Duke vs. UNC.... Who does it better?

“So, which do you like better?”

I couldn’t answer this question fairly or easily, regardless of how many times it was posed to me this semester. Being a Duke student and “switching” to the rival school, UNC, for the semester is almost sacrilegious. Everyone wanted to know who ultimately came out on top.

The question is inherent problematic.  Prior to this semester I spent 1.5 years at Duke, making friends, taking classes, immersing myself on campus, joining a sorority and putting down roots in the gothic wonderland. UNC was going to be at a disadvantage from the beginning because Duke has defined my college life.

When I first got the offer to move to North Carolina I had a choice between the two schools and originally picked UNC. I changed my mind and picked Duke. I’ll be honest; I was very scared I would leave this semester wishing I had gone to UNC.

I don’t wish that. Duke was the right choice for me. However, though my blood bleeds Duke blue there are so many reasons why I love UNC. I feel so privileged to have been a part of this campus for a semester and look forward to returning for some classes after my year abroad in Madrid and Chile.

That being said, both schools excel in different areas. The following is my highly scientific evaluation of which school trumps the other in a variety of (crucial) categories.

Atmosphere

This one is tough for me to say. Duke has a reputation for being a high-stress environment while UNC is known for its relaxed happy atmosphere. I didn’t want to admit that it was true. That’s my school you’re talking about! The rumors, however, are true. UNC has a much better work-life balance and more carefree environment. Duke student’s ambition and excessive focus on school can lend itself to a more intense and stressful environment. That doesn’t mean I’m not happy or I don’t have fun at Duke, I definitely do! However, I learnt a lot from my time at UNC and noticed I am able to go back to Duke and not get as sapped into its perfectionistic/competitive culture but rather watch a little from the outside. For that I am truly grateful.

The Winner: UNC

Dorms

Given that I lived in an apartment at Duke 1^st semester sophomore year I am pitting my freshman year dorm (GA) against my dorm at UNC (Kenan). I’ve gotten really lucky with my housing at both schools. GA and Kenan had large, bright, modern rooms decent proximity to everything and almost enough closet space to deal with my clothing.

However, GA had beautiful, modern kitchens and the best common room space I’ve ever seen (it also had just undergone renovations when I moved in). GA was a friendly, social space (probably because it was a freshman dorm). Kenan by contrast seemed to be filled with the misfits (kidding) 3 one semester Robertsons, transfer students and others who couldn’t get housing off-campus. It was a little quiet but I had a blast with my friends Charlotte (the excellent roommate) and Sofia (just across the hall).

The Winner: Duke

Classes

This one is a little tricky because I’m basing my evaluation on my four classes this semester and one the previous semester. Duke students love to ask me about the “rigor” of UNC classes fully expecting me to say they are so much easier. That is not (usually) the case. I’ve now taken three classes in the UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication and let me tell you they are definitely not easy. They have pushed me, inspired me and frustrated me more than any class at Duke. That being said my language and anthropology courses were enjoyable but less intense and exciting than those I had taken at Duke.

The Winner: Duke, I love the small classroom sizes that Duke offers, I like being constantly pushed and I love that the students in my classes are more willing to discuss and debate than I had found at Carolina.

Food

UNC, UNC and oh UNC. I’m not counting the dining halls in this equation at either school (mainly because I didn’t use one at UNC). The food choices on campus and on Franklin Street are far more varied and delicious than those at Duke. Also more affordable, I am pretty sure the prices of everything on campus and surrounding are ridiculously inflated.
Med Deli’s falafels and veggies, TRU’s wraps and salads, the bottom of Lenoir’s choices, Carolina Coffee Shop’s omelets and of course the best frozen yoghurt ever at YoPo…Carolina was a wealth of great food.

The Winner: UNC

Internet

UNC’s Internet was the bane of my existence (yes I’m melodramatic, blame my mother for the early acting classes). It kept dropping out, occasionally only worked in my doorway or just simply “expired”. Duke’s Internet is always speedy and only drops out when you’re wandering in odd patches on campus. I take my Wi-Fi very, very seriously. I mean how am I meant to check Insta if it keeps cutting out?

The Winner: Duke

Professors

I’ve been so lucky to have great professors at both schools. My experience with my professors is only enhanced by the fact that I’ve rarely had a class of more than 12 students. I’ve been taught by previous high-profile reports, male lawyer-turned-anthropologist who wore a Hawaiian skirt to class, quirky late twenty something who drink out of mason jars, crazy Cuban Spanish teachers and really only one droner. Both schools have provided me with access to inspiring, intelligent individuals who can’t only do, they truly can teach which makes learning so invigorating and enjoyable.

The Winner: A tie!

Campus

I’ll be superficial. I like pretty things, especially pretty places. Going to a school that didn’t look like a dungeon has always been important to me. My primary school had a nature trail, my high school a beautiful garden and both my colleges are gorgeous and featured in “America’s most Beautiful Campuses”. They have a different look. UNC has sprawling laws, spread out buildings, and canopies of lush trees. Duke has spectacular gothic architecture, gardens that take your breath away and streets lined with trees.

I’ll admit I love and find my gothic wonderland at Duke more breathtaking than UNC’s campus (but maybe I’m a little biased). Sorry UNC you’re also beautiful but…

The Winner: Duke!

Landmarks

Though both schools have great statues aka Duke’s Camel they are both known for a distinctive piece of architecture. UNC’s Old Well dates to, and it said to have mythological properties, if you drink from it before your first classes your semester will be lucky. Duke’s chapel (really more of a cathedral if you ask me) is arguably the focal point of campus and features stunning views from the top.

I love the history and unpretentious nature of the well but really I can’t go past my stunning chapel. I have incredibly fond memories of first arriving in Durham and seeing the Chapel from miles away and knowing where home was.

The Winner: Duke

Accessibility

Do I even need to say it? Duke’s campus is currently death trap of construction. Getting to class or the library has become an adventure reminiscent of Alice in wonderland and I once sunk up to my ankles in a poorly covered rain sinkhole thing. Given that I both dislocated my knee and fractured my foot this semester and had to hobble around I can confidently say that despite a few missing bricks UNC is much more accessible!

The Winner: UNC

Student Town

Duke is infamous for being in a bubble, meaning that its students only really experience their lives on campus and don’t really venture into the city of Durham. We all joke about the Duke bubble and acknowledge its presence but it’s a little sad. My friends and I leave the bubble often enough to explore Durham and have fun beyond Duke and I would urge others to do the same. UNC’s town, Franklin Street in particular is fun, vibrant filled with bars, restaurants and clubs, which don’t only cater to UNC students. My Duke senior friends know it and frequent the area on Saturday nights. It’s fun, exciting and I can’t wait to go back!

The Winner: UNC

People aka Students

This one is too hard to say, especially when you have an established group at Duke and come into UNC second semester sophomore year when people aren’t really looking for friends.  The people I have met at Duke are some of the most ambitious, inspiring, supportive and stimulating that I have ever met. I have been so privileged to solidify strong friendships that make me feel happy and loved. That said the people I met at Carolina were loving, supportive, kind and embracing of me. I think both campuses should be proud to have such great students.

The Winner: A tie

The verdict?

Both campuses are fabulous and I will always have a little bit of a Carolina blue imprinted in my heart but at the end of the day I’m a Blue Devil through and through.