#Duke vs USC vs UCB

100 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

slate pivot
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Schools: Duke vs. USC mostly, but I'm also considering UCB, UCLA, CMU, and Pomona College
Intended major: Physics and English at Duke, EE/journalism at USC, and EECS/MSE at UCB (everything from after this will be just Duke vs. USC)
Similarities: Both private schools, fairly small compared to the UCs which I like, very good for interdisciplinary education which is what I hope for since I want to be a STEM prelaw
Costs: USC is giving me $57k in scholarships + honors program, so about $43k/year
Duke I'd be attending full cost so $90-100k

DUKE
School 1 Pros:

  • Much better academically
  • Cool courses/clusters I'm interested in, like the Scientific Revolution cluster about literature, music, and medicine
  • Love that it's a new environment
  • Love the gothic architecture much more than USC's campus vibes
  • Research triangle and I care a lot about STEM research opportunities
    School 1 Cons:
  • Very expensive compared to USC for me (parents can well afford it but still not good)
  • FAR away, I'm from socal and my parents are worried

USC
School 2 Pros:

  • Very local to friends, partner, family (1 hr drive from all)
  • Presidential scholarship perks
  • Guaranteed research opportunities in-school
  • Probably single housing and guaranteed housing for 2 years
  • EE program there is t10
    School 2 Cons:
  • I'm more interested in physics than I am in engineering and USC physics really isn't worth it
  • I don't like the vibes/party school/architecture

Tiebreaking considerations:

  • Housing for both
  • Specific programs offered at Duke for physics and/or English
  • Job opportunities in either area
  • Law school acceptance rates
dense current
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congrats on getting presidential for starters. I am a current ECE major here at usc. So I can give more insight and ask any questions if you got any. I can address the cons. If you aren’t into partying, you don’t need to party. Also people won’t judge you for that, so don’t feel discouraged because of that. Additionally, my friend is the programming chair here at usc quantum computing club. He has said usc quantum computing is very impressive. Additionally, NOW would be a good time to commit to usc because as a freshman you will most likely have Todd Brun, who is an expert in the field of quantum computing. He will be teaching EE 141, which is the class you take as a freshman. Maybe you might get a research position through him who knows. But ya in addition to this, yes usc research is very easy to get as a freshman. Over the two semesters so far, I’ve worked at one lab and a new one which I’m at right now. Ask or dm me any questions if you have any

slate pivot
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i’ll prob ask u more questions in the future about it but i guess my main concern was just that there might be a lack of academic “seriousness” (idk how to put it) if the school had party culture but i could totally be wrong abt that too

dense current
dense current
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Like everyone is very academically inclined and very passionate about what they do

slate pivot
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okok that’s a relief

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i saw a reel today where everyone was like

dense current
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Most of my friends know what field they want to focus on

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And they take action to achieve it

slate pivot
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i went here cos i didn’t get into ucla/there’s a reason they call it university of second choices

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and i was like oh no 😭

dense current
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I wouldn’t worry about it. People here are very motivated and academically stimulating. This is what I’ve seen at viterbi

slate pivot
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mmm

dense current
slate pivot
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yeah i got into the UCs n stuff but i kinda wanna go to a private school bc of the research opportunities

dense current
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In my previous lab, we had people from ucla and uci join our lab because they couldn’t get a research position

slate pivot
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i would’ve gone to berkeley over usc if it was full cost but since it’s cheaper to attend usc i would take advantage of the smaller private school opportunities

slate pivot
dense current
slate pivot
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i’m hoping someone here has serious rhetoric about duke opportunities as well cos i know a lot about usc from all the interviews and from being local

dense current
slate pivot
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but i knew next to nothing about duke when i applied (i forgot to even submit a video) and i only really looked into it after getting admitted

dense current
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There is no reason to

slate pivot
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fair enough

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i think my one apprehension is just

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duke would be an incredible place to study physics and english which was my ideal interdisciplinary position

dense current
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I mean considering you got presidential for usc… I would take advantage of it

slate pivot
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and it’s also pretty far

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so i can finally stop getting smothered by my parents iykwim

dense current
slate pivot
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cos rn i’m like 9 pm curfew and im 18 😭

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the last time i stayed out past 9 was for a music rehearsal 💀

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so it would be nice having freedom in the form of being across the country

dense current
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USC will change you lol

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It’s fun

slate pivot
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i’m not sure why

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😭

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what’s so good about the scholarship

dense current
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It’s pretty impressive enough

dense current
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And McCarthy

slate pivot
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fair

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i care more about like

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academics and courses

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compared to living and cost

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not that cost is unimportant it is

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but my parents can comfortably afford duke or usc

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so i was more weighing presidential bc of mccarthy and like

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better academic advisory

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that kinda thing

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and i’m not sure of the actual academic perks of the scholarship

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(just to be clear, regardless of how much they make, 57k/year is an insane scholarship and def matters. it would just matter even more if i had an additional academic justification for taking it)

dense current
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I think getting another perspective for Duke would be good as well

slate pivot
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yeah

dense current
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If your parents can afford Duke with no issue, Duke would be a good option as well

slate pivot
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not to say ur biased but there’s prob inherent bias in being a usc student 😭

dense current
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However I just don’t think it’s worth double of usc

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Which is ironic

slate pivot
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and don’t get me wrong i love usc (they’re hosting scioly nationals yay)

dense current
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Cuz usc is normally the expensive one

slate pivot
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bro usc is my most affordable option rn

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of any college

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that i got into

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💀 💀 💀

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it’s kinda ironic

dense current
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Yes lol

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However this is why I’m saying usc

slate pivot
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yeah that’s completely fair tbh

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if anyone is at duke or has an opinion on duke i would love another thought too :>

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but u def gave me a lot more insight than i originally had on usc

dense current
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Also it’s Duke lol. Pretty sure they are good for most majors

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But ya sounds good

dense current
lyric zenith
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USC or UCB

sweet sequoia
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If your parents can comfortably afford Duke, go to Duke

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imo much better for law

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also very good at STEM/engineering, rankings don't give it enough credit

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tbh usc's scholarship isn't that reputable because anyone with national merit finalist gets half-tuition off

crimson trench
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Did you already eliminate UCB?

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Can’t give very good advice on this one, but make sure to tell us your final decision. Very curious about it!

eternal knot
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So their presidential scholarship is quite insane

sweet sequoia
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Both presidential and national merit are half tuition

eternal knot
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This is outdated they changed it

eternal knot
slate pivot
slate pivot
plucky grotto
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Clubs fs

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I’ve talked too way too many students abt this

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And a few Berkeley pros and cons on YouTube

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That stigma gets generalized way too often tbh

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I’m a philosophy major. So, for reference, you won’t see me in competition with anybody 🤣

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Unless I care enough to join a club

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But then again, with a student body boasting 40k, it’s more comp than cutthroat sooooo… if that’s a problem, def choose a smaller student body