My son got admitted into CalTech, GeorgiaTech, JHU BME.
He is fixated with pursuing undergrad in BME.
Given CalTech’s reputation, unique environment and rigor it’s very hard to pass it up. However, it appears BME is not that much popular in Caltech.
JHU BME is the oldest and most well reputed. However, other engineering majors are not that highly ranked in the event he changes his mind and pursues a major other than BME
Georgia Tech is uniquely positioned where all the majors are top ranked. BME is 3rd or 4th
However, Georgia Tech is a public school with all its limitations
I am sure some of you were in the same spot as us before. Would appreciate the guidance and insights
We don’t have have the pulse of how well the Caltech’s BME program excels in areas like labs, research opportunities, industry collaboration, and innovation. Certainly, the other two appears to have presence in these areas
Online rankings of specific university majors/departments are far more volatile than students’ intended majors and usually change for far stupider reasons.
What I’m saying is, if you’re choosing between Caltech and JHU based on how their BME majors are ranked on some clickbait website, you’re looking at the wrong things.
Has your son visited? Has he had the chance to talk to current students and faculty? Does he like the location and campus vibe of one of these schools more like the others’? He should go where he can see himself learning and living most happily.
I don’t think there are limitations at GaTech for BME. In fact, arguably advantages in some of the top mechanical design related BME labs and joint BME research with Emory Medical school. Shuttle buses go between the two schools, about 4 miles apart. GaTech offers a really nice campus, with better recreational facilities, than the other two, the full Olympic pool from the 1996 Olympics is well maintained and now a fantastic Rec Center built around it on GaTech campus. GaTech has some of the top BME study abroad programs in China and Ireland, taught in English in both countries- https://bme.gatech.edu/bme/undergrad-study-abroad
I think the difficulty intensity at Caltech is more than most students are ready for,
but have your son ask questions and assess his readiness. Caltech starts way beyond the normal AP preparation and assumes the high school student has had access to higher mathematics. beyond AP Calculus BC, so Calculus 3, linear algebra, and even knowledge of differential equations will be useful to a Caltech freshman.
The math at Caltech starts out with Analysis, so
they are assuming the student finished Calculus 3, and really understands calculus. All Caltech students must
take a year of physics, math, chemistry and biology required for any degree. Physics will assume calculus and both mechanics and E&M knowledge.
GaTech is geared for a bright student who has one year of Calculus, and mastered it, plus an introduction to physics and chemistry in high school. Its more or less the follow on to a regular AP or IB high school curriculum.
GaTech is a more fun loving college experience, lots of spirit, some Greek life , Division 1 sports,
and a good social life with more regular students, but still very rigorous for a BME degree with more on campus research given GaTech’s collaboration with Emory U. JHU is similar in that respect, with the Medical school connection.
Caltech offers bioengineering, thats focused more on materials science (tissue engineering) bioimaging, and systems biology http://www.be.caltech.edu
Thats not the same focus as GaTech’s BME degree. So consider what focus is of interest.
“However, Georgia Tech is a public school with all its limitations”
I’m curious what limitations you believe are inherent in a “public school”.
All of your pros/cons seem to be based on reputation and ranking. Have you visited any of them to understand the actual quality of education and match to individual needs? College selection should not be a paper exercise.
My comment around limitations is around demographics of student base. Caltech Preeth much have all Uber merit students of same caliber whereas gatech would have a mix of students given it needs to cater to in state students. Honestly, I am not sure if it’s bad ar all. My son is a product of public school too!
Interesting discussion.My son is in somewhat similar position too -choosing between JHU and Gtech and UMD ( where he has free ride).JHU and UMD are local for us.However BME I feel is a major that needs a setting where application of what is being taught in real life settings is possible.UMD is great but not so well known for its Bio engineering program compared to JHU or Gtech. JHU is very good but what I know is that around Baltimore area there aren’t that many industries.Ofcourse Hopkins has great labs and research opportunities.I myself studied and worked there.I do strongly feel that G tech gives good value for the money.We have visited it and liked it.The environment seems collaborative.My son went to an OK public school and did very well.I don’t think Gtech has limitations with the demographics.They are quite selective in their admissions and their rigor is high too.
Ofcourse ultimately the student needs to make the best of what is offered to him/her.
Good luck!
@judgegregg “gatech would have a mix of students given it needs to cater to in state students”.
Really? GT is such a reach school for in-state students.
But then it is a public school, so not as good as CalTech and JHU…
Congrats on some great choices. You are unlikely to have your questions answered until you visit and see each of the schools/programs in action. We had one accepted to Cal Tech but chose elsewhere after visiting. The environment was much too small for what he was looking for, but others may prefer that. When we took the engineering tour at different schools there was a clear winner for him. You are wise to consider that he may change his engineering focus when he gets there, so it is good to be happy with the engineering program/school overall. They are very different schools and if you are able to visit, that will make a big difference and provide ease in your decision process.
I agree with blueskies2day - visit all of the schools before making a decision.
However, the harsh reality in today’s job market (ok, in any generation’s job market), prestige matters.
JHU and CalTech are ranked up there with the Ivies and certain corporations will only hire from what they consider “elite” universities. In addition, let’s say your son doesn’t want to do BME after exploring that field. Google, Goldman, Mckinsey would be happy to talk to him if he goes to JHU or CalTech. It would be possible from G-Tech, but harder for sure. Call these firms snobs if you want, but it’s their money.
If you have a citation for this as it relates to engineering, please provide it.
The reality is, companies MAY have pet schools, and they frequently, for engineering at least, are not the usual suspects. Grades and internships/coops also matter. A marginal Caltech student will not have the opportunities that a student with a high GPA and good work or research experience from San Diego State will have. The name will not buy success.
Do not confuse Biomedical Engineering with the related, but different Caltech majors. Dig into the majors and the career/grad school directions.
By reputation, JHU just about invented the BME field. Consider asking more “what if” questions about the major content, flexibility and the range of your own interests.
Stating the obvious, the academics are very solid at all institutions. The reputations of these opportunities are not going to hold you back. Pick the program that fits.
As fields mature they produce offspring, but not all siblings are the same.
As new fields develop, they split off from the more established departments. Physics gave birth to EE, and EE had to fight for it. ME is responsible for a lot of the development in BM, but so are ChE, EE and the life sciences. As these field continue to develop, the interdisciplinary nature of BME becomes more complex and apparent. Sometimes the parents don’t like to see the children leave home. They don’t like the loss of control of their offspring and they don’t like the competition for resources within the institution. This result is the fruit of academic politics, but programs do differ. This is another step in the ongoing evolution of engineering/science.
Learn about the siblings. I believe JHU covers the interdisciplinary range of BME. I am not sure here, but I believe GT is more into the robotics side of BME. Check with GT.