Stanford vs Duke?

I've been flipping between both for the last few weeks, and I feel lost

  • I don't know what I want to major in
  • Financial aid is the same at both schools
  • I won't be able to visit Duke, but I'm visiting Stanford during admit weekend

I tried to do some research and here is what I've come up with:

STANFORDDUKE (TRINITY)
  • Close to home ($40 flight) which I like | - East Coast ($500 flight)
  • I LOVE the area. There's so much to do (an hour from San Francisco, lots of hiking, nice weather) | - Completely new experience moving to the South, not much to do in Durham
  • Everyone intimidates me. Also I have never met a Stanford alumni | - I LOVE everyone at Duke. Every alumni/student I've met has been incredible, and I think I just love the people at Duke. I applied purely because of the alumni I know
  • Weaker undergraduate focus | - Stronger undergrad focus
  • Silicon Valley, I love the idea of start ups. Stanford/Palo Alto is an already established tech/start up hub | - Duke is trying to build their own silicon valley in Durham, and they're throwing money/resources at the students for start ups. I could be part of building something new.
  • I LOVE the Stanford traditions | - Have no idea what Duke traditions/events are like
  • Duck Syndrome(?) | - Apparently Duke kids are more chill which I like better

 

I was certain I would go to Stanford if I got in, but then I got into Duke and all that certainty has gone out the window. I'm falling for both schools. Right now, what I love most about Stanford is the area, weather, activities. What I love most about Duke are the people and sense of family.

Does anyone have any insight about either school that could help me figure out what's best for me? It does not help that I don't know what I want to do, so I'm trying to gauge which school will open up more doors for me in the long run regardless of what I end up doing. I'm not very good with decisions and so I'm very scared of picking the wrong one, not fitting in, and regretting it. :(

Posted Apr 15, 2016, 1:24 AM UTC · edited

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