<p>Sorry for comparing specific schools, but I'm just looking for a few opinions. 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 Do you think that the 'rankings' (i.e. US News) that are tagged along to each school is obsolete when the schools are closely ranked? </p>
<p>Also, is Duke necessarily a 'harder' school? I'm nervous that the classes at Duke will be too challenging that I'll struggle and do poorly in them. I know that its pretige and respect don't result from teaching easy classes so something has to distinguish Duke and its high reputation from other universities. ANY INPUT IS WELCOMED! :)</p>
<p>yes well, though the programs are similarly ranked, the schools themselves are very different (and very differently ranked: Duke tied for 5, BU at 56). There is a clear difference in the student bodies at these schools. Don't think that just because you're going to be in two good programs that the people in them are going to be of the same caliber (not to diss BU, I know a lot of smart people that go there). At BU, there is a wider array of programs, but if you know you're BME I guess that doesn't matter. But BU is a very different experience from Duke, deciding based on rankings is silly. Duke is much smaller in terms of student population, has a defined campus with lots of green, and has a lot more student unity and school spirit than BU (trust me, I know a bunch of people at BU and the student body is mostly pretty apathetic about the school). Duke's program is more widely recognized as a top BME program, as it is the oldest in the country, but you can get a good education at BU too. The only advantage BU has over Duke is that it's in Boston.</p>
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I wish they could just put Duke in the middle of Boston and then i'd be all set
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Oh my gosh i think this all the time! It would be sweet. But there is something to say for Duke's location in the research triangle, etc. too</p>
<p>duke! it's just so much better in so many ways. ok, so it's not boston, but the location in NC is awesome too. overall, just better academics. bme at duke is very strong. don't worry about duke classes being too hard. they will probably be challenging and you will have to work very hard. but you must be very bright to have gotten into duke in the first place. they don't doubt you, so don't doubt yourself.<br>
DUKE!</p>
<p>If you're getting the same amount of money, I'd choose Duke. If you want to drop out of BME (and you would certainly not be the first), you'd have a lot more opportunities here. If there are other mitigating factors, like wanting to be in the Boston area or whatever, it wouldn't be so clear cut</p>