<p>what is so special about duke? I mean I know its ranking is good.
but can you not just go to an instate school like VCU (VA commonwealth univ), or stony brook (NY) or UVA???
does it really matter for the med/dental school admissions where you go?</p>
<p>please RESPOND … … …</p>
<p>Are you serious?
Duke has an acceptance rate into med school upward of 85% for a reason.
Do some research. I’m kind of lost as to how to start responding as to why Duke is better than VCU or Stonybrook. So many places to start. Do you have any specific questions?</p>
<p>Duke is one of the best premed programs in the country and its premed advising is what sets it apart from so many other school like VCU, Stony brook, and also UVA. Duke will provide you a higher chance to get in a better medical school because their premed advising is much better, so it does matter where you go for undergrad if you want to get in a really good medical school. Out of the schools you listed, only UVA comes close to Duke.</p>
<p>To the OP: that really should be a question that you ask yourself. That’s like asking someone for a good reason to switch your favorite color to pink. You are probably familiar with Duke’s med school admissions stats but as for why Duke is so “special” that question can only be answered by yourself.</p>
<p>so, apart from prestige and rankings, what differentiates duke from UVA ?
aren’t both good?
so is it worth spending 40K for duke when you can just go to UVA for an instate fee?</p>
<p>Nurjahan: you should visit both Duke and UVA if you haven’t done so already. Perhaps approaching this with an unbiased perspective will help.</p>
<p>i actually did, and i like both of them,
thats why i am very confused !!!
i initially got waitlisted at duke and found out last week that i got in…
so i have 3 more days to decide (You may be wondering why i am deciding so late !!!)</p>
<p>UVa is a great university and a tremendous in-state option</p>
<p>If financial aid is not an issue, Duke is a much better place for pre-med because of the scope of research activities with the medical center, caliber of the faculty in the sciences, and frankly the achievements of prior Duke students at the top medical schools in the country (this matters to admissions committees)</p>
<p>Ultimately, if you decide pre-med is not for you, and lots of people do, the breadth and reputation of Duke will open up tons of doors in the corporate world (Goldman, Morgan Stanley, Bain), in the non-profit world (Teach for America), and in other parts of academia/grad school</p>
<p>Check out the global university rankings for a perspective on how others view Duke. I think the passion of Duke students for their school – and alumni giving – is in an indicator that they were excited about their experience</p>
<p>Duke is superior to UVA academically, they are not in the same league.</p>
<p>Sorry, but thats just the fact. I always argue about this with people - the students who attend Duke are much, much more talented than those who attend UVA. Duke has the 7th most National Merit Scholars out of any private school, the 7th highest SAT scores, and is top 10 for feeding students into top law, business, and medical schools.</p>
<p>If anyone pretends UVA is in the same league as Duke…they simply don’t have your best interest in mind.</p>
<p>please dont be THAT biased- atleast have an objective point of view…</p>
<p>Ok he just backed it up with objective information…</p>
<p>you can’t say that all students who go to duke are much more talented than students who go to UVa. i have been accepted by both and just because if i go to uva, that doesnot make me “not smart like duke students.”
sorry but that is not objective</p>
<p>and i dont agree with usnews rankings- they are BS.
when i mean objectivity, i mean being unbiased.</p>
<p>I don’t think he was every arguing that every single Duke student is smarter than any given UVa student. I think he was telling you about the average caliber of the students on campus, and I do think he’s pretty unassailably correct on that particular point.</p>
<p>I can’t really comment on med/dental school admissions because frankly I don’t know the first thing about them. I have, however, spent a lot of time at Stony Brook both in the summer and during the school year. I enjoy Stony Brook and all, it’s been a great experience and I think I’m going to be back in the labs there this summer, but in my opinion Duke has been such a great experience. It’s on another level in everything that I looked for in a school. The obvious selling points for Duke are true and should not be overlooked: the campus is beyond beautiful (a walk in the gardens will really ground you, I’m always smiling when I’m walking through West Campus past the quads and Chapel, the new French Science Center is pretty cool looking as well, I’m there a lot). The classes are challenging and well taught (especially sciences from my experience if you’re looking for a career in medicine/science). I took classes at Stony Brook, and it just wasn’t the same. The instructors didn’t seem too into it and quite frankly they weren’t that difficult. I learned the material but nowhere near the depth and comprehension that I would have learned at Duke. Also Duke’s research facilities are amazing, and they let/encourage us undergrads to use them. I think we get spoiled by these opportunites at times. Another difference I’ve seen between SB and Duke is student spirit. For the most part we’re very proud of our school and we’re an upbeat bunch (I know this is rather biased, but there is nothing at any school that beats the atmosphere around campus during basketball season). I’m sure UVa also has that feel since they seem like they have a great passion (from what I’ve seen from ACC action). Also VCU and Stony Brook are commuter schools. This might detract from their overall passion and feel (Even though I know VCU students were pretty damn happy after the first round in this year’s tournament). We’re at Duke and with fellow undergrads all the time. Also I don’t know what your financial situation is or if Duke sent you anything, but with Duke plus financial aid I’m paying roughly what I would have paid to go to Stony Brook (without factoring in financial aid/scholarships). Sorry for the unorganized rambling and potentially presumptious assumptions, but basically from my experience/perspective Duke is overall a great place to spend the next four years, and I wouldn’t have wanted to spend it anywhere else for any reason.</p>