<p>This seems rather similar to the other thread I saw, "Wellesley vs. Dartmouth." Besides differences in the size of the student population, are there any evidence/factors that could convince someone in this situation either way?</p>
<p>Well first of all, there is a major climate difference. Massachusetts gets long, cold winters, which can be fun, but only if you are accustomed to them. Duke has warm weather practically year round (which can get boring). Wellesley is right outside of Boston, which is a very fun city. Duke has a big sports scene. Wellesley is a women's college while Duke is co-ed. </p>
<p>Do any of these sway you in one way or another?</p>
<p>I had friends who went to both; I'd recommend Wellesley in a heart-beat. I have a few reasons:</p>
<p>1) I generally feel that one gets a better education at liberal-arts colleges, than at research universities; the faculty at the latter are hired for their research prowess first, teaching ability second, whereas the LACs have the opposite (and from the perspective of a student, preferable) priorities.</p>
<p>2) Duke specifically has a culture I find irritating; I hate to say it, but the pervailing culture seems rather "jock"; you can be happy as an athlete at Wellesley, but at Duke you'll be confronted with a large community that has all of the stereotypical... mannerisms and attitudes that term implies.</p>
<p>3) The Alumni networks couldn't be more different; Duke has high achievers, but there is little emphasis on one helping another out. Wellesley's alumnae seem to feel a greater connection to their alma mater, and it shows in how they look after a new grad.</p>
<p>4) However unscientific this is, the three Duke grads I know have mixed feelings about Duke; they don't regret their time there per se, but don't have a lot of affection for the institution or its students. The Wellesley grads seem far happier about their choice, their university and their fellow students. Perhaps this visceral reaction is the most convincing of all.</p>
<p>I can't stress this enough, Wellesley over Duke.</p>
<p>-RS</p>
<p>^I can assure you that most of that is utter crap. Point 3 is true.</p>
<h1>2 is a tired stereotype. If you really want to believe what's written in Rolling Stone magazine...ugh, I don't even know what to say. I could just as easily claim that Wellesley girls deserve their reputation of being MIT and Harvard whores (remember the article about Wellesley in Rolling Stone or some other magazine? Just as salacious and downright stupid as the article about Duke partying culture.)</h1>
<p>Point 4 doesn't really make sense. What was it about Duke that those grads disliked? I haven't met a single Duke student disappointed in his/her time at Duke (except for the high tuition lol). Affection for the institution is a self-feeding thing: if you don't like Duke, you won't like Duke, it's as simple as that. It's like going to Wellesley while telling yourself it's going to be boring and in the middle of nowhere...obviously you are not going to be convinced otherwise.</p>
<p>Try reading through this.
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=11158%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=11158</a></p>
<p>For the record, I'm not bitter or anything, I myself was accepted at Wellesley and I really think it's a great place. I just don't think there is any difference in the quality of education or social life--just the style. The decision should come down to which style is a better fit for you. What kind of experience are you looking for? You haven't told us enough. There is no way to objectively judge "Wellesley vs. Duke" without any further details. These are college experiences and can't be weighed quite so simply.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies, and congrats, Mallomar, on the acceptances as well! I'm visiting both schools within the next two weeks, and hopefully I'll be able to get a better sense of what environment each offers -- although honestly, the points/stereotypes that are associated with these schools all seem to be based on truth. </p>
<p>Ugh. I have friends at Wellesley, and I can see myself there. I don't think I know <em>that</em> much about Duke yet, except that its campus, size and academic caliber seems to mirror the style of a few ivy league schools.</p>
<p>I have a dd in her first year at Wellesley, and would like to comment on the support and alumni networking. When DD was looking for her first summer internship, the head of her dept. made calls to friends in our area to help her secure one. Then, an alumni called from another organization in our area saying that she would love to have a current W. woman working with them over the summer. We have been truly impressed with this early networking on the part of the faculty and the alumni.</p>