Hi everyone,
Although this is ridiculously early to be in question, but I’m stressing myself out over choosing where my dream school is. I recently took a visit to both Duke and University of Michigan and fell in love with both. The only problem is that I would be applying early decision at Duke which would prevent me from getting into Michigan. I don’t think if I did the regular decision pool there, I would get in, but I’m fairly confident I would be accepted with early decision. I don’t want to make the mistake of binding myself there in case it turns out that Michigan is really the school for me. Finances are also a consideration as Michigan provides much more scholarship opportunities rather than Duke. I would probably end up doing NROTC at Duke and serving a few years after to afford to attend. However, I’d rather go to the school that will give me the best future, despite the cost.
I feel as if Michigan is a giant school full of incredible spirit, huge sports, and awesome parties. Duke feels much smaller (maybe too small? I just want to know that wherever I walk around there, I would see a new face, you know?) with unique traditions, great athletics, and great people. My bright future isn’t the only thing I’m looking for in a college, however. I really want THE college experience for the next four years of my life and want to make sure I have a blast. I feel like Michigan is big enough that their fraternities (yes, I plan to be a frat boy) are probably bigger and better than Duke, even though I have no idea. And I’m afraid that Duke’s “work hard, play hard” mentality won’t give me the exciting college life I’m looking for (but what do I know. This is what I’m hoping you can answer for me). I’m also from California and don’t know if people will think that’s cool and like me or think it’s overrated and hate me since one’s in Michigan, and the other is in the south in North Carolina.
As for sports, Duke basketball is obviously incredible, and the idea of tenting for tickets is right down my alley. Every sporting event is free for Duke students which is awesome because I love every kind of sport and hate spending money. The only thing concerning is that I want the big rah-rah of a game like U of Michigan. I want to make sure that Duke football games have enough high energy and spirit that I’m looking for. I love how both schools have a ton of school spirit in general, however, Michigan is a completely different beast.
As of now, I’m leaning toward Duke because it will set me up for my future more, in my opinion. I plan on going to business school or med school after my undergrad and feel that Duke is more prestige than U of Michigan. I also believe Duke gives a completely unique experience. 30,0000 people get to experience what it’s like to go to Michigan while only 7,000 people get to experience Duke. I feel like it’s extremely unique and will give me a college experience like none other. I just don’t know if that college experience is the right one.
I know it’s early, but with early apps due in November, I need help. I believe I have what it takes to get into whichever one I choose to go for, I just need to play my cards right and make up my mind. Please help.
Thanks.
I think both schools have the “work hard, play hard” mentality. Duke’s football will NOT have even close to the same level of hype or energy as Michigan football. Their basketball program does bring a great amount of “hype”, however (much more than Michigan basketball).
I think you are over-romanticizing college. There are many fine universities out there that offer a great education and great college experience.
Do NOT go into ROTC just to pay for college. Have you talked to your parents about what they will/can pay for college? Have you run the Net Price Calculators at either of these schools?
You say you are “fairly confident” you’d get into Duke ED. What are your stats?
“As of now, I’m leaning toward Duke because it will set me up for my future more, in my opinion. I plan on going to business school or med school after my undergrad and feel that Duke is more prestige than U of Michigan. I also believe Duke gives a completely unique experience. 30,0000 people get to experience what it’s like to go to Michigan while only 7,000 people get to experience Duke. I feel like it’s extremely unique and will give me a college experience like none other. I just don’t know if that college experience is the right one.”
From this paragraph, it is fairly clear that you prefer Duke, or more specifically, that Duke fits your ideal more than Michigan. As such, I would definitely apply ED to it.
“As of now, I’m leaning toward Duke because it will set me up for my future more, in my opinion. I plan on going to business school or med school after my undergrad and feel that Duke is more prestige than U of Michigan.”
This statement, however, is false. Both have top ranked medical schools so you should have good opportunities and exposures as an undergrad at either school. Medical school admissions will not regard Duke as more prestigious than Michigan.
As for business, Michigan has a top ranked BBA program so you have an additional option. For MBA, neither school is regarded as more prestigious.
Your near future will be spent in the military while your peers will be immediately off to grad school or into finance. You really want to risk being left behind attending Duke?
You sound EXACTLY like my daughter did a year ago. She will be starting UM this fall as a Freshman, and is thrilled with her decision. She couldn’t decide, so she did regular decision at Duke, and didn’t get in. Duke accepted something like 800 Freshman out of 34,000 applications, so you likely will not get in going regular decision, I don’t care how good your resume is. If you are going to do Duke, you have to go ED. Have you visited both schools? Very different campus feeling. While Duke is a beautiful campus, there is no “town.” No row of coffee shops, restaurants, without driving all the way to Durham. Kind of slummy when you get out of the woods of campus. UM has shops, restaurants, coffee, everywhere. I’m with you that Duke has a more prestige academically, but you sound like you would have a better overall experience at UM. Duke football is a notch up from High School football. If you haven’t visited both schools, I think that will make your decision, and you will feel better about it.
Sparty82, Duke admitted far more than 800 RD applicants. They enrolled 800 RD applicants, which means they probably admitted roughly 3,000. Out of 34,000, 3,000 is still a tiny number of course.
People’s perception of prestige varies. If you ask high school and college students, or parents, there is no doubt that to the majority, Duke is more prestigious. However, if you ask highly educated people, be it the decision-makers at the most desirable and exclusive companies or members of academe (which include graduate school admissions committees), Duke and Michigan are considered equally prestigious. As such, there is no benefit in attending Duke over Michigan…not in the classroom, not in the overall experience, not when looking for a job and not when applying to graduate school.
That being said, based on what wonderfalcon has written in his original post, I think Duke may be a better fit.
As @Alexandre said Michigan is just as prestigious as Duke and actually ranked higher than Duke in the world top university rankings. I don’t think you can go wrong with either. Good luck!
Applying ED at Duke does not prevent you from applying EA at Michigan. There is no guarantee you will be admitted to either one. Good luck!