Duke or Dartmouth?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS is trying to decide where to ED this coming year, and we're looking for more insights on how to compare both. He is looking to major in Economics or something like PPE and likes both schools a lot for their access to nature and strong professional opportunities. It seems Dartmouth is slightly easier to get into than Duke but we're trying to focus on where the best fit and opportunities for him will be. TIA!

Funny a recent Duke thread some folks were insisting Duke is a top 5 school while others insisting only a top 40. So much nonsense spews on this forum. Duke just makes the top 10 (9 or 10 spot) whereas Dartmouth is just outside the top 10 (11 or 12 spot).

Dartmouth positives:
Ivy League
Undergraduate focus
Strong academics
Strong alumni network
Close access to nature

Dartmouth negatives:
Cold
Remote area
Quarter system
Not in close proximity to an urban center

Duke positives:
World class university
Strong academics
Strong academic network
Strong basketball program

Duke negatives:
Many haters

[Anonymous]

I would pick Duke simply because of the weather. Otherwise, it doesn’t really matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is trying to decide where to ED this coming year, and we're looking for more insights on how to compare both. He is looking to major in Economics or something like PPE and likes both schools a lot for their access to nature and strong professional opportunities. It seems Dartmouth is slightly easier to get into than Duke but we're trying to focus on where the best fit and opportunities for him will be. TIA!

Funny a recent Duke thread some folks were insisting Duke is a top 5 school while others insisting only a top 40. So much nonsense spews on this forum. Duke just makes the top 10 (9 or 10 spot) whereas Dartmouth is just outside the top 10 (11 or 12 spot).


Duke negatives:
Many haters

If you don't love basketball and the fan culture surrounding it, you might hate Duke. I've also found the Duke students I've met to be less impressive, but that's anecdotal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dartmouth = Ivy.
There's your answer.

Wow ! Great post. Not sure how we all missed that. Thanks !

[Anonymous]

Duke students not particularly impressive. Also bro culture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dartmouth College has better access to nature; Durham, NC isn't great, but Duke's campus is nice.

New England or Lower Mid-Atlantic/Upper South ?

Durham is awesome.

[Anonymous]

For those who think Duke is better than Dartmouth because of US News ranking, are you new to this country?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those who think Duke is better than Dartmouth because of US News ranking, are you new to this country?

Interesting strategy. If someone disagrees with you, just throw a thinly veiled insult their way and it will justify your position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those who think Duke is better than Dartmouth because of US News ranking, are you new to this country?

They are directly next to each other in the ranking. Duke at (10-11 tie) and Dartmouth at 12. Given the annual shuffling of schools, what is the difference?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those who think Duke is better than Dartmouth because of US News ranking, are you new to this country?

Absolute proof that Dartmouth is one of the best debate schools in the country.

[Anonymous]

There are some comedians that we are supposed to like yet few people actually think they are funny. Howie Mandel, Whoopi Goldberg, & Pete Davidson come to mind.

Duke is sort of like that. We are all supposed to think it is great, but it’s not clear WHY. Highly ranked departments? No. Impressive graduates? Dick Nixon? Great campus? Sorta. Fun location? Nope. Makes its students more likable than when they arrived? LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should visit both. They are both excellent, but the feel is so different, I cannot imagine a student happy at Dartmouth being happy at Duke and vice versa

Really surprised that anyone might think this. If I may ask, why ?

Duke & Dartmouth are overlap schools meaning that many applicants apply to both schools.

I know both schools and my impression is that they are much more similar than different.

Sports/party v nerdy in the woods
New England v South (weather, politics, etc)

May both be elite (I would say Dartmouth mote elite), but the feel is not the same - and yes, I know both fairly well, we have family members at both

How does "nerdy in the woods" sync with posters saying Dartmouth is frat dependent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are some comedians that we are supposed to like yet few people actually think they are funny. Howie Mandel, Whoopi Goldberg, & Pete Davidson come to mind.

Duke is sort of like that. We are all supposed to think it is great, but it’s not clear WHY. Highly ranked departments? No. Impressive graduates? Dick Nixon? Great campus? Sorta. Fun location? Nope. Makes its students more likable than when they arrived? LOL.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should visit both. They are both excellent, but the feel is so different, I cannot imagine a student happy at Dartmouth being happy at Duke and vice versa

Really surprised that anyone might think this. If I may ask, why ?

Duke & Dartmouth are overlap schools meaning that many applicants apply to both schools.

I know both schools and my impression is that they are much more similar than different.

Sports/party v nerdy in the woods
New England v South (weather, politics, etc)

May both be elite (I would say Dartmouth mote elite), but the feel is not the same - and yes, I know both fairly well, we have family members at both

How does "nerdy in the woods" sync with posters saying Dartmouth is frat dependent?

Both schools have a huge Greek influence but non-Greeks at Dartmouth have access to the Greek social events which isn't true at Duke or most other colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those who think Duke is better than Dartmouth because of US News ranking, are you new to this country?

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