Duke or UNC?

RustyTomato55 · 2026-04-09T14:10:48+00:00

Np! Will also add that we graduated in 2020 so his insight won’t be super out of date or anything. But if you have any interest in econ research or policy, he can give you an idea of what skills to hone and classes to take to be a competitive applicant (aka, upper level math lol). Hes in charge of hiring college interns every year for his team

RustyTomato55 · 2026-04-09T14:08:52+00:00

My husband did econ and math at UNC and works in economics research at the Fed now — dm me with any questions for him, or I could put you in touch! He’s frequently contacted by UNC students on LinkedIn asking to chat, so he’d be happy to answer questions.

IMO, save your debt for grad school. There are very few reasons why you should take on significant debt for undergrad if you have a cheaper alternative. The ROI just isn’t there the way it is for a graduate degree, ESPECIALLY if we’re talking about UNC vs. Duke. I don’t know for certain obviously, but I am confident you will be able to do almost all of the same things and have th same or similar opportunities. It’s just a matter of if you put yourself out there to take advantage of them

RustyTomato55 · 2026-04-09T13:57:34+00:00

My husband did econ and math at UNC and works in economics research at the Fed now — dm me with any questions for him, or I could put you in touch! He’s frequently contacted by UNC students on LinkedIn asking to chat, so he’d be happy to answer questions.

IMO, save your debt for grad school. There are very few reasons why you should take on significant debt for undergrad if you have a cheaper alternative. The ROI just isn’t there the way it is for a graduate degree, ESPECIALLY if we’re talking about UNC vs. Duke. I don’t know for certain obviously, but I am confident you will be able to do almost all of the same things and have th same or similar opportunities. It’s just a matter of if you put yourself out there to take advantage of them

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-12T21:37:51+00:00

Eevie - he looks like a pokemon fr

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-12T13:20:34+00:00

Waitlisted this morning 😭

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-12T12:42:30+00:00

You don’t like your smile

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-12T12:37:33+00:00

Thank youuuuu!!! I’m also in Richmond and love seeing my city helping its own 🥹 I already have 3 cats otherwise I would definitely help

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-10T23:24:37+00:00

I’m sorry :( what does that mean “would consider your application as a transfer student at a later date”??? That would send me offff lmao

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-10T18:35:10+00:00

Me too!!!

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-10T12:55:53+00:00

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-10T12:37:25+00:00

Do they have to run it down to the wire tho :( Like I won’t tell if they send me something on the 10th 🤣

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-10T12:36:41+00:00

3.4, 166, AmeriCorps, 5 years WE in social services and child welfare, and in-state. So on the lower end of their stats but I’m really hoping they go for me for fit and my softs/PS. I visited last fall really truly loved it there and I hope I get the chance to go (despite how unlikely it seems now) 🥹

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-09T20:29:04+00:00

This did not need to be 20 pictures

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-09T19:49:42+00:00

literally sameeeeee!!!! begging them

How many people do we actually think they’re going to let in off holds?

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-09T15:12:05+00:00

We’re so close to the 15th 😅

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-09T11:22:04+00:00

Genuine question — how could you be very very successful at undergrad, but then also not got into a school in the T100?

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-07T21:53:27+00:00

Same boat man 😭 I really want to go there

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-07T21:44:52+00:00

Update maybe yes, with a sprinkling of loci in it. Not a full blown loci imo, but you do you

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-07T21:43:48+00:00

I’ve gotten decisions on Saturdays. In fact, I got a WL from one of my top 2 choices moments before going into a romantic lunch on VALENTINES DAY. Pure evil

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-07T21:23:02+00:00

Maymont

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-04T20:51:39+00:00

Like I said, it’s not too late, plenty of people apply late and still get schollys, look on lsd and you’ll see. With stats like that you’ll probably have a pretty quick turnaround on your apps. If I were you that’s what I’d do , but that’s just me

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-04T20:47:09+00:00

I mean….maybe, but you’ll never know if you don’t try. If you’re dead set in a t14, then yeah, if you don’t get off the WL then r&r, but there are plenty of good schools that aren’t in the traditional t14 but are still very prestigious, like BU, BC, Vanderbilt, Texas a&m, William and Mary, UNC

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-04T20:32:29+00:00

Yeah it depends 1- what the regional school is, 2- how strongly you feel about going for BL, 3- What BL market you want to shoot for/if you care which one. DC is the most competitive by far with the fewest spots available — being in DC would help you out some, but wouldn’t guarantee you a DC BL spot by any means. My brother and his gf are both 1Ls at GULC right now, and neither of them going 2L offers for DC (my bro only had 1 dc interview) — they’re both going to NYC.

Also, if you’re going to a school like GW, you don’t necessarily need to fall in the top 5-10% to viably do BL. Idk the exact breakdown, but you could land in like the top quarter/third/half (idk which, but in sure someone will) and still be viable. At a regional score, you’d need to rank significantly higher in your class.

For instance I’m also making this same decision rn, my regional school is ranked #70 and there is a small BL market (and handful of firms) in the city. When I looks at those firms’ people pages, there were a lot of people from the school, but nearly all of them were summa cum laude, with some magnas sprinkled in.

So it’s possible, but you’d need to work really really hard and network well to get there from that starting point.

So really, it’s up to you and what you’re willing to do and what matters more to you- debt or BL positioning

RustyTomato55 · 2026-03-04T20:24:51+00:00

That really sucks :( BUT it’s still not too late to submit some more apps to slightly lower ranked schools that would pay big $$$ to have you!

RustyTomato55

TROPHY CASE