Decision not made yet!! In panic!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I was accepted into Duke, University of Virginia, and William and Mary. </p>

<p>University of Virginia is out of my list because the classes are too big. Although the campus is beautiful, I feel quite 'lost' everytime I go there--I live really close to UVA. I don't get a sense of tight community. Of course, sports and social life are huge here. I am not anti-social, but I don't see myself going to football games frequently or partying too much. </p>

<p>Now, it is either Duke or William and Mary.</p>

<p>Duke has been one of my dream schools since I started high school, and I cannot tell you how happy I felt when I got the acceptance letter. I've heard positive experiences or comments about Duke. Last summer, I visited it, and I was in love with it. Beautiful campus, great student body, strong academics, and the list just goes on and on. But, I don't deserve to get in Duke. If I attend there, I would feel inferior to other students. My stats, in fact, are not as superior as others'; my SAT is in 1300s while my GPA is 3.8. I'm worried that if I go to Duke, I would not succeed.</p>

<p>I really like William and Mary. I recently visited its gorgeous campus and fell in love with it. Classes are small, professors are willing to help their students, and the school focuses on the undergraduate program. It is only one hour away from my home-not too close like UVA or too far like Duke. I even got the Scholar Award that will cover my in-state tuition and fees. So, it will be FREE if I enroll. However, I am worried about the existence of grade deflation. I want to go to an excellent medical school--maybe Duke or Stanford, I don't know, still too early to think. High GPA and MCAT score are what medical schools are looking for. I've heard that they will be typed in the computer, and if they do not meet the minimum, humans won't read your application. This really concerns me because many graduates from William and Mary have received low GPAs. Will medical schools add more weights to W&M GPA because of its grade deflation?</p>

<p>I understand Duke and William&Mary are excellent schools. They are nationally respected as well as successful in placing students into top graduate schools. They have strong science departments. Any advice?</p>

2

<p>I'd go with Duke. Not only is it the better school, but you seem to like it more as well. Money is probably an issue, though. 40,000 a year is a LOT of money.</p>

3

<p>Kind of funny...my best friend's older sister is at William and Mary and my best friend is going to Duke. From what I've heard from the both of them...and I've been to Duke for summer camps and stuff like that...I'd say go to Duke. Don't be worried about being inferior. I mean, no matter where you go, there are going to be smarter people than you, and you got into Duke for a reason. The admissions people obviously think that you're capable of doing the work. And you sound like you like it better there. So don't be worried about not being smart enough!</p>

4

<p>Go to Duke, you'll do very well there, it's not as if William and Mary will be an easy ride. Send me a PM!</p>

5

<p>Duke University.</p>

6

<p>Money is not an issue for my family. Yes, I love Duke, but I just don't want to choose it over William and Mary because it has more prestige. I forgot to ask, is it easier to succeed at Duke than W&M because of grade inflation at Duke and deflation at W&M?</p>

7

<p>Whoa, more responses in favor of Duke. Lol.</p>

8

<p>GPA and MCAT scores are critical for medical admission. Try to find the range of GPA and MCAT acceptances and denials at both schools. Choose the school based on the confidence you have in your ability to score in the comfort zone. Once you get in, concentrate on keeping your GPA up and focus on getting a good score in MCAT. Good luck!</p>

9

<p>Duke over WM in a heart beat.</p>

10

<p>Go to Duke, you will do fine.</p>