Bewakoof's take on Duke vs UCLA..

SO i went to A days II and the BDW..

MOney aside.. I was offered money from both the places and I had a lot of fun at both the weekends. I didn't go to bed till 5:30 at Duke on both the days.. and I was the last one to leave bars at A DAYS II. I am the atypical Int'l student. Here is my take..

I was dissapointed on getting waitlisted at Kellogg but after these two weekend trips, i felt happy and was proud of myself of getting into two great schools with money..kellogg is the last thing in my mind now..

My career goals: .. My ideal job would be doing Ibanking for a big firm in Asia. For example : M&A for Lehman in India.. try to get paid in dollars.. or starting my onw firm out of school (if my idea works) or if I get fascinated with some one'e else's idea, work with them.

I loved UCLA and Duke equally but here are few things I would like to highlight

Culture/Fit wise: UCLA/Duke attract similar people. I had a blast at both the weekends. I am an outgoing person and was out real late in both the places. Before going to UCLA, I thought UCLA to be a commuter school but now I dont think it is. I think there is a good community feeling among the UCLA students may be not as tight knit as Duke's because of its location. I am still a bit concerned about it being a commuter school but from i heard/saw and talked to students, I think it should be least of my worries. I am jut being paranoid.. I will spend so much time with my classmates that its inevitable to be close with them.. LA just gives an advantage of doing other stuff if someone wants to.. I just need to make sure that i join clubs and get involved as much as i can.. I can see myself hanging out with my classmates in both the schools.

Career: From what I saw.. Finaince/Entertainment/ Media.. UCLA is clear winner.. Consulting/Marketing: Duke is a clear winner. I want to work in Hong Kong, India post graduation. UCLA might have a slight advantage considering its location. But I think I will have to work hard in both location to get a job that I want in these locations and get paid in dollars. (HongKong/ India) Its not like I am going to HSW, that jobs will come to me.. I WILL have to Network.. I will have to get my sh*t done on time.. i WILL have to be on top of my game..

Alumni Strength: Duke.. has a tighter knit community.. I am sure UCLA's alumni strength in West coast is pretty strong.. Over all Duke might have a slighter advantage.

Academics: All the top 10 school you will learn the same thing.. I think so.. HSW might be a bit different but I am not going to those schools so why even worry..

If you are the kind of person who likes security, go to Duke.. Duke will go out of its way to make sure you get a job and you are happy. You are almost certain that you will get a job you will like and they will make you happy. It is a private university and has money to spend. UCLA on the other hand is a bit risky. It is ofcourse entreprenuerial in spirit. I mean you will have to work hard for the job you want but again as risk entails you might get something you never dreamt of or you would just be worried of getting anything in your kitty. Its a public university and has its limitations..

To add I also found out that historically Duke has a better reputation..

Though everyone tells me Duke might be a better(safer) option for me, I am leaning towards UCLA. UCLA entails risk but there is a higher chance that I might bring my dreams to reality (start my own company and be my own boss).

I don't know what I am going to do.. but I know I will be happy wherever I end up GOING!