<p>I just got admitted to Duke BME MS program, and UCSD MEng program. I am trying to decide between the two.. I understand that they are both great programs and highly ranked. UCSD has better weather, but Duke has better name. I am leaning towards Duke. (no stipend for either schools)
One concern is that it is crucial for me to finish the program in one year. UCSD says the MEng program is designed to be finished in one year, while Duke doesn't say that, but merely says 30 units of classes are required to obtain MS. I contacted the Duke student affairs office, and was told that finishing the program is one year is possible and there are students who do this, but it will be quite demanding as I have to take 15 units of courses per semester (5 courses/semester).
The problem is that I don't really know how demanding this would be. I went to Stanford which is in quarter system, so the unit numbering is quite different from that of Duke. Can any current Duke students help me out and advise? If taking 5 graduate courses per semester is a suicide, then I will have no option but choose UCSD, though I would like to choose Duke if possible.
Thanks!</p>
<p>If you graduated from Stanford and were admitted to both programs, you certainly are qualified and capable of surviving 5 courses per semester. Sure, it’s going to affect your social life in many ways, but the results will be evident within 5-10 years. I say go for Duke. I’m not a student there, but it is truly a privilege to be part of Duke in my opinion. I mean, research opportunities, grants, honor professors, library size, chance to meet famous people, and almost everything is far superior at Duke. </p>
<p>My opinion is personal and should not be the basis of your final decision. Just two questions and I may give further advice (which is your choice to listen to or not): </p>
<p>1) What influenced you to study BME/MEng, even if you have law school one year later?
2) Which law school are you going to? (assuming you were already accepted)</p>
<p>Thanks kleewave. I have been working in the finance industry for the past couple of years after college, and I decided to quit my job and go back to school. I want to be a biotech-focused patent attorney (I studied bio and econ at stanford), hence bioengineering masters and law school. No I haven’t been accepted to law school yet - I am applying this fall for 2011 entrance.
Thanks for your input but I think I am leaning towards UCSD. Though the prestige and the whole package (faculty and facility) could be more superior at Duke, I don’t think I will have enough time to do law school apps and handle 5 graduate courses simultaneously. I talked to the program director at Duke, and he has seen 2 students finishing the program in one year. And if you just look at the academic prestige in the field of bioengineering, I think UCSD and Duke are on par with each other, being one of the top along with Johns Hopkins.
Any other advice would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>Don’t take this the wrong way, both schools are amazing for BME/MEng. I’m actually interested in being a patent attorney, with a focus of biomedical engineering and technology, as well. It’s one of my career options. </p>
<p>My brother works at the Johns Hopkins hospital, which is directly related to what you want to do. Though he graduated from JHU with BS BME, he’s not a doctor but part of the management sector that is responsible of buying new equipment for the Hospital. In fact, he has a friend who works as a patent attorney, reviewing biotech technology patents! As my brother tells me, being a patent attorney is financially rewarding, if experience and acuity follow. </p>
<p>I wish you good luck wherever you go. And, you’re welcome. To me, it’s more interesting to write on genuine threads that ask for advice than to “chance” a person…</p>