Duke

It's difficult to overstate the beauty of North Carolina in the spring. Nor is it possible to overstate how difficult it is to get into Duke, which has a 7% acceptance rate. Here is some information from the Fiske Guide:
Students opt for one of two undergraduate schools: the Pratt School of Engineering and Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. The school’s engineering programs—particularly electrical and biomedical—are national standouts. Natural sciences, most notably ecology, biology, and neuroscience, are also first-rate. The proximity of the Medical Center enhances study in biochemistry and global health. Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy offers an interdisciplinary major—unusual at the undergraduate level—that trains aspiring public servants and future leaders of nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other bodies that shape public life. Internships and apprenticeships are a big part of the program. Duke’s English and dance programs are notable, but students say the language offerings can be weak. Duke has more than 60 interdisciplinary centers, including the Duke Global Health Institute, the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, and the John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute. Computer science attracts the most majors, followed by economics, public policy studies, and biology.
As any sports enthusiast knows, Duke has been synonymous with championship basketball, but now that Coach K has left, (although it is said he still shows up at his old office every day) continued success is to be determined. The campus itself is lovely, it was a hot day when I visited and the tree-lined streets offered a welcome respite from the sun. Duke's buildings are a mixture of Gothic and Georgian architecture, and the blend delivers an idealized version of a college campus.