Thoughts on UPenn and Duke

[Anonymous]

These r my son top choices, did RD. Any suggestions on ROI and outcomes for education at these universities. Economics and public policy majors interest. We will be full pay. Thank you

[Anonymous]

These are both excellent schools and very hard to get into. It is unlikely your student will be choosing between the two, very lucky if he gets into either.

[Anonymous]

Fingers crossed. He does have sibling legacy at Duke though. Not sure if they count that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These r my son top choices, did RD. Any suggestions on ROI and outcomes for education at these universities. Economics and public policy majors interest. We will be full pay. Thank you

UPenn no question.

[Anonymous]

UPenn for career and Duke for fun.

[Anonymous]

Both very selective. Why didn't he do ED, out of curiosity, particularly for Penn?

[Anonymous]

Yes we wanted to Ed Penn but kid somehow didn’t agree to it. He wanted to have all th choices as he loves Duke too much too

[Anonymous]

Both great schools with great outcomes. Does your kid like city life or prefer less urban? Both have great academics, social and academically driven kids, and greek life. I think Duke has more 'school spirit' due to sports. Penn has great restaurants and easy access to nyc for career exploration and interviews.

[Anonymous]

Duke athletics is really just basketball. Nice campus but it’s small and not a whole lot to do. Many of the clubs listed are no longer active so it has been tough to meet people

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These r my son top choices, did RD. Any suggestions on ROI and outcomes for education at these universities. Economics and public policy majors interest. We will be full pay. Thank you

UPenn is fantastic. So many clubs and activities. Professors are top-notch. Great for both arts, science, engineering, and business. Great for Pre-med too. Philadelphia is also a very fun city. Food is great and diverse!

[Anonymous]

Duke tends to be highly reputed for the study of public policy, although both Duke and Penn appear in this site:

2025 Best Colleges for Public Policy - College Transitions https://www.collegetransitions.com/blog/best-colleges-for-public-policy/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Duke athletics is really just basketball. Nice campus but it’s small and not a whole lot to do. Many of the clubs listed are no longer active so it has been tough to meet people

Football has potential I think if they can manage the transfer portal and recruiting better. It's becoming more of an even playing field now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Duke for career, connections and a lifetime of fun knowing one went to the best overall school in the country. Plus who wants to spend their entire life explaining you didn’t go to Penn State.

No one who is serious thinks Duke is the best school in the country.

It's the best medium-sized "All-American" school - UPenn is too preprof, Princeton doesn't have the party scene or athletics, UMichigan is too big, etc.

Penn is in a real city, Princeton has the HYP aura that Duke tried to copy, and Michigan has that Big 10 energy Duke will never have, as many athletes as it buys.

[Anonymous]

UPenn s much better choice but unlikely to get in. Duke easier to get into, but it’s in nc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one cares about Michigan. Average large state school with poor location and sinking football program. Place for kids who can’t get in a top 25 school. lol about Penn. Nothing in common with Duke very different families attracted to Duke with no interest in a school
Like Penn.

Incorrect, uninformed, and bitter reply.