Upenn vs. Duke: Which one is harder to get in?

College Search & Selection
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<p>I'm an international student form asia, and currently a senior applying to American colleges (oh and I have been in American high school since I was 9th grade)</p>

<p>So, for the Early Decision, I'm planning to apply to college of arts & science of either Duke University of University of Pennsylvania. Yet I could still not decide which college I will apply for ED (obviously, I need to choose one), because I have no idea which one is harder to get in. I heard Duke is popular, and thus, extremely competitive for Engineering school, while UPenn is for Warton School. How about the college of arts&science?</p>

<p>I will be so happy to enter either one of the above two schools; I just wanted to choose the one I have the most chance to get in. Can you please give me thoughts..? I'm so desperate.</p>

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<p>Hi Friend. The acceptance rate for the class of 2015 for Duke was 12.5% and for Penn was 12.3% However Penn accepts 50% of its class ED while Duke accepts only 33 % ED. Therefore It is easier to get admitted to UPENN ED but easier to get into Duke RD. They are both great schools and you cannot go wrong either way. I think that along with Columbia these 2 are the best undergraduate programs after HPYSM. I had to make this decision and chose Duke for a variety of decisions. Go with what you like most.</p>

<p>Also Duke BME is exemplary while UPENN’s Wharton is also a great business program.</p>

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<p>^^One must take into consideration that one of the reasons for 50% ED Penn vs 33% ED Duke intake is the fact that Duke is still in a way a place people apply to after being rejected ED by an Ivy?</p>

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<p>That’s not correct. While Penn does fill a larger portion of its class through ED (48% for the Class of 2015), it has many more ED applicants than Duke, and Penn’s overall ED accetance rate of 26% was lower than Duke’s overall ED acceptance rate of 29%:</p>

<p>[Penn</a> Admissions: Incoming Class Profile](<a href=“http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/profile/]Penn”>http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/profile/)</p>

<p>[Duke</a> University Admissions: Class of 2015 Profile](<a href=“http://www.admissions.duke.edu/jump/applying/who_2015profile.html]Duke”>http://www.admissions.duke.edu/jump/applying/who_2015profile.html)</p>

<p>For all intents and purposes, however, their admissions selectivity is fairly comparable.</p>

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<p>Penn’s BME is also exemplary (usually ranked very close to Duke).</p>

<p>But in response to the OP’s initial inquiry, don’t overlook that both of these schools are also very highly regarded–and quite comparable–in arts and sciences, with many liberal arts departments ranked among the top 10 or top 20 in the country.</p>

<p>The choice between these 2 excellent schools is really a matter of personal preference and fit.</p>

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<p>‘Duke is still in a way a place people apply to after being rejected ED by an Ivy?’ one of the most ignorant comments on CC till date.</p>