My kid chose UChicago over Duke 3 years ago for Economics and Neuroscience. They are vastly different schools, but DC is super happy with their choice.

I'm assuming most people on this forum would have chosen Duke, but the point is, both fit and departmental reputation matter a lot when choosing a college. UChicago's Economics department is #1, but Duke is slightly better for Neuroscience. In the end, DC wanted to be in a big city and ended up with a very balanced & healthy social life at UChicago, being involved in Greek life helped.

OP, it will come down to what your DC wants to study and fit. I would choose Harvard for the breadth + Boston but I understand how Duke might have very specific offerings that Harvard can't beat.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid chose Columbia over Duke and Penn. Zero regrets here either.

That's because your kid loves to watch Power 4 fencing!

Nope. Columbia women's archery rules!

I chose Duke over Penn. And I know others who did the same. And I'm sure there are others who chose Penn over Duke. Lots of common applicants.

Top schools but a notch below HYPS. Roughly similar size (Penn is bigger). Generally normal, mainstream kids.

Princeton or Stanford.

Agree lots of overlap with Dartmouth, HYP, but not Penn.

None of my Duke friends would ever consider Penn. lol about cross admits with Columbia.

Anonymous wrote:My kid chose Columbia over Duke and Penn. Zero regrets here either.

Columbia is not even close to Harvard

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid chose Columbia over Duke and Penn. Zero regrets here either.

That's because your kid loves to watch Power 4 fencing!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Duke always had nothing in common with Columbia and Penn. Fortunately.

There’s a fairly big overlap in applications to Duke and Penn.

No one I knew from Duke was interested at all in Columbia. I can see Penn although I don’t really recall. I remember a lor of Princeton / Stanford envy and, mostly, a lot of Dartmouth overlap.

Anonymous wrote:Duke always had nothing in common with Columbia and Penn. Fortunately.

There’s a fairly big overlap in applications to Duke and Penn.

Anonymous wrote:I am reporting a lot on this thread. I'd encourage others to do the same. My God people, learn how to behave and get some therapy.

What are you reporting?

I am reporting a lot on this thread. I'd encourage others to do the same. My God people, learn how to behave and get some therapy.

Duke always had nothing in common with Columbia and Penn. Fortunately.

Anonymous wrote:My kid chose Columbia over Duke and Penn. Zero regrets here either.

That's because your kid loves to watch Power 4 fencing!

My kid chose Columbia over Duke and Penn. Zero regrets here either.