<p>I'm torn between the 2. I know they're completely different, and that I should just visit them to see which one fits me best, but I don't know if I'll be able to visit. So, (current and aspiring) Blue Devils, any opinions?</p>
<p>I'm undecided in terms of concentration/major, which makes it infinitely more complicated. If it helps, I've traditionally been more of a science person.</p>
<p>Well, to be honest, like you said, they’re pretty different schools. It depends a lot on the person. Academics-wise, since you don’t know what you want to do, it’s a wash as far as quality goes. They both are pretty strong all-around. However, I’m sure you are familiar with Brown’s open curriculum. I don’t feel too restricted by Duke, but I imagine it’s nothing like Brown.</p>
<p>Some big differences:
Brown is smaller. This can be good or bad depending on the person. I never feel that Duke is really that big, though, and there still exists all the resources of a research university.
Duke will be much warmer.
If you like sports, Duke’s student body will probably be a little more athletically-inclined, and there are great teams if you enjoy going to events.
If you like politics, you will probably find more of an outlet to express yourself at Brown.</p>
<p>Brown is very, very liberal not that Duke is a Red State kind of place. Not knowing what you want to major in means that scholastics area wash as the schools as noted above are both strong academically. Visit the schools and talk to the students to see which you feel is right for you. I can’t say how academically competitve Brown is but one book I read a while back said that most Ivies tended to be so competitive that no one worked together- I don’t think its as bad at Brown because I think you can choose to take a grade or not get one. But at Duke I know that students do work together a lot despite competition. Great moral- The only other school that has the mix of a beautiful campus, athletics and spirit in the top 10 is probably Stanford.</p>
<p>^which is why i loved both duke and stanford haha.</p>
<p>accidently posted</p>
<p>Both have great academics and reputation, (probably equal science programs, unless you want to do engineering, which might be better at Pratt) so your decision will likely come down to which you will fit in with better. (If the financial situation is the same)</p>
<p>I am (probably) going to Duke, but my brother went to Brown and my best friend got in there ED.</p>
<p>Brown is dominated by a northeastern, liberal culture. Lots of people are politically active, and there are tons of hipster types, and a large international population. They have no distribution requirements, and you can take many classes pass/fail. It’s probably the least structured of the Ivy league schools.
For what it’s worth, Duke is ranked higher on US News. This might have to do with its graduate school research and medical school. The weather is WARM! and Raleigh-Durham has a different feel than Providence… but go and see for yourself. Bball is a huge deal at Duke, and there is a lot of school spirit, but athletic involvement is by no means mandatory. The culture is a mix of southern, northern/liberal (not that those are synonymous), nerdy, preppy, athletic, intellectual, and everything else you can imagine.</p>
<p>Brown is just as good as Duke, academically, but there is probably more grade inflation and more room to slack off by taking easier classes and pass/fail classes. Duke seems to be a little more focused on science/math/econ
There are lots of frat parties at Duke; however, the administration is trying to crack down on them. The Brown Gay-Straight alliance at brown throws this CRAZY party every year…</p>
<p>Go visit and decide where you see yourself being happier. Both schools have awesome academics and social scenes, so you really can’t go wrong.</p>