Thinking about studying in the behavioral health, neuroscience, psychology. I really like different things about these schools. Paying full freight at all schools. I am pretty easy going, on the introverted side and like my alone time. That is why I am considering a smaller school like Carleton, but I have a nagging feeling I would be losing out on all the opportunities at Duke. I think it is between these two schools now.
I have visited and could see myself at both Duke and Carleton.
An introvert can do well at Duke, but it really is an extroverted place. I really appreciate that in retrospect, as the social skills one often inadvertently develops in college have been invaluable in grad school (teaching and dealing with students, networking at conferences, interviewing for fellowships, etc.). For some people, however, it can be a pretty overwhelming place.
Note that your interests are some of Duke’s most popular programs and not especially undergraduate-friendly. You’ll have to be a go-getter to make the most of the opportunities. If you want a smaller, more intimate college experience and a quirkier student body, I think it’s pretty hard to beat Carleton. It offers plenty of opportunities for any undergrad, especially in the sciences. I can think of only a few colleges I might’ve chosen over Duke in retrospect, and all but one or two are LACs – just my personal $0.02.
Carleton will probably provide you with smaller classroom experiences and a closer relationship with your professors. However, Duke is big and has “the name”. If you’re into that and can afford it, the choice is purely down to fit.
Based on what you say about yourself, Carleton sounds like the best fit. You won’t lack in opportunities - in fact, you probably will have more opportunities at Carleton because you won’t have to compete as much (including vs. grad students who’d have priority) and “make yourself seen” like you would at Duke.
What are the different things you like about the schools?
What opportunities are you afraid of losing out on at Duke?
Carleton is an excellent place - they send many of their students to excellent graduate schools if that is your interest, and is easily recognized as one of the top 10 liberal arts colleges in the country. They have psychology and neuroscience majors, and public health is a “curated topic” there (faculty publish curated lists of courses that satisfy a particular area of study). There are quite a lot of public health classes given the size of the college. Their psychology faculty come from the top PhD programs in psychology. It just seems like a really excellent place, and I think you should go there if you want to - it sounds like you really like it and are only swayed by Duke’s name. But Carleton also has an excellent reputation!
Why would someone pay over $63K a year to attend a College that very few Employers have never heard of? Why would anyone spend that much money over spending the same at Vandy or Duke? Maybe 0.0001% of employers had ever heard of this school. If I’m going to spend that amount of money, it better be at an Ivy or near Ivy.
@Psata82 (re post #6): For generations, Carlton has been an extremely respected, very highly ranked, and demonstrably successful LAC (ranked among U S News’ top ten LAC). I rather doubt that only 0.0001 percent of employers – incidentally, that’s one in a million – are familiar with it (do you have any substantiation for this undocumented, bold assertion?). You may not be familiar with Carlton, but MANY experienced, well educated individuals certainly are.
I’ll reinforce the posters above, especially juillet. You’re best opportunities in the future will be, in part, a product of what you achieve in college. If you believe you’re best suited to a small, nurturing environment, that environment will likely yield your highest potential achievement. All the while also providing you the best four year experience you could hope to have. Carleton may, in fact, be the safer option here if it is, indeed, the place that’s most right for you.
Just because Psata82 doesn’t know Carleton doesn’t mean that “people who matter” don’t. The opportunities and resources dedicated to undergrads are amazing (in the strong sense of the word, ie., I was amazed, I couldn’t imagine that) and it’s widely-known as a top LAC. So, sure, most people haven’t heard of it. They haven’t heard of HarveyMudd or Williams either, but they know Creighton and WVU. The general public, grad schools, and employers have different criteria and different sources of information.
Both Duke and Carleton are outstanding institutions that will provide an excellent education. Carleton would have the recognition of Swarthmore, Amherst and Williams if it were not in a small town in rural Minnesota (and is often thought of as a midwestern Swarthmore). Carleton offers a more intimate environment where you are likely to get to know your professors well, as well as most of those in your class and many in other classes. Duke offers the benefits of a globally recognised research university such as a broader and deeper set of course offerings, and, should your interests change substantially, can open the door to certain careers, such as those related to engineering, elite finance and consulting more easily.
Both my children looked closely at Carleton, loved the campus, friendly people and quirky character of the college, but both ultimately chose Duke for reasons of geography, a greater scope for academic exploration and stronger global reputation (they have spent much of their life abroad and are likely to live much of their life abroad).
You really can’t go wrong. It is a matter of fit and preference. Two great but very different environments.
I think Carleton would be great for an introvert. No Greek life, smaller student body, a good number of community events so you could find people when you wanted to. But it has that arb, so when you needed to get away and be by yourself, you certainly could. It seems like a place that would be good for close, one on one relationships.
@mellow97, my son is a current sophomore and my daughter will be Class of 2019. She applied ED. My son sounds a lot like you and has really enjoyed Duke to the point that my daughter, after visiting a number of schools (Carleton, Swarthmore (my alma mater), Williams, Amherst, Haverford and some Ivies), decided Duke was also for her. Both really liked Carleton, as did their cousin who will be Carleton class of 2019 (having applied ED). My son has no interest in the fraternities, has really enjoyed exploring his broad range of interests academically and extracurricularly, has found many groups of students who share his interests, and has established wonderful friendships. He also went to Duke having no interest in watching sports, has become an avid supporter of the teams and enjoys the school spirit.
Both schools provide a marvellous opportunity for you to grow and develop in an intellectually challenging environment. My guess is Carleton is a safer choice, and Duke may provide more scope for you to broaden your horizons (which you can always do in graduate school).