JHU(BME) vsDuke vs UCB (college of chem) for premed.

<p>I would really like to hear your opinion on these schools as intend for premed. Didn't get any financial aid from any school so have to pay full price for both Jhu/Duke, but Berkeley as in-state.</p>

<p>JHU BME
Berkeley, college of chemistry
Duke, biochemistry
WashU.</p>

<p>I'm fairly certain that there is no biochem major as an undergrad at Duke although you can take biochem courses. There's biology and chemistry. Why are you BME at JHU, but not BME at Duke? Both are great programs. JHU's BME is known for being more med school/physiology centric, while Duke's BME is a bit more broad in nature (1/3 are pre-med, 1/3 go into engineering, 1/3 do something else). I personally felt JHU was a bit cut-throat for my taste and it didn't seem like people had that much fun. It certainly is a great program, though, and research is the norm. Duke also has lots of opportunity for research, however, so you can't go wrong. Also, Duke basketball is much more fun than Hopkins LAX. ;)</p>

<p>Wash U sends way too much mail and kills trees, so I crossed them off my list. ;) haha, in all seriousness, Wash U is also strong, but I'd say a bit less prestigious than JHU or Duke. It also provides a different type of experience as it's a smaller institution. So, it's again what is a better fit.</p>

<p>I don't know anything about UCB, college of chemistry, but obviously, it's strong. Much different going to a big public schools than those privates, but much cheaper too.</p>

<p>Thanks Bluedog, Is it difficult to change to BME/Pratt major from biochem of Trinity? How difficult for people in BME to keep up and stay in premed?</p>

<p>It is not difficult to transfer from Trinity to Pratt. Pratt -> Trinity is as simple as checking a box. Trinity -> Pratt requires you to take a couple courses freshman year, do okay in them, and then check a box. Really, the only engineering course you have to take freshman year is EGR 53. Trinity students are allowed to enroll in any Pratt courses. Just tell your advisor and plan ahead. You also should start with math and chem, but you seem to want to do that anyways, so it shouldn't be a problem in your case.</p>

<p>Doing BME and pre-med is certainly not the easiest route to med school, but many people do it and it prepares you exceptionally well. If you do well in BME at Duke, it looks very impressive, and med school admissions will be more predictable (i.e. you WILL get in somewhere decent or good). As I said, about 1/3 of BME is pre-med. Don't expect BME to be a GPA helper, though. If you want an easier route, major in psychology or something. But obviously don't choose things just based on how easy they are - that won't lead to a very fulfilling experience. Choose something you feel passionately about.</p>