<p>I know there are a million threads on this, but Northwesterns acceptance rate is in the low 30’s and Dukes in the low 20’s…yet people say they are equally hard to get into…is this because Northwestern looks for a specific type of student? Or is there something else? Self-selection? Or are they acutally not equally hard to get into?</p>
<p>Also, if weather isn’t a concern, and costs are approx. the same, which is better overall?</p>
<p>NU’s admit rate isn’t in low 30s. Its admit rate is 27%. Compare that to Duke’s admit rate of 23%. There is only 4% difference and their SAT scores are roughly the same. These two are about same in selectivity.</p>
<p>When you get down to a decision like this, I would seriously take location into account. Where do you want to go to school. Where do you want to work after school. What type of people do you want to go to school with. The midwest is different from the south. You have to choose what type of environment you like.</p>
<p>Ha well, I’m from the upper midwest…so location isn’t an issue in terms of weather, and I want to work eventually in either the east, or possibly not even in the states…so again, location really isn’t a huge deal. </p>
<p>How are the social scenes different? Student body? Diversity?</p>
<p>The schools are more alike than different. Student bodies have a lot of overlap. Academic quality and reputations are similar. Duke scores points for warmer weather and great basketball, loses points due to Durham’s major league lack of appeal (generally avoided at all costs). Northwestern scores points for Chicago/Evanston and a social scene that is more diverse, loses points for winter wind and cold.</p>
<p>Six of one, half a dozen of the other! Unless you’re in a very specific field (e.g., journalism or theater) in which NU has the edge, you’re at the personal fit / preference stage at this point. There is no “better” at this level – it’s all great.</p>