<p>It seems like, you prefer (maybe already decided) on Columbia and you just want people on cc to recommend Columbia over the other two so that you will feel like you made the right decision ? </p>
<p>For engineering, Cal Tech is the place to be(out of those 3) as mentioned by numerous other posters. Like it or not, Cal Tech wins. I would definitely think twice before considering Columbia to study engineering. Duke is fine.</p>