Help! Duke vrs. UCLA

Applying to College
1

<p>Help me out please!! The problem is, I don't think I would be able to get in to Duke regular decision, but I think I have a good chance of getting in ED. Obviously, if I apply ED and get in, there's no way I'd be able to see if I got into UCLA or not ... my second dream school. *So, I'm trying to figure out whether I should apply to Duke ED and if I get in, forget about UCLA, or take my chances RD with Duke and UCLA. *</p>

<p>The two biggest things I'm worried about is that the area surrounding Duke seems really boring (I'm the type of person that loves to go out and explore/visit places, I'm a wanderer at heart ;P ) and is really white. </p>

<p>I'm also worried about class offerings about UCLA ...how strong are they in the subjects I'm interested in? I don't really know much about LA's academics, but what really draws me in is that most of the student body isn't white, and it's in LA. </p>

<p>Interests: Developing nations/humanitarian work, environmental science/zoology, studio art, advertising, languages, study abroad.</p>

<p>Duke:
+Has its own island for marine biology studies, lemur center, great biology department.
+Smaller classes
+ Flexibility for people with undecided majors.
+ Seems to fit me really well academically</p>

<p>-Student body isn't very diverse, (seemed mostly white when I visited.)
-North Carolina seems reallllly booorrrinng and in the South.
-Preppy/jocks, auggh
-More conservative?</p>

<p>UCLA:
+Very diverse student body!
+LA!! OMG!! (I love LA it is such an exciting place)
+Nice campus</p>

<p>-Freaking huge/huge classes
-Might have problems graduating in 4 years/signing up for classes
-Lower quality of instruction (?)
- Not sure about whether academics fit me as well</p>

<p>It seems essentially my dilemma is great location/diverse student body @ LA versus better academics at Duke. Auggh!</p>

2

<p>I would go for ED on Duke, but I'm not sure..</p>

3

<p>you can apply early decision and apply to public schools at the same time.</p>

4

<p>Apply ED to Duke. North Carolina > California.</p>

5

<p>Oh and I picked Duke over Georgetown (great city), University of Chicago and Northwestern (great city), Berkeley (great city), and UCLA (great city). I love cities and all... but somethign about duke just made sense for me. And don't worry about being bored-- not possible. So much going on campus. And the diversity thing? I was concerned too (I'm Indian) but I talked to minority students on campus and it's really not a problem. </p>

<p>I crossed berkeley and LA off because i don't like big classes, and my education is really important. I don't like public school educations although I like public school atmospheres (I hope that makes sense). Georgetown had a dinky campus, albeit in a great city. Chicago is just too cold. I can understand why UCLA is tempting. If you're doing premed or engineering, come to Duke--- UCLA competition is really really cutthroat. At duke, it's more helpful and cooperative of an atmosphere. Everything else, come to Duke. We have amazing resources (i.e.$$$$$ and great faculty and smaller classes) for a great education.</p>