<p>I'm a college senior and I want to become a physician assistant. I have been accepted into the five year programs at both U of D mercy and Duquesne U. I have also received scholarships for both, although my scholarship for U of D is double my scholarship for Duquesne. I have visited both campuses and the programs seemed pretty equal. I have lived outside Detroit for my whole life and wonder if I should stay at home or go away to Duquesne? I did like Duquesne's campus more than the much smaller U of D campus, but worried that Duquesne wouldn't be worth the added cost or effort of living away. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Duquesne, the university built on the bluff … and run on the same principle. 
</p>
<p>Unlike Detroit, which you apparently know well, Pittsburgh remains a vibrant, great city in which to work and live. While much of the major industry has migrated (along with its workers, thus the geographically dispersed “Steeler Nation” which permeates literally every other metro area in the nation and much of the world). It is clean, crime compared to the Motor City is minor, and it is one of the world’s major centers for medical care. All, especially the latter might have some impact on you and your chosen profession.</p>
<p>Is it “worth” the additional cost? None can answer that but you. Where do you plan to live when you’re finished? If Pgh would be preferable, then Duquesne might be your preferred bet. </p>
<p>Both U’s are blue-collar, traditionally Catholic places. W.PA remains a huge bastion for Catholicism. The DU campus, as you’ve noted, has been the beneficiary of huge renovations and upgrading over the past 25 years or so. It is #3 in the pecking order of major Pgh U’s behind Pitt and CMU (and those might well be reversed, depending upon what the “measure” might be). All are within a few miles of each other (along with Pt. Park U, Chatham U, Carlow U, CC of Allegheny Co, and a whole bunch of others in the outlying suburbs. MANY MANY major hospitals and health facilities w/in spitting and bus-riding distance of DU. The bluff is in easy walking distance from Pgh’s “Golden Triangle” and downtown areas. </p>
<p>For me, this would be one of my no-brainers of all times, but for a Michigander accustomed to Detroit ways and being offered an academic blue-light special? Well, the end call is yours.</p>