<p>I want to pursue neuroscience, though I'm undecided as to whether I'll do so through a major or a minor. Which school would you pick if you were in my position? </p>
<p>(PS- I'm not interested in reasoning along the lines of "Princeton because of its reputation.")</p>
<p>I love them both, so I would choose based on factors not related to the strength of the program at each school. Look at things like campus, ease of transportation to and from the school to your home, weather, school spirit, dorms, etc.</p>
<p>I believe at Princeton you are required to do a thesis, but I don’t think that is a requirement at Duke, if that makes a difference to you.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptances, and please report back and let us know what you decide.</p>
<p>I’m actually from Princeton, so I’m comfortable with the premise of attending the university. I’m essentially picking between the familiar and the foreign-- I love the idea of getting out of Jersey, but it’s tough to walk away from a school that I know the ins and outs of both culture-wise and academically.</p>
<p>If you’re from Princeton, I would recommend Duke (assuming COA is similar for both). They’re both prestigious universities. I think college is about branching out, making new friends, etc. I think for you, it’d be easier to do that at Duke than at Princeton. Have you visited Duke yet?</p>
<p>Personally, I would choose princeton - (1) I prefer the area, (2) I prefer the school, (3) I’m not a sports person</p>
<p>I wish I could have your problems.</p>
<p>This is an easy call…</p>
<p>A prince is more prestigious than a duke. :-)</p>
<p>Objectively speaking, the structure of Duke’s academic departments suits my needs better than Princeton’s. I’m considering pursing and interdisciplinary major exploring the connection between neuroscience, behavior, and gender identity, and Duke’s Program I/Program II majors would provide me with the opportunity to do so. I wouldn’t even be able to major in neuroscience at Princeton, however I hear that their certificate program is strong and that they just built a new building dedicated to NS research. This makes me think that Princeton is having a neuroscience “moment”; they’re pouring funding into the research, which makes the school worth considering. </p>
<p>The eating club scene isn’t really my thing, and I’m predisposed to having tons of school pride (I go to a boarding school and pretty much all I wear is school apparel). Also, something like 10% of my class goes to Princeton every year, and I hang out there almost every weekend. I’m not really interested in doing high school over again, but Princeton is significantly cheaper than Duke… the cost is a factor I need to consider.</p>
<p>Also, in the last four years, four people from my school have transferred out of Duke to northeastern schools because found the pervasive culture there to be “unintellectual.” From what I’ve heard (and I am in no way trying to indict the school; I don’t know enough about the culture there to say this with any certainty), the kids there are absolutely brilliant but not really the type to bring academics outside of the classroom. I’ve learned more in high school from having philosophical conversations with my friends in the common room and dining hall than from my actual classes. Does this sort of thing happen at Duke?</p>
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<p>If money is an issue go with Princeton</p>
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I wouldn’t say casual intellectual discourse outside the classroom is a hallmark of Duke but there are several close-knit communities within the undergraduate population who love discussing philosophy, political theory, ethical issues, etc.</p>
<p>Here is a group you can consider joining:
Duke Nexus
Round Table</p>
<p>barrk123: My parents can pay for either school, but the tuition difference is sizable enough that I should at least consider it in my decision. </p>
<p>goldenboy8784: Thanks for your insight! I think I know that whatever school I end up going to, I’ll be a minority. It’s nice to know that Duke has a number of smaller communities that share my sensibilities. At this point, I’m leaning towards Duke, but I’m going to wait until after Blue Devil Days to make an official decision.</p>
<p>If Princeton is cheaper, you are comfortable there, and price is a factor then I would go to Princeton.</p>
<p>Princeton is a special opportunity. In my opinion, it is the best undergrtaduate institution in the world. The setup of the university, both academic and social, is unrivalled. With an endowment of over $2 million/student (and no costly medical school to support), it is the wealthiest university in the US. The resources available to undergrads are literally unlimited.</p>
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<p>I think you’ll find that actually attending Princeton (or any other school) is quite different from visiting, even if you know lots of people there. As a member of the undergraduate student body you will be immersed in the academics and the activities of the school in a way that is unavailable to you as a visitor. In addition, while 10% of your high school class may attend Princeton, most undergraduates at Princeton will not be from your high school and you’ll probably find that you spend little time with your high school friends.</p>
<p>From my knowledge of Princeton, I think it is definitely a place where intellectual conversations thrive and you will find that most of your classmates have a thirst for learning.</p>
<p>Finally, I don’t know much about Duke, but you mentioned that the eating clubs are not your thing. At Duke, a significant part of the social life will revolve around Greek life and you should consider whether you will find that more appealing than eating clubs.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about sororities, but I imagine that I’d prefer them to eating clubs. I’m visiting Duke for Blue Devil Days this weekend and will make my final decision based on my experience there.</p>
<p>Please let us know what you decide!</p>
<p>At Princeton, I envision philosophical chats at a blazing hearth with participants puffing a pipe.</p>
<p>At Duke, I envision those chats in front of an arson fire with participants hooked to a beer bong.</p>
<p>But there are always exceptions.</p>
<p>Just a brief update in terms of Princeton neuroscience. David Tank, co-director of the Princeton Neuroscience Institute, has been named to the working group of the BRAIN Advisory Committee (the governmental project to map the activity of every neuron in the brain). I believe that the OP is correct in saying that Princeton is generally pouring resources in the neuroscience area and that it will be a very exciting place to be over the next few years.</p>
<p>Here’s a link to the story about Tank and neuroscience [Princeton</a> University - Princeton neuroscientists ready to play leadership role in federal BRAIN Initiative](<a href=“Princeton neuroscientists ready to play leadership role in federal BRAIN Initiative”>Princeton neuroscientists ready to play leadership role in federal BRAIN Initiative)</p>
<p>I’m not sure if this is too late, but after reading your post, I’m almost 100% positive that we went to the same high school - and that I’m one of the four people you mentioned in an earlier post. (I ironically stumbled upon this post while looking for transfer resources). I unfortunately can’t PM you as I don’t have enough posts, but feel free to send me a private message if you have questions about my specific experience at Duke. Regarding the schools in general though - I honestly don’t think you can go wrong with either. Having spoken with many of my friends who attend Princeton, I can say with some degree of confidence that the experiences are comparable. I have nothing but laudatory things to say about my academic experience at Duke. Greek Life/SLGs admittedly comprise a large portion of the social scene, but I made many close friends through clubs and organizations.</p>
<p>Oh also, just going to say - I would have picked Princeton over Duke if I were in your situation. (Though I ultimately chose not to apply to Princeton). The opportunities to which my friends at Princeton have access far surpass those offered at Duke. The Princeton name also carries more weight at the end of the day, though both schools have top-notch recruiting and job placement.</p>