<p>*Note: posted in other college forums too to get more perspective</p>
<p>Hi everyone. The title is pretty self explanatory, but just to reiterate, I got into Duke (Pratt), UPenn (SEAS) and JHU (accepted into Biomedical Engineering program).</p>
<p>I've been to 2 Duke TIP programs so I'm familiar with the campus (at least the west campus). I've also visited Hopkins, but not Penn.</p>
<p>I know that Hopkins is ranked #1 in BME and that many undergrads get jobs in industry straight after college. However, I am really gearing towards med school.</p>
<p>In addition, taking classes at Wharton is really enticing. I know it's a bit of a stretch but I would love to minor in econ/finance/etc. at Wharton. Just something I've always wanted to do. Call me crazy, but I'd even consider applying as a transfer to the Jerome Fisher program. Also, Penn is an ivy-league, and while I know that is not very meaningful, it is still pretty cool.</p>
<p>So who should I pick and why? As far as the atmospheres goes, I am rather clueless. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>This really is a matter of personal preference and fit. All 3 are excellent schools and, obviously, tops in BME. You’ve already noted one of the academic advantages of Penn, which is the ability to take classes in Wharton (as well as the other undergrad schools, and even most of the grad schools including the law school, thanks to Penn’s famous “One University” policy). However, you can’t go wrong with any of these schools, and they all have extraordinary breadth and depth that will allow you to explore many areas beyond your major, or even change your major, and still be assured top academics.</p>
<p>I’d strongly recommend that you visit Penn (preferably on one of the Penn Preview days), and then go with your gut feeling on which school “feels” the best for you. Since you’ve accomplished the amazing feat of getting accepted by all 3 of these stellar schools and programs, it really does come down to that.</p>
<p>Congratulations, and good luck with your decision! And again, you can’t go wrong with any of these 3 schools.</p>
<p>^ Med school placement at these 3 schools will essentially be comparable, and should not a deciding factor. But in terms of Penn, this statement from pre-med advising may be helpful:</p>
<p>If you want more personal insights, I’d suggest that you pose more specific questions here, and/or ask BE students/faculty/administrators at Penn Previews (or via email to the program).</p>
<p>Yeah, actually I guess I do have a few more specific questions.</p>
<p>As far as research goes, how easy / practical is it to do research freshman year at Penn? I have research experience at my state university (although only in Molecular Biology, not Bioengineering). Are paid research opportunities widely available? I got into the Rachleff Scholars Program (which I honsetly don’t know too much about) which I think will let me do research after sophomore year during the summer, but I wanted to start sooner than that. In addition, I know that Hopkins has PURA ([Provost’s</a> Undergraduate Research Awards](<a href=“http://web.jhu.edu/administration/provost/pura]Provost’s”>Provost's Undergraduate Research Awards)). Is there anything similar at Penn?</p>
<p>Also, I know this probably can’t be answered very objectively by anyone but how are grades at Penn like? Would it be easier to maintain a high gpa at Penn than at the other schools? Curving…inflation…deflation…etc.?</p>
Well, the first thing you might want to do is to hone your basic research skills by using the search function in this very forum. Sorry, couldn’t resist–just kidding (kinda). But if you had done that, you might have found these two threads that may help answer your questions:</p>
<p>If you have any follow-up questions after exploring those two threads and the web sites linked therein, come back here and–again–ask some more specific questions (and also ask at the Penn Preview you attend).</p>
But if you had done that, you might have found these two threads that may help answer your questions:</p>