Hi everyone,
I have a big decision to make. I’ve been accepted at Duke, and University College London (UCL). I want to study economics.
I am from London and have lived here all my life. I need to decide whether I want to stay in London for university, and graduate after 3 years with a great degree from a great university, or go to North Carolina and graduate after 4 years with a great degree from a similarly good university.
Imaginably, I’ve thought long and hard about this decision. Firstly, in terms of cost, the financial aid offered by Duke makes the costs very similar when you factor in the cost of housing in London, so that is not a factor in my decision.
The factor I consider most important is how ‘prestigious’ the degree I will receive is- to employers, etc. I’m hoping to go to business school, and one of the top ones if possible, so it would be important to know which college they’d view as more impressive. I’m also considering careers in the financial sector, possibly investment banking, so again it would be important to know which college they consider more reputable. From the research I’ve done, UCL is definitely ranked higher than Duke, in both overall rankings and economics rankings, however I feel that UCL’s ranking is a bit unrealistically high- I don’t think many people would actually consider it among the top 5/10 in the world. In summary, I don’t really think there is enough of a difference in reputation to make a difference, but I would be interested to find out more, particularly about how well Duke is considered.
Other than that, I think the main factor is how much I’d enjoy myself at the university. I am definitely a very social person and I like to go to parties/clubs/raves until late in the morning. I am very last minute with academics and tests etc, I prefer to cram last minute than do work over a period of time. UCL would provide a good social experience, with many opportunities for parties and clubs in London, but I’ve heard that social life is good at Duke too. Is the difference noticeable? I feel that I might get more of a college experience being at Duke.
I know less about Duke- could anyone provide some of its Pros and Cons?
It’s a very difficult decision but it’s going to affect my life hugely so I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Wasn’t the deadline yesterday to accept Duke?
@texaspg Yep I accepted Duke already over my other options in America but I still have my ‘conditional’ offer for the UK. I’m still torn between the two schools.
If you have no cost difference, pick Duke. They seem to be giving you a lot of financial aid if you don’t see a cost difference.
The difference between UK system and US system is that you are studying through out the year in US and not waiting until March to take one single final. You have home work, 2 or 3 mid terms and a final or as you go further, probably a big term paper for a final. The drinking age limit is 21 and so you can’t officially party outside of campus but there is plenty of drinking on most college campuses, age be darned.
Duke allows you to go abroad for several semesters and so you can study in Europe very easily for 2-3 semesters (several of my friends children did).
If you like sports, you will enjoy Duke during basketball season. They have a young team and will probably make the final four (or win it all) at least once in your 4 years. They are always a contender. They have a reasonably good football team although several ACC teams might be better.
You should attend Duke for no reason other than you have lived long enough in London and going to college in your home town is not a big deal!
“The factor I consider most important is how ‘prestigious’ the degree I will receive is”.
This is a terrible basis for making a decision. Both schools are prestigious; Duke is better known in the U.S., but UCL is quite well regarded internationally. But they are very different environments. UCL is much bigger and more urban, and won’t have the same kind of faculty attention or campus environment that you will get at Duke, or as much of a liberal arts focus (though the BASc program tries to replicate some of that). Duke is going to be a much more campus-based experience, and UCL a much more city-based one. It depends on what you think best fits you.
I’d say if you plan to stay in the UK post-college, choose UCL and if you want to live in the US, choose Duke. I went to Duke, but did get the opportunity to study in London for a semester, which I enjoyed immensely. The educational systems are VERY different. I was at Queen Mary, University of London, which certainly isn’t as prestigious as UCL, but is known for its engineering. And the engineering course rigor there was honestly a joke compared to Duke (which I enjoyed for one semester as I was able to relax and explore London and the rest of Europe). Sounds like your desire to “cram at the last minute” is better suited for the British system since they just have exams at the end of the semester whereas Duke requires much more work throughout the semester. But that might also lead to more disastrous results in very rigorous coursework…whereas Duke supplies checkpoints throughout more frequently.
Also, if you’re looking to really expand your horizons and get outside your comfort zone, Duke would be a good place to do that. UCL is probably more “comfortable” being a current Londoner, which is either a pro or a con depending on what you’re looking for.
Duke has much better weather than London, that’s for sure! 
I don’t think there’s much of a difference in prestige between the two universities honestly. In Europe, UCL will probably hold more weight and within the U.S., Duke will. Probably pretty similar in Asia.
Your desired social scene is probably better situated for London than Durham. I love Duke and think it offers a great social atmosphere, but I wouldn’t call it a mecca for “clubs/raves” even on the same planet as London.
Both schools have the “prestige” necessary to provide access to elite finance jobs and top business schools assuming you perform well - which will require more effort at Duke (my children found getting A*s on A-levels substantially less difficult than getting 5s on APs, and their UK System peers took fewer classes as well). Socially, you would most likely enjoy both, although the experiences are very different.
Were I in your shoes I would be thinking about two issues. First, how important is it to be immersed in and understand the American culture (having lived in the US and London, among other places, I found the two cultures far more different than they appear). Secondly, how important is it to get a “liberal arts” education as opposed to being totally immersed in one subject area. The US system provides two years of exploration before you select a major (unless you choose engineering), enables you to major/minor/get a certificate in more than one are of study, and enables an easy transition to another area of study if your interests change (which happens to a surprisingly high percentage of students in the US system).
If you are at all adventurous (which I assume you are or you wouldn’t have applied to US universities), I think you would find Duke a very positive eye-opening and life changing experience.
As an aside, I don’t think having an elite American degree (vs. a UCL degree) would in any way negatively impact you assuming you return to the UK to work. It would only serve to make you a more interesting, more broadly experienced and educated person.
You have an exciting choice to make with two excellent options. Best wishes with your decision.
UCL is well regarded in the UK, Europe and commonwealth countries. However in the US, most hiring managers won’t have heard about UCL. The recruiters at the top US companies will know about UCL though. The same can be said about Duke’s recognition in Europe.
Do you want a traditional american style college experience (strong school spirit, delineated campus, ability to study other subjects)? Or do you want a UK style education (focus on one topic, less cohesive campus and social activities)?
@texaspg They are giving me a solid amount indeed. Yes, the difference might be a bit of a shock to me but I think I should be able to cope with it. And I really do agree with that last point. Thanks very much for the advice.
@renaissancedad Perhaps I didn’t phrase that particularly well; I just intended to say that, naturally, my main consideration is the quality of academics, and prestige is a reflection of that. It’s difficult to say which I suit better, but perhaps I’d prefer the overall American ‘college experience’.
@bluedog Thanks very much for the advice. Indeed I’m looking more to the US so I will definitely consider that. Your feedback was very helpful!
@am61517 Very interesting. You did indeed assume correctly about me being adventurous! Thank you 
@sgopal2 Thank you for the advice too. I feel like the American experience would likely suit me better.