<p>Hey guys! I would like some help making this decision; I know it'll be a tough one and I would love as much input as possible! I was admitted to Duke yesterday, and I'm really excited. I also got accepted to USC with a Trustee scholarship, meaning all I have to do is pay room, board - that stuff.</p>
<p>Just briefly - I've visited SC for my scholarship interview and stayed there for one of their summer programs. I like the community feel to the school, love how there's a lot to do right outside of campus, like the blend of students/diverstiy, good food, okay dorms, yeah.. I'm not too much into the party scene, but I'm not too against it either - kinda neutral there. As of now I plan on pursuing an economics degree while doing pre-med (though, of course, everything is still up in the air for me...not too certain about premed) Not sure what much else to say right here, so I'll just list what I see in each school. I'm decently well-off if finances must be considered.</p>
<p>Duke (will be going to one of the Blue Devil Days dates)
-no financial aid yet, and may not get any (I'm decently well off)
-prestige (I know I shouldn't factor this in too much, but I guess it's a plus)
-great economics program (I believe)
-great pre-med related programs, such as Cardeas Fellows Program
-over 90% pre-med to med school acceptance rate if I recall correctly
-far from home (good thing in my opinion)
-would be the ONLY one from my school going to Duke (7 admitted to Duke in school's history, and only 1 has enrolled but is graduating next year)
-Durham....? No idea what it's like yet.
-basketball!</p>
<p>USC Dornsife (decently familiar with this school)
-Trustee scholarship: free tuition
-close to home (good/bad)
-good number of current classmates going (good and bad thing, who knows)
-work hard party hard, but no pressure as I've observed
-Trojan network
-decent (?) economics program
-Next to Los Angeles - opportunities and fun
-football!</p>
<p>That's all I can think of right now... I would greatly appreciate any input on this choice! If any current students could tell me why they love Duke, that'd be great as well!</p>
<p>I would imagine the financial aspect of this would be the elephant in the room. How are you planning to pay for college? Do your parents have funds set aside? Or did they say they will pay for expenses? If they are footing all or part of the bill, then you should talk with them to work out whether they can overlook the $$ difference between USC and Duke. If they are fine with it, then it’s your choice whether you like Duke or USC.</p>
<p>I’m from socal. If I got the half scholarship I would have gone to USC. I didn’t so the costs were the same. I LOVED USC, but couldn’t justify the cost over UCLA or paying same and not going to Duke. I am very glad every day that I didn’t get the scholarship. I’m sure I would have loved USC and been fine, but my experience at Duke has been incredible and graduation in May I couldn’t ask for a better time. I was an econ major and have a great job that I absolutely would not have been able to get coming from any school other than Duke Harvard Wharton or maybe princeton and yale. Check out Blue devil days and see what it looks like financially. I am glad i am graduation with almost 80k in debt knowing that i’ll be able to pay it off in 2 years max with my job. It was definitely worth it over UCLA no fin aid (I know that’s not what you’re comparing with, but it’s a decent metric for comparison)</p>
<p>Right now I have a sister in a joint undergrad-dental school program, currently at 35k for another 2-3 years, then dental school tuition. They’ve taken a loan for her just in case, but other than that we’re decently well off. They would pay for my Duke education and take some cautionary actions, but other than that it would be somewhat affordable. My parents bring up a very valid point that I would be saving roughly $180,000 after going to USC for 4 years instead of Duke for 4 years.</p>
<p>I plan on going to grad school, and believe that Duke on my resume over USC would definitely help with grad school admissions, no?</p>
<p>They are both great schools, but I would say that Duke could give you a slight edge over USC. Duke pre-med and Econ are world class, which would definitely help you. They also have a lot of cool programs (Duke Engage and Travel Abroad to tons of countries and domestically if you are interested in Wall St) that could stand out on your grad school application. There is a monetary difference, but if your family can afford Duke, see which one you’d be happier at.</p>
<p>I am extremely fond of Duke and decidedly less so of Los Angeles, but I would find it very, very difficult to justify spending an extra $160K on tuition at Duke over an excellent college like USC. It seems to me that you like lots of things about USC and dislike almost nothing. (Duke also has a party/social scene.)</p>
<p>Well, I guess nothing’s actually “bad” about USC. Just, you know, Duke’s programs (both academic and other) are much more outstanding according to what I’ve read and heard…the name is a plus too I guess?</p>
<p>How are the programs at Duke more outstanding than those at USC? Specifically interested in film/media studies, theater, music. Duke has a film certificate, good theater and music departments, but how would they compare to interdisciplinary opportunities at Thornton, Cinematic Arts, and THeater schools at USC?</p>
<p>USC Trustee tops Duke (no scholarship plus 3 RT airfare yearly @ $500+/ticket)</p>
<p>USC had an 18% acceptance rate vs Duke 12% </p>
<p>Lots to think about. But remember. the money saved is ‘after tax’ money. Your parents had to earn money, pay taxes and then save whatever was left for your college. </p>
<p>I hardly think USC holds a candle over Duke when it comes to partying. This is an old Rolling Stone party, but … well, you’ll get the picture:</p>
<p>If I had the choice and my parents were open to negotiations, I’d cut a deal with them. USC + 50% of the cost differential between Duke/USC in cash vested upon graduation. May even throw in a minimum GPA clause to sweeten the deal.</p>
<p>At the graduate level, Duke has the better Psychology department. Duke is obviously better than USC at the undergraduate level: smaller class sizes, smarter students, more student-to-faculty interaction, more resources for undergrads, etc. etc.</p>