UPenn or Duke?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>It's not like I've gotten into either yet, but I'm just really curious which one you guys would choose if you got into both. And if those two were the ONLY colleges you got into.</p>

<p>I go to a school near Durham, and I know a lot of people here would choose UPenn over Duke in an instant. My classmates are at least 20 times more impressed by a Penn acceptee than a Duke acceptee. However, I feel sort of like we underestimate Duke because it's so physically close that it seems too accessible (and it's probably slightly easier to get into from the Durham area). The last time I lived anywhere other than here was 4th grade, and I'm wondering what everyone else's opinions of these two schools are.</p>

<p>So, from the unbiased perspective of someone who does NOT live in the Durham area, which school would you choose, and for what major?</p>

2

<p>I’m from Florida and people consider them to be about equal.</p>

3

<p>Personally, I would choose UPenn… its a “middle Ivy” whatever that means… and is a great school… Duke is good too … but I think Penn gets the edge…</p>

4

<p>Duke, unless we’re talking Wharton. Then again, I live in an area where the only people who get into Penn are legacies, but those legacies get in rather easily. Basically it’s kinda hard to use Penn for comparison purposes. I will say though that getting into Duke is like getting into Columbia/Dartmouth where I live.</p>

5

<p>I would choose Upenn. Its more prestigious and better academically but not by that much, its also any ivy. The two schools are extremely different though so if you did get into both you would have to think about what type of setting and environment you would be more comfortable in</p>

6

<p>Go to Duke, when you get old you realize that employeers look at all good schools as the same. Duke has much more school spirit and a nationaly ranked basketball team, youll have a way better time-Duke hands down.</p>

7

<p>Make sure you are ready for city living and a city campus if you choose Penn. I would give Penn a slight edge academically-and not just Wharton. Duke gets the edge for weather and sports.</p>

8

<p>Upenn. In Korea where I live, people are infinitely more impressed with an ivy league degree than Duke.</p>

9

<p>I would prefer Duke over Penn, except for Wharton.
They are peer schools, though. I just like Duke better.</p>

10

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He speaks good sense. Both are highly respected. </p>

<p>The two are perhaps about as similar as any two top schools can get, I think, location/setting aside. I ended up applying to Duke and not Cornell/Penn because the former was closer; had I lived in the northeast, it would’ve been the other way around. </p>

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The only high school really of note in the Triangle area is NCSSM, and Duke is highly regarded there.</p>

11

<p>Duke and UPenn were my top two choices. I chose Duke over UPenn for BME. I think there’s a lot of overlap in that they’re peers academically, are known as more social/party-heavy than some of the other top schools, and have strong school spirit. I know MANY people who applied to both - some people chose to attend Duke, others went to UPenn. Duke certainly has nicer weather and more school spirit due to its basketball program/athletics in general. UPenn is in an urban center and has perhaps more cachet among certain contingents by the fact of being part of the Ivy league. BOTH of these schools love legacies and admit them at high rates.</p>

<p>So, to me, it all comes down to fit. I could see that going to high school in Durham makes Duke less appealing as it’s less exotic (note that it is definitely easier to get into Duke in-state, and from Durham is even easier; so I’d agree that coming from your situation it IS more impressive to get into UPenn. But nationwide, the selectivity is about equal). I felt the same way living five minutes away from Northwestern. I wanted to experience something different. That’s certainly a reasonable rationale for choosing UPenn over Duke assuming you like it at least as much. I found the Duke campus more a “typical” college experience on a large sprawling campus with beautiful architecture and gardens while UPenn is more integrated into the fabric of an urban community, which can be a positive or negative depending on what you’re looking for.</p>

<p>If you’ve visited both, you should just go with your gut. The school spirit, basketball, beautiful campus, and strength of BME program put Duke over the edge for me. But I could certainly see somebody choosing UPenn over Duke to be in an urban center in the Northeast, part of the Ivy League, or the strength of the business program. And comparing financial aid. All are valid reasons.</p>

<p>The academic resources, curriculum rigor, and job prospects coming out of both schools are very similar. The prestige level is about the same. The social experience is similar. So, I think comparing those factors is really splitting hairs. Having that choice would be a good one to have!</p>

12

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<p>I think this may have a lot to do with it. Most of the North Carolina residents (read: non-Duke students or alumni) I know feel more comfortable with schools such as UNC-CH simply because of the larger number of UNC/NCSU alumni in the area. One of my friends at Duke is from the RTP area - surprisingly, he never actually visited, took a campus tour, or really got to know what Duke was like. Heck, he didn’t even realize how gorgeous of a campus there was only minutes from his house. If you live that close, I’d honestly come and visit. PM me for more about this if you’d like.</p>

<p>For reasons similar to bluedog’s, I came to Duke. In all honesty, the only ones who care that Duke isn’t an Ivy and that Penn is one are ignorant high school students. Employers do NOT care. I have good friends at Penn, and they have gained access to the exact same internships/jobs as my friends here at Duke. </p>

<p>Here’s my take:</p>

<p>Duke - school spirit, better weather (but eh, not by much. My friends come to visit and still complain about the cold), a prettier, more defined campus, better balance in terms of social life and academics, a little more diversity (15% of Duke students are from the Carolinas whereas ~30% of Penn students are from Pennsylvania), and a little less competitive (anecdotally, when friends from Penn come to visit they always comment on the noticeably more collaborative academic environment at Duke than at Penn).</p>

<p>Penn - a subtle school spirit, access to a bigger city, strength in business, can say you go to an Ivy League if you really want, more of a Greek social scene, (some more Penn students want to comment here? Ahaha obviously I know more about Duke… I don’t want to seem incredibly bias.) Penn is a great school. It’s just different. It’s as simple as that.</p>

<p>One thing I’ve noticed: the party culture is the same. Work hard, play hard. As bluedog mentioned, they have similar applicants and selectivity, similar financial aid, and generally similar students. Visit - that’s honestly the best way to tell. As you can tell from the extremely varied responses to this thread, Duke and Penn are seen as academic equals. I’m sure both student bodies would agree as well.</p>

<p>Lastly, there’s one last thing that I love about Duke: Duke is a much more inclusive environment than many universities. I hated how parties and socials at Penn are closed. You can only get it in you know people or if you are a hot girl or if you are a guy who brings tons of girls. At Duke, no one really gives a crap. You can go pretty much wherever you want with whomever you want… you can build your network in whichever way you desire. This is actually something unique about Duke though, and I love it. Most universities follow the Penn social model.</p>

<p>Hope that helps! :)</p>

13

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<p>Late nights are often restricted for simple security reasons (since they are not allowed by law or by the university, of course they aren’t going to be public), but the regular parties are open to all.</p>

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Ahaha obviously I know more about Duke.

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<p>Clearly.</p>

<p>Anyway, I would agree that it is best for you to think about whether you want an urban or suburban university, and definitely visit both.</p>

<p>Then again, since both are damn hard to get into, perhaps you can just wait for the decision to make itself! If Penn rejects you and Duke accepts you, it’s an easy choice ;)</p>

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<p>^What do you mean late nights? Aren’t most parties going to be at night? I’m talking about frat parties and such.</p>

15

<p>As far as I know, the current homework of Ivy leagues is globalization. In this prospective, Duke is still a local school, just a school in the U.S.</p>

16

<p>The campus atmosphere is entirely different between them. My son did not like Duke because it seemed like it was in the country - surrounded by a forest and gardens. It’s really beautiful, but there is no evidence of a city. Penn is urban.</p>

17

<p>I chose Penn over Duke for purely academic/career purposes. Penn definitely has an edge in recognition/prestige, academics, and recruiting. </p>

<p>I would argue that Penn’s school spirit is more than enough, but I feel that things like location, school spirit, and having a “nationally ranked basketball team” should not factor into your decision, especially considering you’re only there for 4 years.</p>

18

<p>

. How so when it is three times as hard to getting into C and D?</p>

19

<p>Both Penn and Duke are peer equivalents. Choose whichever gives you more financial aid.</p>

<p>While Penn has stronger overall academics (faculty and departmental programs), Duke has better professional school placement (according to the WSJ study). If you’re interested in Penn and Duke, I’d recommend that you also look into Dartmouth, which shares many cross-admits with both schools. Dartmouth grads seem to pursue similar career paths (in business and finance) to Penn and Duke grads, but they may have a slightly more involved alumni network than that at either school. This is just my general impression; I didn’t attend Dartmouth or anything.</p>

<p>I definitely prefer Duke’s campus over Penn’s. To me, Penn’s campus seems too eclectic. The architectural plan doesn’t appear to have much rhyme or reason. Some see Duke basketball as a selling point, but to me it is a turn-off. I don’t like that Duke overemphasizes sports (especially basketball). So much so that Duke’s very identity is tied to basketball.</p>

<p>DISCLAIMERS:</p>

<p>If you get into Wharton, go to Wharton. If you get merit aid from Duke, go to Duke. Someone could verify this, but I recall that some Duke scholarships are reserved solely for NC residents.</p>

20

<p>Without a question, Penn!</p>