Hello everyone! I have just been accepted to Claremont McKenna College (as a McKenna Scholar) and Duke University. I am asking for academic and culture-specific advice as the financial differences are a whole separate ordeal.
I want to major in Economics and Mathematics with a focus on preparing for top-level grad school in Econ.
First, which one would prepare me best in terms of knowledge and admissions for graduate school?
Second, I am a member of the LGBTQA+ community and have heard that CMC has been known for its conservative tint and party-scene (first thing on the student life wiki section) where Duke has a whole website dedicated to queer history at the university. I am also not much of a partier. Is this significant enough to be a factor?
Note: I am from South Carolina and am naturally drawn to Duke because it is closer to friends/family and it’s reputation around here especially (my family is even offering to pay the extra cost of Duke just so I go there). But I don’t want the “Duke” name to subconsciously sway me.
Both are fantastic schools that I’m sure I’d love going to but I am completely split 50-50. Mostly on which would best help for graduate school.
Though Duke’s faculty are highly productive in scholarly research in economics, CMC’s faculty seem to exist in an even more rarefied class, when considered by the size of these schools.
Academically, they’re a wash; both Duke and CMC will prepare you well for a PhD in Econ. I recommend focusing on other factors like location, size, feel/atmosphere, and so on.
Math classes are small at both schools, but you should compare class sizes in econ if you prefer small(er) classes. Economics is the second most popular major at Duke, and some of the introductory courses have 150+ students. CMC offers fairly small classes even in its most popular majors.
That said, it’s true that Duke is a terrific place to be a queer student (as is nearby Carolina). It is really pretty amazing how much students and the administration have improved LGBTQ life on campus over the last 20 years. The Research Triangle, particularly Durham, is very queer-friendly as well.
CMC is a bit more on the traditional/conservative side than the other Claremont Consortium schools, but there is NO shortage of LGBTQA+ community. Not only are there plenty of LGBTQA+ students thriving at CMC itself, but there’s the whole consortium, which has a large and active LGBTQA+ community. Geographically speaking, CMC is sandwiched right in the middle, between Pomona, Pitzer, and Scripps (with Mudd on the far side of Scripps) - you cannot walk for much more than five minutes in a straight line without entering one of the other campuses. There is so much blending between the schools - in clubs/activities, sports, performing arts, social activities and events… if you find that the vibe of CMC parties isn’t your thing, you’ll be more than welcome at Pitzer parties or Mudd parties or wherever - they all have different and distinctive vibes and personalities. (There’s also substance-free housing at CMC if you really want to opt out of the CMC party scene.) The resource centers are shared, and you will have people from all of the schools in many of your classes, so not being able to find your tribe shouldn’t be a big concern.
These are both tippy-top schools for what you want - congratulations!! Apart from cost differences, I’d see it as a tossup and a matter of personal preference. One thing I’d say is that if you know you want to go to grad school… if you go to CMC, you can still go to grad school at Duke, but not vice versa. (Well, there’s KGI but I doubt that would be on your list.) Still, crossing the country is a big step - it’s a broadening opportunity for sure, but then again if you love the region you’re from and ultimately want to end up there, then maybe a transcontinental commute to college isn’t the broadening experience you really want. You’ll meet other students from everywhere at Duke, and you’ll have study abroad opportunities and whatnot, so it’s not like suburban LA is the be-all and end-all of broadening your horizons. So… it’s a tough call. The cost differential is real, but it’s not like it’s full-pay vs. full-ride; it’s $15K or so a year, right? And you have family wanting to pay the difference. So really it has to come down to what you want. Both choices are so good that there’s really no point driving yourself crazy about what you should want - just figure out what you do want and go with it! Congrats and good luck!!
As a commercial is on in the Duke/Mich State game, I’d say need to decide what kind of undergrad experience you want. Duke will give you incredible school spirit and academics. We just toured CMC and Muud, and some other consortium schools. Very different atmosphere. S, who’s a math kid from a liberal family, felt CMC had a conservative vibe. (For some reason, the song money, money, money came to my mind there). But, it does bring in great speaker to the Athenaeum (with very fancy dinners!).
While both are great schools, CMC does lean conservative & likes to party. You are not conservative & don’t like to party.With just about 1,440 students, CMC is small even though in a consortium of schools.
Since you have stated a preference to remain close to home (South Carolina), and prefer a diverse and accepting environment, Duke may be the better and safer choice personally & career wise. If you experience a change of heart regarding your major, then Duke offers a much wider variety of options.