Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 12:38     Subject: Duke vs. Harvard
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Unless you're a huge sports fan, there is zero reason to attend Duke over Harvard.


Engineering would be one reason. And that does tend to be where a lot of smart boys go these days. And Harvard is nothing in that field. Whereas Duke has a solid engineering program.

Also, these days, many employers are wary of this generation of Harvard grads - lazy, entitled, privileged. Outside of investment banking, I don't think there's much of a career bonus for going to Harvard anymore compared to a perfectly good and prestigious school like Duke. And like it or not, lots of students like going to the "big game" with all the hoopla that goes with it.

As a grown adult, I would choose living in Cambridge for four years over Durham every day of the week. But it's not at all unreasonable for students to choose Duke over Harvard in 2026 for their college experience.


Even this is not correct. Paulson gave Harvard $400 million in 2015 for engineering, and it has shot up the rankings in this area. Now right behind Duke in the US News rankings, the Paulson school of engineering is now ranked ahead of Duke in the more serious international rankings like the Times ranking.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 12:30     Subject: Duke vs. Harvard
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Duke is an upscale version of Wake Forest.

Fact check: TRUE


Wake Forest is way more fun than Duke these days.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 12:05     Subject: Duke vs. Harvard
Anonymous wrote:Duke is an upscale version of Wake Forest.

Fact check: TRUE
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 11:48     Subject: Duke vs. Harvard
Anonymous wrote:Unless you're a huge sports fan, there is zero reason to attend Duke over Harvard.


Engineering would be one reason. And that does tend to be where a lot of smart boys go these days. And Harvard is nothing in that field. Whereas Duke has a solid engineering program.

Also, these days, many employers are wary of this generation of Harvard grads - lazy, entitled, privileged. Outside of investment banking, I don't think there's much of a career bonus for going to Harvard anymore compared to a perfectly good and prestigious school like Duke. And like it or not, lots of students like going to the "big game" with all the hoopla that goes with it.

As a grown adult, I would choose living in Cambridge for four years over Durham every day of the week. But it's not at all unreasonable for students to choose Duke over Harvard in 2026 for their college experience.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 11:15     Subject: Duke vs. Harvard
Anonymous wrote:Unless you're a huge sports fan, there is zero reason to attend Duke over Harvard.


Harvard is the most arrogant institution in the country, and it doesn't care that much about its undergraduates. So it holds the greatest appeal among clout chasers who value a brand over an experience.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 11:13     Subject: Duke vs. Harvard
Unless you're a huge sports fan, there is zero reason to attend Duke over Harvard.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 11:10     Subject: Duke vs. Harvard
lol how pp rave about kids from “our private” going to Harvard. Duke needs less of them to get back to what made Duke great. Public school kids.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 11:01     Subject: Duke vs. Harvard
Fortunately, Duke is not closer to Harvard socially. Totally more relaxed normal environment at Duke. Harvard is full of chaos and campus protests. Most kids at Duke live the strong athletic vibe which would be found at Notre Dame and yes Duke is still more moderate than the Ivies.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 10:32     Subject: Duke vs. Harvard
Op, have your child learn about the final clubs, Harvard’s version of Greek life. There are social kids at Harvard and there are quirky kids. Same at Duke. The ratios might differ, but Duke is far closer to Harvard these days than 30 years ago. Plenty of kids from our private who attend Harvard fall into the social group.

This board is full of useless rankings but H/Y/P/M/S truly do offer resources and opportunities that are unparalleled. Duke is very good but not at the same level. I would focus on that part of the equation.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 09:46     Subject: Duke vs. Harvard
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.


I believe you, OP. My kid would be much happier at Duke but would have trouble turning down Harvard.

Thank you. This is OP, and I really appreciate the helpful and understanding responses here. I also get why some don't believe or understand it. Before having a DC faced with this choice, I might have thought this was a crazy question myself.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 09:23     Subject: Duke vs. Harvard
Anonymous wrote:
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.


This.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 08:38     Subject: Duke vs. Harvard
Anonymous wrote:Other than basketball, Duke’s sports don’t generate much student attention.
not true at all. On any given day if you look at the newspaper, 95% of it is sports related content. This is definitely a sports focused school and not just on MBB.
https://www.dukechronicle.com/
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 08:30     Subject: Duke vs. Harvard
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.


I believe you, OP. My kid would be much happier at Duke but would have trouble turning down Harvard.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 07:38     Subject: Duke vs. Harvard
Anonymous wrote:
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.


So are you. I'm a Duke alum who hates UNC out of tradition. But I respect it. And I don't go around insulting other schools like that. It is a sign of insecurity to do so. Sad. Very Trumpy. In men it is a sign of small private parts and sexual inadequacy.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 07:36     Subject: Duke vs. Harvard
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Doubt you went to Harvard if the Wake Forest dig is the best you can do. Vandy would have been better.


Being compared to a third rate, overpriced, poor yield, zero name recognition school is worse than being compared to Vanderbilt.


Insulting any school like that, particularly one that happens to be pretty good, is pathetic, sad and childish. Grow up. Glad this makes you feel big and important. Show some class.