<p>My dd and I will be visiting several colleges next week. Due to scheduling issues we can go to either Purdue or Case Western, but probably not both. She has a primary interest in Biomedical Engineering with possible switches to or combinations with Aerospace Engineering and/or Neuroscience. Long-term she wants to be involved in research and is definitely not interested in a pre-med path. I believe that both schools would be matches for her, but she would need merit scholarships and/or financial aid to bring the cost down to the the $18-22,000 neighborhood of the flagship university in our home state. Colleges she wants to apply to must have a reputation of strength in her possible areas of study, but she would also like a school that is academically strong across the board as well in case she decides to switch majors. So, would anyone care to offer reasons for why we should visit one over the other? It is possible that we could do a formal info session and tour at one of them and just visit the campus of the other late in the afternoon or early in the evening. Thanks!</p>
<p>Based solely on the quality of the biomedical engineering programs, I would chose to visit Case. Purdue's program is growing and gaining strength, so I don't think it is a bad school for biomedical engineering, but I do think that Case has a great and very strong program with good ties to industry and research facilities.</p>
<p>One of the things I really liked about Case's biomedical engineering program is the specialty sequence tracks, which allow you to focus on an area of interest. I was really interested in neuroscience and developing technologies that interface with the nervous system, so part of my decision to attend Case was due to the fact that I could take a bioelectricity sequence. It was a great school for me, the BME classes were really interesting and relevant, and I really liked the electives that I took outside the department. Case has great partnerships with local medical facilities, so many students work with researchers from Case med school, the local VA hospital, and the Cleveland Clinic. I graduated last May from Case and am in graduate school now.</p>
<p>I have a friend who did a summer BME research program at Purdue and had a good experience there. Their BME building is only a few years old, so things still look new and fresh (Case's BME building is older and has undergone a series of renovations). I'd suggest at least stopping at both campuses and taking a walk around. Some people aren't comfortable with the city environment at Case, but I absolutely loved my time there.</p>
<p>I don't know anything about Purdue, so I won't decide for you which to visit. I'll just second what Ctheflute said, that the BME program here is very strong.</p>
<p>Thanks to both you and CaseSpartan10. My son is interested in Biomedical Engineering, and wants to get out of the south. He wants to be at a campus near a city, not in the middle of nowhere, so thanks for that comment about city life. It may be worth a visit. Son has no interest in medical school, wants to go to graduate school, then work in industry. Definitely looking for a school that offers internships and coop. Good luck with your schooling.</p>
<p>^ This thread is almost 5 years old…</p>