<p>Hi guys I'm trying to make this tough decision and I'd like all the help I can get. Obviously I really like both of these schools or I wouldn't be asking for opinions. I have visited both, Notre Dame twice (once on a tour, another time at an early acceptance engineering open house), and Duke once (Blue Devil Days). </p>
<p>Background:</p>
<p>I am interested in majoring in some kind of engineering. I also would like to be involved in the marching band at the school I choose. The financial aid given by both schools is the same, and the costs are about the same to start I believe. Distance is about the same (far!). I'm Episcopalian (Christian, but not Catholic), so I'm not dead set on attending Notre Dame for that reason, but I feel like I would fit in fine. </p>
<p>Questions:</p>
<p>The Engineering programs at the schools-
I think Duke has a stronger program (insight?)
I think both schools have good alumni networks that would be useful after graduation (insight?)</p>
<p>The Social Life-
I like Notre Dame's style- all based around the dorms which you stay in for all years.
I'm a bit worried about Duke. Can anyone explain how the frats work?</p>
<p>That's all of the questions I have for now and thank you in advance for responses.</p>
<p>Although there is a pretty strong Greek influence, you don’t have to be part of a frat to have fun at Duke. The DMB is a very tight-knit group here. Additionally, even if you are not in a frat, the frats throw public parties in the fall, and these parties are open to everyone. Only 30% of guys are in a frat, meaning 70% are not. I’m sure most of those 70% are still having a great time.</p>
<p>My older sister is senior at duke and loves it, and my older brother is a sophmore at notre dame and loves it. however, they both have completely different personality types and probably would not enjoy school if they switched.
my sister (duke):
she got into both duke and notre dame, and she was chossing between teh two but eventually chose duke because it was more fitted for her. shes very into the party scene, but not so much that shes some sort of alcoholic. she is a part of the greek system, which she says is actually pretty important at duke for the girls because they hold most of the social events such as formals and things. however, alot of guys dont pledge at duke because of how bad “hell week” can get. even though theyre technically not supposed to haze, all of the frats do adn it can get pretty bad. not dangerous, just gross. so although being a part of a frat might be tough at first, it definetly opens up your social scene a bit more. also, one of teh great things abut the greek system at duke is that rush does not start until half way through the year (late february-ish i think) so by the time rush starts, people usually already have an established group of friends just from their dorms or clubs and stuff like that. also, duke has a better engineering program for sure, although notre dames is still excellent.
my brother (notre dame):
my brother applied early to duke and was eventually wait listed, but got into nd and decided to go to nd rather than hear back form duke.hes a bit more awkward when it comes to meeting new people (although hes one of the funniest people alive, and he isnt a freak or anything), so the whole 4 year dorm thing is PERFECT for him. he would have never lasted at duke because notre dame is not as elitest as duke, and the people are a bit more down to earth. notre dame has one of teh best if not THE best marching bands in the country. dukes is pretty good too, but notre dames is HUGE and they are much more respected at nd than at duke. also, if youre big into school spirit, notre dame is far ahead of duke in that respect. the football games are SO much fun (even if they get killed), especially in the student’s section.
notre dame’s alums are more tight knit, so if youre looking for networking after graduation, then nd is better, but dukes isnt terrible. however, notre dame was like tied for number 2 in alumni donations rankings last year (after like princeton or something).
OVERALL:
duke is better academically adn has a better name (barely) and can be WICKED fun, and notre dame is a bit more tight knit and really fun.
if youre not a new englander or from the midwest, you should probably take weather into account too, because im form boston adn my sister couldnt stand teh weather at notre dame (granted she graduated from a school in florida after going there for 2 years, but lived in boston up until junior year). however, my brother loves NE weather, so i guess he appreciated the even harsher weather at nd. it gets FREEZING come novemeber all the way through march-ish.
either way, noth are awesome schools, this was alot so i hope it helps!!</p>