Debating if/where to apply ED. If anyone knows of another school that seems like a better fit than either of these, please suggest! Also considering Northwestern, but don’t know much about it yet, so thoughts on NW are appreciated!
Background Info:
I am interested in international relations and international healthcare, planning to major in IR but also take premed courses. Also open to Global Health major or designing own major.
I am a US citizen but lived overseas for ~7 years. Main extracurriculars are MUN/debate, local NGO work, and creative writing related.
From what I can tell so far, I prefer the academic opportunities at Penn, but atmosphere at Duke. If anyone has thoughts on environment at either school, please let me know. Students online seem to feel that Penn is overly stressful/‘cutthroat’, with a lot of influence from Wharton. I’d like to hear thoughts on if that is true, especially from current or recent students. I prefer academic exploration over complete pre-professionalism- I don’t mind if the student body is fairly pre-professional, but I’d like the freedom to pursue a variety of interests for myself.
I am also aware that both schools are considered “Work Hard, Play Hard.” I prefer a more relaxed social environment (not party or greek life focused, prefer smaller gatherings), so if anyone has thoughts on which school that is more possible at, I’d appreciate it.
Here are my factors so far. Let me know which you feel is a better fit.
Shared Pros:
research opportunities/proximity to internships
good financial aid (low income applicant)
many international students
Penn
Pros:
interdisciplinary IR major
KWH (this is a big factor for me, I am interested in creative writing and haven’t had the chance to pursue it significantly)
philly (I like the variety of off-campus opportunities)
cons:
campus (visited, and it was okay, but preferred Duke)
atmosphere (overly ‘cutthroat’, Wharton-centric? since I’m considering pre-med, also concerned about reputation for science courses being harshly curved/lots of competition between students)
Duke
Pros:
campus
atmosphere (seems more collaborative, also more school spirit)
pre-med classes possibly curved less harshly?
more international oppurtunities- Duke Engage
Cons:
ICS or PoliSci, but no IR (I like the idea of ICS, but don’t like that it is regionally focused. penn’s program seems more flexible to me)
less opportunities for Creative Writing (I like that KWH acts as a ‘hub’ for writers on campus.)
One reason I’m considering ED to Penn right now is I feel my creative writing may give me a slightly increased chance of admissions if KWH recommends me. Anyone been recruited through KWH? Thoughts?