<p>So far I've received a Duke Scholar early notification, Carnegie Melon recruitment likely, and I expect to hear back from (and make) a few Ivies next week. If I make Princeton, I'm going there. If not, I'll have to choose b/w Duke, Melon, and presumably a few Ivies. Duke got to me first, so I suppose I should have a soft spot for Duke. Plus, I want some big-time college athletics. On the other hand, Duke football ain't too pretty and Duke basketball isn't exactly what it used to be (especially with today's news that Josh McRoberts is declaring for the NBA draft and won't be back next year). So I'm not quite sure what to do: go to Melon, to Duke, or to an Ivy (I am a New England type of guy after all). What would you guys do in my situation?</p>
<p>Personally (not sure which Ivies you applied to) but my opinion if I got into all of these:</p>
<p>Princeton
Dartmouth
Brown
Penn
Duke
Columbia
Cornell</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon (much below all of these)</p>
<p>It's what you want...</p>
<p>I chose Duke over Penn and Brown, but Slipper obviously feels differently. </p>
<p>Personally I have no interest in Princeton and didn't even apply. But I really love both Duke and Penn and had trouble deciding between the two.</p>
<p>Oh, and I disagree about basketball. Duke had a down year, but not because of lack of talent. To say that Duke isn't what it used to be ridiculous. Even though I go to Duke, I am not a huge fan. I actually like Xavier more than Duke and would cheer for Duke if they played.</p>
<p>What ivies did you apply to? I'd also consider fin-aid, of course. Its all about fit though.</p>
<p>Actually I think I'd take Duke over Penn...</p>
<p>I would throw out Carnegie Mellon. I question your interest considering you misspelled it three times.</p>
<p>Without knowing the Ivies to which you applied, it's difficult to compare. Do you have any factors other than athletics?</p>
<p>I agree, I think CMU is out of the running. As far as Duke basketball goes, they LOST IN THE FIRST ROUND! AND I applied to so many Ivies its embarrassing to go into it...</p>
<p>There's only eight. You couldn't have applied to that many.</p>
<p>So "they LOST IN THE FIRST ROUND!" = not exactly what they used to be? I'm going to have to disagree with you there. We lost in the first round in 1996 (heck we didn't even make any postseason tournament in 95), and people were saying the same thing. Duke recovered rather quickly from that. We got a very solid foundation (only lost 1 starter and no bench players) and a great recruiting class and another recruit, Patrick Patterson, who might be more attracted to Duke now that more playing time has opened up with Josh's departure. (Also the number one recruit for next year is seriously considering us.). There's a lot to look forward to with Duke basketball the next couple of years.</p>
<p>As for Duke Football, I've tried to remain optimistic my past three years here, and I still am. We hopefully will have an experienced team (that actually has shown some talent). We'll get a solid quarterback back, Zack Asack, who showed poise and talent two years ago (suspended a year for plagiarism this season). I've been through this before, but I think our football team is going to surprise some people next year. Disclaimer: Said the same thing last year before we went 0-12.</p>
<p>As for other sports, Duke truly does combine top notch academics and big-time college athletics better than just about every other college in the country. The women's basketball team (they play some of the most intense and competitive games imaginable), the lacrosse teams, the soccer teams, the tennis teams, the golf teams, and the field hockey team are consistently in the run for national championships. It is really entertaining and exciting watching a lot of these lesser known teams play. The baseball team is improving, and I hope they will soon be a very strong ACC team. I'm really excited about the next couple of years in Duke sports around here.</p>
<p>"they LOST IN THE FIRST ROUND"....</p>
<p>please, it's the first time they hadn't made the Sweet 16 in 9 years, it would be crazy to base Duke off of this one year. Please come back next year and tell me that Duke again "LOST IN THE FIST ROUND"</p>
<p>I personally hate all of the Ivies except Harvard. Everyone's different. Go with whatever school has the best location and people. In the long run, your happiness, and how well you click with those around you, have much more to do with your success than the prestige of a school. Especially when you're comparing Duke to an Ivy...there's essentially no real difference in any prestige other than street recognition, which Duke would win against anyone but Harvard Yale and Princeton (if you're talking the average Joe.)</p>
<p>^Lol I personally like all the Ivies except for Harvard. Crappy for undergrad in my own, personal, very humble opinion.</p>
<p>Yeah people say that. My dad went there. I love Boston. I have about 5 million friends there because my school is a Harvard "feeder". Also, Harvard kids are like me. They go to the opera or into the city for fun instead of sitting around getting drunk (as if that's fun.) Plus Harvard debate is legendary...</p>
<p>Hey no need to defend your personal preference. It's cool.</p>
<p>As long as we are talking about Ivies..
I would say that Princeton and Dartmouth are the best for undergrad out of them all.
Duke pretty much beats all the other Ivies in undergrad education though.. :D
(Even though all of these schools are AWESOME!!)</p>
<p>Mmm, my feelings are very similar to the OP. Soft spot for Duke 'cause they saved me from having a mental break-down waiting until March 29 to see if I got in anywhere, but I'm a New England-er through-and-through. Originally (on my ranked "list") I figured I'd go to any of the Ivies I applied to over Duke (six out of the eight--all save Cornell & Columbia), but now I'm thinking the only places I'd go over Duke would be Yale, Princeton and Penn (Wharton). Dartmouth's a tough call, though--I really love Dartmouth and like the area so much more than Duke, but I get the feeling Duke is stronger academically. What do other people here think about that?</p>
<p>I agree with Mallomar about Harvard, though--I'm from a MA "feeder" as well, but IMO the overall undergraduate education at Harvard is crap, and the main benefit in going there just the name. My parents were peeved at that particular opinion of mine (owing to the fact that, without asking me, they went and pulled a huge connection, got me an interview in August with an adcom, told everyone I was essentially "in"--only to hear that I wanted to apply to Yale early instead). Of course, I still applied RD to Harvard in the off chance that I got in there and didn't get into any of my other top schools.. and, I would've kicked myself in the head for passing up Harvard if I hadn't gotten into any of my other top schools, though Duke has saved me from that particular bit of regret.</p>
<p>Duke isn't stronger than Dartmouth academically. </p>
<p>
[quote]
but I'm a New England-er through-and-through.
[/quote]
Are you referring to student body or location? The geographic composition of Duke's student body is actually quite similar to that of peer institutions.</p>
<p>Mmm, around here, Duke is thought of as stronger than Dartmouth academically. And I know rankings are a silly thing to judge based on, but Duke has came in above Dartmouth on a majority of the ones I've seen. Plus, from what I've seen, there are more resources for undergraduates at Duke than at Dartmouth.</p>
<p>And, yes, I'm well-aware of the fact that Duke's student body is quite similar to that of peer institutions--my concern wouldn't be with only going to school with a "New England-er" student body. I just meant, location and weather wise, I love New England and seasons. I don't know what I'd do without my cold winters and snow, plus going to school in New England would save me from flying whenever I want to just stop at home for a bit.</p>
<p>Duke can't even stand by their coaches and lacrosse players...</p>
<p>And for that reason, there's better schools out there of the same calibre as Duke.</p>