Duke vs. Harvard

[Anonymous]

I would go with Duke. Harvard has taken so much Qatari money, I think they are sinking. In a decade or 2 I think people will be surprised to hear they were ever known as a top University.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard

This is not a contest

Especially since he's on the fence

+1. I cannot believe this is a serious post

No one turns down Harvard for Duke. And if anyone ever found out your DC did, OP they would secretly question what less than obvious brain power got him in the position to have this choice.

But why? Serious question.

Exceptional education available at both. Plenty of $$$ and prestige possible from both.

Unless one aspires to be a member of the east coast elite, what difference is it likely to make?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With just under 2 weeks to decide, DC has narrowed it down to these two. Isn't sure about major so is focusing instead on campus life (fun) and future career outcomes, including strength of alumni network. Opening it up for any and all advice!

My experience is that I went to a Tufts/Rice/Emory class school but lived in Cambridge once and took a great Japanese class at the Harvard night school. I also had an internship in Chapel Hill, and I’ve been in Durham briefly but can’t remember anything about it.

Reasons to choose Duke:

- DC likes Duke better.

- DC dreams of going to tailgate parties and big football games.

- DC wants to run for public office in the South.

- DC wants to major in a field that’s simply stronger at Duke.

- DC needs aid, and the aid at Duke is much better.

Reasons to pick Harvard:

- DC simply likes Harvard better, or the aid there is better.

- DC would have a shot at getting onto the Harvard Crimson, the Harvard Lampoon or an equivalent student organization and wants to do that. Because: The gap between the quality of student organizations at Harvard and at Duke may be much bigger than the gap between the quality of the typical undergraduate classes at the schools. This is especially important for humanities and social sciences majors. What prepares humanities and social sciences majors for careers are the positions they hold in student organizations.

- DC wants a major that’s better at Harvard, or specific classes or professors at Harvard.

- DC can’t drive or can’t drive well and plans to have jobs or internships off-campus during the school year. The Research Triangle may have a good job market, but it’s physically easier to get to jobs in Boston without being a good driver.

- DC wants to go into academia, international relations, investment banking or some other field where having an Ivy League degree may really be critical.

- DC dreams of taking some classes at MIT.

- DC loves Boston.

- DC looks at lists like this and is still undecided. Duke might nurture undergrads better, but Harvard is Harvard. Students who can live without nurturing and have no special reason to go to Duke should obviously go to Harvard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was near 90 at Duke Saturday and low 50s in Cambridge. The campus and social life is still much better than Harvard unless one dimensional nerd. Huge difference and campus vibe is more relaxed at Duke.

So, in other words: Harvard is much better for bright students who want to avoid bullies like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you visited Harvard recently, the choice is obvious. Go to Duke and pursue advanced degree at Harvard. 80 degrees at Duke vs high 40s in Cambridge. Fun vs no fun.

Most kids who graduate from Harvard or Duke never pursue an advanced degree (though a sizable minority do).

Also, why do people treat NC like it’s FL? It’s 57 in Durham today and 53 in Boston…in late April!

If you really want better weather you need to go to Atlanta and south or Arizona, southern TX or CA.

Picking one random day to demonstrate a point is not a very Harvard approach to analysis and argument.

Just did a quick search and average high in Durham in February is 54 vs. 41 in Cambridge. That is a non-trivial difference. Durham is kind of hot and gross in the summer but students aren't there then, so they benefit from the months where the difference actually is positive and miss the ones where it is something of a negative.

This obviously is far from the top decision point for this choice, but it is non-trivial and factors into the overall campus culture.

I decided between Duke and an Ivy (not HYP so not the same decision) and when I visited Duke it was sunny and guys were playing beer frisbee in shorts on the quad and girls were in sundresses vs. the Ivy a week later where it was still chilly and gray and everyone was still wearing jackets. Though to the points of others, I don't think Duke is quite as fun and carefree as it was back in my day.

Not arguing for Duke over Harvard - I would probably pick Harvard. But just clarifying some misinformation here.

But neither is “warm”…which was the point.

If I wanted warm, I want it to be 80 in February not 54 and not 41.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was near 90 at Duke Saturday and low 50s in Cambridge. The campus and social life is still much better than Harvard unless one dimensional nerd. Huge difference and campus vibe is more relaxed at Duke.

So, in other words: Harvard is much better for bright students who want to avoid bullies like you.

100% people who fear bullies on anonymous message boards should go to Harvard and not Duke.

[Anonymous]

Congrats on great choices. I would choose harvard (prestige and boston) but my social kid would likely choose duke (sports, vibe, warm weather). Your kid should speak with current upperclassmen to get a real sense of vibe, social life, etc. Maybe reach out to older students from your high-school or hometown? We know happy kids at both schools. I heard that duke has jumped into the residential college system and banning greek from campus - which has had some unintended negative consequences for the community. Ask lots of questions and go with fit and where u think u can be happy for 4 years.

[Anonymous]

I mean - Harvard. Everyone has heard of it.

[Anonymous]

Boston is always ranked as the #1 city for college kids.

Duke may have slightly better weather…but no college kid ever ranks Durham as a place they want to be.

[Anonymous]

Duke is the pinnacle of collegiate experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Boston is always ranked as the #1 city for college kids.

Duke may have slightly better weather…but no college kid ever ranks Durham as a place they want to be.

Agree. Boston is a magical place albeit cold. I know many social kids at Harvard who go to MIT/BU frats and other social events downtown. Durham is more isolated, and the only college aged kids there are Duke students. With the abundance of college students in Boston, you can easily branch out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Duke is the pinnacle of collegiate experience.

…in the 1990s. Times have changed - the kids that land at these top universities today tend to me more interested in their career and future than “fun” or partying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you visited Harvard recently, the choice is obvious. Go to Duke and pursue advanced degree at Harvard. 80 degrees at Duke vs high 40s in Cambridge. Fun vs no fun.

Most kids who graduate from Harvard or Duke never pursue an advanced degree (though a sizable minority do).

Also, why do people treat NC like it’s FL? It’s 57 in Durham today and 53 in Boston…in late April!

If you really want better weather you need to go to Atlanta and south or Arizona, southern TX or CA.

Picking one random day to demonstrate a point is not a very Harvard approach to analysis and argument.

Just did a quick search and average high in Durham in February is 54 vs. 41 in Cambridge. That is a non-trivial difference. Durham is kind of hot and gross in the summer but students aren't there then, so they benefit from the months where the difference actually is positive and miss the ones where it is something of a negative.

This obviously is far from the top decision point for this choice, but it is non-trivial and factors into the overall campus culture.

I decided between Duke and an Ivy (not HYP so not the same decision) and when I visited Duke it was sunny and guys were playing beer frisbee in shorts on the quad and girls were in sundresses vs. the Ivy a week later where it was still chilly and gray and everyone was still wearing jackets. Though to the points of others, I don't think Duke is quite as fun and carefree as it was back in my day.

Not arguing for Duke over Harvard - I would probably pick Harvard. But just clarifying some misinformation here.

But neither is “warm”…which was the point.

If I wanted warm, I want it to be 80 in February not 54 and not 41.

You're going to die on this hill, aren't you? Again, you are making Harvard look bad. So deep in the weeds on technicalities that you can't see the bigger picture and/or understand nuance.

You won. Congratulations. Gold star! A+. Summa cum laude from Harvard (like everyone else there - the grade inflation is out of control because everyone has to be special).

[Anonymous]

Are we talking Harvard Extension or Harvard because that may make a difference...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Boston is always ranked as the #1 city for college kids.

Duke may have slightly better weather…but no college kid ever ranks Durham as a place they want to be.

Agree. Boston is a magical place albeit cold. I know many social kids at Harvard who go to MIT/BU frats and other social events downtown. Durham is more isolated, and the only college aged kids there are Duke students. With the abundance of college students in Boston, you can easily branch out.

Not arguing that Durham is a better city than Boston because it is not. But Durham is an up and coming place - really good food scene, bars, arts, etc. Until recently when it became less fun Duke's social scene was more self-contained so it didn't really matter where it was - tons of fun on campus - the Gothic Wonderland. Now, not as much. Also, Chapel Hill is very close and a great place - it is the quintessential college town. And Duke also has great sports which are a lot of fun - no comparison at Harvard.

And the weather isn't slightly better - it is a lot better. Though there is a Harvard lover in this thread who refuses to give in on this. Because they are special.

Different strokes for different folks.