<p>I just returned from a trip to Pomona, JHU, UPenn and Vanderbilt. Of these schools, JHU was my favorite, followed by Pomona. I was also waitlisted by Duke, however, and I remember from a visit earlier this year that I was really impressed by its campus. I'm going to enroll at JHU, but I spoke to Duke's admissions rep for my region and he said I have a fair chance of getting in if I pursue the opportunity.</p>
<p>I'm interested in sciences of the brain (cognitive, neuroscience, psychology) but also the humanities-- I'd like to be able to take interesting classes in both areas in college. At JHU I'd be able to continue with track, plus I've got some family in the Baltimore area. Duke's in beautiful NC and it's got basketball.</p>
<p>Could anyone offer a short comparison of Duke and JHU?</p>
<p>I'd be wary of the responses that will come given the undeserved Duke bashing on this forum as of late. Some will tell you that you must go to Duke, others will tell you you must go to Hopkins. It makes very little difference and is largely a choice of personal preference. No one's going to be able to give you an objective comparison. Duke students will say Duke is better, not as cut-throat etc. Hopkins students will say Hopkins is better, it's not cut-throat etc. Both groups are biased. You should make this decision on your own. (While I love Hopkins, I'm not into convincing prospective students to attend a certain place, it's a very big personal choice.)</p>
<p>There is no reason you shouldn't love Hopkins. I am not a Duke basher--in fact I think its a great school--but outside of a far superior basketball program--I'm hard pressed to think of a reason to prefer Duke over Hopkins. I can, however, think of a lot of reasons to prefer Baltimore over Durham. </p>
<p>Don't underestimate the value of having the decision made. If you stay on the waitlist--it may be quite a while before you hear definitively and, in the meantime, your life is in purgatory.</p>
<p>Why "should" it be Penn? Penn and Duke are peer institutions. Unless there is a huge financial aid difference, cross-admits will have to decide among the intangibles to make a decision. The bond to the basketball program that a Duke student has goes beyond the four years in college and can last a lifetime. I say it's pretty important.</p>
<p>Sounds like you have a lot to learn about Philadelphia, and its bounty of world-class cultural institutions, historic sites and attractions, enormous and beautiful parks, charming and scenic neighborhoods, incredible restaurants and food, entertainment, nightlife . . . . :)</p>
<p>Awesome choices, you'll succeed at any of these fine institutions...but I think the social life, school spirit, and basketball would put Duke first for me personally.</p>