<p>Hello. I just got an acceptance email from them and got off the waitlist. So now I am wondering whether it's worth it to forfeit my $600 deposit to Northwestern for Duke. I am planning to major in sociology, psychology, or public policy and attend law school in the future, so would Duke be a better choice? Is there any other reason I should choose Duke over NU?</p>
<p>I'd stick with Northwestern if I were you. It's a great school, and Chicago easily trumps Durham. Duke is stronger in public policy and political science, but Northwestern is stronger in psychology and much stronger in sociology. It all depends on which university would fit you better, really. Good grades at either give you a good shot at a top law school.</p>
<p>Undergraduate Schools of Students Enrolled at Harvard Law School in 2005-2006</p>
<p>Duke University 55
Northwestern University 22</p>
<p>You also have to take into account that Northwestern has 2 thousand more students. So comparatively, Northwestern would have less than the above numbers indicate.</p>
<p>Do well at either and any law school is there for you. It would just be easier at Duke.</p>
<p>Even if you don't get into Harvard/Yale/Stanford/Ect, Northwestern's laws school is still like 5 or 6 right?</p>
<p>yes...but did Tucker Max go to NU? I think not.</p>
<p>really dont take this advice...choosing a college just because tmax went there is not an intelligent idea</p>
<p>Duke is a much larger feeder to top law schools than NU proportionally, as well as other grad schools</p>
<p>However, that can be explained by things other than the school itself</p>
<p>First of all, I would completely disregard the $600 deposit. Granted that's quite a bit of money, but it pales in comparison to the $160,000 that will be spent on your education over the next four years.</p>
<p>I was accepted into Northwestern last year, and for me at least, there was no question that I was going to Duke over it. Chicago, in my mind, is the one advantage Northwestern offers. I've heard that the students can be be quite cut throat there (particularly pre-med), and my good friend's sister just graduated from there and she really didn't like it there that much. From what I've found at Duke, you won't find very cut throat people. In general, everyone is very chill and wants everyone else to succeed.</p>
<p>NW is a great school, but I think you will have a better overall college experience at Duke plus the weather is much nicer. We also do have Chapel Hill (buses go there every 30 min), which is a nice place to go and visit. Though remember, you really just need to choose the school that you think you will be happiest at.</p>
<p>NU is in Chicago like Duke is in Raleigh.</p>
<p>I wouldn't pick a school just based on numbers, and how many people are accepted to top graduate schools. Also, just because a school waitlisted you doesn't mean it's better than the other that accepted you off the bat. If Northwestern is a better fit for you, I would matriculate there.</p>
<p>Tucker Max went to UChicago. </p>
<p>GreenShirt's analogy is awesome.</p>
<p>And I agree with everyone: Don't pick a school based on numbers of matriculants at Harvard law school. That's silly. NU and Duke are both amazing schools, and if you do really well at either school, you will go to a really great law school. I know Duke PPS is amazing, but I really don't know where those other departments stand at either schools since they're things I never looked into.</p>
<p>Sociology is really good at NU, Psych is good at both, PPS is excellent at Duke - I'm not sure how these differences matter at the undergrad level though, which is what is relevant</p>
<p>Comparing the two, they are very similar just looking at some stats:
Duke Average SAT's: 1380 - 1550
NU Average SAT's: 1320 - 1500</p>
<p>Duke acceptance Rate: 19 percent
NU: 30 percent</p>
<p>Diversity-wise (these stats don't do it justice):
Duke: 52 percent white, 9 percent black, 18 percent Asian
NU: 60 percent white, 6 percent black, 17 percent Asian</p>
<p>Both have top law, business, med programs
Both regarded as top schools, Duke typically in the top 5-10 and NU in the top 15 atleast, both have about 7000-8000 undergrads...WSJ feeder rankings have Duke in the top 5-10 and NU in the top 15 or so for students who go onto top grad programs, so this again is similar</p>
<p>Duke is around Raleigh, NU is around Chicago...</p>
<p>Basically, two solid choices that are both elite schools, you should consider the atmosphere you like...Duke might have a more "oh wow you're really smart" name to it, but the difference is probably small</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. I was partly thinking of the fact Duke was regarded as a feeder to the top law schools. Comparing the environment at the two schools though: is the atmosphere at Duke more relaxed in general? I have heard it being described as the Stanford of the east.</p>
<p>The only things that will matter on your law school application will be your GPA and your LSAT. There will be no distinction made between Duke and Northwestern. Go to whichever one you like more.</p>
<p>Relaxed...wouldn't know for sure, but there are more parties, drinking in dorms, frat parties, etc. at Duke from what it sounds like</p>
<p>
...Stanford of the east
We'll have none of that on OUR board, thank you very much ;)</p>
<p>I'd go to Duke. Its a more intimate experience, has a better overall reputation (slightly), and better graduate placement.</p>
<p>When's the last time Northwestern basketball made it to the final four? 'Nuff said.</p>
<p>thethoughtprocess, Northwestern is a big 10 school located just outside of Chicago. I think they've probably got plenty of beer to go around.</p>