Miami or Duke?

Pre-Med & Medical School Multiple Degree Programs
1

<p>So, I realize that there are quite a few threads asking for advice, I hope you guys don't mind this. I'm basically in a dilemna between miami HPM (7 year med program), and just going to duke for the traditional program. Basically my thoughts are </p>

<p>Duke: Great opportunities, people, an experience I might not get otherwise, greater political science opportunities ( that fit my interests)</p>

<p>Miami: Less Pressure, I dont like the undergraduate though,</p>

2

<p>No question Miami if you are certain that you want to become a physician. Whatever experience you might have at Duke will be minimized by the stress of maintaining a high gpa, studying for MCATs, and doing a bunch of activities for resume padding.</p>

3

<p>Duke has like an 85% acceptance rate to medical schools so you should have no trouble being a doctor either way. However, if there’s any chance you might change your mind and do something else, you’re going to be kicking yourself for the rest of your life for turning down Duke because the name alone is going to open doors that Miami simply cannot.</p>

<p>Like I said in the school-specific thread, if your parents can afford Duke, its the clear winner here.</p>

4

<p>you said you don’t like the undergrad at miami? if it’s really going to make you upset to be there for three year (your college years, no less), then go to duke. but i don’t see duke as being a tremendously different undergrad environment, plus you can’t kick back knowing you only have to maintain a certain gpa/MCAT.</p>

5

<p>yea, cost will be the same at both places (half bc of financial aid from duke and bc of a scholarship from Miami)
I agree that it will be stressful to do pre-med at Duke-that’s the only thing that is deterring me, but I dont know, it seems like I will have to take the MCAT at either place.</p>

6

<p>Duke is not HYSP. There is no dilemma here. Miami Med has a sold reputation. Any Ivy League or Duke graduate would be happy with the chance.
7 yrs is a big bonus. The city is fun to spend the many long years.
Miami combined, no question.</p>

7

<p>Miami program.</p>

8

<p>yea, i partially agree. What if i dont like the city itself? I dont know if it is conducive to learning.
Also, I agree Duke is not HYSP, but for pre-med it is on par with those schools. I mean, how many chances do you get in a lifetime to go to a top ten school?</p>

9

<p>A few schools are up and coming. Stanford has reached the top, with Duke and Wash University not far behind. Others remain near the top, but not rising (Northwestern, Georgetown, Vanderbilt, Emory, Tulane, Wake Forest etc). Strong athletics helps tremendously. No doubt a degree from Duke will be further enhanced over time.
Duke has great medical and law schools. Political Science is a strength. You can also consider dual degrees, like MD/JD.
My brother attended Miami Law, so I am partial to that. Accepting Duke over guaranteed Miami is a risk, but you seem to know that already. If you are ready for the rigors, then go for it. Keep in mind that currently, Duke is still low Ivy status, but has an upward trajectory.</p>

10

<p>I vote for Miami. 7 years. Good med school, guaranteed. If you feel the UG program is not challenging enough for you, double major in something difficult, or do some actual medical research as an undergrad (easy to get involved, because you’re in the combined program.) You’ll feel like you got an excellent UG experience without the anxiety every time you get a B. Miami’s a pretty interesting town compared to Durham, NC.</p>

11

<p>Go for Miller Med school (Miami HPM program). I heard Jackson Memorial Hospital is a great place for opportunities. And Miami is a city with diversity and fun.</p>

12

<p>Miami. Duke is not HYPS.</p>

13

<p>What does Duke not being HYPS have to do anything? The difference academically and reputation-wise between Duke and HYPS is miniscule in comparison the difference between Duke and Miami. Miami is quite simply not in the same league as Duke.</p>

<p>If you care about your academic development and surrounding yourself with the strongest peers who will push you to maximize your potential, I don’t see how you can turn down Duke in this case.</p>

14

<p>Just know the risk involved.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-confidential-cafe/910385-what-i-learned-my-year-unemployment.html?highlight=substantial+debt#13[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-confidential-cafe/910385-what-i-learned-my-year-unemployment.html?highlight=substantial+debt#13&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

15

<p>That was what the employment climate was like during the worst period economically in this country in over a half century. Guess what? The economy is back in good shape and banks have been hiring interns from Duke in droves. I believe both UBS and Morgan Stanley by themselves gave out upwards of 15 internship offers for banking/trading.</p>

<p>I don’t see how this applies to the OP since he/she wants to be a doctor. Why settle for Miami med when you can go to some of the best med schools in the country?</p>

16

<p>^ So, 15 internship spots are enough to make a difference to Duke class of 2011? Well, unless you find what you want to do with your life within a year or two after entering college and stay focused and WORK EXTREMELY HARD throughout the college years, you will soon find yourself on the unempolyment line and/or looking to enter a grad school far lower in reputation than your undergrad school. Top colleges are just a mirage once you wake up from the 4 yr long day dream unless you really apply yourself through your college life. A Princeton grad i knew did not get accepted to most graduate schools he applied to and had to enroll in a state university for grad program. DO NOT TRUST DUKE OR ANY TOP PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES WILL SAVE YOUR BUTT JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE TOP COLLEGES. DONT.</p>

17

<p>Don’t even hesitate Duke, is the right option.
It is a more prestigious school with more opportunities, UM is not like that. Besides that fact that is not as selective as duke it is not an atmosphere for medicine.</p>

<p>Go with DUKE!</p>

18

<p>@hollinger: It all depends on your personality and work ethics in the next 4 years. You worked so hard to arrive at these choices today. IF, you will have the same FIRE IN THE BELLY and NO DISTRACTIONS for the next 4 years, go with DUKE!</p>

<p>ELSE, I totally agree with the word of wisdom from toughyear in post#16 and go for Miami</p>

<p>I wish my child choose Miami if I were in your situation.</p>

19

<p>thanks a lot for all the help guys.
To the first poster on page 2, yes I definitely understand that a name won’t carry me through-I’m for sure aware of the difficulty involved. I guess I am leaning towards Duke. I feel like an undergraduate experience is something that only comes once. While I respect UMiami and I think that it is climbing in the rankings/prestige significantly (mainly bc of the more stringent acceptance rates, etc), I know I would fit in more to the atmosphere of Duke.</p>

20

<p>Where are you from? Florida? I would choose UM if I were you.</p>

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