<p>"Getting in for BME at Pratt is difficult, probably the most difficult of all of the engineering majors." </p>
<p>Does this mean applying ED to Pratt and showing your interest in BME in the supplemental essay will make your chances even more difficult? In other words, are you better applying to Pratt without mentioning major/specific area of interest?</p>
<p>One other quesiton….</p>
<p>All things being equal, do women have an edge over men getting into Pratt?</p>
<p>@BJAG625: Good questions, to which I offer these OPINIONS:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>No, ENTHUSIASM and COMMITMENT truly count; therefore, ED and superb essays that “bleed” deep, abiding loyalty to Duke and to a particular – and an important – academic discipline should enhance your admission probability (although, I obviously understand the logic in your inquiry). Here’s why: you’re competing with tens-of-thousands of extremely distinguished applicants, with achievements and potential much like your own (I am sure). Accordingly, Pratt and Undergraduate Admissions ardently want to “go beyond the numbers” that are the essential core of every application and understand candidates individually. If their assessment concludes that you are especially focused on Duke, Pratt and the BME program, it will help to differentiate your candidacy favorably from many others that are VERY similar in GPA, academic rigor, standardized test results, recommendations, ECs/service, and so forth.</p></li>
<li><p>No, in decades of alumni volunteer leadership at Duke (including many years of AAAC interviewing and follow-up), I, have never heard, observed or seen data that suggests an intentional or tangible female Pratt admissions advantage. With this said, however, the women who are admitted really are superbly qualified and their unremitting focus on outstanding intellectual performance (classwork, research, and beyond) is at least equal to their male counterparts (and quite possibly marginally better).</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Unlike some other institutions that admit students to a particular department/major, Duke does not evaluate candidates based on intended major, but rather the school the applicant has applied to. Thus, ALL Pratt applicants are evaluated the same and indicating a preference for BME should have no bearing on your admission whatsoever. While it’s true that BME is the most well-known of the departments within Pratt, it is also the largest. </p>
<p>I spoke with an admissions officer at JHU, on the other hand, and being admitted to the BME program certainly IS more difficult than other engineering departments there. He actually said they look for and can usually identify “closet BMEs” (those that are applying to other majors because they think it will increase their chances of acceptance, but clearly BME is the best fit for them and they’ll probably transfer). At Duke, you do NOT need to “transfer” between departments, only schools (Pratt/Trinity). You can sign up for whatever classes within Pratt you want, no questions asked.</p>
<p>To TopTier’s point, being able to articulate why BME interests you based on your coursework/extracurriculars will probably improve likelihood of acceptance – not the opposite. When I applied, I indicated first preference of BME, with a second of ME. I’m sure Duke does look for some diversity in intended majors – after all, we can’t have 100% BMEs — but there are more than enough applicants interested in the other disciplines and people change interests during their undergraduate years that I can’t imagine they have different evaluation standards.</p>
<p>As for females getting an admissions boost to engineering, nationwide there is probably some credence to that as schools are looking to improve their female representation. However, at Duke, it’s likely quite negligible as there are more than enough “more than qualified” applicants to fill the roles PLUS BME is actually the most popular engineering major for females to begin with and is Duke’s largest engineering department, so it gets more female applicants than most engineering schools. All the women in my classes demonstrated amazing mathematical and technical acumen among other skills. They were certainly equally as accomplished and capable as their male counterparts. There are no shortage of women in Duke BME.</p>
<p>I agree wholeheartedly with @toptier and @bluedog. BME admissions is tough at Duke, no doubt. But trying to give the admissions officer a head-fake by applying as a different type of engineering major will definitely get noticed.</p>
<p>If you truly love BME and that is where your passions lie, don’t hide it. Just keep in mind that most of the top BME minds will also be applying to Duke.</p>
<p>I’ve never seen the breakdown in % accepted by gender, but I do have a feeling that far fewer women with high stats apply to Pratt vs Trinity. That being said, if you are a woman, and your stats are good, you have a great shot. Good luck</p>