<p>Durham is not a big part of the scene at Duke and plays a very different role as a host city than does Philadelphia for U Penn. U Penn is an urban school and feels that way. Duke and its grounds including Duke Gardens most definitely does not. </p>
<p>The schools have some similarities in their degree of a pre-professional environment, but their feel is very much influenced by the company they keep. U Penn is in constant contact and competition with the other Ivy League schools and its identity is closely aligned with that. Duke’s position in the ACC and in the South makes for a different undergraduate experience with a greater emphasis on the social life, the sporting scene, and also the school knows that it is the leader of the pack academically within its region and in its athletic league. In this way, it is more unique in its region than U Penn is in its. </p>
<p>Students at both are terrific and place extremely well with all types of employers, including the most desirable destinations. Duke’s national profile within American society is probably larger, thanks to its highly successful basketball program (men and women!), but U Penn also has a strong name and draws/places well in California.</p>