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hi. im trying to decide btwn duke and northwestern. both do have a reputation of being preppy..can anyone who knows well about these schools give me a comparison of the two? well i suppose nw must be a little less preppyish than duke.

By Crazyandy (Crazyandy) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 04:44 pm: Edit

what you going to major in?

By Critical (Critical) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 07:35 pm: Edit

Go to Duke! Duke is known for having great looking students- I don't think Northwestern is.

By Kk02 (Kk02) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 04:13 am: Edit

what are you majoring in?

By Paula2 (Paula2) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 10:26 am: Edit

psych major i think. and im not particularly into great looking students cuz im not one. anywayz your insights will help a ton. thanx in advance

By Sondogg (Sondogg) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 11:18 am: Edit

duke has some pretty fantastic looking people, being somewhat in the south and all...northwestern however has the added benefit of one of the greatest cities in the world next to it, chicago...tough choice, i would go duke tho, but i have a bias cause im headed their next year

By Paula2 (Paula2) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 12:07 pm: Edit

ok. i get the difference in general appearance. besides that which school is better in terms of academics? social atmosphere?

By Tenisghs (Tenisghs) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 02:32 pm: Edit

Duke and Northwestern are AWESOME in academics. Duke offers a better sports program than Northwestern, but Duke plays in an easy conference. The Big 10 Conference (Northwestern) is extremely competitive. Duke is in the countryside (North Carolina) whereas Northwestern is in the city (Chicago). Take your pick.

By Marthpodi (Marthpodi) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 02:42 pm: Edit

Northwestern is actually in Evanston, a nice suburb that is a short drive from Chicago. I'd probably pick NU over Duke, but I'm going to NU next year....

By Paula2 (Paula2) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 10:01 pm: Edit

would you say people are more cliquish and arrogant in duke than northwestern?

By Bjturlington (Bjturlington) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 06:12 am: Edit

Paula2...

My advice is to go to Duke, if not for the more temperate weather and awesome basketball, for the awesome education that it has to offer. As for city and country references...Duke is in a small city (Durham, pop. 110,000), and is 9 miles from Chapel Hill & UNC (pop. 75,000). It is about 20 miles to Raleigh (pop. 200,000). Together with Chapel Hill and Raleigh, Durham is part of research triangle (high-tech, biotech, communications, and computers), so internships are plentiful. Everything you need as well as some very kewl places to hang-out, eat and shop are in the three cities. People are friendly and open, and surprizingly are pretty open-minded. There are lots of people from everywhere...especially the East and West Coasts. I've had 10 friends go there and would have gone myself, except that my aid package wasn't what I expected. On a more general note, the campus is awesome looking and the winters are mild. The classes I sat in on were good to great, with lots of debate and few TA's. I'd say it is a hot university with good balance.

Northwestern on the other hand will be cold most of the year and when I visited on my tour, the wind off Lake Michigan was fierce. Many people didn't make eye contact or said 'hello', unless you were downtown at the pizza place, the begal shop, etc...a plus though, is that Downtown Chicago is 25 minutes away (by car). I didn't like Northwestern's larger classes nor the number of students (undergrad + grad) or the use of TA's in the 4 or 5 classes I sat in on. I might have been there on an off day, but nothing could mask the incoherent architechture or the vast size of the campus, but if you're into heavy partying and the fraternity scene it could be fun.

Hope this helps.
Rob.

By Kk02 (Kk02) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 07:17 am: Edit

Doesnt a large part of the Duke stend community participate in frats and sors too? Maybe larger than Northwestern!

BTW, how do you put Duke Vs Northwestern for engineering (esp. Computers, electronics, aero)? My Duke aid package is like $6k more expensive than NWU, should I negotiate?

By Paula2 (Paula2) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 09:54 pm: Edit

Rob, thanxs for your reply. right now im more leaning towards duke too. one thing that makes me hesitate is the lack of diversity at duke. like someone pointed out everyone's about fine looks and conforming to the standard. i consider myself more of a columbia type of person where i didnt get in. right now im left w/ options that i didnt really consider before. but duke does seem to be a great school other than diversity factor. how would people compare the general population?(yep this seems to be a redundant question by now..)
thanks a lot to everyone who responded.

By Kk02 (Kk02) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 06:32 am: Edit

White-61%, Black-10%, Hispanic-6% Asian-12%, International-4%,
its not too diverse really but not that bad and it may improve this year with the introduction of intl financial aid.

By Tenisghs (Tenisghs) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 12:44 pm: Edit

People are cliquish anywhere you go. However, I feet Duke was a more hostile environment socially to me than Northwestern. I don't mind the cold weather as long as I use common use.

Keep in mind that in the background of Duke is a working-class predominant African-American population. They are treated like second-classed citizens by the Duke students.

Northwestern is EXTREMELY safe (University police, etc.) where crime is usual at Duke.

Duke and Northwestern are fine schools. You have to pick the right environment that will benefit YOU. Obviously, North Carolina doesn't interests me especially when many Duke students take classes at UNC-Chapel Hill (wth?).

By Jfmiii2 (Jfmiii2) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 01:11 pm: Edit

Go to Northwestern. Great location, great academics, and DUKE SUCKS. But honestly, ND is better than both. It is a tough choice. Both are great schools but I'd go to NU because I live on the North Shore of Chicago and it is an amazing city.

By Evilsnizzack (Evilsnizzack) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 01:26 pm: Edit

Yeah, NU is cold, but you get used to winter. It's very pretty and the campus is gorgeous. It's right on the lake. Evanston has REALLY cheap restaurants (and I speak from the perspective of someone on a high school budget) that range from thai food to italian to mexican. The train to downtown is two blocks from campus. The people are pretty good-looking, in my opinion.

By Tenisghs (Tenisghs) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 03:19 pm: Edit

"The people are pretty good-looking, in my opinion. "

Umm, I can't question the peer attractiveness of Northwestern's campus. lol

But for some reason, I wouldn't want to raise my children in Chicago for K-12 education.

By Bjturlington (Bjturlington) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 03:50 pm: Edit

Hey Paula...

Duke isn't more cliquey...it's just souhern...sounds weird, I know. People are a little more reserved, but also more academically liberal. An odd thing. Duke students are open-minded, and way accepting of difference. I don't think African-Americans are second class citizens as someone said, and I've never had problems from being mixed in NC. In fact, I'd venture to say, people are more frank...which means they are also more open to discussions. I like that. If you're from the 'North', it takes a few weeks to get used to it...but you'll appreciate it.

As for crime...it isn't bad, I'm not sure if people are confusing Durham for Duke. There are parts of Durham that are seedy, but it's like all other cities...including Chicago--all have crme.

Northerners don't often 'get' Duke or the South because we are usually very provincial (as well as smug). Surprizingly, Duke is 30%+ minority. Pretty good for a place that gets a bad rap for being in the South.

If you go to Duke...you can also take advantage of Research Triangle (hightech, medical, business internships), Duke's policy on grad school admissions (favors grads), Chapel Hill (small town, 9 miles suoth of Duke and home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), as well as be surrounded by temperate conditions.

Columbia and Duke are more alike than Northwestern. Northwestern is definately more pre-prof and career oriented than Duke, again due to regionl differences. Duke has a liberal arts focus and smaller classes.

I guess the hardest part of Duke is understanding that the students are unfailingly polite...some would see it as reserved, snobbish, etc...it's just that they express themselves differently. They very rarely raise their voices, like those students at other (northern) schools...but it makes you focus on what they are saying rather than being defensive about a particular position. I for one prefer congenial debate to a heated one. Don't get me wrong, but the times I've sat-in on classes (at Duke and Norhwestern) illuminated the differences between reasoned debate and a heated polarized match. Duke is not, however, conservative..it is definately liberal in the tradition of schools like Columbia.

I'd say go to Duke and stretch yourself.

Hope this helps.
Rob.

P.S.--Duke's requirements are less stringent than the CC core at Columbia though.

By Apguy (Apguy) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 04:12 pm: Edit

NU is a *great* school, however if I had the choice I would have probably taken Duke.

By Funnymonkey (Funnymonkey) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 04:29 pm: Edit

Duke plays in an easier conference? What an idiot. If you are talking about basketball, you have absolutely no arguement. The conference duke is in won the NCAA championship in 2001 and 2002. This past year at over half the teams were ranked at one time. Your are a moron to think the ACC is a weak conference.

By Paula2 (Paula2) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 05:38 pm: Edit

ok, i turned down NU for now. the deposit in duke, and am waiting from penn for a spot(from waitinglist) i guess the chances of making the waitinglist is very slim. anyways, as someone pointed out, one advantage of NU is that it is more career oriented. to me pure academics sound a little bit unproductive.
bjturlington, you mentioned the admission to grad school is easier for the undergrads. can you explain more about that?
thanks a lot

By Yourlocalmayor (Yourlocalmayor) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 07:07 pm: Edit

"Tenisghs" you actually said: "Duke offers a better sports program than Northwestern, but Duke plays in an easy conference. The Big 10 Conference (Northwestern) is extremely competitive." HOW STRONG IS THAT WEED YOU'RE SMOKING?! YOU KNOW NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, ABOUT WHAT CONFERENCE DUKE PLAYS IN!!! Duke plays in the ACC(Atlantic Coast Conference), maybe you've heard of it?!http://theacc.ocsn.com/ Hands down, Duke can whoop any team in the Big 10(and smack the heck out of Northwestern) in both men's and women's basketball. But I'll have to agree with the fact that Duke football sucks!

Both schools are good, honestly, I'd never go to Duke or Northwestern because I'm a Tar Heel. So in my opinion Duke sucks, period; Northwestern, what's that? I've just heard they've got an "ok" football team and a good medical school.

Roy Williams and company are going to take the title next year, be on the lookout. Peace out my homies!

GO TAR HEELS!
----------------------------
--Waiting for this post to be erased because of my "insensitive use of the English language." Just remember, Duke sucks.

By Yourlocalmayor (Yourlocalmayor) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 07:09 pm: Edit

And if you go to Duke, you will not want to hang out in Chapel Hill.

By Tenisghs (Tenisghs) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 09:06 pm: Edit

Yourlocalmayor -

The only three teams worth a competition in the ACC are Duke, UNC, Maryland and Virginia. The teams worth a competition in the Big Ten are Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin. The Big Ten is more competitive than the ACC. Sorry, folks! Big Ten love over here.

Support the Pistons to beat the Magic!!!

By Yourlocalmayor (Yourlocalmayor) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 11:50 pm: Edit

You forgot Wake Forest(won the ACC this past year) and NC State(who went to the NCAA Tourney this past march).

and yeah, go pistons or whoever.

By Yourlocalmayor (Yourlocalmayor) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 11:52 pm: Edit

For the "worthwhile" teams: The ACC's got 6 out of 9 compared to the Big Ten's 4 out of 10...hmmmm...

By Paula2 (Paula2) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 02:40 am: Edit

uh this conversation is going in a direction i didnt intend. sports is really not what i need to know.. if anyone can tell me about duke(other than sports) that'd me great

By Yourlocalmayor (Yourlocalmayor) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 10:29 pm: Edit

duke sucks! Tar Heel for life!

By Funnymonkey (Funnymonkey) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 10:39 pm: Edit

Hey, did duke suck last year in the ACC tournament second round? I think they beat.... ummmm.... who was it.... oh yeah the Tarheels. Slobbered them

By Yourlocalmayor (Yourlocalmayor) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 10:48 pm: Edit

shut up! the tar heels have 4 national titles and about 13 acc titles compared to duke's 2 national titles and about 11 acc titles, so shut up!

By Funnymonkey (Funnymonkey) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 10:51 pm: Edit

Living in the past or future is a dangerous place to be.

By Yourlocalmayor (Yourlocalmayor) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 11:02 pm: Edit

Funnymonkey=one big moron!

By Funnymonkey (Funnymonkey) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 11:05 pm: Edit

If you dogmatically believe that Roy will save your baby blue ass you are mistaken. He is afraid of winning the big game.

By Yourlocalmayor (Yourlocalmayor) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 11:35 pm: Edit

The North Carolina Tar Heels will win the 2004 NCAA National Championship

By Funnymonkey (Funnymonkey) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 11:50 pm: Edit

Would you be willing to bet money on that, mayor?

By Yourlocalmayor (Yourlocalmayor) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 01:26 pm: Edit

you're a tar heel! how can you say that?!

By Funnymonkey (Funnymonkey) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 01:30 pm: Edit

HAHA, true that. GO HEELS. I now have a baby blue ass.

By Beenthereil (Beenthereil) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 03:35 pm: Edit

Go to Duke if only because of the better weather.

Why spend that kind of money on an undergraduate education?

By Wobudong (Wobudong) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 10:31 pm: Edit

Tenisghs:

"The only three teams worth a competition in the ACC are Duke, UNC, Maryland and Virginia . . ."

You should avoid Duke. You might find that the math courses are a bit too tough. Stick with one of the 11 schools in the Big Ten.