<p>i got into all these three and will have a really tough time deciding... I want to study in a lot of different fields especially environmental science, history, poli sci, and philosophy. duke seems like it has all the academics i'm after but socially it seems really conservative. georgetown is really awesome, but it's well-rounded-ness worries me. and northwestern seems like it'd be an awesome fit, but how are it's departments in those areas? i'm a cold-weather loving floridian looking for a new cultural experience, and want to get a really well-rounded education with an open-minded student body.</p>
<p>thanks everyone! i hope everyone makes a happy decision, and thanks again for the input.</p>
<p>My S will be deciding between NW, WUSTL and Emory.....Mich/honors is in the mix, but will probably fade. He didn't get into Duke (to his frustration), however, someone that we know locally got into Duke and didn't get into NW. Your three are tough choices, they're all great.......a variable to consider (if important to you) is that NW and Georgetown are outside of great cities.</p>
<p>In the fields you seem to want, Georgetown is easily the best. Prestige wise, I'd say GU and NU are about on par with Duke being a little higher. They are all great schools, with academic and social scenes. These were all three of my top choices. However, being in DC gives Georgetown the obvious advantage for government. Also georgetown's philosophy and theology departments are amongst the best and most unique in the country.</p>
<p>It's really a tough spot... one school with solid academics, two with great social scenes, two with amazing cities at their disposal.</p>
<p>I was in a similar situation last year because I was unsure of what I wanted to study. In the end, I chose NU because I thought GU's student body was just like me and Duke was horribly conservative. After almost a year at NU, I realize that I made the right choice -- while NU might not be "equal" academically to Duke and might not have as good a PoliSci department and opportunities as GU, Chicago is amazing... the people are amazing... it's all just amazing.</p>
<p>I'd have to agree with Insane8914, for the fields you are interested in, especially poly sci, Georgetown is the way to go. Hope the next 4 years are a blast for you!</p>
<p>In those field, Duke does have the edge over NU in environmental sci and poli sci, according to US News ranking. History is about the same and NU actually has the best African history in the nation (not that specialty matters much at undergrad level). I don't know about philosophy.</p>
<p>FYI, NU's econ, art history, and chemistry are some of the very best in the nation. It also got slightly better ranked sociology and psychology depts than Duke (just to show Duke and NU are about the same in academics).</p>
<p>Duke isn't conservative at all...trust me I live in the area. Yeah, it's in NC, but the Triangle is blue through and through (tons of Yankee transplants too).</p>
<p>I visited all three schools and I Can definitely tell you Duke is the obvious choice. Northwestern is a great school, but it seemed really boring and intense. It is on a quarter system so it always feels like your studying for finals. Georgetown was also a great school but very very very strict and conservative (being a Jesuit School and all). Duke, on the other hand, is a great school with a great social scene and really great school spirit. Since you seem to interested in a lot of different academic areas, I would suggest duke as well because it allows you to pursue a lot of different areas of interest (think politics, Philosophy, and economics certificate and the Terry Sanford institue of Public Policy at Duke (that really allows you to combine all of YOUR interests)). Hope that helps. you can't go wrong with any school you chose, they are all amazing.</p>
<p>It's so funny to read these threads because it all really does come down to personal choice and the "feel" for a particular school. </p>
<p>I felt relaxed at NU and was overwhelmed by the intense feeling at Duke! I LOVED the architecture, but the fit wasn't there for me. I did like the feel for UNC, but wanted more diversity than 82% of kids being from in state.</p>
<p>All of these "choice" questions really come down to what is "right" for each individual.</p>
<p>** It's a different matter if you discuss which school is better in terms of majors, etc., b/c we are talking about excellent schools here, whether they be Ivies, LACs or top tier colleges and universities.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Triangle is blue through and through (tons of Yankee transplants too).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Still, I don't think Triangle has anything like "Boystown" (in the neighborhood of Lakeview with high concentration of gays/lesbians though it's increasingly mixed) in Chicago. ;)</p>
<p>"I visited all three schools and I Can definitely tell you Duke is the obvious choice. Northwestern is a great school, but it seemed really boring and intense. It is on a quarter system so it always feels like your studying for finals. Georgetown was also a great school but very very very strict and conservative (being a Jesuit School and all). Duke, on the other hand, is a great school with a great social scene and really great school spirit. Since you seem to interested in a lot of different academic areas, I would suggest duke as well because it allows you to pursue a lot of different areas of interest (think politics, Philosophy, and economics certificate and the Terry Sanford institue of Public Policy at Duke (that really allows you to combine all of YOUR interests)). Hope that helps. you can't go wrong with any school you chose, they are all amazing."</p>
<p>Nice Duke trolling.</p>
<p>Academic-wise, overall, there isn't that much of a difference and the student bodies at Duke and NU are very similar (heavy on the Greek scene - tho NU with its theatre/music schools also has its share of the "artsy" crowd).</p>
<p>This really comes down to the fit of the local area (if having access to the cultural/social life of a major city is impt. than NU may be a better fit).</p>
<p>In terms of cultural experiences - there aren't that many US cities which have the variety/scope that Chicago does - NYC, Boston, Philly, SF, LA, Atlanta and a few others.</p>
<p>I disagree the claim that NU is "boring and intense" also. How can it be with Chicago and large number of music, film and theater crowds (nice music/arts scene). Even Evanston is a pretty good for a suburb with lots of interesting restaurants. Sure, the engineering, premed, and to some extent, econ crowds tend to be intense but that's the same everywhere.</p>