<p>Hey fellow CC members!! This is my first experience with posting on College Confidential, but I have an extremely tough decision to make this week and would like as much and as varied input as possible.</p>
<p>So I have recently been awarded the Jefferson Scholarship at UVA, which is a full ride plus summer experiences and other benefits.</p>
<p>I have also been awarded the B.N. Duke Scholarship at Duke University, which is also a full ride plus summer experiences and other benefits.</p>
<p>AND I HAVE TO PICK ONE THIS WEEK!!!:O So I would love to hear everyone's input on both the scholarships and the schools as a whole. How they compare, for both the undergraduate experiences and the opportunities they will afford you after college in graduate school and the workplace. Any help is appreciated, I want to make as informed decision as possible. Thanks in advance!!:D</p>
<p>Both scholarships are amazing. If it was only one or the other, I’d say pick either of the scholarships at either one over the other without a scholarship. But you have both!</p>
<p>Consider the value. A Duke education is more costly than UVA, so the value of the Duke one is higher.</p>
<p>Consider how the selectivity is perceived- how someone would view you as a scholarship recipient: UVA is highly selective, but not as selective as Duke. You are at the top of the pool of UVA students, but just to get into Duke, the selectivity is less than 10%. You are at the top of this selectivity pool. People are willing to pay full price just to go to Duke. Being a scholarship recipient at one of the most highly selective schools in the country is impressive.</p>
<p>Consider the student body- all students at both schools are highly accomplished, but there will be a wider range of students at any large state school. Class sizes will be smaller at Duke. I think you will be more challenged at Duke, and you are certainly up to that.</p>
<p>Size of college town in both places is not huge but there are places to eat and things to do in both. You won’t starve in either place. Charlottesville is a bit more rural. Durham has access to more city and cultural activities- Raleigh and Chapel Hill are not far. </p>
<p>Both scholarships are impressive, but it is more difficult to attain the BN Duke. It is truly the top of the line at a top notch university. </p>
<p>If you were my child, and you liked both schools, I would say go for Duke, and I am a parent who is not usually focused on prestige alone. I assume that since you applied, you feel it is a good fit. Unless there is something you really don’t like about it, I think Duke is the better choice- since you have the choice.</p>
<p>@CE527M I am thinking I want to double major in neuroscience and philosophy, but that is most definitely subject to change. </p>
<p>@Pennylane2011 Thank you very much for your detailed input! My main reservation from the BN Duke was that I did not know if it carried the same name recognition as the Jefferson for admission into graduate programs. My experience in the classes I audited while at both schools reflects your statement about how challenging they are in respect to one another. At Duke, the students were more engaged in the classroom discussion, while at UVA I noticed many students on Facebook and it was more the professor lecturing than the entire class discussing. </p>
<p>You have started SEVEN threads on this topic in seven different forums. Getting information from both school’s forums is commonplace. Seven threads in seven forms is complete overkill. It fragments the conversation where people now in any other thread don’t have information offered and shared in this thread. It’s just too much and rarely if ever results in more meaningful information overall.</p>
<p>Helpmedecide- I think the difference you perceive in “name recognition” might be the distinction between the scholarship recipients and the student body in general. In a larger school like UVA, Jefferson scholars may recieve more attention by comparison than in a small selective private school where every student is recognized. The Duke degree is highly valued overall, and you get the benefit of the scholarship on top of that.</p>
<p>Both scholarship recipients would be highly regarded by graduate programs- and would be considered along with grades, and letters of recommendations, but, given the choice, Duke is the more highly weighted school overall, and your scholarship is the “icing on the cake”.</p>
<p>I don’t have ties to either school- so I’m not promoting Duke for any personal reasons. I’m just taking an objective look at both scholarships. Honestly, getting either of them would put most students over the moon. You’re comparing fantastic to fantastic.</p>
<p>@blueiguana I have never used this website, and I did not know that. I thought it would help to have it posted in multiple forums. Thank you for letting me know that, but there is really no reason you need to tell me that rudely.</p>
<p>@Pennylane2011 That is a good point that at Duke, all students are able to have more personalized attention. I am currently leaning towards Duke, I just want to be postive before I officially confirm the decision.</p>
This should be a non-issue. Graduate programs will care about what you did as an undergraduate, not about what scholarships paid for your undergraduate degree.</p>
<p>It is a good point- the scholarship won’t help a student with (relatively-since there is a GPA requirement to maintain it) poor performance, letters and effort. You still have to work as hard to get into grad school.
However- the scholarship (either one) serves as some recognition of merit- like any award would- and gives you access to opportunities like mentors, research, internships, and programs that will enhance your application to graduate school, so, overall, it is a plus. All students have access to this, but the scholarship can open doors and help with finances.</p>
<p>@Pennylane2011 Yes you are right, it is just that both scholarships offer this. Whenever I read about the BN or Duke I definitely want to go to Duke, but whenever I read about the Jefferson I want to attend UVA. I think that this decision will be a growth step for me and I will be happy at either University. I just wish I had longer to think about it!</p>
<p>Here is where you have to do some soul searching. This discussion is theoretical without the “fit” factor. For me, being happy at UVA would outweigh any “prestige” or cost value benefit from being at Duke if you like UVA better, but that might not be true for someone else. Prestige is a reality- that some families value more than others- so while it is part of the discussion, how that weighs in is different for different people.
There are so many things to consider when picking a school- location, school culture, academics, academic reputation, cost. and then- that personal thing called “fit”.
Here- so many things are equal- which makes it hard. Both are fantastic opportunities, and will open doors to graduate school no matter what. Beyond prestige- what else do you like about them? Does one offer more programs than another- study abroad, faculty support, mentorship. Are there advantages to being in the top group at UVA vs a more homogenous academic group at Duke. Do you like a small or larger school? In actuality, you can’t go wrong academically either way.
Since none of us know you personally- ( and don’t post personal or answer the questions here- they are for you to think about) it is very hard to see how you will feel being part of each school. I also don’t know all the aspects of each scholarship- and they can be different. UVA tuition is less costly, but additional programs may increase the value of the Jefferson.
Now you have to imagine yourself as a student at each one. Durham is more urban than UVA. Do you like the outdoors, mountains, or urban? How are you politically? Duke is liberal, Charlotteville- not sure but I think less. Duke students come from all over, UVA-many are in-state. How do you fit at each school culturally, religiously, and any other aspects that are meaningful to you. It’s not just your degree- it is your home for four years.
Since you have so little time to decide, and this is hard, maybe taking one more trip to visit each one, stay overnight, and expore the surrounding areas would help. Have you made any contacts with people at each school? How do you feel about them- and are you comfortable with the faculty? Would you want the students to be your friends?
Mostly- you need to be happy with your decision, regardless of any advice. Just use it as a something to think about or discuss, but pick the one you feel is right for you.</p>
<p>@Pennylane2011: All of those questions are truly helpful! After really thinking about where I “fit” and where I picture myself when I picture college, I can make my decision relatively easily. Thank you for all of your advice!!</p>
<p>The right choice is the one you know in your heart is the right choice. With two great choices, not everyone would all make the same choice. That doesn’t matter-it’s your choice to pick the one that you believe is the best for you- it’s your college.
Best wishes for your success in whichever one that is!</p>
<p>Hey, if you got both BN Duke and Jefferson, you must be much smarter than 99% of parents here when we were at your age. You can’t go wrong with either choice. Personally, I’d go to Duke. Many Duke students, at least those I know, have amazing research opportunities earlier in their undergrad career. I am not sure a state school could afford such an opportunity. But, then, since you’re a top notch student, you will find it. For those who wonder about the scholarships’ prestige, BN Duke is for NC and SC students only. AB Duke is for everyone, worldwide. So in that sense, probably AB Duke is Jefferson’s counterpart. But who cares, right?</p>