<p>If it’s your dime, Texas A&M. If it’s your parents dime, trade law school cost for savings at Texas A&M. If they are paying for undergraduate and post-graduate … </p>
<p>Duke has been on the rise and it’s not capped off. Williams (academically) is above the other candidates. </p>
<p>Someone that works for me went to Notre Dame. You have 4 years as a student and the rest of your lifetime as an alum. And he has had to deal with his teams sucking at major sports for two full decades. I also agree that I would take Western Massachusetts winters over Indiana winters in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>Williams is not more prestigious than Duke. I think in general, It is foolish to compare LACs and national level research facilities because the goals of education are different. Duke is the most well known school though.</p>
<p>You know, don’t worry about the winters. As someone who has lived in the Boston area her whole life, they aren’t that bad. You won’t even notice the weather you will be so busy. It is like the south only in reverse, when it is real hot out you go inside to the AC. Well up here, you stay inside or take advantage of the cold and learn to ski. </p>
<p>It sounds like you are not getting a warm cozy feeling for Duke, take it off your list. Forget about prestige, where can you picture yourself being challenged, making friends and enjoying life for the next few years?</p>
<p>I value class discussion and being able to know my professors, which I think I can get at Williams. I really liked the vibe I got at Notre Dame as well. </p>
<p>I’m just seriously worried that as a non-drinker and non-partier that I’m gonna feel like there’s nothing for me to do at Williams, which some students there called a “kegger school”. I liked the relatively small size, but having been at private school for a good part of my life I know that small size also means everyone knows your business. I know every school has the good and the bad, but I’m feeling Williams and ND. Some Notre Dame alums from my area are taking me out to lunch to try to convince me to go there, and I’m hoping it’ll help tip me one way or another. I really wanted to like Duke, I wanted to want to go, but I can’t make myself look forward to going to it.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for your replies, if anyone else has any input that would be great.</p>
<p>Williams is not a “kegger” school. Duke and ND are.
You can avoid the drinking and partying scene and still have a great time socially when you meet the right people–and, I’m sure you will.</p>
<p>"Duke is the most well known school though. "</p>
<p>You’re talking about one thing and the other.
A school can be either prestigious or well-known, or both.
Williams is the most prestigious school, if you define prestige by the opinion of the WASP establishment and those in higher academia.</p>
<p>I’ll offer you hmom5’s criticism:
“…there have been many posts lately saying school[s] are prestigious based on how many people have heard of them. Does that really make sense to you?”</p>
<p>Notre Dame is the most well-known school, then.</p>