Duke v UNC, please help for a person who can't travel there

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
21

<p>Quote: "I went to school a while back but I got really good financial aid - and my family is probably middle to upper middle class. "</p>

<p>You have to realize that today there are many "middle to upper middle class" (out of state) students that get no financial aid at either school. My son was one of those kids. To him, it was worth paying the extra $$ (about $9,000/year) to go to Duke over UVA (or UNC, as the original poster asked). He was even willing to take out a loan in his name for the extra if necessary. </p>

<p>Many newer aid programs are not really available for the middle class (OOS)
kids. I don't know anything about AccessUVA, but I would guess it is for the lower income families that qualify for need based aid.</p>

<p>I think it is very admirable that you are such a loyal advocate of UVA. I don't think you have to dis other schools such as Duke or UNC to make your points about UVA however. The original poster asked about Duke and UNC. :)</p>

22

<p>I agree. As a general rule, private schools have larger endowments, meaning better financial aid. Duke offered me far better financial aid than UNC, even though UNC is in-state, so I didn't even consider UNC. UNC is very minority-friendly, though, so URMs might do quite well financially there.</p>

23

<p>1sokkermom:</p>

<p>I think you may have misinterpreted my comments. I am in no way putting down Duke or UNC. As I said in my earlier post,</p>

<p>"Duke and UNC are great schools and if you have the money and it just fits you, you should go there - but academically Virginia is just as good"</p>

<p>"I have to disagree with you thethoughtprocess, Duke is excellent, however for the amount of money you have to pay for Duke vs. Virginia - it really is not worth it. Furthermore, I think of Duke and Virginia as equals, neither better than the other."</p>

<p>As I said before, I frankly think, and it is my opinion of course, that a 10 - 15K difference in price per year for four years (40 - 60K and if you take interest 50 - 70K), is not worth the difference in education, opportunities, and name recognition of going to Duke. Am I putting down Duke by saying that? Of course not, Duke is a great school. Am I putting down someone who chooses Duke over Virginia? Of course not, Duke may be the right school for someone, regardless of price. </p>

<p>I am only providing my opinion as you are providing yours. My advice may be right for the person who started this thread or yours maybe right or both of ours may be right or neither one of ours may be right. It is for that person to decide. And again I am not putting down Duke or UNC or any other school, I am just stating my opinion as to which school is the best (overall - academically, financially, socially, etc.) from my perspective.</p>

<p>In the end, however, as I am sure you know - it doesn't really matter what school you go to. If you are a smart and hard-working person you will be a success whether you go to UNC, Virginia, Duke, or anywhere else :)</p>

24

<p>VirginiaAlum, I absolutely agree that everyone is entitled to an opinion. The question was originally about UNC and Duke. I still don't know how the Virginia discussion started........:) :) :) :)</p>

<p>You will also remember that I said that UVA was a great school. In the end, it was definitely in my son's "top 3".</p>

25

<p>I just wanted to let the person who started this thread know about other options he or she has other than Duke or UNC.</p>

26

<p>Please forgive me for my enthusiasm, which sometimes tends to sound like I am putting down other schools. I enjoyed my 4 years at Virginia and I can honestly say they were the best 4 years of my life.</p>