<p>The facts of the matter are, that if you’re good enough to get into medical school, you’ll be able to do it from either school. Duke’s a great school, but you could probably get into any medical school of your choice from Vanderbilt as well. There both in the set of elite schools in the south (which also includes Rice and Emory, and perhaps some publics like Texas, GeorgiaTech, and North Carolina.) It’ll depend on stuff like the MCAT.</p>
<p>If you prefer Duke, 20k won’t be a huge deal in the long run. However, if you like Vanderbilt over Duke, don’t believe that you should pick duke because it will provide you with a wealth of opportunities that are lacking at Vanderbilt. My advice is to go with fit.</p>
<p>While I agree that BB IB recruiting is much stronger at Duke, Vanderbilt is definitely equal in terms of medical school placement (probably our forte.) I know tons of kids with good numbers (3.7/36+) who got into Hopkins/Harvard/Yale as well as Duke and Vanderbilt med. Vanderbilt’s medical center is right near campus and it’s easy to get involved in all sorts of research. That being said, Duke is very strong as well (top med school/programs.)</p>
<p>How hysterical that even though the OP never mentioned an interest in consulting or banking, all the usual suspects quickly jumped in with opinions on whether V was a target school for those fields. God, people couldn’t be dorkier if they tried. If someone isn’t interested in consulting or banking, what difference does it make if it’s a target school?</p>
<p>This may be shocking, but there are other careers for Econ majors that aren’t consulting or banking. I know, hope you’re all sitting down. (btw, I’m a consultant and was an Econ major myself)</p>
<p>A top school is a top school, and both D and V are top schools.</p>
<p>Both schools are Southern Ivies. Duke has cameron crazies but also has bus rides between east and west campus. You cant go wrong but if you want to save 20 grand go to Vanderbilt and never look back.</p>
The bus rides between East and West Campus aren’t really distractions by any means. All freshman live on East Campus at Duke which creates an incredible bonding experience. The Vandy Commons are pretty impressive in this regard.</p>
<p>Duke and Vandy both have sky high prestige in the South but Vandy’s fades a bit in the Northeast while Duke is still considered to be an academically respected, elite school in NYC and Boston.</p>
<p>These are both excellent schools (though the “southern ivy” label always cracks me up). If you are interested in engineering as an option as you say, I believe there is a slightly wider array of programs at Vandy than Duke in engineering (ie ChemE not offered at Duke, IIRC).</p>
<p>Both are great options and $20k total debt isnt much. But it is more than zero!</p>
<p>I agree that Duke is the superior school. My D who full tuition scholarship/ but nothing from Harvard!) found the predominant Greek life at Vandy/pre-professionalism atmosphere somewhat overwhelming, coupled with the lack of true intellectual curiosity, colored the great academics at Vandy. Her best friend is at Duke. and is very happy! Just one perspective…</p>
<p>Part of my message was cut-off. My D spent her freshman year at Vandy, got a full tuition Ingram scholarship, but ended up transferring to Harvard after Freshman year (no money!), as she didn’t love the predominant Greek social scene/lack of intellectual curiosity ( so many of the students were smart pre-professional law/business/medical students who studied hard for As , but lacked true intellecual curiosity). You need to consider what environment you would be most comfortable/happy with. My D’s best friend is at Duke, and seems quite happy with the intellectual/social scene at Duke… Just one perspective!</p>
<p>Duke and Vanderbilt are not going to differ in terms of the level of intellectual curiousity. These are good sized schools. There are plenty of students with intellectual curiousity and plenty without. My son had the same problem at Penn, but he solved it for himself.</p>