<p>I'm from the DC area and I'm really having a tough time between these two. Both are going to be the same for me financially. And I plan to major into Biomedical Engineering, something for which both are really good places for, and possibly a minor in either music or classical languages. But I'm also looking for what offers more socially, and which has better facilities and resources (academically and socially). I know Duke has great sports, not sure about Northwestern, but Northwestern might be better socially since there is more to do in the Chicago city area. Anybody have any input?</p>
<p>First let me say that you can't go wrong either way. Duke and NW were my two top choices, and I ended up applying ED to NW, where I was accepted. I believe Duke to be a better overall school than NW academically speaking, however, I believe that NW is a better school for engineers (McCormick). Duke Basketball is a huge draw, at least for a sports fan like myself, but if you're a sports fan NW does have Big-10 sports (football team is pretty solid). I visited both schools, and I got the impression that NW was a more social school than Duke. If you are positive you want engineering, I would say NW may be a better fit.</p>
<p>The Pratt school of engineering at Duke is also top notch. In fact, I could be wrong, but I believe Duke carries a higher name for its engineering than Northwestern. I got into both of those schools, so I was interested in what this post had to say, but I'm headed to either Caltech or Rice...</p>
<p>As engineering goes, I believe that McCormick carries a slightly better reputation than the enginerring school at Duke. But if you are looking at Biomedical, Duke should probably be your choice, as I believe their biomedical program is top one or two in the country.</p>
<p>for biomed duke is #2 in the country but i think northwestern was voted for best campus life a couple yrs back...</p>
<p>Go to Duke for BME.</p>
<p>I was was also accepted to Northwestern and Duke...and I think (about 99%) that I will go to Duke. One of the main reasons was location...it's about a 7 hour drive from Duke to my parents whereas if I went to Northwestern I would have to fly (I live in FL).</p>
<p>But another reason was Duke's awesome BME and economics...those are the two majors I am interested in, and even though Northwestern may have a better econ department (I'm not sure), I know Duke's is amazing and that I would have something to fall back on if I didn't like BME...</p>
<p>Also, Duke gave me a better fin aid package =P</p>
<p>Northwestern definitely has a better economics department than Duke but it is hard to imagine that difference mattering at the undergraduate level. It would matter for a Ph.D. student but not a BS/BA student. Duke's economists are plenty competent and so far beyond the level an undergraduate will typically reach that the distinction is not crucial.</p>
<p>Then again the same thing could be said about BME at Northwestern vs. Duke.</p>
<p>While I agree that the expertise required to teach undergraduates isn't as great as for graduate students, it's still better to be associated with the better department and to be taught by the better professors. Also, the research opportunities (very important for someone willing to continue with a PhD) should be more readily available (and with better profs) at the better department. I'd use the department ranking criterea for the undergraduate level, especially if the schools are about on par overall in your other criterea. Northwestern is definitely better than Duke in econ, so if you are set on that and according to your other criterea the schools are equal, you should probably go for NU.</p>
<p>Whoa guys, how did my question start coming up with answers for econ? I was originally asking about BME at both schools, as well as comparing both socially and quality of living conditions.</p>
<p>As far as BME goes, theres no question that Duke has a stronger department. I don't think that the social life is going to be much different between the two, but to go to Duke you HAVE to like basketball.</p>
<p>Listen to me, I'm from Chapel Hill. DURHAM SUCKS!!!
Duke is an amazing amazing school, but the area is horrible. There is nothing fun to do, it is honestly SCARY to leave campus, and the downtown (9th street) is pathetic. The Duke kids take buses to Franklin St. (the downtown area for UNC-CH) when they want a downtown. Evanston is a 1000000000000000000000000000000000000x better location to spend the next four years of your life.<br>
Unless you like the idea of spending the next four years entirely on campus and not having a downtown and maybe not even a lax team....go to NU.
feel free to PM me, i've lived in NC for 10 years and I used to dance in durham + spent a lot of time on duke campus/in the area. the academics do not make up for horrible city of durham.</p>