I know both Penn and Duke are top tier universities but how would you compare the social life? Which campus is friendlier, which greek system is better, which has the better overall social life?
I would say they’re pretty similar actually – they attract similar types of students. Duke’s social life may have more of an athletic component due to the enthusiasm over the sports teams (particularly basketball, obviously, but football Saturdays have become bigger in recent years). Duke probably also has more outdoor activities due to the better weather and much more green space on campus (e.g. outdoor music concerts, food festivals, etc.).
Penn has Philadelphia nearby, so is likely centered more on places outside of campus, whereas Duke probably has more things on campus. Durham restaurants and bars also cater to a university crowd more often (and thus places like Shooters II, a western themed dance club, has no age requirement – just can’t drink technically) whereas Philadelphia obviously does not so you can’t get into bars/clubs until you’re 21 (or have an ID…). Durham does have more going on than you’d think, though, with converted tobacco warehouses turning into music venues, a revitalized downtown with some great bars/restaurants, and a pretty decent upscale restaurant scene, but it’s still not a major city like Philly. Some like being immersed in a large city, others feel it detracts from the sense of community on campus (and costs a lot more unnecessarily).
I’d say Greek systems are also similar with a decent sizable chunk of the student body, but not overwhelming if you don’t want to partake. Fraternities and sororities have a fair number of functions and parties. In general, Penn is viewed as the social/fun Ivy (with Dartmouth perhaps), and Duke is always lauded for its great social atmosphere. So, I would say that neither has a “better” social life, but perhaps one might enjoy one more than the other for various reasons (e.g. like the warm weather, green spaces, and sports of Duke, like the urban vibe of Penn).
I think choosing between these two universities should come down to things other than social atmosphere since they’re both generally considered superb on that measure. Disclosure: Penn and Duke were my top two schools.
I cannot give extensive knowledge of Penn’s social scene, but from friends that attend, it seems fairly comparable to Duke’s in terms of Greek prevalence and frequency of partying.
I am in a sorority at Duke, and I can say without a doubt Duke is INCREDIBLY fun.
We have themed mixers with Fraternities on Wednesdays and Thursdays to pregame for Shooters and Devines respectively. On Friday and Saturday there are usually larger open parties, formals and semi-formals, and on Satuday, darties.
This Wednesday evening, take a long look at the students in Cameron for this year’s Duke - UNC (CH) home game. You’ll need no additional or more decisive evidence of the spirit, the cohesion, and the pervasiveness of Duke’s “work hard, play hard” culture. As Serena2014 indicates, it is a FUN and it is also superb life preparation.
GTHC, GTH!!!
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One of the key differences in the social scenes between the two schools is the school spirit surrounding athletics at Duke. Attending football and basketball games and tenting for the UNC game have been among my most cherished memories with friends since coming here.
If you want to understand how Duke is not like an Ivy, I encourage you to take a look at today’s Duke Chronicle. Read the game story, the Dean Smith story, and the bonfire story. Duke-UNC is not the only thing that makes Duke great or different from its US News top ten peers, and you don’t have to love sports to love Duke. But the energy and connectedness that basketball helps bring to campus is, IMHO, one of the things that makes Duke truly special – and a lot more fun than some of those other places.
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Beautifully – and accurately – stated, @SomeOldGuy!!!
[GTHC, GTH]
I watched the game last night with my daughter, who isn’t much of a basketball fan. However, she has applied to both schools, so she watched. Because she has sharper eyes, she pointed out to me that half of the pep band wasn’t actually wearing shirts–the rubgy shirts were painted on. Small detail, but more proof of the wacky, fun school spirit. By the end of the game, she was a fan.
Great tribute to Dean Smith. I still remember the 1979 game with the 7-0 halftime score. Congrats to Duke.
http://www.dukechronicle.com/articles/2015/02/19/why-duke-essay#.VOh_04Y8KrU
@64baseball: The foregoing URL leads to an opinion piece in the 19 February issue of the Chronicle, authored by a Trinity junior. I believe it is thoughtful and articulate – without being hyperbolic – and especially pertinent to your question, since it is written by a current Duke undergraduate.
After visiting both schools, they’re quite similar: Penn feels like it isn’t necessarily in the city. I will say this: if you want athletics @bluedog is right to say that Duke has a higher athletic scene, though Penn has strong athletic pride. If you want top tier athletics, then it’s Duke. However, if that doesn’t matter as much, they’re even, IMO.