I’m interested in Chemistry and learning an East Asian Language (Currently learning Japanese, and hopefully Korean in the future). I’m an in-state student. Which school would be more beneficial for these interests?
My biggest worry is having a lecture hall class at UNC, as I learn better in smaller groups.
Mercedes vs Audi. It’s a personal preference at this level of excellence. And getting in. And then of course paying for it. Good luck. Can’t go wrong.
Have you visited and asked to sit in on classes?
I know kids who have been admitted to both. Some chose Duke. Some chose UNC. Both great schools. Both will have some large classes and both will make some use of TAs, particularly in intro level classes. Totally agree that you should visit to see which feels better for you but you can’t really go wrong.
If the $160,000+ over 4 years to go to Duke doesn’t create any concern. Then by all means go to Duke
If you’re in-state and full (or close to it) pay, the biggest difference is the cost as Duke is almost 3x more expensive!! If your EFC is low, the costs may not be too different.
Very different vibes – UNC is more humble and ‘of the people’ while Duke just feels more wealthy when you walk around. Great educations at both; great students at both. UNC you have to be a bit more proactive to pursue opportunities. I’ve heard in science there’s more grade inflation at Duke and at UNC you may have to work harder. Chemistry is particularly a strength in sciences at UNC. Not as familiar with Duke science programs.
Finally, if you’ve take AP Chem and/or Bio you can bypass those big intro classes at UNC b/c they are good about giving credit for AP. Duke (and other privates) are more stingy about giving AP credit. Once you get passed entry level, the classes at UNC are not too large.
Hope this helps and good luck!!
(Former) NC resident here who chose Duke over Carolina, mostly because the former was noticeably cheaper once financial and merit aid was factored in. I loved Duke but spent a lot of time at Carolina and would’ve been happy there too.
As the posters above have said, you can’t go wrong with either school. Both are solid choices for chemistry and languages. Additionally, there’s cross-registration between the two, so you can take a class at the other university if it’s not offered at your home university.
Intro chem and organic chem are fairly large at both schools; my freshman-only organic chem class had about 80 students. Class sizes get somewhat smaller after that. Virtually all language and area studies courses are quite small (<20 students, often <10). Check the course listings for a better sense of class sizes, keeping in mind that they are highly variable between departments.