Is Duke better than Princeton at sending students to top medical schools?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Princeton University
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<p>Sorry for the dramatic title but I wanted to catch your attention.;) My cousin is debating whether to apply ED to Duke or do EA at Princeton this coming Fall (double legacy) and her dream is to be a world-class neurosurgeon in a major hospital system. Obviously these are both fantastic universities with stellar reputations but she's primarily concerned with getting into the best medical school possible. Princeton has the slightly better name and possibly superior undergraduate teaching but it also has grade deflation (relative to the top schools like Duke). Also, Duke has a top 5 medical school that my cousin can utilize to do relevant research as an undergraduate and it seems to have better placement into top medical schools than Princeton for some reason.</p>

<p>Here are the breakdown of undergraduate institutions at 3 top 10 USNWR medical schools (WashU, JHU and Michigan):</p>

<p>Washington University School of Medicine from 1995-2010
Who</a> Chooses WU
Duke: 74
Princeton: 40</p>

<p>Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (current enrollment)
<a href="http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/bin/u/p/SOMCatalog0910.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/bin/u/p/SOMCatalog0910.pdf&lt;/a>
Duke: 14
Princeton: 12</p>

<p>University of Michigan Medical School from 2001-10
University</a> of Michigan Medical School :: Admissions :: Interview Day
Duke: 5 (2010), 8 (2009), 3 or less (2008), 4 (2007), 2 or less (2006), 4 (2005), 9 (2004), 6 (2003), 2 or less (2002) and 2 or less (2001): Range (36-45)
Princeton: 3 or less (2010), 3 or less (2009), 4 (2008), 3 (2007), 2 or less (2006), 4 (2005), 3 or less (2004), 3 or less (2003), 3 (2002), 2 or less (2001): Range (14-30)</p>

<p>As you can see, even the highest possible number of Princeton undergrads that enrolled at Michigan Medical School over the past 10 years doesn't approach the least possible number of Duke undergrads that have Michigan Med over the same timespan.</p>

<p>On top of this, I'm assuming Duke undergrads are the most heavily represented at their home institution's top 10 medical school (Duke Med) which would follow the pattern of enrollment at every other top medical institution. Princeton would lag much, much further behind Duke if Duke Med's undergraduate representation figures were made publicly available.</p>

<p>What do ya'll think? Is grade deflation at Princeton as bad as they? I'm assuming the advising at Princeton for undergrads is top notch since its supposed to be the most undergraduate focused research university in the world.</p>

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<p>It depends on what she intends to do with her academic, social, professional, and research opportunities once she gets there, wherever suits her.</p>

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<p>duke has more undergraduates than princeton. so it would make more sense that they would have more pre-med applicants and thus, more acceptances to med school. grade deflation is pretty bad, but all of the grad schools know of it, and take it into account. </p>

<p>it would also depend on how strong of an applicant your cousin is. if she is a super competitive applicant (3.9+GPA, 2300+, diverse e.c’s and so forth), then she should probably do EA at princeton. but if she is a weaker applicant, it might be better for her to ED to duke, to increase her chances of getting in.</p>

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<p>Assuming your cousin is admitted to both universities they should attend the university where they feel most comfortable. A student that enjoys their classes and activities in most cases will do well academically. A good student at both Duke and Princeton have a good chance in being admitted to a good medical school.</p>

<p>Since Duke has approximately 25% more undergraduates than Princeton you should expect to find more Duke alumni in many med schools. On the other hand in recent years 91% to 95% of Princeton students have been admitted to medical school compared to 80% to 85% of Duke students. </p>

<p>Princeton’s medical school acceptance rate should help to dispel concerns over grade deflation. Grade deflation has had less effect on the grades of science and engineering students than liberal arts students. Medical schools understand Princeton’s grading policy and take that policy into consideration. When all students receive high grades it is difficult for an outstanding student to standout. </p>

<p>For students interested in conducting medical related research Princeton Molecular Biology department has a outstanding program for students to publish their research. See: [Princeton</a> University - Department of Molecular Biology - Research Opportunities](<a href=“Department of Molecular Biology”>Department of Molecular Biology) </p>

<p>The Princeton Neuroscience Institute offers research opportunities for undergraduates. See: [Princeton</a> Neuroscience Institute](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/neuroscience/]Princeton”>Home | Neuroscience) </p>

<p>Medical research is done on the main Princeton campus-not away at the medical school. For example, more than 20 percent of Princeton’s engineering faculty are engaged in health-related research. Even the physics and math departments are conducting major medical research projects.</p>

<p>The Woodrow Wilson School offers over two dozens courses on medical policy. </p>

<p>If your cousin prefers Magnolia tress to Cherry trees that might be a reason to consider Duke over Princeton; medical school admission rates favor Princeton.</p>