How does student life differ at Duke vs UVa vs Tufts?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>It's college decision time and unfortunately there is not one school that is THE ONE. Duke, Virginia, and Tufts all are at the top of my list. Obviously I'm going to make the decision independently but I'm hoping you all can make some good pointers.</p>

<p>I'm plan to major in engineering. Multiple disciplines interest me, so specific disciplines offered are not limiting factors, but Mech, Civil, Biomed, and Chem are the most interesting. I'd like an engineering school that isn't completely cut off from the rest of the school. Tufts seems to fit that the best, but I understand the other schools aren't too bad. Duke and UVa also have more highly ranked engineering programs, which is appealing. </p>

<p>Money is not a limiting factor.</p>

<p>I'm from South Carolina so UVa and Duke are within driving distance and Tufts I'll have to fly to, which would mean I wouldn't be able to come home for 3 or 4 day weekends. I'm guessing there are plenty of Tufts kids in the same position, though.</p>

<p>I'm pretty sure I can get a good education at any of these schools, the main factor is that I want to be happy. I'm a very hard and efficient worker but I'd rather not go to a school that is cut-throat and provides loads of busywork and sleepless nights (like Georgia Tech engineering). Is Duke like that?</p>

<p>Also, I don't like to party, but I'm very social and like to get out in other ways. It's not that I'm opposed to drinking, it's just that I have more fun going mountain biking and playing basketball during the day and making music at night, for example. I know there are partyers at every college, I just want to know how easy it is to find a group of non-partyers (who aren't antisocial). I can't tell if it would be easier or harder to find this group at UVa because of its size.</p>

<p>Similarly, I'm smart enough to know that weed is generally harmless and should be legalized, but I think it is trashy and would rather not go to a school where there is pressure to smoke. I've heard that Tufts is kind of a pothead school. Maybe you guys can confirm or deny this rumor. </p>

<p>Thanks for the help</p>

2

<p>

</p>

<p>Engineering is a lot of hard work at every school. The reason you have this impression of GT is that the school is predominantly engineering and thus has the culture of a lot of hard work. But an engineering major at any school will not be exempt from it, so you need to embrace it now. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Yes, I understand that engineering is a very difficult path to take, no matter the school. I was given that impression of GT because I know three engineering students there who are incredibly smart and had much stronger work ethics in high school than engineering students I know at Clemson, yet the Clemson students have no complaints and the GT students have many. My dad also agrees that there is a special intensity at GT engineering after working on his PhD in Civ E there, although that was over 20 years ago. GT engineering has a reputation for a reason, and that reason is not just because the engineering school is large. I’m not trying to insult GT, I’m just saying I prefer not to go to a school with that teaching style.</p>

4

<p>You have great choices, so you really can’t go wrong. If you think you want to stay in the South after graduation, a Duke or UVA degree may open doors that a Tufts degree does not. Better weather & locations for mountain biking, too.</p>

<p>On the other hand, if you’ve lived most of your life in the South, college is a great time to experience another part of the country, and Boston is a fabulous place to be a student. You would have no trouble finding things to do on those three day weekends!</p>

5

<p>I don’t think a degree from Duke or UVa would necessarily limit your regional options for employment post graduation. Duke students are definitely well employed in the NYC and northeastern area.</p>

6

<p>From your description of what you are looking for I think Tufts is a slightly better match, but the others will be fine for you also. I hope you have a chance to visit and talk to students on campus and observe. I think it will help you a lot in your decision.
Tufts is **not **known as a party school or a pothead school, but if you are looking for either activity you can find them. Mostly at frats and off-campus… Tufts is probably a more politically active and liberal school than those two. And the vast majority of students stay for long weekends. Not cut-throat at all, that was an important factor for my son also.
Engineering is 750 students of out about 5100, so you are completely integrated into a mostly non-engineering environment.
And you have Cambridge/Boston at your doorstep.
[Admitted</a> Students · Tufts University Admissions Department](<a href=“http://admissions.tufts.edu/admitted-students/]Admitted”>Admitted Students | Tufts Admissions)
And their mascot is a circus elephant, how cool is that?!</p>