Duke vs. Vanderbilt/Johns Hopkins

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
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<p>I know this sort of topic has been brought up before, but since my situation is a tad bit different, I'd like honest evaluations of the choices I have:</p>

<p>Duke - no scholarships. Will cost $45,000 a year.
Vanderbilt - $20,000 Academic Achievement Scholarship. Will cost $27,000 a year.
Johns Hopkins - no scholarships. Will cost $45,000 a year.</p>

<p>My interests are in the BME major, and then Medical School. Obviously, Vandy's better financially. But won't Duke or Johns Hopkins be much better in helping me get into med school and, later on, get nice jobs?</p>

<p>What about academics vs. social life? Vandy's infamous for being a drinking/partying/Greek life school, and Johns Hopkins is considered to be a "monastery." Duke is supposedly in the middle. I don't want to study ALL the time, but I definitely don't want to get distracted by a hypersocial scene either.</p>

<p>What about extracurricular opportunities? Reserach, volunteering, hopsital experience? All three colleges seem to be excellent choices in this respect, but are there any notable differences?</p>

<p>Also, what about the competition? I realize college will be tough no matter where I go, but won't certain places be tougher to succeed in than others? Won't Duke or Hopkins be full of crazy smart pre-med students, making it virtually impossible to make a good impression and beat the average? If I go to Vanderbilt, will it be easier (relatively speaking, of course) for me to make my presence felt and win greater recognition for college recommendations, etc.?</p>

<p>Your insight and analysis would be greatly appreciated.</p>

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<p>I'm deciding between Duke and JHU (biology/Natural Sciences major) as well! First off, I wouldn't choose your college based on trying to get into med school- it might backfire. Many schools with good, lesser-known pre-med programs, like Davidson College, are very supportive of their pre-meds and thus have a very high rate of success. Duke, JHU, Harvard, and WUStL all have somewhat of a reputation for being "pre-med factories" (I realize these schools have other wonderful programs!) and thus have a lot more competition (not necessarily cutthroat!). When you're competing with many other pre-med students, you're not likely to get the attention you would at other colleges, not to mention trying to fight the grading curve! Competition for internships at the JHU hospital is very keen, according to what I was told when I visited. That said, Duke and JHU both have a tremendous amount of resources, both academically and socially. By no means is JHU a monastery! I also wouldn't worry unduly about the supposedly rowdy party scene at Vanderbilt. There are plenty of other fine colleges that share that reputation. It was UNC students, I believe, who repeatedly jumped over a large celebratory bonfire the other day...Anyway, if money is not an issue, then Duke would be your best bet. It has a nice social scene, amazing academics, a drop dead gorgeous campus, and extremely impressive facilities and resources. Research and volunteer offers are not extremely hard to come by, but it does require initiative! The classes are surprisingly small (relatively, at least), and I've found that the professors are very approachable (at least to potential students!). Johns Hopkins is not very far behind, in my opinion. It does have a vibrant social scene (although juniors and seniors live off campus), and it's Baltimore location is much better than Durham (don't argue). It has extremely good programs, and its BME is tops in the nation. However, I think competition will be a little worse than at Duke. If money is a concern, then Vanderbilt is not a bad option at all. It has very good biology programs (I don't know about BME), and it's reputation is on par with Emory, Rice, UNC, etc., I think.</p>

<p>Wow! That's the longest post I've ever posted on CC!!! :)</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Competition for internships at the JHU hospital is very keen

[/quote]

Internships in Duke Hospital are non-competitive to get (at least the major one, HCIP, both the clinical patient care and the shadowing internship) if that's the type of thing you want to do. And it's not like Duke Hospital sucks compared to JHU... for all intensive purposes, they'll look the same to an undergrad, both among the top 10 hospitals in the country (if not the world by extension, considering we probably have the best medical technology).</p>

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<p>isn't it "for all intents and purposes"? :confused:</p>

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<p>so sue me.</p>

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<p>Ahem. Duke and JHU are of course powerhouse premed and med schools. I am not going to be too polite to mention the campus safety/cohesiveness problems at JHU campus and the recent sad murder of a student. (?) I am going to say that Vanderbilt is part of the heartbeat of Nashville, a very multicultural city that is warm and open to outsiders and hoppin'. I have to stand up and say Vanderbilt Hospital is also of great regional importance, has fabulous learning settings and Vandy undergrad school does not use Teaching Assts, has wonderful lab support, excellent science buildings and a warm liberal artsy atmosphere in a city that is totally being under-rated and is often misunderstood due to country music PR. (I have lived in Nashville twice, attended a grad school there, and my S is admitted to Duke, Vandy and others, so it is not as if I don't value each school mentioned.) Nashvillians have very sophisticated tastes in classical music, ballet, opera and a myriad of sports events taking place often. It is a trial to Not walk in any direction at Vanderbilt to see some great new act in a nearby club when you have to study. It is true that sororities seem to be rather big there still..50%. That is a vestige of the traditional Old South aspect of the school that lingers. But believe me there are social groups now in great variety on campus...big change in the last decade. Split politically, too, finally.</p>

<p>My point is that Durham as a college town is no Nashville (vast understatement) and JHU campus is no Vanderbilt. (ditto) The Vandy arts and sciences admit rate is going to be in the low 30% or so this year and Vanderbilt is a national draw school where you will find kids from every region of the USA. My S met them on two visits. The frat scene is totally not a big deal there and bypassed by many kids who are self directed and discovering a boom town for themselves. All you have to do is walk off Vandy's campus and you can see hundreds of employed and interesting adults in the work force all around you, artists, doctors, lawyers, businessmen, musicians of all types in fifty eating places nearby. Nashville is Midwestern friendly, brash New South like Atlanta, and the economy is booming, the arts are greatly supported and the former Vandy debutante bubble is fading out fast and is being replaced with a very exciting mix of people. The grad schools are truly excellent. The undergrad school never compromises offering a real focus on liberal arts but has cutting edge science and engineering facilities. As we move around the USA, we find my husband's Vandy degree has real name recognition. If you want a wonderful quality of life with the same good outcomes re med school, consider moving to Nashville.</p>

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<p>ehh.......</p>

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<p>Well I'm kinda in the same situation as you JHU BME vs. Vandy.. didnt apply to duke. But I've already decided, I'm goin JHU BME. If thats what you want to do you should choose JHU or Duke. Between those two I think JHU will provide more research opportunities. It is, after all, the #1 BME and #2 med school. Security isn't as big a problem that people make it out to be. There are so many guards there at night that everyone feels safe; nevertheless, you do need to have some common sense. Competition shouldn't worry you too much either. Yes, there will always be some of those crazy students at any top-notch school, but there are enough people there that are willing to help and just want to have a good time at college while still working towards their goal.</p>

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<p>I currently a Duke student, and I'm having the best time of my life here. As far as John Hopkins, I've heard quite a few negative things namely that its cutthroat competative. At Duke, you really won't find that even in the engineering/pre-med track. Generally, everyone wants everyone else to succeed. Duke, of course, also has great athletics and social life. As far as your choices, just choose where you think you will be happiest - for me, between those three and if I had an ambition to go into medicine, the choice would undoubtedly be Duke. (Great social life (like Vandy) + world class academics (like all three) + outstanding research opportunities in the medical field and a world renowned medical school (like Hopkins) = Duke where you get the best of both worlds)</p>

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<p>Er, Sghandi, dukes2009, you guys are twelve months too late. But thanks for playing. :)</p>