<p>I got into both for pre-med/biology... I have always wanted to go to USC and have visited and loved it (great atmosphere/location)... I'm from Maine and want to experience west coast for undergrad. I wasn't expecting to get into Duke and when I did everyone around me says I should go there (because it's a more "elite" school). Is this really true? and will it make that much of a difference? or should I just go to USC where I've always wanted... will there be a different atmosphere/more strict/serious at Duke? What about weather/location?</p>
<p>The weather is better, the people are happier, the girls are prettier… plus it’s where you want to go, right?</p>
<p>If you’re planning on going to med school, your undergrad institution doesn’t really matter. What matters is your GPA and your MCATs. So go where you want to go!</p>
<p>Thanks! Now I just have to convince parents - who want Duke.</p>
<p>Well tell them that it’s your education and your experience and wouldn’t it be a shame if you were forced to go to a school that you didn’t like for four years just because of some arbitrary “prestige” thing that is of dubious accuracy?</p>
<p>Why do they want Duke? Get an actual solid reason for it that isn’t something like “I hear USC is a big party school” or “duke has a better name”.</p>
<p>haha i agree 100% we havent heard financial aid from either, but if they are similar, it will be USC. they will let me go where i want, very supportive, just duke is closer and for them less “scary”.</p>
<p>My sister graduated from Duke a couple years ago and I’m most likely going to attend USC next year, and she keeps on telling me how USC is the “Duke of the West.” So honestly, I don’t think there’ll be that much of a difference, and if you really want to go to USC, GO! Ignore what everyone else has to say and pick the school that’s right for you.</p>
<p>For premed, I think you’d be absolutely be crazy to turn down Duke. It’s not just that Duke is a more prestigious school-it has one of the top biology programs in the country and has upwards of an 85% acceptance rate to medical school. The weather and social life life at Duke is very good too so this shouldn’t really be a deciding factor in favor of USC.</p>
<p>Have you visited Duke yet? I recommend you check out the Admitted Students Weekend, Blue Devil Days.</p>