Duke vs Rice vs Carnegie Mellon

KaifortheWin
Sun, 31 Mar 2019 01:47:53 +0000

Hey everyone!
I never thought that I’d be in this position, but I need some help choosing from some great options! I plan on visiting Duke and Rice april break (I already visited CMU).

Breakdown:
Costs for all schools are same, so not a factor.
Major for Rice and CMU is civil engineering + public policy; Duke is public policy
Duke -
Pros

Dream school since 8th grade… go blue devils!

Amazing public policy program, plus they have this American national security policy program that I want to do

Easiest travel time – 2 hours by plane

Duke basketball!

Not the biggest factor, but prestige… dude, it’s Duke. How am I supposed to say no to Duke??

Cons

I hear greek life plays a big part on campus. I like to party but I’m not sure I fit into the frat bro partying set

I wouldn’t be able to major in engineering, but I’m not sure I want to do engineering

Rice -
Pros

No greek life

Flexible for changing/exploring majors, great engineering

Smaller community, so more tight-knit/exposure to professors

Residential college system

Cons

Policy analysis major isn’t as good as Duke’s

Been told it is either a “love it or hate it” experience

can only get to Houston by plane, 4 hr flight

Carnegie Mellon -
Pros

Really awesome engineering program

Pittsburgh is a cool city

Geographically/culturally “closer” to home (I live in new england)
Cons

The stereotype student is kinda nerdy and awkward

8 hour drive away

Stress culture