<p>I recently attended Blue Devil Days and fell in love with Duke. I plan on studying biomedical engineering on a pre-med track, and I have been set on attending medical school for many years now. Duke has given me a little aid, and, while my parents have agreed to pay for it, the cost would certainly put some strain on them. Purdue (in-state), on the other hand, has provided me a full-tuition scholarship, so that would cost around $10k a year to attend (room & board). </p>
<p>While Duke has an amazing bme program as well as incredible opportunities for premed, Purdue engineering isn't exactly laughable. My parents point out that, if I attend Purdue, they will be able to help fund my medical school (~$100k-150k). </p>
<p>While I realize that many students take out loans to pay for medical school, it would be a relief to have significantly reduced debt after graduating medical school. Then again, if I end up switching career paths (which I do not see myself doing at this point), Duke is strong in virtually every field. </p>
<p>I love virtually every aspect of Duke life, and have a strong desire to attend school out-of-state. While I believe Purdue's academics would get me to medical school, I have never felt well-suited to such a large, in-state institution as Purdue. </p>
<p>Any advice on this issue would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Congrats on your acceptances!</p>
<p>Money is a critical thing to consider when it comes down to choosing a school. A desire like yours to attend Medical school is definitely a great choice. True, Duke is a better school, but Purdue is still great. Had you gotten something like a full-ride or something like that I would’ve said Duke but…</p>
<p>The reality is, money is what it comes down to. I would personally save the money up by going to Purdue, get a high GPA, and get into a good Med school. Then, the money you would have used up going to Duke will instead go into Medical school. Once you come out of Med school, loans are practically non-existent without putting the strain on your parents.</p>
<p>That’s just my opinion I’m sure others have different thoughts. Good luck!</p>
<p>Money is certainly important, but four decades from now Duke will obviously provide you with professional and personal distinction that Purdue (although unquestionably a good university) simply cannot. In addition – and only four years from now – if you are seeking admission to the very best medical schools, Duke is likely to offer major competitive advantages that Purdue cannot equal. Perhaps a good way to resolve this question would be to ask yourself if – five, fifteen, twenty-five and thirty-five years hence – you would regret opting for Purdue. I respectfully suggest that one never wants to begin his adult/professional life with an “if only I’d made the other decision” mentality.</p>
<p>Money is important, but Duke is hands down a better school that can give you better opportunities. Duke grads have a higher starting salary than Purdue grads on average, so you will probably make that money up in your life. Where do you sense you fit better?</p>
<p>Interesting question. Both of my children went to Duke, and my daughter was a dual major in biomed engineering and mechanical. She also was accepted at Purdue.
She didn’t pursue a medical degree upon graduation–that wasn’t her plan. She primarily wanted to received a challenging degree that would serve her long term and biomed seemed like her best fit. What iced it was that Duke was ranked #2.</p>
<p>She graduated in 2006 and has always been in demand from a job standpoint. Her junior year she interned with a major investment company and they offered her a job even before her senior year and her career has been very rewarding. Similar story with my son, who graduated in 2010 with a Poly Sci degree and is working in healthcare tech and attending graduate school.</p>
<p>I think that if you definitely wish to go to medical school, then either Purdue or Duke will be fine. Purdue is a great school and as noted you’ll save a pile of $$. The key, no matter which university you choose (and are accepted to) is that you apply yourself and do well…very well. Why not think about Purdue undergrad and Duke medical school?</p>
<p>One caveat–if you don’t go on to medical school, then the Duke degree will carry more weight, generally speaking, then Purdue. Perhaps unfair, but its a fact of life. As Top Tier says, it is a degree of distinction.</p>
<p>jonjon90: Not only do I agree with virtually everything in your post, but as a Duke alumnus I also want to laud you on your children’s accomplishments and successes. I trust you will not mind if I take minor exception to one area in your post (the third paragraph). My concern for 2013143 centers on his potential 2017 admission to Duke (or Hopkins, or Harvard, or Stanford, or Yale, et al) Medical School. You are unquestionably right, a few absolutely outstanding Purdue undergraduates will be accepted by the first echelon med schools. However, what is the likelihood in comparison to similarly excellent and similarly qualified Duke undergraduates? If 2013143 wants to be a respected practitioner, any reasonably reputable med school will probably suffice. But he may aspire (and, obviously, he can not really know this now) to the profession’s most distinguished and responsible positions. In that case, his Duke education – and the medical school that is far more likely to follow – is almost certain to make a substantial difference.</p>