<p>To all who took exception to my U Penn comparisons,</p>
<p>I never said U Penn wasn’t a great academic institution. I just said that its brand is not nearly as strong as that of HYP and Wharton and that it, like Dartmouth, Brown and Cornell benefits significantly from its brand affiliation with the Ivy League. I think that U Penn for decades was known as the bottom of the Ivies. I also think that there is little doubt that Hackney, Rodin, Guttman, Stetson et al did a great job of changing that and that the current student body as a whole is very talented.</p>
<p>As for the reflected comments that others made about the colleges in the comparisons (Williams, Tufts, Wash U/Emory, U Chicago, Carnegie Mellon), I have more of a problem with this. You know, there are lots of other terrific schools out there beyond the Ivy League and I think that the view that the Ivies are so superior is stretching it more than a bit. Their athletic conference affiliation may be different, but that does not automatically consign the other mentioned colleges to second-class status as some of the comments suggested. </p>
<p>IMO, as it relates to the undergraduate academic experience (no hospitals included, Alex), colleges like Williams, Tufts, Wash U/Emory, U Chicago and Carnegie Mellon have nothing to apologize for in comparisons with Dartmouth, Brown, U Penn, Columbia and Cornell respectively. These are all awfully good colleges. And I’m not sure why saying that is received by some as such a sacrilege.</p>
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I think Duke is on a downhill slide. The town/gown relations suck, and the freshman are stuffed on a different part of the university. Buses run all over the place wasting fuel, while the tour guides extol the virtues of "green Duke".
I don't think it can hold a candle to Penn (Wharton or non-Wharton) OR Chicago unless you want good basketball (which was really over-rated this year) or lacrosse and frats. One of my friends just visited Duke with her daughter and was so unimpressed that she told the daughter that she would not pay for a Duke education.
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<p>What the hell? "Stuffed"!!!! The reason why freshman live on East Campus is to make the transition to college easier and more comfortable since everyone is on the same page. I think it works. Your statement is horribly ignorant.
Your friend's statement is subjective NOT objective. I hope that someone old enough to be a mom can understand the difference. As someone who got into Chicago last year, there is little to no way that I would have picked Chicago over my state school... it is a matter of preference. I don't think Chicago is a lousy school. I just don't think it's the right school for me. And how much did your friend see of Duke? What?? Like maybe four or five hours at most. Talk to someone who is actually ATTENDING the college before you make your opinons about colleges. I can't be the judge of any college except Duke.. this is something I know. You can't truly be the judge of any college except wherever it was you attended or possibly where some of your kids attended..</p>
<p>Chill out, little buddy! This is an internet forum and I'm allowed to have an opinion just as you are. I'm glad you love Duke, and plenty of other people agree with you. It isn't for everyone, though, and I am allowed to point out some flaws. There are certainly flaws with the college (Ivy) my son attends, and I point them out as well. My daughter's school- well, I can't think of much wrong with it except bad football and basketball.</p>
<p>Duke is so much better than Chicago the comparison is laughable...unless you want to go to grad school for anthropology or a few other subjects</p>
<p>Of course, I'm only comparing them in areas that are important to me: business opportunities, internship opportunities, lots of extracurricular opportunities, and a great social experience. Things like intellectualism, grade deflation, and no-drinking were not things I wanted.</p>
<p>There's plenty of drinking at Chicago. How do you think I got through law school there?
Your comments about Chicago are flat wrong, but you are welcome to your opinion, however wrong it may be. Do you seriously think Chicago students don't have internship opportuniites or extracurriculars? It's in CHICAGO, as opposed to Durham!</p>
<p>^^ So in your distorted, elitist view you think what you like makes it "better". Sure, it makes it better for you, but not in absolute terms. In your case you picked the perfect school...that's important. But, don't put down other schools because they have a different philosophy from yours.</p>
<p>What are you going to say when you're an analyst at your investment banking firm and have to report to U Chicago grads (that have the analytical skills you Duke guys can only dream of)...or rely on the data provided by your firm's chief economist who graduated from U Chicago School of Economics?</p>
<p>Yeaaah...I know what you'll say...you'll say that you're better because the CEO was a former fraternity brother and used to play lacrosse. Different strokes for different folks.</p>
<p>UCB, when I did banking very few analysts were from UChicago, same with associates, or directors. I guess its the NYC bias. </p>
<p>Duke students beat Chicago on Wall Street and consulting because they have really strong academics, combined with lots of extracurricular opportunities. I feel that Duke students have the extroverted aggresive personality that is a better fit.</p>
<p>I don't think you learn anything different at Chicago undergrad econ than you do in Duke undergrad econ.</p>
<p>Also, MomofWildChild, of course Chicago has drinking, Duke has a lot more drinking, and more of the MAJOR companies recruit at Duke in the fields I'm interested in (IB and consulting). At the same time, I'm sure Chicago has many more opportunities than Durham, but those opportunities probably aren't the high-demand ones a lot of students seek (though given the market, MM banks might be a welcome offer compared to no internship at all).</p>
<p>Not sure why this has turned into an unproductive Duke vs U Chicago battle. Both are highest quality places with many extremely talented students and grads, including on Wall Street. U Chicago may not be as well represented as Duke in the (smaller revenue producing) investment banking areas of some of these firms, but check out the trading side or the asset management sides of these firms, not to mention what has happened in the creation and operation of some major hedge funds. U Chicago grads do very well (as do Duke grads).</p>
<p>beefs - you don't even go to college yet, I'm not sure what perspective you are bringing to the table here besides what you've read in UChicago brochures. </p>
<p>The substance of my argument is that Duke students are superior to Chicago students in any quantitative way. Duke students get more prestigious international scholarships, and place better into biz/med/law schools. </p>
<p>In my own personal experience, Duke students are much better in IB and consulting placement as well, particularly in the Northeast.</p>
<p>Chicago is a great school, but for most students it doesn't provide as many opportunities as Duke. Its social scene is also lacking compared to Duke in terms of partying, drinking, and going out. That aspect of my argument shouldn't be an issue if you aren't into that sort of stuff.</p>
<p>lol ok knowitall. I actually LOL'ed. You seem to be insulting everyone else's perception of reality along with mine. Duke must do a good job of brainwashing.</p>
<p>Beefs, like I said, I'm based in reality and I think you aren't. I'm not even sure what your argument is aside from "Chicago is awesome!". Its a great school, but Duke is better in most ways. </p>
<p>I'm not brainwashed by Duke, but I do believe facts when I see them. Check out average SAT scores on collegeboard, National Merit Scholarships at the NMSC website, professional placement at the WSJ survey (or look at incoming law school classes yourself), or ask anyone who has worked at one of the top consulting firms or investment banks (like me!).</p>
<p>I admit Chicago is better in some departments, and is especially good for students interested in graduate school. But again, I am a more pre-professional oriented person, which is why I think Duke is superior.</p>
<p>The argument that Duke students are "superior" is simply ignorant, and every time you hit the keyboard it reinforces any negative opinion someone might be forming about Duke. At this level of school, you can not say one school's students are "superior". Chicago students tend to self-select and are definitely not of the same "ilk" as Duke students. That's good for some, not so much for others. I doubt there are many cross-applications. I can't imagine most of the Chicago students wanting to be anywhere near Duke, and vice versa. So what? Give it a rest.</p>
<p>Oh man. I don't know how to express the sadness I feel for you. I don't know what reality you're living in. Duke is better in most ways? LOL. ok.</p>