive discourse, imagination, non-discrimination, and gender equity.”</p>
<p>I have a friend who is an AB, and he describes Nexus as the “intellectual SLG.” </p>
<p>Nexus aside, if you engage the people in your classes, you’ll find quickly that many are the “quirky, intellectually thirsty” type.</p>
<p>Hi,
I got the Duke Robertson’s this year and am choosing it over top colleges, such as Stanford, etc… this year, so maybe the reasoning behind my decision will help you.
No offense meant towards anyone, and it’s just my take on things-
At Duke, these special programs offer so much more than a full ride. You’re distinguished and have special status. At Harvard, you’re just another student. Competing for Summer opportunities, internships, etc… is going to be tougher, in my opinion.
Also, I’m keeping in mind where I want to be in 4 years. Personally, I feel that I can get the best out of my education and grab more opportunities as a Robertson at Duke. Doing so will allow me to buff up my resume more hopefully, and I’ll try for those other universities for grad and med school. The community of AB, Robertsons, etc… is extremely distinguished and phenomenal. Most of these kids have been accepted to HYPSM schools and are brilliant. Just being in that community is a huge plus and attraction for me.</p>
<p>your name says it all,crimsondevil,I think you like harvard better than duke thats why your user name is crimsondevil nor dukedevil,lol and this might sound silly but close your eyes and imagine yourself in both places,where do you find yourself most happy? Choose the college that make you feel like you belong there.</p>
<p>Harvard’s network is superior to Duke’s in just about every respect. That’s why Duke offers AB scholarships and Harvard offers nothing of the type.</p>
<p>Think about it, kids: This is a transaction, period. With AB scholars, Duke has access to students it otherwise wouldn’t get. For that, Duke gives up the tuition, the student gives up the opportunities s/he that accrue from attending his/her first choice college. Who’s getting the better part of the deal? </p>
<p>That’s for you to decide.</p>
<p>P.S. Summer camp at Oxford is a joke; academic bling to titillate the socially ambitious but naive high shook senior.</p>