Duke vs. UPenn -- Please help!

<p>Alrighty... So I'm about to be a senior and I've already done a ton of college research. My two top choices now are the University of Pennsylvania and Duke. I'm sure I will be very happy wherever I go, so I'm going to do Early Decision to one of those schools. The only problem is I need help deciding which one.</p>

<p>I live in North Carolina but much prefer the city life. I visited Duke and absolutely loved it for its beautiful campus, school spirit, prestige, and fun attitude while maintaining such great academics. I also really liked the international DukeEngage program and how the administration seems to really cater to the students. The only problem is that it's in Durham, and for someone who wants the opportunities the big cities will offer, that is a big downfall.</p>

<p>On the other hand, I went to visit UPenn and loved it also, but for different reasons. The campus wasn't as pretty as Duke's, but it seemed like it had a lot more events going on, which was really cool. It's in a great city, and since I have family in Boston and love NYC, Philly makes visiting those places all the more convenient. Penn students also seemed more down-to-earth and nice than Duke students, and being someone who won't know anyone at either school, that makes it more inviting. I heard Duke can seem cliquish. However, Penn doesn't have as much school spirit through the sports rivalry, and it doesn't seem as tight-knit as Duke. I also want to do Pre-law, and I know Penn's law school is ranked more highly than Duke's.</p>

<p>Here's a little bit about myself: 3.75 GPA UW, 4.55 W, SAT 2140, involved in an international studies program at my school and will be going to Haiti in October to assist in medical care to the orphans. I'm also ranked 12 of 443 in my class and have been committed to being on Student Council for three years.</p>

<p>Sorry this was so long... Any advice would be very much appreciated!!!</p>

<p>There’s really no advice possible–this is really a matter of personal preference and fit. You can’t go wrong with either school. But all else being equal, if you want to get out of NC, and prefer a big city, that seems to give the edge to Penn.</p>

<p>My advice? Go with your gut. :)</p>

<p>If you want the big city, pick Penn. As for sports rivalry, this is the Ivy League. Anyway, you have the rivalry between Wharton and the rest of Penn.</p>

<p>Both are fine options, but personally I’d go to Penn.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>That’s totally irrelevant. There is no “pre-law” major at Penn, nor at most schools. You will probably not want to spend 7 years at the same school anyway. Most lawyers (I’m one) went to different law schools than undergrad. Good luck with your applications!</p>

<p>It seems like you like Penn more. Who will always succeed better where you are happiest.</p>

<p>I just want to emphasize the “happy” part. “You” not “who” sorry</p>

<p>If you don’t have a clear preference, apply RD to both. Or, if you like both equally and believe ED will help significantly … flip a coin. Since the odds of being admitted to both are rather slim, in all likelihood the adcoms will help you with your choice. If admitted to both, do the accepted student visits and decide in the Spring.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>[Campus</a> Overload - Admissions officers not impressed by pricey service trips](<a href=“http://voices.washingtonpost.com/campus-overload/2010/10/pricey_service_trips.html]Campus”>http://voices.washingtonpost.com/campus-overload/2010/10/pricey_service_trips.html)</p>

<p>What tk said. You apply ED to improve your chances but they are rather slim these days. You also need to be very certain that you can afford it if you get in.</p>

<p>Your stats seem slightly middle of the applicant pool for both schools. You have a better shot at Duke ED and slightly lower at RD. </p>

<p>I think Penn is a Hail Mary.</p>

<p>

Although with Penn ED, you can always decline an ED acceptance if the financial aid package isn’t adequate, and I assume that the same is true with Duke.</p>

<p>Duke basketball? How can you pass that up!</p>

<p>Law school rankings generally do not matter at all for undergrad. Penn would be the ONE exception. With the “One University” policy at Penn you can take law school classes as an undergraduate. </p>

<p>In addition to pro sports in Philadelphia, college sports actually matter at Penn.</p>

<p>[Philly's</a> Palestra - Cathedral of Basketball - YouTube](<a href=“Philly's Palestra - Cathedral of Basketball - YouTube”>Philly's Palestra - Cathedral of Basketball - YouTube)</p>

<p>[Toast</a> Toss at Penn Football, 10-20-07 - YouTube](<a href=“Toast Toss at Penn Football, 10-20-07 - YouTube”>Toast Toss at Penn Football, 10-20-07 - YouTube)</p>

<p>[-</a> NCAA.com](<a href=“http://www.ncaa.com/video#!basketball-men/2012-03-13/march-mayhem-penns-1979-final-four-run]-”>http://www.ncaa.com/video#!basketball-men/2012-03-13/march-mayhem-penns-1979-final-four-run)</p>

<p>^ Duke is not more selective than Penn–they’re quite comparable in terms of selectivity (overall admit rates, SATs, GPAs, etc.).</p>

<p>I think OP has a better shot at Duke because he is a native (Duke admits a higher percentage from NC) and also because Duke increased the number of ED seats by a 100 recently (2013 admit cycle). </p>

<p>If he is from Virginia, I would think his odds are same at both schools, i.e., Hail Mary.</p>

<p>Thank you all for the feedback! I’m thinking I’m gonna go with ED to Duke, just because it’s my gut feeling. Hopefully my chances of getting in are somewhat promising!</p>

<p>JT - you still have about 75 days to toss that coin. You may want to have all your paperwork ready to go except the flag that says ED for any specific school.</p>

<p>Is the reputation of Penn lower than Duke? But I think Penn has more opputunities.</p>

<p>^ Penn’s academic reputation is NOT lower than Duke’s, at least among those who are well-informed.</p>

<p>Where I live, I would say Duke has a better name (not saying ANYTHING about the actual quality of the school, though). But that may be because I’m from NC and everyone here is biased. Most people here think by Penn I’m referring to Penn State.</p>

<p>Purely reputation-wise, the fact that Penn is part of the Ivy League must count for something…especially internationally, I would assume.</p>