UMich vs. Duke

College Search & Selection
1

Hi everyone,

I’m new here, but I would really appreciate your advice. Unlike my username suggests, I will not be able to go to Hogwarts for the next four years. Instead, I have to choose between the University of Michigan and Duke. Also, I should note that I think I will end up in the environmental science field, although my interests are extremely varied and I’d like to keep my options open.

UMich–
I’m from Ann Arbor, so I know the university and the town extremely well, and I love it here. I would also get in-state tuition, which puts it at about 1/3 of Duke’s cost (and I do plan to attend grad school). I’ve always had a soft spot for Michigan–for the school’s culture, its pride/spirit, its vibrancy, and its involvement in the rest of the town. However, I’m not sure that I wouldn’t get that at Duke as well–I just know UM so well that it feels like a familiar, friendly face. Academically, I know it is very solid all-around, although I don’t know much about how the environment/earth sciences/ecology fields stack up here. Also, I have been admitted to the UM Honors Program, which means extra advising, smaller classes, a senior thesis project, etc., so that’s a big plus.

Duke–
I’m visiting for one of the “Duke Days” programs in about two weeks, so I’ll see what I think about the campus, but I’m sure I’ll love it. It’s in Durham, which sounds like a fun and quirky place, and the campus has lovely gothic architecture. I’m sure the weather is nicer than in Michigan. The sports culture is big, due to basketball, which is reminiscent of UM–that’s good. Duke has a marine laboratory (I am hoping to specialize in marine biology or oceanography after undergrad), so I could easily spend a semester studying there and be slightly closer to my career goal. However, that’s not much different from what I could get at UM, since I am already planning to spend each summer doing internships/fellowships in marine biology either way. Also, I haven’t heard that Duke’s undergraduate marine biology opportunities are particularly great or anything (but please correct me if I’m wrong). Technically, I believe Duke is more “prestigious” than UM… but is that just in name, or is there some merit to that label? Duke also has more concentrated diversity than UM, which I really appreciate.

Right now, I just feel like I know UM so much better than Duke, so I’m likely to chose it for the sake of its familiarity. I know exactly what I’m getting into, and I know it’s going to be great. But am I really missing out on something if I don’t fully consider Duke? Any thoughts?? I really appreciate it.

2

“I would also get in-state tuition, which puts it at about 1/3 of Duke’s cost (and I do plan to attend grad school).”

There is your answer. Unless Duke coughs up a lot of money, you decision is easy.

3

Thanks for the response, @rjkofnovi! UM definitely stacks up better on the financial front, you’re right. But I should have mentioned that money is not the dominant factor in my decision. Of course I am conscious of it, but I will be able to afford either school, so it is just one factor. Do you know anything about the reputation of the environmental departments at either university?

4

I know a pair of siblings that attend Duke (older female) and U Michigan (younger male) for environmental engineering. They both really enjoy their time there. Honestly, both schools are really high up there in terms of their environmental rankings and pretty comparable, so either would be good for you. If you’d like I can PM them and ask what they think :slight_smile:

5

Also, I just checked US News - Michigan is ranked somewhat higher. However I definitely think that US News rankings should always be taken with a grain of salt.

6

Two great universities. If one did not cost so much less than the other, it would be a difficult decision, but at one third the price, I think it is difficult to justify Duke unless your family has the means to pay for the difference with ease, and you consider Duke to be a much better fit.

7

That would be awesome if you could ask them, @juliag18, thank you so much!!

8

So Duke would be 3 times more expensive than U Michigan? Ummmm… this is easy: Michigan.