Help! Duke vrs. UCLA

Applying to College
1

<p>Help me out please!! The problem is, I don’t think I would be able to get in to Duke regular decision, but I think I have a good chance of getting in ED. Obviously, if I apply ED and get in, there’s no way I’d be able to see if I got into UCLA or not … my second dream school. *So, I’m trying to figure out whether I should apply to Duke ED and if I get in, forget about UCLA, or take my chances RD with Duke and UCLA. *</p>

<p>The two biggest things I’m worried about is that the area surrounding Duke seems really boring (I’m the type of person that loves to go out and explore/visit places, I’m a wanderer at heart :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: ) and is really white. </p>

<p>I’m also worried about class offerings about UCLA …how strong are they in the subjects I’m interested in? I don’t really know much about LA’s academics, but what really draws me in is that most of the student body isn’t white, and it’s in LA. </p>

<p>Interests: Developing nations/humanitarian work, environmental science/zoology, studio art, advertising, languages, study abroad.</p>

<p>Duke:
+Has its own island for marine biology studies, lemur center, great biology department.
+Smaller classes

  • Flexibility for people with undecided majors.
  • Seems to fit me really well academically</p>

<p>-Student body isn’t very diverse, (seemed mostly white when I visited.)
-North Carolina seems reallllly booorrrinng and in the South.
-Preppy/jocks, auggh
-More conservative?</p>

<p>UCLA:
+Very diverse student body!
+LA!! OMG!! (I love LA it is such an exciting place)
+Nice campus</p>

<p>-Freaking huge/huge classes
-Might have problems graduating in 4 years/signing up for classes
-Lower quality of instruction (?)

  • Not sure about whether academics fit me as well</p>

<p>It seems essentially my dilemma is great location/diverse student body @ LA versus better academics at Duke. Auggh!</p>

2

<p>I would go for ED on Duke, but I’m not sure…</p>

3

<p>you can apply early decision and apply to public schools at the same time.</p>

4

<p>Apply ED to Duke. North Carolina > California.</p>

5

<p>Oh and I picked Duke over Georgetown (great city), University of Chicago and Northwestern (great city), Berkeley (great city), and UCLA (great city). I love cities and all… but somethign about duke just made sense for me. And don’t worry about being bored-- not possible. So much going on campus. And the diversity thing? I was concerned too (I’m Indian) but I talked to minority students on campus and it’s really not a problem. </p>

<p>I crossed berkeley and LA off because i don’t like big classes, and my education is really important. I don’t like public school educations although I like public school atmospheres (I hope that makes sense). Georgetown had a dinky campus, albeit in a great city. Chicago is just too cold. I can understand why UCLA is tempting. If you’re doing premed or engineering, come to Duke— UCLA competition is really really cutthroat. At duke, it’s more helpful and cooperative of an atmosphere. Everything else, come to Duke. We have amazing resources (i.e.$$$$$ and great faculty and smaller classes) for a great education.</p>