<p>I need advice!</p>
<p>What do you want to major in?</p>
<p>If I were you thou, I’d go to Duke…</p>
<p>How much does each one cost you out-of-pocket?
What part of the country do you want to live in?
Do you want a big environment or medium-sized?
How important is diversity to you?
How important is a religious influence to you?</p>
<p>Um I got in all my schools as a poly sci major and most I will continue with that major.<br>
cost isn’t an issue- GMS Scholarship
I do enjoy a big environment and have grown up in southern California all my life so its hard for me to leave the big city environemnt</p>
<p>Academically I would rank as follows
- Duke
- Notre Dame
- UCLA
- USC</p>
<p>In your major it would be
- UCLA
- Duke
- Notre Dame
- USC</p>
<p>[NRC</a> Rankings in Political Science](<a href=“http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/area39.html]NRC”>NRC Rankings in Political Science)</p>
<p>Another rankings in Poli Sci has Duke 1st and UCLA 2nd.</p>
<p>[Rankings</a> - Political Science - Graduate Schools - Education - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-political-science-schools/rankings]Rankings”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-political-science-schools/rankings)</p>
<p>I think it comes down to Duke and UCLA, Notre Dame possibly especially if going to a Catholic University is important to you. I do not think USC is on the same plane academically with your other choices and I would not consider USC. Another thing you should consider is the cost of transportation. Plane tix are actually pretty cheap from LA to NC (Raleigh is where you would fly to) but if money is a factor also consider that as well. </p>
<p>Have you had a chance to visit?</p>
<p>Yes, i went to duke during my spring break about two weeks ago. I didn’t feel the vibe as much as I felt at UCLA. But I know my education might be better at Duke because UCLA just has too many students. So basically I am just afraid of being one of too many students at UCLA</p>
<p>puente, that is a legit concern. Duke.</p>
<p>well do you like football or basketball</p>
<p>UCLA is what you make (like all big universities) you can make it “small” by going to office hours, taking smaller classes once you knock on the GE’s, joining organizations to meet people, being active in your dorm, etc etc. It is a bit sink or swim, if you get into the flow of it, you will excel, if you let it overwhelm you then it can do that too. </p>
<p>What apprehensions do you have about Duke? (My vote is for Duke, but UCLA is not a bad fall back at all).</p>
<p>I find nothing wrong with Duke’s academics but felt weird being at campus surrounded in trees. And i just cant see myself deserting a community that needs me. I have had the privilege to been impacted by other UC students and feel that my calling is to remain in S. Cal and establish that same bridge for minorities that helped me get into college. I know it may seem kind of a cliche response but I would feel that If i go to Duke I’d be helping no one. It sounds confusing but i don’t know how else to word it. Do you think i would be at disadvantage for like grad school/ law school? And why is it these privates have better acceptances to grad schools then states, is it because of less students or are do they truly prepare you better?</p>
<p>UCLA has excellent placement into law school, [per CA Bar Association site](<a href=“Attorney Demographics”>http://members.calbar.ca.gov/search/demographics.aspx</a>), page not quite 1/2 way down for undergrad representation.</p>
<p>Don’t feel badly about your ability to adapt to larger or smaller universities; you’re going to do well, because the schools you’ve been accepted to would obviously manifest your excellent abilities in the classroom. Okay, I’ll hedge: 99% probability you’ll do well.</p>
<p>And if needed, UCLA has excellent tutoring services in the dorms and on campus as well as with the profs and TAs, look at youtube, “UCLA dorms.”</p>
<p>And happiness isn’t exclusive to one and only one university. I’m guessing that you’ll adapt and be happy at any of the four.</p>
<p>Undoubtedly, because students often go through the ‘grass is always greener stage,’ you might think occasionally what life would be elsewhere.</p>
<p>But when you graduate and have a choice of excellent law schools, you’ll be happy wherever.</p>
<p>I’m forwarding UCLA (so what else is new?), especially because of your last post.</p>
<p>While Duke is arguably the most prestigious academic institution on your list, you’re clearly struggling with leaving Southern California. In that sense the choice really comes down to UCLA vs. USC. I’m going to leave the predictable and tedious “mine’s bigger than yours” arguments to the alums and current students of both schools. As someone who doesn’t live in Southern California but has a child seriously considering both schools for next year, I can honestly say that I see no significant discernible academic differences between the two. You will get into grad schools by blitzing the standardized tests and performing well as an undergrad. That is most likely to happen at the place you feel most comfortable. Only you can decide that one.</p>
<p>I find it interesting that no one has made a case for ND, but given it’s semi-rural location and a stifling lack of on-campus diversity, I guess that shouldn’t be too surprising.</p>
<p>I will say the following in favor of Duke though. You are not abandoning your community, you’re just leaving for 4 years. I applaud your desire to remain local and improve your home, but the best way to do that may be to go away, build your arsenal of skills and then return more prepared to make the types of differences you want to make. Additionally, distance may give you a different perspective on how and what needs to be accomplished back in your home town. You need to decide if Duke will give you enough of an “edge” in education to overcome the time and distance; if you’re uncomfortable being that far away then I’d decide between USC & UCLA.</p>
<p>Good Luck</p>
<p>Duke has struggled to bridge the gap between itself and the Durham community (this is not an uncommon problem). However, if helping a minority community is important to you there are great opportunities in Durham. The community activists there are great people. </p>
<p>If you didn’t enjoy the feel of the campus however, that’s a legitimate concern. Ignoring that feeling can often lead to transferring. All said, I think your concern about class size and wanting to stay in So Cal means being a Trojan is likely your best fit.</p>
<p>… [Volunteer</a> Day](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtnfHVOPU-8]Volunteer”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtnfHVOPU-8) at UCLA. Beyond this, certainly, UCLA students serve as mentors at various schools throughout the academic year.</p>
<p>And undoubtedly, USC students would engage in such similarly. USC prides itself in giving back to its surrounding community; you can probably find some of these on youtube also. </p>
<p>And I wouldn’t necessarily discount the contributions of Duke and UND would have in their respective communities of Durham, NC and South Bend, IN.</p>
<p>But certainly UCLA being in a public trust would certainly need to engage in public service. </p>
<p>You’re going to have large introductory classes at even moderately large universities like Duke, w/ ~ 6k, as well as large ones of USC w/ ~ 17K students, as well, certainly, as the largest of your list, UCLA at ~ 26k (undergrad enrollment). And certainly the classes would undoubtedly stay larger at UCLA first and then USC, over both Duke and ND.</p>
<p>But if you choose UCLA:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>be sure to join various groups: pre-law, mentorship-based, undergrad bus society, students seeking consulting careers, etc.;</p></li>
<li><p>take advantage of whatever study enhancements you need to be successful if in fact you need them: dorm tutoring, Campbell Hall; office hours with prof, discussions w/ TA</p></li>
<li><p>just have fun and don’t be totally bogged down by your studies, and have a great social life which would be available to you. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>You certainly have to be more proactive at UCLA, but I’m sure you’d love the school more than it already seems you do already.</p>
<p>This is a common concern and difficult choice, which I completely understand. At the end of the day, you have some great choices and will be fine whichever path you choose.</p>
<p>As for Duke and high level privates in general they simply have more resources for students and more one on one attention, which often translates to better preparation. That said if you are aggressive, go to office hours and tutoring, then UCLA would offer a high quality education. Finally, there are minority students at Duke (albeit in smaller numbers than UCLA) and you can be active there, however there is also extreme elitism and racial stratification, which you find at most high level institutions (public and private) - but that is the “real world” as well so one might consider how that would prepare for that reality.</p>
<p>Finally, you are not “abandoning” anyone if you go to Duke. You are representing your community and you will be able to have access to future power brokers as well, as long as you are comfortable and confident in who you are, you will be fine. If anyone says you are “abandoning” your community then they may be underestimating your own resolve to being true to your commitments and they really don’t have your best interest at heart. There are always reasons not to do something, but do not be guided by fear or guilt.</p>
<p>@puente27:</p>
<p>Your heart’s with UCLA. Go with your heart. There’s nothing you can accomplish at Duke, ND, or USC that you can’t at UCLA.</p>