<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>I am a rising senior at a prestigious private school in michigan. Throughout my high school career, I have acquired a cumulative GPA around a 3.9-4 weighted with a 4.4 my junior year and 3 APs on my schedule for next year. My ACT composite is a 33. I have visited Duke and I really liked what I saw but there are aspects of U of M that I am very fond of. If both schools were the same price and distance, I would be leaning towards duke but the tuition is 2x that of U of M which is in-state. Unfortunately, I have to apply early decision to duke to have a good chance of being accepted which is a binding decision. In your opinion, is duke worth the cost and inconvenience? Also, if I went to U of M I would hopefully be in the honors program. Is duke worth the large difference in tuition over the education I would receive doing the honors program at michigan? (My parents are willing to pay for whichever college I choose, but I don't want them to spend that much extra money if the value isn't there, especially because I plan on going to graduate school which will also be expensive)</p>
<p>Thanks for taking the time to read this and give advice,
McLovin</p>
<p>If you are full pay then no, not worth it. </p>
<p>Run the financial/EFC calculators if you haven’t already to get an idea of how much each school will cost. </p>
<p><a href=“Net Price Calculator”>Net Price Calculator;
<a href=“Net Price Calculator”>Net Price Calculator;
<p>Duke is not worth full tuition over Michigan, which is a fantastic university in one of the best college towns. Many students at top publics – Michigan, UNC, UT Austin, etc. – have turned down top private universities for cost reasons or because they liked their flagship better. </p>
<p>If you’re hesitant about whether a large university is right for you, consider applying to a few smaller colleges that are likely to offer merit scholarships. </p>
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Professional schools like medicine, law, business, and divinity can be extremely expensive, and financial aid is often very limited except for loans. MA and especially PhD programs are much more likely to come with funding (tuition + stipend and sometimes health insurance). </p>
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At your school you are no doubt used to small classes and working closely with faculty. If you want to continue this kind of education you should consider LACs; the Midwest has some fine ones.</p>
<p>1) If you are looking for an elite school like Duke, you probably aren’t looking at midwestern LACs. Not sure why you would look at LACs unless they are in the northeast. Carlton is the only midwestern LAC in the top 10. </p>
<p>2) If you are going to pay full tuition at Duke vs. in-state at Michigan, I would attend Michigan. Duke is a fantastic school, but not so much better to justify the extra cost of attendance. Michigan is a fantastic school and in-state at Michigan is one of the best deals around. </p>
<p>Good luck in your decision. </p>