<p>It sounds like you prefer Duke and think you’d be happier there. I would follow your gut and not look back! You won’t be sacrificing anything by choosing Duke - there are plenty of opportunities for being challenged in the curriculum, don’t worry, and conducting undergraduate research is commonplace. Duke also emphasizes interdisciplinary nature of its curriculum and research. I was in a lab with a BME professor, next to a biochem professor, next to a genetics researcher, and I wasn’t admitted to any special program entering as a freshman.</p>
<p>I actually conducted research with a Northwestern med school professor in Evanston over a summer as well - I personally enjoyed the Duke “vibe” much more than Northwestern. And, yes, as somebody else from Chicago, I can tell you that North Carolina winters are a piece of cake and the autumn and spring seasons are absolutely gorgeous. You won’t be seeing snow in April like we did in Chicago this year…I found the weather and surroundings made the college experience all the more exciting. I also found Northwestern students a bit more stressed (more final exams due to the quarter system) and I was able to start my summer job SIX WEEKS before a Northwestern student joined me in the Northwestern lab. I realize they start the fall semester later, but getting out earlier seems to be an advantage when it comes to securing internships and jobs. (And I was able to extend my research fellowship since they still had funding when my original 10-week had elapsed - Northwestern student couldn’t.)</p>
<p>Both are solid choices, though, and you can’t go wrong as both will provide a great education. It just sounds like you have a more positive feeling about Duke, so I’d take that as a sign that it’s a better fit for you. Good luck!</p>