<p>To reference a ranking is a silly thing. I mean Princeton is ranked higher than Harvard, are people turning down Harvard to go to Princeton? Not too many. Anyway, these are very different schools obviously. </p>
<p>Columbia Pros:
Greater prestige & international reputation
NYC (could be a negative tho)
Great access to Wall Street</p>
<p>Duke Pros:
Beautiful & sprawling campus
Great Basketball
Party scene (could be a negative tho)
Loyal alumni on Wall Street, so I've heard</p>
<p>Either way, you can't lose. Personally, I would go to Columbia. </p>
<p>Best advice>>>>>>>>>Visit each over a weekend.</p>
<p>thanks guys! really great information!</p>
<p>Choose which school is BEST FOR YOU. Not which one is more prestigious.</p>
<p>As for which one could take you farther in life, you're life's journey is your own making.</p>
<p>Zebrastripes,
To answer your question posed above, I think that would depend on how you define “less competitive.” I think you will find either school can offer a very demanding environment or one not quite so. Your area of study will determine part of this. Your own participation in creating a “competitive” environment will also determine part. As others have stated and I agree, these are two pretty different undergraduate experiences that will likely appeal to very different types of students. Both are exceptional and both have all the prestige one will ever need or want. Good luck!</p>