ED to Duke or Cornell?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Wanting to apply ED Biomedical Engineering/Bio Engineering (I think there's not much of a difference between the two?)</p>

<p>I think I have a better chance @ Cornell ED but I checked the undergraduate BioMedE USNews Rankings & Cornell wasn't even in the top 23 while Duke was #4. How do these two programs compare & which one should I ED to?</p>

<p>From what I've read so far, I'm thinking:</p>

<p>Duke - Pros: better ranking, Cons: harder to get in
Cornell - Pros: easier to get in, Cons: bad rank?</p>

<p>Cali/Male/Asian</p>

<p>1st generation to go to college in USA
born outside USA
One of the most competitive schools in Cali (1H, 1Y, 1P, 2S this year, 6-7 to each UC, 1UPenn, 1JHU, 1Cornell)
68/646 until 1st semes Junior year.. awaiting 2nd semes. rank</p>

<p>GPA: ~3.61 UW & ~4.045 W (10th-11th); ~3.61UW & 3.87W (9th-11th... did really bad 9th grade because new state/new school)
SAT: Superscore 2140; 2100 (640CR, 720W, 740M), 2100 (600CR, 720W, 780M), retaking for 2250+</p>

<p>SAT II: MathIIc 800, Phys 750 (retaking), Bio (pending)
APs: Calc BC (5), Calc AB Subscore (5), Eng Lang. (3), Phys Mech (3), Phys E&M (3), World History (3)</p>

<p>Frosh: HGeometry, HGlobal Studies, Bio
Summer: H Alg 2. @ CC
Sopho: AP World, H Eng, H Pre Calc, Chem, Phys
Summer: H US History @ CC
Junior: AP Calc BC, AP Phys C, AP Eng Lang
Senior: AP Bio, AP Stat, AP CS, AP Gov&MacroEcon, AP Eng Lit</p>

<p>ECs: Piano - 7yrs, Marching Band - 4yrs (Instrument for 6yrs), Bio-related Research Internship - current summer, Siemens/Intel - (pending), Local Science Fair - (pending), Math Club - 4yrs, Riddle Club - 2yrs (President), Website Design both commercially & for non-profit organizations (ie. school band, ptsa, teachers, chinese school, etc.) - countless hours, Chinese school student council - 1 year, Volunteer @ local museum, thrift store - many hours during summer</p>

<p>Hoping to get on honest opinion even though this is the Cornell thread</p>

<p>Thanks very much!</p>

2

<p>I'd say, do your research on each school, and perhaps look more into the programs, and decide for yourself where you want to see yourself. I don't know much about BME at Cornell, but you get all the perks of being a Cornell Student (which are many, for certain).</p>

<p>I'd personally choose Cornell, but Duke is also a great school, and if the program suits you better, and you can stand being south of the Mason-Dixon line, by all means...</p>

3

<p>The ranking really doesn't matter when it comes to cornell and duke lol nowadays, US news world report ranking changes every year. Also, cornell engineering is one of the best in the country, right up there with MIT, CIT, harvey mudd. So don't think it'll be "easy" to get in, especially when you are an asian male. I'd say choose after you visit. Also, if financial aid is an issue, I'd advise against applying early since you don't get to compare the aids.</p>

4

<p>I would most likely go visit each school...stay the night at them both if you can. Once you get to this level, I'm pretty sure that the ranking doesn't matter that much. I've lived in the raleigh/durham area, and it's really freaking hot there, too, haha. The area isn't as nice as Ithaca. (I may be a bit biased)</p>

<p>Hmm.....I've not graduated from college, but with my experience and friend's experiences with applying/acceptance/decision making, I would say that when you feel as if its that close of a toss up between the two, then visit, talk to profs & students, and see where you would be the happiest.</p>

5

<p>Financial aid isn't really a problem. Raleigh was actually the first city I lived in when I moved to the USA :) - don't remember it at all now though >_< soooo long ago</p>

<p>Meh, I think I'm gonna go with Cornell, seems a tiny bit easier to get into and I'll need every bit I can get</p>

6

<p>I think if you're iffy, you shouldn't be applying Early Decision. ED is for those who are dead-set on one school.</p>

7

<p>I would go with Duke. People usually seem happier there. Plus Southern weather and charm I can imagine is hard to pass up. Not to mention greater prestige, a bigger party scence, a bigger sports scene. DUke alos excels in anything with the word med in it.</p>

8

<p>I know I should have taken "southern charm" into my college decision, what the heck was I thinking?</p>

9

<p>I'm pretty sure that it's easier to get into duke than cornell for engineering specifically</p>

10

<p>Gomestar you are not funny. Some people consider the SOuth to be more college friendly.</p>

11

<p>I'd have to say. I don't think South is the best even though I live in Ga, but that's just my opinion on that matter.</p>

12

<p>"Some people consider the SOuth to be more college friendly."</p>

<p>I guess some people do. As for everybody else???
And I don't consider my posts to be particuraly funny, at least not now. Yours are, though.</p>

13

<p>Whatever Its not worth arguing about.</p>

14

<p>lol oh and i on the other hand definitely made a faux pas by coming to cornell as well, as it is clearly not as prestigious as duke.....hahaha</p>

15

<p>yea I just HAD to choose the school no one knew about. I didn't go to Dartmouth because so many people knew it's an Ivy. Cornell, who does? How many people know about cornell or harvard or mit these days?</p>

16

<p>This is Cornell University?</p>

<p>*****!!! I thought I was goin to Cornhell College!?!?!?!</p>

17

<p>LOL.......is that a real expression??? it is in iowa isn't it....</p>