<p>Duke has a very good reputation and is incredibly strong in biomedical engineering, but the University of Michigan has a higher ranked engineering program according to US News and World Report. Looking at these statistics, its hard for me to decide which engineering program is better. What factors should I be looking for when trying to judge the strength of these universities?</p>
<p>Will biomedical be your field? Michigan has a stronger engineering program in every other specialty besides biomedical.</p>
<p>Don’t even consider Duke if you want to be an engineer but are not interested in biomedical engineering.</p>
<p>Michigan by far, except for biomedical.</p>
<p>Michigan’s eng’g is prestigious and highly respected</p>
<p>I am considering Duke biomedical engineering, but if I got accepted I’m wondering if the field would be extremely competitive to get into</p>
<p>IMHO:</p>
<p>Biomedical engineering seems like a very limiting discipline…and it’s extremely popular these days. Better to get a broader, more traditional engineering degree such as mechanical, electrical or chemical for undergrad. If your career path then takes you on a biomedical route, you can get a masters degree.</p>
<p>So many kids these days want to do BME as an undergrad major, while it sounds great but it’s a myth and has fooled so many kids, there aren’t that many jobs out there for BME bachelor degrees.</p>
<p>^ is right. Most people hiring for biomedical want to see master’s degrees.</p>
<p>Michigan has more breadth in engineering fields but Duke’s engineering program is a lot more personalized. You will get tons of research opportunities at both schools. The same employers who go to Michigan to pick up engineers go to Duke. Duke is a more prestigious school overall though. Michigan doesn’t have quite the same pedigree, though it’s a fine school as well.</p>
<p>If you go to Michigan, you will always be wondering “what if”. It’s easy to transfer back to Michigan if you don’t like Duke. It’s nearly impossible to do the opposite.</p>
<p>^^^^^^^nonsense!</p>
<p>
Heavens forbid! Why would anyone ever want to transfer from Duke Engineering to Michigan … and lose their career chances to be i-bankers?</p>
<p>I chose Michigan over Duke and I never wondered “what if?”</p>
<p>Duke is not more prestigious than Michigan where it matters (the academic world, graduate school admissions committees and the corporate world). However, I admit that it is more prestigious among students on CC. </p>
<p>The two schools have very different atmospheres. I recommend visiting the two schools and picking the place that feels more like home.</p>
<p>But Alex you are a weird breed… you were an i-banker who chose Michigan over Duke!</p>