<p>Connyfoo, I think you just listed alot of the stereotypes for each school. There will be many stupid people at Duke (no matter how define the word), as will there be stupid people at Berkeley. There will be good and bad professors at both schools too. There will be pretentious and unpretentious students at both as well. I’m not trying to say the two schools are the same, but rather I’m saying that the points you mentioned aren’t all together true. My opinion is that, first, throw out those world university rankings as a tool to pick a college. Second, get as much information from that is germane to you personally. Third, it doesn’t sound like you are, but don’t discount issues like which school will have the best concerts or films or whatever. I might not sound too important right now, but once you move somewhere you will, with out a doubt, need to have fun. I won’t say which I think you should choose, but I’ll warn you not to come here unless you’ve really decided that you’re up for it.</p>