Another Chicago vs Duke

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Yes, I know there are lots of these threads, but I'm curious as to what people think with my particular situation. I know these schools are worlds apart, but I'm having a hard time because I think academically Duke might be better for me while atmosphere wise, I might like Chicago more. </p>

<p>CHICAGO:
Okay, so I am nerdy/quirky and willing to show it if people are willing to accept it, but I have a few problems with Chicago. I want to go premed and do an econ major. First of all, premed at chicago kind of sucks because of the major grade deflation that goes on there. While GPA doesn't matter for grad school, it does matter a LOT for med school. So I think I would find myself stressing a whole lot about my grades all the time, and that would be really depressing. Also, I don't really like Chicago weather--depressing depressing depressing. Plus, the dorms aren't the nicest. Duke has way nicer dorms.
Also, since I want to major in an unrelated field, I'd have no free spaces in my schedule to explore because of the core. And while Chicago economics is world renowned, it is also really theoretical, and not as practical as say, Duke's economics program. </p>

<p>But, when I visted the school, I liked it a lot. I sat in on some classes and they were really amazing. Even though I'm going premed/econ, I LOVE the humanities, and I really want a liberal arts education because it really stimulates me intellectually. The classes I sat in on were really interactive and small/discussion based. The teacher basically kept asking the students questions and questions until they reached the point he was trying to make on their own. Going to Chicago would really satisfy me intellectually and teach my mind how to think in a whole new way. </p>

<p>DUKE:
Duke has a great premed program, no core, and a more practical econ program. The grading is considerably less tough, so while I would still have to work hard to get good grades, I think it would be possible. Also, Duke's in the Research Triangle which means amazing research opportunities and internships. (Well, theoretically)</p>

<p>But, I don't know about the atmosphere---it's kind of preppy, and it's kind of a party school from what I hear. And I'm not preppy at all, nor do I wish to party. Don't get me wrong, I want to have fun and hang out with people, just not party in the traditional college sense. Also, the sports scene is HUGE and I'm not into sports. Whereas the Chicago atmosphere is more nerdy, intellectual, and more me, over all.
But on the other hand, the weather is better, and the dorms are much nicer. (As weird as this sounds, these things actually matter to me, lol). Also, the school as a whole might contain a happier student body because the work load is less intense (Chicago has a quarter system which makes everything so much more fast paced) and the general unity with the school spirit. (Chicago has little school spirit in a traditional sense. </p>

<p>Schools I've ruled out (think I should bring some back in?)
WashU
Cornell
Northwestern
Vanderbilt
UNC-Chapel Hill</p>

2

<p>I’m going to jump in here before the stereotypes, as I know both universities well. I applied and was accepted to both universities five years ago. I absolutely LOVED Chicago. I was a stereotypical nerd in high school, wanted to study biology and Egyptology, and Chicago was just all around perfect for me.</p>

<p>Problem: Their financial aid sucked, while Duke gave me nearly a full ride.</p>

<p>So, after a great deal of thought and input from CC posters, I chose Duke. I graduated last year and have been happily working away in grad school in the field and program of my choice, despite Duke not even having that major.</p>

<p>Do I regret my decision? Not at all! To dispel some myths about Duke:</p>

<p>Yes, it is possible and even easy to find intellectual people at Duke.</p>

<p>Yes, it is ridiculously easy to establish ties with professors.</p>

<p>Yes, people take care of their work before they relax.</p>

<p>Yes, you can fit in if you don’t like sports.</p>

<p>Yes, you will be fine walking around in jeans and a t-shirt.</p>

<p>Yes, the campus is extremely supportive and accepting.</p>

<p>Yes, there are plenty of things to do other than party and drink.</p>

<p>Yes, courses are rigorous and engaging.</p>

3

<p>Okay thanks warble! I’m actually leaning towards duke right now simply because of the greater freedom/flexibility/ and med school placement.</p>

<p>But it’s really reassuring to know that I can fit in their atmosphere. Somebody who goes to duke told me he thought the campus is really split between the stereotypical duke kids and the other people, like him and me. Would you agree with that?</p>

<p>Anyone else have any thoughts on this?</p>

4

<p>

I disagree simply because I think there is no such thing as a stereotypical Duke kid. The diversity of the student body was one of the things I loved most. </p>

<p>High school students are prone to think of student bodies as polar opposites - beer guzzling frat/jock types or intellectual quiet types. In reality, most colleges have a full spectrum with both types of students as well as many in between - including some students who can even occupy both ends of the spectrum at once!</p>

5

<p>Dorms and weather are very important and do contribute to one’s overall quality of life and do affect one’s academic experience.</p>

<p>I doubt Duke is less intense than Chicago, or that Chicago is more intense than Duke, but it has to do with the mentality of the majorities at each school.</p>

<p>For instance, one might say that at Chicago most students take studying very seriously and that at Duke most students take partying very seriously.</p>

<p>Of course all colleges have diverse student bodies, and to say that Chicago is X and Duke is why is to create poor caricatures of the schools, but the reason that colleges come to be associated with certain stereotypes is that there does exist a prevailing culture on campus that continues to be upheld.</p>

6

<p>So, basically, while stereotypes exist to some extent and characterize the general feel of the campus, both schools have a wide range of students and I’d eventually find my niche…I’d just have to try harder at Duke than Chicago?</p>

<p>And therefore, because it is very possible for me to be happy and fit in at Duke, since I think its programs are a better fit for me, I should pick Duke over Chicago?</p>

<p>Any other thoughts? Does anyone disagree with one of the basic assumptions that I’m making here: Chicago = grade deflation and thus has worse med school placement than Duke?</p>

7

<p>I don’t think the difference is that significant. Maybe like a 3.35 median vs. 3.45, and that may just be a function of major distribution. “Grade deflation” nowadays just means you don’t quite have the chutzpa of, say, Brown.</p>

<p>In the last year for which both have data (1999), Chicago’s average was 3.26, Duke’s was 3.33.</p>

8

<p>but those numbers are 10 years old…are they still relevant. I feel as though Chicago has changed a lot over the last 10 years…just look at how its admissions rates have been going down.</p>