<p>*Note: posted in other college forums too to get more perspective</p>
<p>Hi everyone. The title is pretty self explanatory, but just to reiterate, I got into Duke (Pratt), UPenn (SEAS) and JHU (accepted into Biomedical Engineering program).</p>
<p>I've been to 2 Duke TIP programs so I'm familiar with the campus (at least the west campus). I've also visited Hopkins, but not Penn.</p>
<p>I know that Hopkins is ranked #1 in BME and that many undergrads get jobs in industry straight after college. However, I am really gearing towards med school.</p>
<p>In addition, taking classes at Wharton is really enticing. I know it's a bit of a stretch but I would love to minor in econ/finance/etc. at Wharton. Just something I've always wanted to do. Call me crazy, but I'd even consider applying as a transfer to the Jerome Fisher program. Also, Penn is an ivy-league, and while I know that is not very meaningful, it is still pretty cool.</p>
<p>So who should I pick and why? As far as the atmospheres goes, I am rather clueless. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Duke is an excellent school for just about whatever path you want to take your BME degree: a job in industry as a biomedical engineer, medical school, investment banking, PhD in biomedical engineering, or consulting.</p>
<p>JHU is as good as Duke at BME but it is no where near as strong as a name in the business world so you would be severely limiting your options if you choose to do banking or consulting instead. Penn SEAS is about as good as Duke for getting into banking/consulting, but you might have slightly less opportunities since recruiters prefer taking candidates from Wharton and Penn’s BME is not quite as good as Duke or JHU’s BME programs which are legendary, though it is not chopped liver by any means.</p>
<p>What’s the financial situation looking like? I’m guessing Duke and Penn are cheaper than JHU through financial aid, is that true?</p>
<p>JHU has the best undergraduate BME program in the world, and its resources in that discipline far exceed those at Duke. Duke is probably a more comprehensive university with more social prestige than Hopkins, but for BMEi ansd medicine, Hopkins reigns.</p>
Uh, JHU may be #1 in BME but Duke is #3-do you really think there’s that much of a difference between the two programs at the undergraduate level? Get real. All of the major biomedical engineering firms recruit at Duke and two of the major ones (Boston Scientific and Medtronic) are led by two Dukies. From your line of thinking, how bad do you think Penn’s BME program is?</p>
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Duke and Penn both have a lot more grade inflation than JHU.</p>
<p>goldenboy8784–you are exactly right–just like I said, JHU BME is #1. It is better, undeniably, than Duke BME. You might not see a significant difference between #1 and (reportedly) #3 (by US News and World Distort), but the rest of the world does.</p>
<p>If you plan on going pre-med I would actually recommend Penn. Here’s why: Grade inflation (for med school this is important), good bioeng and pre med programs (but not as rigorous as JHU BME and a student i know told me duke premed is very competitive almost cut throat), and location (Philly has two HUGE hospitals). Just my two cents. I hope to be in your position next year haha.</p>
You’re too new to these forums. Medman (previously known as hoyasaxa) is a Georgetown alum who supposedly transferred from Duke and all too often has an ax to grind. Such biased opinions are of no consequence. </p>
<p>tanman (a Hopkins BME alum now in MD/PhD grad school at Duke) has spoken favorably of the programs at both universities before. He wrote a very detailed and helpful analysis of the BME programs at Duke and JHU a while back that would be worth a read:</p>
<p>The three schools are comparable for BME and med school placement. Academic differences are dwarfed by differences in location, size, atmosphere, weather, and the like. It is best to choose based on fit.</p>