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bluedog · 04-25-2008, 08:15 AM

Well, clearly Northwestern is better for communications since Duke doesn't have a communications program. Northwestern is also clearly superior for journalism and drama. Northwestern's engineering school as a whole is usually ranked higher than Duke's just because it is so much larger - but the quality of the departments are fairly similar, with Duke's BME being more well-known. Both will provide ample opportunities for pre-med and are great schools if decide to switch out of pre-med. Evanston is much nicer/more fun than Durham, and having Chicago nearby is nice too. The thing I hate personally about Northwestern is the quarter-system. My friends that go there always seem to be having mid-terms because the quarters are so short - and thus, always seem to be stressed out. Also, they don't get out til mid-June, which really sucks for summer jobs, etc. I know they don't start until September, but I'd rather start earlier and get out earlier personally. I think Duke overall has a bit more prestige, if your friend is into that, and might have a slightly higher percentage of people go to the very top med schools, but it's not that significant of a difference. Northwestern football and basketball both suck, while at least at Duke our basketball program is good. Being by the lake is nice, and Northwestern's campus is pretty, but I think Duke's campus is even better. Living expenses in Evanston are much higher than Durham, so even if tuition is the same after financial aid, I can guarantee you that you will spend more money in Evanston. Rent near campus is more like $1000/month, whereas at Duke it is $600/month. Big difference. Although you can always live a bit further away from campus at Northwestern and at a crappier place and pay a bit less. Evanston is very split b/c there are super rich areas and rather poor areas. If you want to do research in the med center, I think Duke is much better because the medical center is adjacent to campus, while at Northwestern it is in the city, so definitely not convenient. I actually did research at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare's Research Institute, and I've done research in Duke's biomedical engineering department, so I can provide even more insight if you want.

04-25-2008, 08:15 AM	#3
bluedog Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 210	Well, clearly Northwestern is better for communications since Duke doesn't have a communications program. Northwestern is also clearly superior for journalism and drama. Northwestern's engineering school as a whole is usually ranked higher than Duke's just because it is so much larger - but the quality of the departments are fairly similar, with Duke's BME being more well-known. Both will provide ample opportunities for pre-med and are great schools if decide to switch out of pre-med. Evanston is much nicer/more fun than Durham, and having Chicago nearby is nice too. The thing I hate personally about Northwestern is the quarter-system. My friends that go there always seem to be having mid-terms because the quarters are so short - and thus, always seem to be stressed out. Also, they don't get out til mid-June, which really sucks for summer jobs, etc. I know they don't start until September, but I'd rather start earlier and get out earlier personally. I think Duke overall has a bit more prestige, if your friend is into that, and might have a slightly higher percentage of people go to the very top med schools, but it's not that significant of a difference. Northwestern football and basketball both suck, while at least at Duke our basketball program is good. Being by the lake is nice, and Northwestern's campus is pretty, but I think Duke's campus is even better. Living expenses in Evanston are much higher than Durham, so even if tuition is the same after financial aid, I can guarantee you that you will spend more money in Evanston. Rent near campus is more like $1000/month, whereas at Duke it is $600/month. Big difference. Although you can always live a bit further away from campus at Northwestern and at a crappier place and pay a bit less. Evanston is very split b/c there are super rich areas and rather poor areas. If you want to do research in the med center, I think Duke is much better because the medical center is adjacent to campus, while at Northwestern it is in the city, so definitely not convenient. I actually did research at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare's Research Institute, and I've done research in Duke's biomedical engineering department, so I can provide even more insight if you want.