<p>I've read almost all the CC threads about Duke VS Penn and I still got no clear decision. </p>
<p>I'm an international looking to major in mechanical/electrical/computer engineering and I'm admitted to both Duke and Penn, neither with financial aid.</p>
<p>Regarding majors, it seems to me after a bit research that those engineering departments at Duke and Penn are very similar in terms of education quality and student quality. Can anyone confirm this or can anyone give me a little bit insight into the difference between them?</p>
<p>I've got the impression that Duke has a tad bit more collaborative student body than Penn's and Duke is more laid back. I'm leaning towards the laid back atmosphere quite a bit. And Duke's campus size is also a plus. But on the other hand, Penn is an ivy league school and is somewhat more prestigious in my country.(but I heard they are considered the same in US. Is that true?) Are job opportunities equal for these two schools? BTW, I may be able to transfer to Wharton and get a dual degree. </p>
<p>So which one would be a better option for me? in terms of engineering program, overall academics, student life and future prospect.</p>
<p>That is the stupidest thing I’ve heard. Are you saying that the Ivies don’t have departmental strength just because they are an Ivy? Ha, I laugh.</p>
<p>OP, Duke and Penn are very similar academically, but Duke is better for engineering. Especially BME. The benefit of a Pratt (Duke’s engineering school) education for you is that it is very interdisciplinary, meaning you will get well-rounded education with a lot of flexibility, something you are looking for.</p>
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<p>Yeap. Many Pratt kids end up going in finance, medicine, or graduate school. About 1/3 become engineers.</p>
Your evaluation of Penn’s engineering program–especially vis-a-vis Duke’s–is seriously misinformed. In the latest US News ranking of overall undergraduate engineering programs, Penn and Duke were both tied at #26 (along with Harvard, Columbia, and several other schools), and specifically in BME, Duke was ranked at #2 and Penn at #6:</p>
<p>In engineering, Duke and Penn are quite comparable. Penn, of course, offers engineering undergrads the added bonus of taking Wharton courses, if they so desire.</p>
<p>Duke and Penn engineering are pretty much equivalent. As are the prestige/job opportunities coming out of either institution. People telling you go to Duke over Penn or Penn over Duke are just giving their personal opinion. You should choose base on fit and what feels right to you. Are you into sports? Choose Duke. Do you really want to be in a major city? Choose UPenn. Obviously, those aren’t the only variables, but just things to get started. The student bodies are similar (known as more “social”/party-heavy for elite schools and very pre-professional). The academic reputations of the schools at large as well as the engineering programs are similar, as is the departmental strength in BME for both. Both are good feeders for Wall Street type jobs. Visit the campuses - see what feel you like better. I personally liked the sports-crazy, nice weather and sprawling campus of Duke over Penn (this was for BME), but others might prefer being in the Ivy League in a major city on a more compact campus. There is no right or wrong answer. Both are great choices. I’d choose both over CMU as I think they provide more flexibility if you change your mind and a broader liberal arts-type education in general, although engineering firms might disagree.</p>
<p>"suggest that you go to UPenn then since departmental strength is not that important to you. It is an Ivy League school. </p>
<p>That is the stupidest thing I’ve heard. Are you saying that the Ivies don’t have departmental strength just because they are an Ivy? Ha, I laugh."</p>
<p>I’d go with Penn. But I echo what Bluedog said: "I’d choose both over CMU as I think they provide more flexibility if you change your mind and a broader liberal arts-type education in general, although engineering firms might disagree. "</p>
<p>Hrmm, I would advise you go to Duke (not considering fit). My own biased opinion is that its engineering program is stronger in the fields you mention (and I’m a current Penn student).</p>
<p>I would argue that Penn’s BME is at least equal to Duke’s though. While the overall engineering program might not be as strong, Penn is a powerhouse in anything biomed/biotech. </p>
<p>Although, judging from your name, I would guess you’re from China and I do realize Duke isn’t as well recognized there. I might recommend you to go to Penn just because of racial issues. Not to bash on Duke, but my friends have told me that certain populations in Duke tend to be not as receptive towards ethnic minorities whereas Penn is about a quarter Asian and has many cultural group student groups.</p>
<p>Advice: I think you might fit in better at Penn but to any future readers of this thread, I recommend Duke~</p>
<p>Btw, don’t count on transferring to Wharton. The gpa requirements are pretty stringent and engineering is not exactly conducive to helping you compete for those spots. Avg in engineering is like 2.8 whereas the college is 3.5 and competition for internal transfer is based entirely on gpa. It’s been done but just not common.</p>
Er, Duke is at least 21% Asian and possibly much more (20% don’t identify by race). Fitting in is not particularly difficult. </p>
<p>Duke also has several culture-related student groups…there was unfortunately a rather publicized clash on campus between the “Free Tibet” group and the Duke Chinese Student Association last year that made the NY Times. On a happier note, Awaaz (put on by Duke Diya) is the largest student-run event on campus each year and has over 200 performers.</p>
<p>What IS worth noting, however, is that Duke’s reputation overseas, particularly in Asia, lags behind some of its peers. I am not sure how Penn is perceived relative to Duke in China (or wherever the OP is from), but that is perhaps something to consider.</p>
<p>Yeah, I agree with Warbler. I too thought post #14 was an oddball comment about ethnic diversity at Duke, of all places. Vanderbilt, Emory, Davidson, Furman or Wofford [all fine schools] perhaps lack an abundance of ethnic diversity. But Duke?</p>