Duke vs. UChicago vs. Middlebury vs. Wake Forest (Full Ride)

ski0378
Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:47:01 +0000

I’m having a really hard time choosing between these four schools. I know I’ll probably be happy wherever I go, but any advice would be much appreciated. My family doesn’t qualify for financial aid but I got a full merit scholarship to Wake Forest. I like the location and the people, and the classes seem good but I still didn’t feel like I fit there, and the fraternity scene was a real turn-off. I visited UChicago and really wanted to like it, but I thought that the people there were very wrapped up in what they were doing, not haughty or arrogant but just so involved in their own studies that it wouldn’t occur to them to be social or extroverted. My fear is that Duke is too similar to Wake to justify the extra cost and Middlebury puts too much emphasis on the liberal arts and is very isolated. The most important things for me are academic prestige, strength of undergraduate teaching, and the creation of a community of scholars who are bright, interesting, and studios while still knowing how to have a good time. I know there is no such thing as a perfect college and I’m very fortunate to be in the situation I’m in, but I’m having such a hard time with the choice and it would be great to hear from anyone who was in my shoes recently.

Thanks!