Stern vs. Duke (please help)

<p>I honestly can't make a decision at this point. I plan on getting a JDMBA and attending law school, but majoring in economics/finance. Any suggestions? I'm not even looking for impartial advice, just help being swayed one way or the other. Thank you</p>

<p>My older brother went to Stern. He loved it there mainly bc of its location in the central Manhattan. He is a big city person, so every weekend, he would hit restaurants, movies, clubs, sports games, etc. w/ bunch of his friends. Besides, Stern has one of the best finance departments in the country. It is a major undergrad business powerhouse and if you have keen interest for studying business courses and pursuing business careers, Stern gets the edge. </p>

<p>As for Duke, it has more of a well-rounded college atmosphere. Its campus is more 'traditional' and has a ton of school spirit. I was a prospective student for duke last yr and visited twice, btw. I liked their social scene esp., bc many students were outgoing and the student body was very cohesive. But, it is certainly different from Stern in culture/geography. The biggest difference is that Duke doesn't have undergrad biz and you will most likely be studying econ rather than finance courses. </p>

<p>So, this comes down to your fit. If you wanna study finance as a undergrad and wanna live in a major city, then Stern. Go to Duke if you are looking for a deep liberal arts education with a well-rounded college atmosphere.</p>

<p>Hey Chris,</p>

<p>I think Duke is a better fit for you since you want to go to law school and Duke has great connections to nearly all of the top ones. Like patlees said, unless you're absolutely sure you want to go into business directly out of undergrad, Duke will provide you with the more well-rounded liberal arts college atmosphere that will allow you to thrive in whatever career you choose to pursue down the line, whether it be law or business. Stern is one-dimensional and so I would definitely pick Duke unless you're absolutely sure what your life plans are because the flexibility you will have.</p>

<p>thanks, thats quite helpful. Do any of you happen to know much about internship opportunities at Duke during the school year? Can I intern at a majr law firm in NY, and still somehow take classes?</p>

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internship opportunities at Duke during the school year? Can I intern at a majr law firm in NY, and still somehow take classes?

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<p>Lol. how would u intern in NY and take classes at Duke at the same time? But, I heard from my bro that many Stern students intern during the school year, if that helps.</p>

<p>Actually, it can be done: Duke</a> in New York</p>

<p>wow incollege88, thats was quite helpful. Has anyone on these boards had any experience with Duke in New York?</p>

<p>If you are really gung ho you can also intern with Goldman Sachs over the spring break of your sophomore year through the Duke Career Center, though I have no idea why someone would want to do this:</p>

<p>Sophs</a> sacrifice spring break for Sachs spots - News</p>

<p>"As a bulge bracket investment banker in NY and Duke alum, can I please ask all current undergrads to just relax! You will get a job. You're going to a great school. Have some fun on spring break. No one at the bank will remember you from one week - you'll barely have time to find the water cooler and the bathroom before you're leaving. I generally like hiring Duke alums because they are more interesting, balanced people than Ivy alums - I don't think I would want to hire someone who is so career oriented that they spend spring break at a bank - if I wanted that type, I would hire Wharton undergrads."</p>

<p>LOL to each his own.</p>

<p>If you're not looking for impartial advice, then here you go:</p>

<p>1) Duke in NY is a new program (for the financial services side) -- most people on this campus barely know it exists at this point, let alone have any experiences in it. I have friends who did the media/entertainment one and LOVED IT though. Anyway, the big problem that I see with Duke in NY for finance is that it's in the Spring semester, and Spring is the least popular semester to take off from Duke -- most people who study abroad/away do so in the fall, so you might be away from your friends for a year, miss things like bball season adn other spring semester traditions, etc. </p>

<p>2) To think you'd be able to do an internship in NYC while taking classes at Duke is just off base entirely. You can't. But there are some great lawyers down here in Durham to work with -- it won't be the same big corporate firm environment, but working with a big name lawyer (Duke lacrosse legal team, perhaps?) will be an interesting experience regardless of location. Also- the big corporate firms (from the experiences of my law school applying friends) in NYC are less likely/not at all likely to take undergrad interns, they want law school interns during the summer. Who knows what they want during the school year. Let's just say my friends who are going to law school next year (and there are some pretttttty impressive acceptances) never interned at a law firm, and instead had really cool internships and jobs. If you're looking at law school straight out, Duke's well rounded curriculum, relationships with the law schools and pre-law advising makes it a really, really great choice. Since Stern is so focused on business and finance and marketing and things in that realm, their law school advising will more than likely be less strong than at Duke -- that's not to say that their law school advising won't be strong at another school within NYU, but I can't see Stern's being as great as Duke's. It'd also be interesting to see what the relationship is between Stern at the ugrad level with NYU Law.</p>