<p>For Economics with aims toward investment banking: Duke or Columbia? </p>
<p>And for a pre-law track: Duke or Columbia? </p>
<p>Any thoughts would be much appreciated. </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Columbia for MBA...not sure about undergrad</p>
<p>I would say Columbia.</p>
<p>I don't think you can go wrong assuming you got into both. Besides, you obviously haven't gotten into both yet at this time of year. If you are somehow faced with that decision, visit them then decide on feel. Both have stellar reputations.</p>
<p>wats the practical purpose of taking economics? it doesnt really teach one how to make money...</p>
<p>Absolutely ZERO difference. Top firms come to both, both have similar law placement. These are very different in terms of atmosphere, but in terms of reputation they are on par.</p>
<p>I would agree with Slipper, although due to proximity, Columbia probably has a slightly better reputation on Wall Street and greater internship opportunities...but it is negligible.</p>
<p>On the other hand Duke has a stronger alumni network...overall as Alexandre said, the difference is negligible.</p>
<p>I think pre-law and pre-business are excellent at both places - both schools are academically similar, but socially very different.</p>
<p>I know several people who considered both these schools and leaned towards one because it was a better fit. </p>
<p>You should definetley consider the social atmosphere above the academics if your decision is down to these two.</p>
<p>I think it is a personal preference. I would say Columbia though. Worry about it after u get in to the schools</p>
<p>I went to Columbia (College) for a year and went there for Grad too. I have hung out and know many people at Duke (they love my high school for some reason). I personally have found the people who like Columbia usually to be more "hipster"/ edgy types. Also, people who really like to hang out within a large minority group seem to love it. I think people who like Duke are more community oriented, random-crazyness, shiny happy types. Also, beer loving partying types. Basically, Columbia is more intense in terms of its environment.</p>
<p>I think Columbia has slightly more prestige, but it looks too liberal so I'd probably pick Duke personally.</p>
<p>I think it has more international prestige, but its pretty moot. They are equal on the national scale. There is no difference to grad schools, employers, and people who matter.</p>
<p>As for liberal, both are liberal but Columbia's liberalness is more intense. As in "we look down on people" intense.</p>
<p>I think the real difference in "lebralness" has more to do with the surroundings than with the universities themselves. Columbia and Duke are typical elite universities, with generally liberal professors and open minded students. But Columbia is surounded by NYC, one of the most fast-paced, cosmopolitan and diverse cities in the World whereas Duke is in North Carolina, a slightly conservative, Chritian state.</p>
<p>I have a gay friend who went to Duke and is now transferring to Stanford because the students at Duke are "too conservative"</p>
<p>Doesn't matter too much..</p>
<p>I heard Columbia is pretty good.
My sister, who went to Duke, is now at Colubmia Law School (One of the Top 4 Law Schools in the country).</p>
<p>Try to decide which environment you like better... Duke & Columbia are very different when it comes to that.</p>
<p>I disagree and agree with Alexandre, NC has little to do with how Duke is overall. Also, Durham/ Chapel Hill/ Carrboro is very liberal (CH and Carrboro are hugely!) BUT I do think NYC's fast paced intensity and individualism is reflected in Columbia students. </p>
<p>Its about the type of person you will run into. At Duke there will be a higher percentage of democrats who dress "normally" and like to party, whereas at Columbia there will be a higher percentage of more intense and militant liberals (the kind that get mad when you say you drive a Cherokee). Its not everyone but you'll run into it more often. Some find one atmosphere more accomodating and accepting to them personally, others find the opposite.</p>
<p>I think we are stereotyping Columbia students too much...remember that this is an elite Ivy with a fantastic, diverse class.</p>
<p>Well, in comparison to Duke I think its one way of distinguishing the students. Most kids at Duke tend to be typical liberals. In general, there are more conservatives probably as well. Columbia has a much larger proportion of people who are more politically out-of-mainstream than Duke. Sure, Columbia's diverse, like Duke Stanford Ivies etc., but there are sometimes general distinctions in the type of students who prefer to attend each of these institutions.</p>