<p>darthvader1, there is no need to be pedantic. Duke is absolutely the more prestigious school at the moment, and has many strong programs. However, in the grand scope of the entire college system, I would say the difference between U.S. news number 8 and number 17 is almost negligible. Yes, Duke is the higher ranked school, but to act like a difference of 9 spots enters into an entirely new calibre, I think is pushing it.</p>
<p>There can be a shift in Vanderbilt’s prestige while Duke’s remains relatively constant. Duke is quite high in the rankings, and it is more difficult for their name to increase in prestige. There is less space for movement. Vanderbilt has a little bit more room to grow. The idea that a single school can experience a significant rise in prestige while others remain more constant comes from Duke actually. They went through this type of process 5-10 years ago. Duke will experience change, but it will not be quite as significant.</p>
<p>Ultimately the decision is not about what is the the best school, but what is the best fit for the particular student. My daughter was accepted this year to Emory, Vanderbilt, and Duke, but will choose a lower ranked school. Her contention is that a talented and motivated student will be most successful where they are the happiest. </p>
<p>Seeking a vibrant and social student body with a work hard/play hard attitude, her appraisal was Vandy>Duke>Emory</p>
<p>^There’s also no need to be hyperbolic. Vanderbilt is absolutely not in another league compared to Duke. It has a strong med school ranked just a few spots below Duke, and arguably the top school of education in the country. The undergrad rankings do not come close to reaching statistical significance for anyone to say that it’s in a different league. There’s truth, and then there’s embellishment. Speaking the former is fine. Speaking the latter is not necessary, Duke has got nothing to be ashamed of and can hold its own against Vandy on pure merit.</p>
<p>As a Duke senior who spent his first year at Rice, I will have to disagree with all the posts saying that Duke is a “league above Vanderbilt/Emory.” Rice happens to be tied with Vanderbilt in the USNWR rankings, and from my experience, the quality of instruction was no less at Rice than it was at Duke. Tons of research opportunities exist at both schools, as well as social/co-curricular opportunities (I personally think Rice’s residential college system beats Duke’s housing model). I imagine it is no different at Vanderbilt and Emory. While I will agree that Duke has slightly more name recognition than the other schools, the academics are equal in my book. The QS rankings that darthvader cites are mainly based on the strength of the research programs at the schools, which are not as relevant to undergrads as they are to graduate students/postdocs.</p>
<p>So, darthvader, chill out. No need to get all worked up on College Confidential.</p>
<p>I’ll be the first to say that I don’t believe the education and research opportunities I got at Duke were inferior to Harvard. Compared to my friends from Harvard, I also don’t feel that I’m somehow not in their league.</p>
<p>It all depends how much you want to scrutinize. You could argue Duke is a league above Vandy, an idea that isn’t necessarily incorrect, or you could say they are peers in a broader more “grand scheme of things” sense.</p>
<p>I will say at the international level Duke is significantly more known than Vandy. Domestically I think the difference between them is smaller.</p>
<p>Both Vandy and Duke have great school spirit. Emory - less so. If Atlanta is the big attraction of Emory, why not just get a job in Atlanta after graduation? As long as you are getting a great education (which you will at any of these schools), why not go where you will have the best time?</p>
<p>Internationally Duke is a much more recognizable brand as allcapella correctly pointed out. If you are going to stay in the Southeast then it doesn’t matter because all 3 are very well known and respected. So part of the question is how far do you plan to travel or move?</p>