<p>I have to make the most important decision of my life thus far in a few days, and I want to make sure all my bases are covered so I can decide and never look back.</p>
<p>My options: Duke University, with the AB Duke Scholarship, or Harvard.</p>
<p>Pros/cons of both? Disregard money for tuition, but consider the money that I'd receive for research as an AB Duke. For those of you who don't know, the AB Duke is a scholarship given to about 15 students each year at Duke and includes full tuition, funding and grants for research, one or two semesters of Study Abroad, and a six-week summer experience at Oxford the summer after my freshman year.</p>
<p>Some things to consider:
1. I haven't decided on a major yet, but I'm interested in medicine, especially with a global health/humanitarian angle.
2. I'm from Charleston, SC. Harvard would be an entirely new region of the country for me, which could either not matter or be a good thing, depending on how you look at it. I'm already at home at Duke. My sister graduated from there a few years ago, and I'm been on campus during the summers and such. I know people there, and I know the campus. Again, it could be something that either works for or against Duke.
3. This isn't a significant factor, but I need to at least acknowledge it -- name/prestige. Yes, Harvard is certainly more prestigious than Duke, but would the benefits of being an AB Duke outweigh the benefits of being a normal, undistinguished undergraduate at Harvard? Keep in mind that I'd be looking to attend medical school, potentially.</p>
<p>Any advice would greatly be appreciated! Thanks!</p>
<p>P.S. I've posted this in other sections too, so I can hopefully get as much advice as possible. Hope that's okay.</p>
<p>Given the opportunities you have recieved at Duke, I would prefer Duke. However, Duke, as I come to think of, has more of a govermental outlook, where as if you are hoping to go into medicine, Harvard would be the better choice. But I would still choose Duke. Think about it, even if you dont like duke, you can easily transfer to Harvard. Both schools are almost equally prestigious, and just to point out, it is still your undergraduate year. While you still need to have a major, you can recieve your graduate degree at Harvard easily. Just think of going to Duke as a tiny step away from Harvard.</p>
<p>go to Duke....with AB Duke you will get 'special' treatment and 'extras'. That was the point of 1,000+ postings on the parents forum. AB Duke just does not give you money it also gives you easy and guaranteed access. You may get similar opportunities at Harvard too, but you may have to seek out and fight for them.</p>
<p>You are going to med school. So undergraduate degree does not matter much.</p>
<p>At this level, the education will be comparable (though some would adamantly refute that statement). </p>
<p>When I look at colleges, I try to see what I can get outside of a 4 year degree. An "out of the box" opportunity. Duke will give you just as much as Harvard, and more. The major question is, what do you really want to get out of college? Some people answer it as following: I just want to be able to party, and get a degree. Some people want an entirely new cultural experience. Some people want a place that'll allow them to grow as an individual. </p>
<p>If all you want is an institution that'll get you into med school, and there's nothing outside of the box that you specifically long for: duke. </p>
<p>If there's an x-factor you haven't told us about, an alterior motive, you should probably let people know, but I believe you already know the answer to your question. </p>
<p>just as an aside, a english teacher of mine went to duke thinking he'd be a chemical engineer. I wouldn't be surprised if you med-school dreams changed; you might take a physiology class and realize that you really aren't that interested in medicine. </p>
<p>My vote is with Duke, prestige shouldn't matter though, it should be where you feel most comfortable (and you've already said it's like a second home to you).</p>
<p>The prestige of the AB Duke program and then Harvard for grad school. Duke carries a great deal of prestige so I would not worry about that and you are getting a lot of opportunities which you may not get as a regular student at Harvard, take Duke's money and run, especially if you really like Duke.</p>
<p>hey you are choosing between the "duke of the north" and the "harvard of the south", both schools will give you an excellent education if is your desire to obtain one and you work at it. Go where you feel is the best "fit" for you.</p>
<p>Everyone, thanks so much for your input... you guys helped me organize my thoughts and keep my mind clear.</p>
<p>I'm going to Duke, and I officially sent in my letter to them today accepting the AB. Apparently, this wasn't news to anybody at my school except myself though, haha. I honestly couldn't be any happier right now. :)</p>