<p>I am extremely torn between Duke and U.Va.
I am an extremely hardworking student from California with a super crazy/amazing social life (all of which I am lucky to have) and I have an unbelievably tough decision on my hands. I am a men's coxswain (I am female) for rowing and am in a semi-recruitment process for the men's team at U.Va. It is club, which is why I specify that it is not full recruitment, but I am not looking for a scholarship--just help in admissions. I would absolutely love to have the opportunity to row in college, especially on such a prestigious team as U.Va. However, I wouldn't have this opportunity at Duke as their team is extremely small and not very good and I probably wouldn't even bother there.
On the other hand, Duke is perfect on paper and is obviously a top 10 school that is an incredible opportunity and thankfully, if I decide to apply early decision, am almost guaranteed a spot because of academic recruitment. I don't mean to sound superficial, but there is something to being a Duke alum/graduating with a Duke diploma that obviously is closely matched at U.Va. but potentially not quite. What do you think? is the difference significant enough to be a tipping factor, all else equal?
Lastly, I know this as well shouldn't matter (the reason i am focusing on stupid nitty-gritty details is because everything else is perfect and I need to come to some sort of decision), but 2 people I have some pretty serious history with from my school are planning on attending Duke in the class of 2019 as well and I am not sure if that will have an impact on my experience. The 3 of us are very similar and I know for a fact we will run in the same social circles.
Where will I be happiest?
Thoughts? Sorry to vent haha
Any input/advice is extremely appreciated</p>
<p>I’d offer two initial suggestions:
- First, read everything you can find (for example, every single CC comment for the last several years) regarding these two outstanding universities. Then discuss your inevitable questions with trusted advisors, alumni, faculty and students.
- Second – and most critically – visit both schools, spending a few days on each campus, attending some classes, randomly meeting undergraduates, faculty and administrators, living in a dorm, socializing, touring the libraries, the hangouts, the recreation centers, and the unions, asking many questions, observing and assimilating EVERYTHING, and fundamentally receiving an in-delth, candid FEEL for both institutions. I cannot over-emphasize how important I believe this to be, simply because both Duke and UVa are such excellent – and quite similar – schools. Either will likely serve you VERY well for an entire lifetime; however, your INDIVIDUAL “cultural fit” is absolutely crucial to this decision.</p>
<p>I agree that Duke has clear, although marginal, advantages is several key arenas, but I’m biased notwithstanding some UVa roots. However, the Duke/UVa differences are generally razor thin (CC’s archives will provide my detailed opinions and rationale). Again, I respectfully suggest this makes your PERSONAL “cultural fit” especially decisive. IMHO, you not only want to thrive at one of these superb institutions (academically, and in every other germane realm), you also want to love your entire four-year experience. You cannot have confidence that you will do so without an “immersion” of the sort discussed in my second recommendation.</p>
<p>Prestige should not be in your decision making. Don’t be superficial. Unless a job only recruits Duke graduates, it’s HIGHLY unlikely that you will be at a disadvantage choosing UVA. They are both AMAZING schools that will give you wonderful educations. If I were you, I would choose the school that has to worse team, Duke. It’s harder to get playing time and/or stand out if you are going to a historically competitive school. For example, don’t go to Alabama to play football when you will never get playing time. Go to the school where you can make a noticeable difference. Also, Duke has several thousand students. The only way you stay in the same social group from high school is if YOU choose to do so. </p>
<p>Top Tier just nailed it IMO. Perfect advice!</p>
<p>“2 people I have some pretty serious history with from my school are planning on attending Duke in the class of 2019 as well and I am not sure if that will have an impact on my experience. The 3 of us are very similar and I know for a fact we will run in the same social circles”</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about this too much at this point. Given the difficulty of gaining admission to Duke, they may well wind up elsewhere. Even if they are admitted and enroll, unless you are all in the same sorority, you won’t have to have much contact with them.</p>
<p>Apply to both. Try to visit. Seems like it’s too early to discuss this when you haven’t formally been accepted to either one. If you need financial aid, that may end up weighing in on the final decision. And, as mentioned above, even at a school Duke’s size with same interests you might never see these other people.</p>
<p>Also something to take into consideration is the differences between private and public schools–both size and opportunities during my time there…thoughts?</p>
<p>@ellielauder: Duke’s student population is appreciably smaller (as I’m sure you’re aware) than UVa’s. However, I believe the opportunities provided are extraordinary. Without being a pest on this point, only YOU can evaluate how the Universities’ sizes and comparative opportunities – both significant elements of “cultural fit” – will likely impact you. While I truly believe Duke is “even better” than Virginia in many important areas, the differences are likely quite marginal and – more important – I rather doubt that the “average” undergraduate would find any lack of opportunities (of every conceivable type) at either of these excellent institutions. </p>
<p>I do want to add a final comment. Frequently, Duke/UVa comparisons have an appreciable cost/affordability component, because the student is a Virginian. In your case, however, that is far less applicable. Fully half of Duke’s current freshmen receive need-based FA (and others are selected for WONDERFUL merit-based “full rides plus,” including our B. N. Duke, A. B. Duke and Robertson scholars). Financially, I suspect the two schools would be a “near wash” for you (and need-based FA is likely more available for Californians at Duke).</p>
<p>One of my kids graduated from UVa . He had some interaction with the men’s rowing team years ago. They saw him at the student activities fair when he first started there. He is very tall and played varsity basketball and volleyball so a couple of the rowing guys and the coach bugged him about trying out for the team. It sounded too intense for him (they were and probably still are quite competitive, with lots of very early morning practices, lots of the team members lived together, etc). My son was a Virginia resident and did consider applying to Duke. They are similar in some ways but as has been mentioned, you really need to visit both. They are both great schools. I wouldn’t worry about the public/private stuff. I would think more about the fit , team atmosphere, etc. . Being the coxswain on a college team sounds cool and since you are already a rower, I’m sure you are well aware of the time commitment involved. Good luck.</p>
<p>Imo Duke is the better school-academics, athletics, social life. Duke student body is national perhaps international while UVA is obviously Virginia dominated. Duke also places better in the top grad schools.</p>
<p>thank you everyone for all the amazing words and advice!</p>
<p>note: i have visited both schools and done 3 separate overnights at each with different students/friends, attended atleast 6 classes at each </p>
<p>Hi, what is “academic recruitment” at Duke? How do you get academically recruited? What did you do? Is it for under-represented populations or large donors? </p>
<p>I take issue with your assertions that Duke is “obviously a top 10 school” and that if there is agreement it must be that Virginia is the school that would lose out. I graduated from another ACC school and would happily work with anyone from most schools, and Virginia was the classiest school in the conference. But while I wouldn’t automatically reject someone from Duke, their resume might get moved to the bottom of the stack. There a lot of bad blood there, and some people have long memories. No child of mine will ever go there.</p>
<p>@FCCDAD: We, at Duke, will valiantly attempt to survive without your children in attendance.<br>
</p>
<p>@TopTier I’m sure you’ll be fine. Everyone will be happier, and they’ll be better off.</p>
<p>According to me I will suggest both university because I did my course from UV and my cousin did course from Duke. [You</a> could look here](<a href=“http://www.clazwork.com/practiced-accounting-essay-titles-writer"]You”>http://www.clazwork.com/practiced-accounting-essay-titles-writer) to get more details regarding these university. </p>
<p>There’s very little that separates between UVa and Duke in terms of prestige. I’d worry about that the least. Go where you’ll be happier and where you think you can utilize your talent in sports and academics. </p>
<p>Across the US , Duke has more prestige.</p>
<p>Bu t I don’t think you’ll lose opportunities just because you went to UVa not Duke. Very, very few employers favor Duke grads to UVa grads, if at all there are.</p>