Off the waitlist at Duke - unsure what to do

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS recently got off the waitlist at Duke and isn't sure what to do, currently committed to Penn. DS will visit Duke but anyone with experience at both schools? Studying math and statistics.

OMG, how is this a?

There is no comparison between the two. Penn all the way.

Because fit matters more than OMG IVY.

+1 My DC is getting ready to transfer out of a very highly ranked school for somewhere less prestigious because they just aren't happy there.

Mine turned down a more prestigious offer (I posted about it here) for a perfect fit, so posts like this set my teeth on edge.

[Anonymous]

Drive time from Duke to Nags Head in the Outer Banks is 4 hours versus 6 hours and 45 minutes from U Penn. The better option is clear. What else do you need to consider ?

[Anonymous]

having recently toured both, can't imagine choosing Penn. maybe if he's in at Wharton and money is the goal - is he in at Wharton?

[Anonymous]

I"d choose Duke but it's really a matter of personal fit / preference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The majority of kids with this choice pick Penn. Unless DC loved Duke as his first choice, I would stick with Penn

https://www.parchment.com/c/college/tools/college-cross-admit-comparison.php?compare=Duke+University&with=University+of+Pennsylvania

Another source:

https://www.crimsoneducation.org/us/blog/cross-yield-rankings/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sister transferred out of Duke because the vibe/community didn't work for her. How long do you have? I'd schedule a quick visit if you can.

Can you share her thoughts about Duke ? TIA

It might honestly have been her dorm/roommate more than anything but my sister isn't a partier and felt a bit socially isolated. She did better at Northwestern. This was like 20 years ago, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My sister transferred out of Duke because the vibe/community didn't work for her. How long do you have? I'd schedule a quick visit if you can.

A good friend of DC's left Penn after a year because of the vibe there. Duke had been his other top choice originally and was probably a much better fit, although he ended up elsewhere. They are very different.

[Anonymous]

Congrats on great choices! I was raised to hate Duke (wasn't everyone?) but I'd pick it over Penn. Just a personal preference.

[Anonymous]

I'd pick Duke over Penn except if in at Wharton. Way better climate and vibe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS recently got off the waitlist at Duke and isn't sure what to do, currently committed to Penn. DS will visit Duke but anyone with experience at both schools? Studying math and statistics.

One at each. Very different physical campus and surrounding area atmospheres but very similar top outcomes, MBB recruits at both, both are top law and top med feeders; both have easy to access kind professors, majority small seminar style classes, and both my kids have had no problem getting research as early as freshman year. There are highly competitive yet collaborative peers at both, social /partiers at both(within reason; neither is a party school). Being a sports fan is much more of a thing at Duke (basketball), with over half the undergrads very invested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sister transferred out of Duke because the vibe/community didn't work for her. How long do you have? I'd schedule a quick visit if you can.

A good friend of DC's left Penn after a year because of the vibe there. Duke had been his other top choice originally and was probably a much better fit, although he ended up elsewhere. They are very different.

It's more about fit than anything (I'm the poster whose sister left Duke). That's why the kid should visit. What didn't work for my sister could work for someone else. It's Friday, Durham's 4 hours away, get in the car.

[Anonymous]

I can't believe he applied to a school he knows nothing about. Amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sister transferred out of Duke because the vibe/community didn't work for her. How long do you have? I'd schedule a quick visit if you can.

A good friend of DC's left Penn after a year because of the vibe there. Duke had been his other top choice originally and was probably a much better fit, although he ended up elsewhere. They are very different.

It's more about fit than anything (I'm the poster whose sister left Duke). That's why the kid should visit. What didn't work for my sister could work for someone else. It's Friday, Durham's 4 hours away, get in the car.

Sorry, I meant "On Friday". Typing too quickly.

[Anonymous]

This is a kid must visit and choose situation. Fit really does matter, and I can't image a kid not feeling a strong vibe between these two; they are so different.

[Anonymous]

Unless someone attended both, don't trust anyone trying to claim a "vibe". Your kid should try to talk to current students at each, ideally in their course of study and do as best they can to figure out if one is a better fit for them.

Also, West Philly is what it is and perfectly fine. You walk two blocks East over the River and that is where downtown starts. You are only 1 mile from Rittenhouse Square which is an upscale part of Philly.

Neither choice is bad, but very different schools. At least Penn doesn't make you put down a deposit...so you aren't out any $$$s.