<p>Hello, I am a freshman hoping to receive a degree in engineering (selected as biomedical, but not entirely sure yet) and then find a job doing research. So far, I plan to go to graduate school after and ultimately end up do research within a university or industry. </p>
<p>With that being said, which undergraduate school will be the best choice, or will it matter much? A few of my older friends have told me that undergraduate schools don't matter much, unless your trying to get into that same school as a graduate. Yet, I am uncertain where I would like to go afterwards.</p>
<p>So far I think that I would like to attend UT-Austin a little more than Duke because it seems like a funner school to me. I'm not into the whole basketball scene at Duke and everyone who has attended there (Even my alumni interviewer) told me that the competition there is pretty insane. Being a competitive person myself, I'm afraid I might get a little burnt. Also, UT seems to have a funner city to me, since I'm pretty into the music scene. </p>
<p>However, I like the academic prestige that Duke offers. Duke also has a lot of great job opportunities and research opportunities for their undergraduate students. Does UT-Austin compare? Do these possibilities even matter if I plan to attend a graduate school afterwards instead of going straight into a job as an engineer?</p>
<p>On virtually every single engineering ranking I’ve seen, UT ranks higher than Duke. For some engineering specialties (like petroleum engineering), UT is actually much higher.</p>
<p>Having said that, it doesn’t really matter. Unless your planning on using your engineering degree to become an investment banker or MBB consultant (in which case I would suggest Duke), both will be excellent. As an overall university Duke is slightly more prestigious than UT, but if you’re planning on grad school the difference won’t matter. </p>
<p>UT definitely has one of top 10 (if not top 5) engineering programs in the nation, and yes, Austin > Durham.</p>
<p>…except for the discipline the OP actually says he’s interested in (BME), where Duke has been ranked 2nd or 3rd for the past decade. But, yes, UT is a much larger and well-known engineering school as a whole. Duke engineering is much smaller which leads to less total research output, but I find a more intimate and close-knit culture (although fewer majors to choose from as well, admittedly).</p>
<p>How are you already a freshman? Are you a transfer student? Or did you mean to say you’re a prospective freshman? Based on your post, sounds like you’re more comfortable with attending UT. Nothing wrong with that - it’s a great school. Duke possibly has more overall academic prestige, but if you do well at UT, it will certainly open up ample opportunities. I wouldn’t say the competition at Duke is insane, though, at all. Some courses can be difficult but students (particularly engineering ones) are very collaborative in nature. </p>
<p>Also, I would say the majority of Duke students aren’t into basketball - there’s a lot more to campus life than just that, just as there’s a lot more to campus life at UT than football. But I think going to games at each respective university makes for a richer experience. Duke’s surrounding area is a lot nicer than you’d expect actually and there’s plenty to do, although Austin is more of a college town, especially with the 50,000+ students that go to UT. Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>^ Duke is stronger for undergrad since it’s able to be much more selective as a smaller private. As overall universities, they’re remarkably close:</p>
<p>average PhD score for grad programs (based on peer reputation rankings)
<p>Since the Op was asking specifically about engineering, both points already made were valid - 1) UT is the stronger overall engineering school 2) Duke is stronger for Biomed. </p>
<p>UT’s biomed engineering program is relatively new (especially undergrad), but UT has made significant strides in a short amount of time. In time, UT’s biomed reputation will catch up to how strong the program already is.</p>
<p>The OP isn’t trying to get a PhD is he? I bet you think that every flagship state school is better than Brown, Dartmouth, and Georgetown as well by that token. His peer group at Duke will be much smarter, the resources for study abroad/research/civic engagement are far greater, there’s better student-faculty interaction, and the advising is far stronger.</p>
<p>Also, the OP is interested in Biomedical Engineering which Duke is much stronger in.</p>
<p>Most people change their minds about what they major in after freshman year in college. If the OP decides to not to do engineering, then Duke is by far the better option with regards to getting a business job outside of Texas or going to medical school.</p>
<p>OP, what’s the financial situation looking like, is Texas significantly cheaper?</p>
<p>financially, both schools are about the same. I meant to say that I was a prospect freshman, and was admitted to both schools. I am positive that I want to be an engineer, but I am not so certain about BME or any discipline for that matter. As of now, I envision myself becoming a research scientist, possibly at a university or for an industry, which is why I am saying I would most likely attend graduate school after. </p>
<p>To be honest, I am thinking that I would rather attend UT-Austin, but I am just making sure that if i do chose this route I am not hurting my education/opportunities/connections too much. I still wouldn’t mind Duke though, and if it truly is a much stronger school I would readily go there.</p>
<p>According to some of the responses, Austin is actually a better overall engineering school than Duke. What is this based off of? I’m thinking the level of undergraduate research available, for whatever major i decide on, will lead to a better chance of getting into whatever graduate school I decide on later.</p>
<p>UT is more well-known for engineering as their research output is much greater than that of Duke’s. They have more than twice as many departments as Duke, so it would make sense. There’s more flexibility there in which major to choose since you’re undecided as well. As UT has more faculty and students, more world-class research is being conducted and as there are more engineers to choose from, engineering firms probably recruit in larger numbers. However, I would still say that Duke engineering is top notch from a “preparation for the future” perspective. Due to it’s small size, 90% of undergrads perform research (an absurd number) and it’s a more nurturing environment. So, while the total research output at Duke is definitely smaller, on a per capita basis for undergrads I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Duke come out ahead. They also treat each undergrad very well and have great funding and other opportunities. Companies still recruit very well and placement is excellent, although many engineers go into consulting/finance instead of engineering or go on to med/law/business schools. Although certainly a decent percentage (I believe a 1/3) go to graduate school in engineering. The average Duke student engineer probably has “higher stats” that the UT student, but perhaps that doesn’t matter much to you at all. I would also note that about 1/3 of engineers transfer out of the program, so while nobody thinks it’s going to be them, you must consider the possibility that you’ll discover engineering is not for you and be happy with going to the arts & sciences college of your respective university.</p>
<p>Having said all the above, it seems clear that you want to attend UT. So while I’d certainly highly recommend Duke’s engineering program, UT’s program is great and you will have more than enough opportunities to succeed there. It sounds like you should follow your gut, go to UT, and not look back. Good luck.</p>
<p>Why do you prefer to go to UT Austin? If the reasons are valid, head there I guess. Duke is the stronger school academically and is better for Biomedical Engineering, your intended major. I know people who have turned down full rides at state schools like UT Austin to attend Duke.</p>
<p>
Duke has a fantastic track record of sending engineers to the top schools for graduate engineering. I personally know a Mech E headed to MIT, an ECE major headed to Stanford, and a BME major headed to Georgia Tech. It"ll be much easier to find research opportunities at Duke with a better student-faculty ratio in the engineering department.</p>
<p>Like I said, if you change your mind about pure engineering and decide to get a job in business instead, you"ll be kicking yourself for turning down Duke.</p>
<p>I am pretty positive I will be going into the engineering field, just not so sure about the biomedical area. I currently live in South Carolina but have always liked it out west. I’m leaning towards UT-Austin because I like the city, the larger size, and the weather and outdoor activities. I still think duke would be a good school, but I’m skeptical about its competitive environment (which ive been told about by everyone whos attended there, including my alumni interviewer). The rest of my concerns about Duke, i will admit are rather stereotypical. But I’m just not sure if i will fit into the basketball scene or the large Asian population. Also, I’m the type of kid who loves to work hard and party harder, and I’m not sure if would be the same attitude among the smaller amount of students at Duke. </p>
<p>Before I go on eliminating any schools, Could anyone give me some statistics about UC-Davis. They have offered me near a full ride to attend, but I was under the impression that its not of the same caliber as Duke or UT-Austin. And while i do love the state of California, I am skeptical about its current financial situation.</p>
<p>Duke is not really outwardly competititve-students are focused on getting good grades and generally excelling in everything they do since they are type-A personalities. I’m sure you"ll find a decent share of that at UT-Austin as well. I’m pretty sure UT-Austin has a lot of Asians as well as do most schools with a decent academic reputation.</p>
<p>You’d be the first to suggest that Duke doesn’t party enough. Suffice to say you can find a party or a frat that’s throwing a social event at a bar almost every night of the week if you seek to find it.</p>
<p>I think personal fit is important but I’m not sure you’re giving Duke a fair shake. I would visit the campus on Blue Devil Days before deciding either way. Duke is a school that will be respected all over the country while most people think UT-Austin is just a party school outside of Texas. I agree that most people within Texas view it as a good school.</p>
<p>Near full ride at Davis is intriguing. Is that guaranteed for all 4 years? It does have top-quality engineering programs. It is the only UC, besides Berkeley and LA to have a football team. Campus is located in a college town setting between Sacramento and San Francisco. Though it’s no Austin. Kids usually get around via bikes.</p>
<p>If Davis is significantly cheaper, I would consider that option. </p>
<p>IMHO, BME is a very limiting major as an undergrad. A lot of kids are pursuing it but there aren’t too many employers hiring BME grads. I would major in one of the more traditional engineering fields as an undergrad and if your work experience leads you to biomed, then go back for a graduate degree. Your employer will likely pay for your advanced degree.</p>
UT has more engineering fields that you can major in (like architectural and petroleum), so you might want to consider that. For grad school though, it won’t matter.
Besides the lower student-to-faculty ratio, why are you under the impression that Duke has better advising or study abroad/civic engagement opportunities? All decent universities are going to have sufficient study abroad and “civic engagement” opportunities and UT is not an exception. Also, the UT engineering program is more selective than UT overall, so his “peer group” won’t really be THAT much different.</p>
<p>After perusing the UT website, I found that the engineering school is actually opening a new $290 million “Engineering Education and Research Center” that looks pretty cool, but i think it will only house the electrical and computer engineering department.</p>
<p>How does UC-Davis compare to Duke and UT-Austin as an overall undergraduate engineering college? I’ve received a good amount of scholarships so I am not as concerned with money as I am with my education and happiness. </p>
<p>So far, from what I’m getting through this forum, is that both Duke and UT-Austin have their advantages and disadvantages, but are more or less the same if I am an undeclared engineer that plans to go to graduate school. Would UC-Davis be the same way?</p>
Suffice to say you can find a party or a frat that’s throwing a social event at a bar almost every night of the week if you seek to find it.</p>