<p>I have to choose among Princeton, Stanford, and Duke Robertson Scholar (just got in) in the next few weeks. It's driving me crazy. Any words of advice?</p>
<p>Well, Duke is nearly as prestigious and every bit as good as the other two; they're making it clear that they like you and it would be free; it's a nicer town than Palo Alto and warmer than Princeton; and again, you have the scholarship. So I vote Duke. (Don't turn down the scholarship for a school that isn't any better unless you have a really good reason, basically.)</p>
<p>Duke with scholarship.</p>
<p>what do you want to study? what do you look for in a school? how is your family's financial situation?</p>
<p>I disagree with fiddlefrog; I wouldn't jump to a quick conclusion. I knew someone who turned down the AB Duke for Princeton, and he hasn't regretted it. The schools are very different.</p>
<p>Stanford :)</p>
<p>Duke - I'd take the full ride. Since you applied to both Duke and UNC Chapel Hill, I'm assuming you're comfortable with being in NC. (Might have been a different story for someone from the west or northeast.)</p>
<p>ru kidding----Duke FULL RIDE wins out anything, why pay a dime to go to a school that is barely better</p>
<p>duke is as good as it gets</p>
<p>What happened to Northwestern HPME? Why do you have two threads asking essentially the same question...Where should I go next year?</p>
<p>I'd go with Northwestern, btw. If you are committed to being a doctor, that is.</p>
<p>Duke, it doesn't make sense to pay a whole lot more to attend another school that's is as good or slightly better.</p>
<p>I am not so sure. I could have attended LSE for under $10,000/year (citizen of the EU) but I opted to study in the US and pay over $20,000 over LSE's cost. My family could afford it of course. If the OP's family is financially capable of affording the extra $180,000 over 4 years without much hardship, then I think the OP should pick according to fit. I would personally rather pay $180,000 and attend Princeton or Stanford than attend Duke for free. Each one has a personal preference and that should be the determining factor, assuming cost is not a major issue.</p>
<p>Exactly. If you get financial aid from Princeton, it could get end up being the same cost as Duke because loans aren't included in their financial aid package. Duke isn't free because the Robertson only covers tuition.</p>
<p>Warble:</p>
<p>How much is room & board at Duke? And how much is the cost of going to Princeton after your aid award?</p>
<p>Cost of Duke - Robertson Scholarship = $11,405</p>
<p>Cost of Princeton - Average Financial Aid =
$1,313 ($0-39,999)<br>
$5,413 ($40,000-59,999)
$8,283 ($60,000-79,999)<br>
$14,283 ($80,000-99,999)<br>
$17,313 ($100,000-119,999)<br>
$22,913 ($120,000-139,999)
$26,613 ($140,000-159,999)
$27,013 ($160,000-199,999)<br>
$31,013 (over $200,000)</p>
<p>I'm not pushing one way or the other, but for families who make $90,000 or less, the schools are equal.</p>
<p>Depends on how the finances work out, but I'd lean towards Duke. Not much better than a top 10 school for free.</p>
<p>If finances are a serious consideration then Duke for free is hard to beat.</p>
<p>That said, if you had enough finances in the bank to not worry about money, then my choices would be:</p>
<p>Princeton then Stanford then Duke.</p>
<p>Duke (10 char)..</p>