<p>Hello! I'm having a really tough time deciding between Duke, UVA Echols or the BC Honors Program. I'm interested in pre-med but also want to keep my options open for some sort of business degree. </p>
<p>I still did not file FAFSA and or CSS yet so financial aid packages aren't helping in making the decision. However, Duke is incredibly expensive and BC follows right behind. </p>
<p>What are the benefits of each of the schools/programs? Please help!!</p>
<p>It really depends if money is a large factor.</p>
<p>Based purely on academics, I would go to duke because of the research triangle and the strength of their economics department.</p>
<p>Sent from my Droid using CC App</p>
<p>While it’s not everything, it’s a pretty important deciding factor. I don’t want my parents hard work to go to waste if i could get the opportunities elsewhere. </p>
<p>Would the name really make a difference if I am ultimately applying to med school? </p>
<p>Also, location is a big deciding factor for me. I’m from somewhere near a large city and I do not know if I could let go of that easily which is why I am leaning towards BC.</p>
<p>Duke has a significantly higher acceptance rate to medical school than those schools and you will have a top 5 medical school at your disposal during your undergrad years to shadow physicians and conduct research. The opportunities are endless. The question is, are you ready to take advantage of them?</p>
<p>Good choices - choose the environment where you’ll be excited to live/study/play for the next four years, where you can grow in all ways, not just academically. There is no wrong answer here. Which place will help you succeed? You clearly are capable of great things if you were accepted to all these places. Without thinking price or prestige, does one appeal to you more? </p>
<p>Having the open curriculum aspect of Echols may be beneficial in giving you freedom to explore areas of interest to you in any amount YOU choose. You will have to meet requirements for your major and for med school so you only have so many other class slots left. Most students do well in classes of their choosing, when studying topics of interest to them. BC Honors has lots of required courses. Just something to consider.</p>
<p>My son is graduating UG and starting Med school and it’s very expensive. Our gov’t is considering getting rid of Subsidized loans (for grad students) so that’s another hit. So saving $ for UG is definitely helpful in the long run and if UVA is cheaper, it’s certainly a great option.</p>
<p>My DD is going through a similar choice. Wants strong academics, lots of cultural diversity, and seems to be leaning toward a city environment - but she’s reluctant to give up the sports and/or outdoorsy aspect of some of her options. She is probably going to give up BC Honors because it’s her most expensive option, is the least diverse and has the most requirements. She loves Boston though and is leaning toward Tufts at this point.</p>