GWU, Duke, Cal, UCLA

<p>I've been accepted to the schools listed (GWU, Duke, Cal, and UCLA) and I’m having trouble deciding which to attend. I plan on studding engineering for my undergrad, and then possibly doing an MBA or going to law school. GWU has offered me an amazing scholarship and guaranteed my acceptance to their law school if I maintain a 3.25 and get in the 88th percentile on the LSAT. Their intellectual property division of the law school is one of the top three in the nation. At the same time, the undergrad programs at Duke and the UCs is much better. Duke I think would provide me a great well rounded undergrad education, but I'm not sure about the quality of their engineering department. Any comments from current students would be appreciated. Cal obviously has the best engineering department of the ones listed, but I hear that it is an incredibly rigorous program (I would like some time to enjoy my college experience as opposed to spending it in a library or lab). UCLA might offer a good balance, but it’s kinda close to home (I'm in Orange County) plus the university is a bit too big for my taste. Thanks for any insight you can provide.</p>

<p>Go to Duke. It's way more fun than Cal, a much better undergrad education than GWU and not near your home town. You'll get into a fine law school from there.</p>

<p>GWU is a really great school ESPECIALLY for law. The other 3 are ranked higher, but GW is still prestigious. If money is not a problem, then I would go to the most prestigious or the most appealing. For me, I would want to go to GW because of its busy and urban campus. I would definitely follow a scholarship there. However, if you are wealthy, Duke has such a strong reputation. You should probably go there.</p>

<p>Cal's engineering is #3. Have you visisted GW and DC? DC is a great town, but GW's minimal campus is a turn-off to some.</p>

<p>GW does have a campus, but some people don't like it. I agree with bluebayou that you should visit.</p>

<p>Duke offers the stronger package of academics, name-recognition, alumni network, social/athletic life.</p>

<p>People kill for Duke at my school and no one even applies to UCLA or Berkeley. Tufts is a safety for people who get into Duke. Go Blue Devils!!</p>

<p>I'd recommend Duke, seeing that it's law placement is 99%. However, this doesn't mean that the other three named schools don't share similiar placement percentages. Overall, Duke seems to offer the best package.</p>

<p>is intellectual property law something that you want to do (after you get your engineering degree)? if so, your entire path is set already at GWU (plus scholarship to boot), so i don't know why you're asking. </p>

<p>but if its the MBA you want, then its tricky, because your work experience will factor in, and the job you get will be affected by your degree and the school that you're at.</p>