<p>I'm stuck between applying to Clemson's Calhoun Honors College (and potentially the National Scholars Program that is a full ride), and applying early to Duke University. Can a Duke student let me know if you feel you made the right decision in going to Duke, how the financial aid is, and also if grade deflation is an issue? Do students at Duke have a competitive edge on law, med and graduate school applications regardless of GPA in comparison to non-highly-selective (highly selective being HYPS Stanford UChicago Duke) Honors College graduates.</p>
<p>To be honest, if you do well in the Clemson Honors College, you can go far. Being a senior at Duke, I have come to the realization that it matters what you do when you get to college versus where you go. Yes, I do think the Duke name and the education here will help slightly more, but if you do well at Clemson’s honors program, you should be fine too. The stats Goldenboy cited are for Clemson grads on average, a group at which the honors program students are a very small part of. I bet you the honors college students place well.In the honors college, you will still be around smart kids, have access to great research opportunities, have classes to honors seminars, etc., so the difference between a Duke education and an honors college education would be marginal. Just because you go to Duke doesn’t mean you will get into top grad/professional programs or get a prestigious job; I have friends who graduated last year still looking for jobs. Duke has decent financial aid, but it is worth applying to both and see which package is better. Thus, I don’t recommend applying ED to Duke unless you are absolutely sure Duke is where you want to go. Be sure to have an overnight visit at Duke before making this decision; the Admissions office can help you schedule an overnight visit.</p>
<p>You could do both. Applying early to Duke does not prevent you from applying to Calhoun Honors. I plan on applying to both as well. I have also heard great things about the USC Honors college.</p>
<p>There are only 3 reasons to go to the Clemson Honors program over Duke.
Financial. State honors programs are having success recruiting kids that don’t qualify for need at top 20 schools and can go to the state honors program on a merit scholarship. $250,000 saving is hard to ignore.
You don’t want to be pushed or challenged academically. You like to be the smartest kid in the class and want to slide by without working very hard and still have a 4.0 GPA.
You love Clemson and feel it is a better fit for you.</p>
<p>That $250,000 price tag for Duke may not make it worth it no matter it’s rank. Would you be able to even pay for graduate school at the end of 4 years? No matter what financial aid package you may receive from Duke, it’s going to be a huge chunk of change.</p>
<p>“No matter what financial aid package you may receive from Duke, it’s going to be a huge chunk of change.” Not true. It’s actually costing me less to go to Duke than it would to go to my state school. </p>
<p>I do know that graduate school admissions offices will place more weight on a school of Duke’s caliber when looking at applications. Is it a huge difference? No. But given an identical applicant, the Duke grad will get the edge.</p>
<p>That being said, it really is a personal choice. Honestly, it’s about where you are going to feel the most comfortable. Yes, Duke may be a better school, but if you’re not going to be happy here then it really doesn’t matter. I would highly recommend visiting and doing an overnight stay at both campuses if you can swing it. For me personally, coming to Duke is absolutely the best decision I have ever made. I love it here, I really do. Duke was the perfect match for me, but it may not be the perfect match for you. Don’t just apply because it’s a good school; apply because you really want to go to Duke.</p>