<p>Hey everyone! I am really struggling in deciding between Duke and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagin for college next year. I will be majoring in Biomedical engineering. Can anyone give me any advice? My biggest concern about Duke's BME program is the competitiveness and inability to do other things. Is this true? I am a good, hardworking student but not an Eisenstein genius type so I'm worried I'll have to spend most of my time studying to get the grades I want. Also, I love programs like Duke Engage and would love to do an international one in a Spanish speaking country (I want to minor in Spanish), but how difficult is it to get into these programs? Also how hard is it to study Abroad as a BME? At Illinois I know they have an office designed for engineers who want to study abroad and I already have a scholarship to do such, but Illinois doesn't have some of the awesome programs like Duke Engage that Duke does. Finally, how hard is it to get research as a BME at Duke? (I'm sure you can get it as an upperclassman, but is it possible as an underclassman as well?) Any other comments or advice would be greatly appreciated, I'm running out of time to make this decision and I'm still super confused. </p>
<p>It would be incredibly foolish (in my opinion) to pass up on the opportunity to be a biomedical engineer at Duke for the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (unless cost is a major factor). It is incredibly easy to do research at Duke and it is relatively easy for engineers to study abroad. Don’t make the mistake of passing up on Duke for UIUC. It just might haunt you for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>I chose Duke BME over UIUC engineering. If you’re pretty sold on BME and the cost isn’t a factor, I would recommend Duke. It offers a smaller community in the context of a strong liberal arts program at a world-class institution with amazing classmates and professors in a beautiful setting with opportunities galore. UIUC is your more standard “engineering powerhouse” with 14+ departments, a huge number of personnel, in the context of a less diverse (geographically, racially, culturally, etc.) large state university. It’s a very different type of atmosphere. Check out “Six Reasons you Should be a Duke Engineer,” which answers some of your questions:</p>
<p><a href=“Undergraduate Admissions | Duke Pratt School of Engineering”>Page Not Found | Duke Pratt School of Engineering;
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<p>No. There is a LOT of flexibility in Pratt’s curriculum actually; moreso than most engineering programs, certainly like UIUC. I took up a minor in a Trinity department even there was no overlap whatsoever in course requirements and was heavily involved in sports and other activities outside of the classroom. Engineering is hard, though, no matter where you take it and Duke students are very smart. So, if you’re afraid of other smart students and don’t want to work hard, then Duke BME probably isn’t for you. It’s a very collaborative environment though (people working on problem sets together, etc.) and not seen as you competing against other students.</p>
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<p>You may have to spend a lot of time studying to “get the grades [you] want,” but that would likely be the case at Duke or UIUC. Many Duke engineers are able to balance academics with other aspects of university life quite nicely. Others aren’t as good at it and either study all the time or end up transferring to Trinity. Most people admitted to Duke, however, are certainly able to strike a reasonable balance and succeed in the classroom.</p>
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<p>Not difficult at all. There is not office designed for engineers who want to study abroad at Duke because it’s so commonplace. 25% of engineers study abroad; you just need a 3.0 and you are basically guaranteed admission. I studied in London. DukeEngage, similarly, I’ve heard is easy to get into, although you may not get your absolute first choice of a program.</p>
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<p>Very easy. 90% of Pratt students conduct undergraduate research - I’d bet you anything the percentage is not even close to that at UIUC. Yes, it’s possible to do research as soon as you step foot on campus, but it’s more common to build a knowledge base and conduct research later in your undergraduate career.</p>
<p>If you’re looking for a tight-knit community that is going to challenge you, but also nurture your development in the context of a world-class research university as part of one of the best BME programs in the world (and first in the nation to be accredited) with a top 10 medical center adjacent to the main campus and offering you more opportunities than you could possibly deal with, then Duke is your choice. 
But, seriously, UIUC engineering is obviously very good, but Duke overall as an institution is on another level and BME is one of its best disciplines. The atmosphere is outstanding and your peers and professors will be world-class. Definitely will prepare you well for whatever life throws at you! Obviously, finances can also play a role in this decision and I don’t know how well off your family is or the situation there.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>Illinois is extremely highly regarded in Engineering. They have excellent job placement. If you live in Illinois, the cost of attending will be dramatically lower than Duke. If you did this purely on objective criteria, UIUC would be the obvious choice. But, you have to spend four years at the place you choose. If you live in Illinois, and you go to UIUC, your college experience will not feel much different than your High School experience. If the cost difference is not important, I would encourage you to go to Duke (assuming you are from Illinois) as it will help you grow as a person, experience life in a different place without the comforts of knowing 100 people at the school before you get there and knowing you can hop on a bus and get home when you want to. bluedog provided wonderful insights into what you will find at Duke. Now, that said, if cost is important, UIUC will serve you well. </p>
<p>I would have been out of state, but I officially committed to Duke! Thanks for the opinions!</p>
<p>Congratulations and welcome!! </p>