Duke vs. Harvard

[Anonymous]

The people picking Duke in here are new money alcoholics who peaked in college and are desperate to get that high back. You all are describing Duke to be some paradise when it’s not. Durham is boring, the kids are increasingly antisocial, and Duke alums are universally hated. I would rather be a “I went to school in Cambridge” person than an in-your-face Duke fan. Just watch the latest season of White Lotus to understand why Duke is so hated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn't a troll. I would have thought the same thing before faced with this choice but when your kid is feeling like they might not fit in or enjoy life at one of the options yet knows they shouldn't turn it down, it's a real issue. Thank you to those who've given helpful answers.

If your kid got into Harvard, likely they belong there. You realize what an opportunity this is right? Please dont squander it. i cant see how anyone who could get into Harvard would be happier or more fulfilled at duke

People who love and want to go to Duke don’t think like you do. They don’t think the end all and be all of their college experience is the name brand of Harvard. They are looking and thinking about what they want their four years of college to be. Most of the boys want to meet hot chicks, most college kids want to go to crazy parties, they want to lounge around outside on the quad and play frisbee. They aren’t thinking about how the classics professor as Harvard is the best classics professor in the world and it will be life changing to learn from her.

They got into Duke. Their life will be just fine. They have a huge network of rich smart people. They have access to the same fancy finance bro jobs or law schools or med schools. It’s not like Johns Hopkins med school doesn’t take kids from both Duke and Harvard. Jesus. You’re acting like it’s squandering something to choose Duke over Harvard and that’s just dumb. No one ten years into their career is going to say: I picked the Harvard candidate over the Duke candidate because one was Harvard. No. They will say; these guys are smart obviously and which one do I like better and who has the more relevant skills. And a lot of times it’s the one who went to parties in college and met hot chicks.

Duke isn’t remotely like this anymore. Kids have to be bused offsite to attend frat parties and there isn’t much else going on.

I personally think the offsite parties are kind of dumb but that isn't a sign of Duke having a bad social life. These parties look much more fun than anything at Harvard, and are inclusive of a lot more kids than the rare Harvard party. Duke isn't socially where it was when frats were on campus (and when it was less nerdy than it is now), but it is still far more social than Harvard.

What first hand knowledge do you have of Harvard? Or Duke today? Seems like you are spinning your experience three decades ago at Duke.

I know many kids currently at Duke and my child is likely applying in the fall. Harvard I know fewer current people there but I know a few. And note that I specifically said that Duke is different socially now than back in the day. But again, poor reading comprehension, just trying to show how smart you are without taking a moment to read and formulate an argument. Doesn't reflect well on Harvard. And now you will retort with some childish insult about Duke people being rude or nasty or whatever else. Again - I would choose Harvard over Duke. And I think 95% of people would. But one could make a compelling argument for doing otherwise - Duke isn't Moron University with a 600 average SAT. But the badmouthing of Duke here is ridiculous. Grow up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The people picking Duke in here are new money alcoholics who peaked in college and are desperate to get that high back. You all are describing Duke to be some paradise when it’s not. Durham is boring, the kids are increasingly antisocial, and Duke alums are universally hated. I would rather be a “I went to school in Cambridge” person than an in-your-face Duke fan. Just watch the latest season of White Lotus to understand why Duke is so hated.

If you are stupid enough to formulate opinions of a school based on a TV show then you are embarrassing Harvard. It is like saying everyone at Harvard is like how the Winklevoss' were portrayed in The Social Network. But I'm not dumb enough to make that generalization.

[Anonymous]

Duke boosters are annoying, dare I say worse than the UVA boosters. If you leave the US, nobody knows what Duke is.

[Anonymous]

The childish hatred of Duke is kind of comical. And sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The childish hatred of Duke is kind of comical. And sad.

I’ve never met a Duke grad that wasn’t egotistical. Take that how you will. Xoxo

[Anonymous]

Calling troll on this one.

Can’t decide between Harvard and Dook?

Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Calling troll on this one.

Can’t decide between Harvard and Dook?

Lol

OP is stirring the pot because they know the NOVA moms will say Duke while the strivers will say Harvard.

[Anonymous]

It is funny that there have been a bunch of Duke alums here who have basically said that they would choose Harvard, but in passing noted some distinguishing qualities about Duke. And the Harvard people are so insecure that they are going after Duke with so much venom.

[Anonymous]

Old saying “ You can always tell a Harvard man because you can’t tell him anything “.

[Anonymous]

Harvard is an upscale version of Hopkins.

[Anonymous]

Duke is an upscale version of Wake Forest.

[Anonymous]

Doubt you went to Harvard if the Wake Forest dig is the best you can do. Vandy would have been better.

[Anonymous]

I would choose Harvard in an instant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Harvard vs Yale game or Duke vs UNC game. You choose.

UNC is a public school outside of T10 or even T20.

totally out of place.