Notre Dame or Duke... ONE WEEK to decide!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
1

<p>I need as much feedback as I can possibly get, especially since Duke students won't be in class when I visit this week. </p>

<p>Here's my situation...
I was accepted off the waitlist at Duke today, having already committed to Notre Dame. I have loved Notre Dame all my life, largely the result of my father having attended. I love ND, but I realize that my college decision should not be based on the decision that another 18 year-old made 40 years ago (my father). I am prepared to give up ND, but it's going to take some convincing for me to choose Duke. So please, convince away as to why I should keep ND, or opt for Duke :) </p>

<p>These are my preferences:
I don't like annoying grade deflation.
I don't like a cut-throat academic atmosphere.
I love going nuts for sports events.
I want to have free time away from academics, but I'm willing to study hard, too.
I want to have access to impressive research/internships.
And most importantly, though extremely subjective, I want to feel at home at college.</p>

<p>No need to comment on the weather. I know ND is frigidly cold. I will visit Duke next week, and I have visited Notre Dame many times.</p>

<p>I am planning on majoring in physics with a pre-med track and eventually specializing in orthodontics. I am a white male from Georgia.</p>

<p>Thanks guys!</p>

2

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The average science major GPA is lower than the average general GPA at Notre Dame, from what I’ve been told. That’s what one would expect, though. Don’t know about Duke.</p>

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A friend who’s finishing up at Notre Dame now told me that the academic atmosphere is really cooperative and helpful and that from what he’s seen, students usually don’t feel the need to compete in a unfriendly way.</p>

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If you like going nuts for football more, then Notre Dame will be better for this. If you like going nuts for basketball more, then Duke will be better for this. Notre Dame has a slew of other sports, too, as I’m sure Duke does.</p>

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I hear Notre Dame described as “work hard, play hard” way too often for it to not be true.</p>

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Not sure about Duke, but Notre Dame has great undergraduate research:[url=<a href=“http://undergradresearch.nd.edu/6-profiles/index.html]UR@ND[/url”>http://undergradresearch.nd.edu/6-profiles/index.html]UR@ND[/url</a>]</p>

<p>The bar at the top allows you to read specific examples of undergraduate research, including scientific things like cellular regeneration, growing a water-stable and smooth ion-specific SAM (self-assembled monolayer) on a gallium nitride surface, synthesizing alkenes using silver carbonate via the Wittig Reaction in order to find a more effective intermediate for base-sensitive Wittig substrates, studying the giant monopole resonance of silicon in order to determine the equation of state of nuclear matter, and the effects of certain chemotherapy drugs. They’re really interesting to read (as are many non-science ones).</p>

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Students love Notre Dame, as evidenced by the tight-knit community, unique campus culture, high yield, very high alumni-giving rate, strongest alumni network, and combination religious/sporting/academic community.</p>

3

<p>Thanks BillyMc! Your statements reaffirm my impression from visiting. </p>

<p>Perhaps another question I should ask is this:
Which would you pick (Duke or ND), and why? I would prefer for people with experience with both schools to answer this one.</p>

4

<p>Ah, then I cannot, as I wasn’t interested in Duke. Good luck on your choice, whatever it may be.</p>

5

<p>Thank you! More opinions?</p>

6

<p>Hello gentleman. First of all, congratulations, you obviously have incredible options to choose from.</p>

<p>I personally did not apply to Duke, however I did consider applying and I came close to attending UVa, which has some academic and social similarities. As you can probably tell, I ended up choosing Notre Dame, and I would make the same decision if the other school were Duke as well.</p>

<p>From what I understand, Duke has many similarities to ND, not least of which its incredible school spirit, tradition, and athletics. In my opinion, Duke has a slight edge in prestige (at least it has a higher ranking), a slightly more wild social scene, and more visible diversity. Notre Dame has a distinct family atmosphere (that means lots of academic cooperation) and an even stronger alumni network. </p>

<p>In terms of downsides, these schools have equally lackluster surrounding cities, meaning most of your college life is spent on campus, though considering how great the campus life is at these schools that’s not entirely regrettable. I think at Duke you might encounter somewhat more elitism, while at Notre Dame you might find yourself wishing for more diversity.</p>

<p>My older sister is a recent ND graduate and has few if any complaints about her time there. The family connection was important for me, and I sense that it might play a factor in your decision as well. Recognize too though that Notre Dame has changed a lot over the years, and your experience would not at all be the exact same as your father’s. </p>

<p>Overall, I think objectively these schools are neck and neck (though I’m sure some people on the Duke boards would disagree) and the decision will come down to your personal preferences. </p>

<p>I hope this helps. Best of luck with your decision!</p>

7

<p>I went to Duke for graduate school, more than a few years ago, and now live in the South Bend area as a faculty spouse and parent of two students. Duke is a fine school with an excellent reputation, but it, in contrast to Notre Dame, it is a relentlessly secular place. That may be fine with you – you didn’t mention the Catholic identity of Notre Dame in your post – but it makes for a real difference in the feel of the campus and in student life. For example, the chapel at Duke, which is magnificent, is almost always empty, except for visitors getting a quick tour. We were on campus last spring for an alumni weekend, and popped in during what was supposed to be a service for deceased alumni. There were six people there, three of whom were the clergy conducting the service. It’s more like a museum than an integral part of campus life. </p>

<p>The other major difference is that Duke, unlike Notre Dame, has a thriving fraternity and sorority system. It also has a definite “country club” vibe that Notre Dame lacks.</p>

8

<p>ND has a specific Physics in medicine program, but you can really major in anything and go to med school/dental school as long as you take the pre recs. The sciences tend to grade hard, and physics is a difficult major wherever you do it. For research, the research you get involved in at the university itself will probably be good at either school. Both schools do the work hard play hard thing. Each is a tradition laden program in one sport.</p>

<p>ND is known for being extremely collaborative in relation to its peers (not cut throat at all). The name of your school won’t be what gets you external research/internships in science, the research you do and work you put in will.</p>

<p>You really can’t go wrong. Both schools are great places but have different feels. ND will be more midwestern, Duke Southern/Eastern and a little preppy. I’d take the Duke visit, sleep on it, and go with your gut.</p>

9

<p>S will graduate from ND in 2 weeks. 4 years ago he was deciding between ND, Duke, and Yale. He has never regretted choosing ND over those schools. He has had incredible experiences and opportunities at ND.</p>

<p>ND has all your preferences. I do not know the degree to which Duke does. Your last statement resonated with me. S was one of those kids who stepped foot on ND’s campus and “knew”. I understand. There isn’t a time I turn from Angela Blvd. onto Notre Dame Avenue that I don’t feel my heart leap a little when I look up at the Dome. I can’t explain it, but I know we are not alone.</p>

<p>The two things which I think ND will have over Duke is the sense of community/family and faith. Not being legacy, we thought surely the “family” hype was at least partially hype. It’s not.</p>

<p>One other advantage ND enjoys over many/most schools is that it is/was the #1 choice of the students who are attending. (I think second to Harvard in this regard). IMO, that translates into a real difference in the attitude of the student body. They are where they want to be.</p>

<p>Good luck in your decision!</p>

10

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That’s the plan :)</p>

<p>I know both schools will provide me with the opportunities I seek. Hopefully I’ll know after my visit. Thanks guys for all the great feedback!</p>

11

<p>Do we get to hear your final decision?</p>

12

<p>I was deciding between Duke and Notre Dame too! I picked ND in the end, so hopefully I’m not too biased in my input :P</p>

<p>-I don’t like annoying grade deflation.
Both schools are about equal grade-wise.</p>

<p>-I don’t like a cut-throat academic atmosphere.
Both are competitive, but I think Duke is nerdier and is slightly more cut-throat</p>

<p>-I love going nuts for sports events.
Both have INCREDIBLE school spirit. Most people who don’t go to Duke HATE it, while hundreds of thousands of people love Notre Dame, so people outside of your college environment will actually like you if you go to Notre Dame. Also, thank you for making me feel normal. People thought I was an idiot for picking a school based on school spirit.</p>

<p>-I want to have free time away from academics, but I’m willing to study hard, too.
Meh. Duke has more of a party scene than ND, but it’s also more academic, so I guess they’re equal in that respect.</p>

<p>-I want to have access to impressive research/internships.
Duke is well-known for their dedication to research, so there’s no doubt that you would have amazing research opportunities at Duke. Notre Dame is trying to build their reputation as a research institution, so I think they’d be overjoyed to have you do research and a research position would be easier to obtain, but it wouldn’t be as good of a project as one at Duke.</p>

<p>-And most importantly, though extremely subjective, I want to feel at home at college.
You will feel at home wherever you go. You will love your school and make the most of it. However, don’t go to a school if you feel like you’ll have a burdensome, nagging “what-if?” feeling about the other school.</p>

<p>-No need to comment on the weather. I know ND is frigidly cold. I will visit Duke next week, and I have visited Notre Dame many times.
Well, I will anyway: Duke is hot, Notre Dame is cold. I made the mistake of visiting Duke in late June (95 degrees and disgustingly humid) and Notre Dame in early February (3 degrees and 2 feet of snow on the ground).</p>

<p>-I am planning on majoring in physics with a pre-med track and eventually specializing in orthodontics.
Duke is better in physics, while Notre Dame is slightly better for a pre-med track.</p>

<p>Bottom line? NOOOOOOOOOOTREEEEEEEEEEEEE DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME!!!
But in all seriousness, pick the school that’s best for you.</p>

13

<p>Thanks NavyBlueNinja, but I’ve already decided.</p>

<p>^^Yes.</p>

<p>I just visited Duke, and I am 100% certain that it is where I want to spend my next four years. I will always love and respect ND, but it will forever be my father’s college; Duke will be mine. The stronger physics program, access to Duke Medical Center, milder weather (I’m from the South), and slightly higher prestige are nice touches… but the real reason I want Duke over ND is Duke’s extraordinary campus. I got a great feeling from the students, and I found all the ones with whom I spoke to be passionate, engaging people. I have to admit, the decision came largely from my “feel” of the school; and my inclination is too strongly in favor of Duke to resist going. I wish all of you luck at Notre Dame. ND will change your life, and you will forever be a part of the Notre Dame family, something REMARKABLY special. My own path, however, lies with Duke. Thank you all for the advice. God bless.</p>

14

<p>Glad to hear someone made such a well informed and thoughtful decision. Good luck at Duke!</p>

15

<p>I’m sure some people on the waitlist thread will be happy.</p>

<p>Good luck in your college career.</p>

16

<p>Thanks guys! I’ll be cheering on the Irish come football season no doubt.</p>

17

<p>Hi! I was reading your initial post and I feel like I am in a very similar situation as you. My mom is Notre Dame alumni and I was accepted there Early Decision, and I was also accepted to Duke. And nearly everything you said in your post, I feel the exact same way about college. I am going to visit Duke soon. But I was wondering where you actually ended up going and how do you like it now.</p>

18

<p>@gaylemail
If you read the entire thread,he does let us know. He picked Duke (see post #13)</p>

19

<p>My daughter chose Notre Dame! In the end, it was the feeling that Notre Dame was a better fit for her. She doesn’t view fraternities/sororities as a plus. What good is diversity if you self-segregate? Just her opinion…</p>