<p>I’m in a tight bind since I got accepted to both engineering schools. I’m going to major in BME and I’m having a tough time deciding between Duke and BU (since they’re both nationally ranked in the top 10). Both schools are approximately the same cost and I got virtually the same amount of aid to each, so aid isn’t a factor. I do love the city of Boston and NC is a bit further away, but I’m afraid if I go to BU, i’ll regret about missing out on a “better” education at Duke. What do you guys think are the pros/cons of each university? Do you think that the ‘rankings’ (i.e. US News) that are tagged along to each school is obsolete when the schools are closely ranked? Thanks for any opinions u guys have :)</p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptances! I'd recommend Duke BME, it's the strongest program in the country after Johns Hopkins. If you're looking to do medical school, Duke BME has a 100% acceptance rate into at least one medical school per applicant. Boston, obviously, is a bigger city, but Durham still is fairly large.</p>
<p>There is probably a lot more to gain from going to a school like Duke.</p>
<p>As a BU advocate, I feel obliged to recommend Duke. Yes, Duke. Engineering or not, the overall academic environment is better at Duke. That's what I believe, at least.</p>
<p>EDIT: BME! I -sort of- retract my advice. BU does have a superb program. Not one to be ignored. But when making your decision, factor in the issue that you will be on a very large campus. For the most part, fellow non-BME students will not match your academic prowess.</p>
<p>I don't think you can go wrong with either. Both will provide an excellent academic and social experience. I would ignore these rankings as I personally think there is too much emphasis put on criteria that seems arbitrary and meaningless. In the real world very few people will know/care where you went to school and those who would judge you either favorably (gosh--you're smart) or unfavorable (must be a snob) because of a so-called prestige type school aren't worth consideration in my humble opinion. </p>
<p>Duke is a traditional Southern school in many aspects while BU is urban so you'll have to think about where you are likley to be happiest and if the city setting will stretch you in terms of a new experience. Our S chose BU over Cornell, Tufts, NYU--all considered more competetive --but I think an extra 50 points or whatever on an average SAT are not what makes a school. A bright hard working student will do well academically just about anywhere. At BU you may be higher in the pecking order so have more opportunities for scholar classes, internships, research projects. But I think you should strongly think about the social life for each. Duke will no doubt offer an interesting campus setting near a lovely and growing Southern city...while Boston is Boston and with all the schools and institutions there is something to be said for a city that is so oriented and accomodating to its college students.</p>