WashU vs Duke

<p>So, I just got off the waitlists at both WashU AND Duke! and im really excited except I have no idea which one I want to go to. I really enjoyed both schools when I visited</p>

<p>Wash U: i really loved the dorms, good academics, nice Midwest feel, I could fit in there welll, but I heard that kids are having a hard time finding internships from there</p>

<p>Duke: dorms kinda sucked, good academics, it might be too partyish, but it is Duke...</p>

<p>What's your potential major?</p>

<p>If you're interested in the sciences, you've drawn a good lot with the dual acceptances. One thing to keep in mind is that (in terms of sciences), WUSTL is more geared towards premedical preparation and Duke is more able to provide a more diverse research program. I'm not saying that WUSTL's non pre-med undergrad science is lacking, or that Duke's pre-med preparation is lacking, but that those are strengths in each school. </p>

<p>Congrats on the acceptances. More information (academic) is required for us to provide some good information though.</p>

<p>They are very different schools. Different culture entirely despite both having large percentages from the Northeast on campus. Duke is sports crazy. WashU is sports challenged in comparison to Duke. Duke grads can go anywhere to grad school...and do. WashU, I dont know if its yet reached that level, but is fast approaching. Duke has excellent contacts in NewYork investment banking as well. My wife's cousing went to Duke on a fullride AB Duke Scholarship. He could have worked at Goldman Sachs and instead went to McKinsey and Co. Then he went to Stanford MBA. Then started his own company and took it public. You get the story. But he was very entrepreneurial and also had some lucky steps along the way.</p>

<p>I am not saying that hasnt happened at WashU. Probably has.</p>

<p>But they are very different schools in different parts of the country. Go where you fit the best.</p>

<p>washu is very well connected as well. i agree with the south v. midwest thing. the campuses have different feels/atmospheres... have you visited? both are really amazing schools, you have a tough but awesome decision! however i really would discourage you from basing your decision off of grad school acceptance rates or where kids get jobs at. think about the schools, your undergrad experience, the pros and cons of each, and go off that. good luck! and congrats!</p>

<p>ski - may I ask your sat scores?</p>

<p>I chose Duke over WashU because WashU gave me less money, but also because I felt that Duke had a lot better connections for career placement. I got the impression that Duke students tended to do better in finding jobs in the business world after school.</p>

<p>Of course, this is coming from a prospective Econ major, so I suppose it depends what you are planning to study. That being said, WashU is also excellent, so you can't really go wrong (especially for pre-med, as both are awesome for that)!</p>

<p>Duke is not really a "southern" school, at least it's not considered that here in NC. Duke is <em>respected</em> around here but not <em>loved</em> like UNC, Wake, NC State. Too "northern" perhaps. As a displaced Yankee myself, I see that as a plus. And the southern climate beats out St. Louis any day...</p>

<p>DON'T choose a school just because "it's Duke". It sounds like you genuinely like WashU better, and thus Duke's name shouldn't influence you away from choosing them. Plus I have a hunch that WashU is going to surpass Duke in the rankings soon enough... we're number 9th in the nation this year, though I don't know what Duke is ranked.</p>

<p>I was accepted at WashU and got off the waitlist for Duke today!
Since it's impossible for me to visit either campus, it makes the choice even harder. As of now I'm still leaning more towards WashU (I've also deposited like $700 and requested my I-20), but I'd still like to hear some comments and suggestions.
Btw, I'm planning on a major in bio, but mot premed though.</p>