Accepted at Duke... but eyeing second shot at HYPS :(

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey guys! I've been a lurker on CC for some time now and just reading all the posts has helped me greatly in the process of applying to college. </p>

<p>My profile: </p>

<p>International Applicant - Singapore
Attended the top school in my country (it's a small country tho :P)</p>

<p>I took a rigorous coursework for my A levels and O levels, got perfect score - A1 or As for all my subjects.</p>

<p>SAT I: 2300+
SAT II: 2400</p>

<p>ECs:
Science Club Founder and President
Committee Member in another club
Ran a nationwide web portal to promote student events
Did science research work at a local university and participated in national science olympiads</p>

<p>I applied to:
Duke - accepted
Harvard
Princeton
MIT
Columbia
Cornell
UPenn
U of Chicago</p>

<p>(rejected by everyone else)</p>

<p>This has been a bad year for many of my friends, many of whom have equivalent or better ECs than me but did not get any offers from the U.S. I count myself lucky to have been accepted at Duke, which is a really good school. I think the only reason I managed to sneak in was because of a really good Duke interview.</p>

<p>But just a few hours ago, one of my friends who had been rejected by every online decision letter he checked so far accessed the very last one (Stanford) and discovered he had got in. IMO it was really lucky of him too - he had applied Stanford EA and had been deferred to RD, which of course still gives him a higher chance than normal RD. I now regret not applying Stanford EA too - he had nagged at me to apply but I was too caught up studying for my A levels. Now I'm feeling a little envious - he and his parents are gonna have so much to brag about - Stanford is super prestigious. And my Dad said "huh, what's duke" when I told him i got accepted there. It makes quite alot of difference the way people see you.</p>

<p>Now I have a dilemma - should I stick with Duke or try again for HYPS for the next application year? Next year may not be as competitive as this year, and I wager that I may have a good chance at HYP or S, Yale especially, if I apply through the EA (if they still offer EA). I'm really good at interviews and I'm relying on them heavily for scholarship interviews now. </p>

<p>Also, I'm interested in pursuing Economics as my major but Duke doesn't really seem good for economics. I had been hoping to study econs at HYPS or Chicago. My question is, does it really matter where I do my undergrad economics? is the difference between Duke and them mostly about the reputation and prestige? Or is Duke really so far behind? </p>

<p>Should I do that? Or is Duke good enough? the HYPS brand names may help me alot and would make my parents really proud. What do you think?</p>

2

<p>Go Duke. Unless your father's comment really bothers you.</p>

3

<p>It really depends on what your future plans are. If you want to return to your home country as soon as you finish with college, yes I'm sure Duke will put you at quite a disadvantage compared to HYPS.
If you're considering staying on in the US either for work or further education, a Duke degree is just as good.</p>

4

<p>Next year is going to be more competitive than this year, and the year after is going to be the most competitive in history. 2010 is the first year things will taper off a bit...</p>

5

<p>Duke is an elite school. I would not pass it up simply for an Ivy League name on my resume.</p>

6

<p>It's your life not your parents'. Go to Duke. Taking a gap year might be a bit risky.</p>

7

<p>Duke is a GREAT school. You are fortunate to be accepted to Duke ignore the ignorance of your father speak to others in the US so that you feel great about your accomplishment. And furthermore CONGRATULATIONS!</p>

8

<p>Duke is a top 10 school. In fact, it outranks some of the Ivies. So going there ought not hinder you. Moreover, you can always go there for a year and transfer to one of those other schools (other than Princeton, which doesn't take transfer students).</p>

9

<p>wow, from reading all your responses I'm now really convinced that Duke is a really great place to be. it doesn't seem to be worth risking my place at Duke and pursuing impossible and improbable HYPS dreams now. Thanks :)</p>

<p>But then, my father and the prestige aside, I'm still concerned about the quality of the undergrad econs program. is Duke good for economics? does undergrad econs rankings matter?</p>

10

<p>we are in the same boat screwitlah, I got rejected by HYP but accepted at Duke. I was also considering taking a gap year and applying next year again, but u know when u speak with US people that really know about colleges and that stuff u "discover" Duke is a really prestigious college, very difficult to get in.
I know how u feel 'bout " what's Duke?" and "I've never heard of that college", I have the same feelings too. I feel no one here ever heard about Duke! that really sucks 'cause I consider Duke a great college..
I'm interested in Economics also! (gosh we are alike!), but I might change my mind though. But from what I've heard, what really matters is graduate education; also u could consider transfering to HYP next year ( I don't know if it's that easy to transfer from one top college to another one!..).
Ok, so if have already decided attending, I hope to see/meet u at Duke! :D</p>

11

<p>
[quote]
Also, I'm interested in pursuing Economics as my major but Duke doesn't really seem good for economics.

[/quote]

Econ is one of the best programs at Duke, as well as the most popular. How much research have you actually done? </p>

<p>If you didn't think the econ program at Duke was good, why would you even apply?</p>

12

<p><a href="http://www.dukemagazine.duke.edu/dukemag/issues/010207/depgaz2.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.dukemagazine.duke.edu/dukemag/issues/010207/depgaz2.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

13

<p>Undergraduate in the US is a chance to explore many areas of knowledge. Unlike other countries, only between 1/3 and 1/2 of all courses are taken in the major for degrees in arts and sciences. People often come into college wanting to major in one area but switch to another. The difference between programs for an undergraduate major is not so different.</p>

<p>Go to Duke. Don't risk the excellent opportunities Duke offer to try and get into a school with a slightly stronger economics program like Harvard or Chicago.</p>

14

<p>Yeah, don't just base your decision on the school's prestige. Duke is a great school and you'll do fine. None provides some very insightful advice.</p>