Duke vs. UCSD Full Ride vs. Dartmouth

College Search & Lists
1

I am currently split between the three schools listed above, favoring Duke and Dartmouth. I’m planning to major in Biomedical Engineering (although this could fluctuate in the future), and I’m debating going on to graduate school or just finding a job after undergrad. As a result, I’m facing the timeless dilemma of scholarships vs. “prestige”.

I’ve been offered the Jacobs Scholarship at UCSD, which would pay for my entire undergrad education (and possibly more with the UCSD regents). This program is also attractive outside of just monetary reasons, because it seems that the Jacobs Scholars have access to excellent and engaging research opportunities at UCSD and the Bay Area. Grades don’t seem to be incredibly difficult to get, making medical school a more convenient transition (not to mention the scholarship itself.) All the Jacobs Scholars seem to be incredibly intelligent and accomplished people, and I feel that the closer connections may end up being more significant than, for example, looser ties with peers at more prestigious schools. UCSD is also close to home, while still giving me the opportunity to travel, and provides somewhat of a “city life” that I’ve heard that Duke lacks.

However, after reading online a bit I’m leaning towards Duke University. I’ve always wanted to have a broad college community that could motivate me to work harder and pursue higher goals. Although I’m sure that the Jacobs Scholars would be an excellent group for this, I feel that the rest of UCSD may be more laid back. I’ve read anecdotal stories of UC kids celebrating the same achievements that Duke students would be disappointed about. Coming from a not-so-great public school, I feel like the environment at Duke would help me (hopefully) become more intellectually mature. Duke also seems better if I do end up changing my career choice from biomedical engineering or premed, as Duke’s prestige means that other majors may end up being more rewarding for future careers. Duke’s gothic architecture is also BEAUTIFUL, although I haven’t really seen the UCSD or Dartmouth campus yet.

I’m not sure how strongly I feel towards Dartmouth; the school itself is just as prestigious as Duke , with probably an equal (if not stronger) academic community. Dartmouth students seem to travel as much as flight attendants, an opportunity that I feel is unique to Dartmouth (and possibly UCSD). If I do decide to pursue economics or any other major in college instead, Dartmouth would also probably be the best option. However, I’ve heard bad things about the weather, I’m not sure how strong their biology program is, and I would be essentially forsaking biomedical engineering.

Alternatively, I could wait for a possible acceptance on Yale’s waitlist, although Yale’s probably my least likely option at the moment.

Any thoughts or suggestions on my dilemma would be appreciated. I’m still waiting to see the UCSD and Dartmouth campuses, but I’m not sure that the visits will cement a decision. Also, some of the information I’ve heard may be incorrect, so any verification/contradiction would be greatly appreciated.

TLDR: UCSD Jacobs Scholars: great but small scholars community, free education (saves money for graduate school), not as recognized/prestigious.
Duke: more helpful if I decide to switch majors, more “motivational” community, long-awaited switch to private school.
Dartmouth: opportunities to travel, better for economics, Ivy, misses out on BME.

2

What is affordable for you (and your family)? If all three are, I’d spend a few days at Duke and at Dartmouth, to ascertain which culture “fit” YOU better (they are both outstanding undergraduate institutions, but where will you be happier and with which university community would you like to have a lifelong affiliation?).

3

Money isn’t too much of an issue unless I plan to go off to med school, then I’ll probably have to rely on loans. Ideally I would like to get a job after undergrad, and I feel like Duke would be great for that. However, I’ve heard that it’s hard for BME majors to find stable/decent careers so I’m a bit nervous about that.

I attended a summer camp at Duke and I loved it; it seems like everyone who graduates from Duke is extremely proud to have graduated from Duke. However, I feel bad turning down the opportunity at UCSD and any possible opportunities at Dartmouth.

4

How much would Duke or Dartmouth cost? Consider whether you would rather apply that money to medical school.
https://www.aamc.org/download/152968/data/debtfactcard.pdf

Note that Dartmouth’s ABET-accredited engineering major (BE degree) commonly takes more than 12 quarters to complete, although do it without extra time. Dartmouth also offers a non-ABET-accredited BA degree program in engineering that does not require more than 12 quarters (Dartmouth is on the quarter system, so 12 quarters = 4 academic years).

5

BME is strongest at Duke amongst your options. If your parents can afford you the luxury of paying for Duke over your full ride, then go for another visit.

6

@YaleGradandDad‌ According to this it is strongest at UCSD. But there probably isn’t much of a difference. http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/biomedical-rankings

7

Do any of you know which one (Duke, UCSD) is more practical for a career in BME? They’re both relatively equal on ranking, but I’ve heard some “rumors” that BME careers are especially hard to come by from a UC, but that may be not applicable to the UCSD Jacobs Scholars program.

8

I am always skeptical regarding academic rankings – the premises and methodologies largely control the results – however, in 2014 U S News (and we all understand their inherent limitations) ranked Hopkins first in BME, Duke second, and UCSD seventh (http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-biological-biomedical). I offer these 2014 rankings (in addition to the foregoing 2015’s) only to illustrate that in this relatively new academic discipline, things are clearly dynamic. However, the key point is either Duke or UCSD will certainly provide you with a top BME Bachelor’s-level education/credential.

9

Duke.

10

UCSD for free.

11

Thanks for the input everyone! I’m visiting all three schools, so hopefully I can come to a decision that way.

12

@timousercow Go to Johns Hopkins!

13

Vote goes to Duke.

14

Clearly from your tone and research you report you are much better material than those saps attending UCSD. You need to cross that school off your list immediately!

15

For any future students who are facing similar decisions, I ended up choosing UCSD :^)

Thank you everyone for your advice!

16

It’s after the fact, but you had no bad choices. That said, given your objectives and specific opportunities, I think yuo made a really solid decision–especially if medical school is in your future.

17

Actually, since you mentioned the possibility of majoring in economics, UCSD’s economics department is one of those with a higher math emphasis than most, meaning better for pre-PhD study (though any pre-PhD economics major would want to take extensive additional advanced math courses).

18

I think you made a wise decision. For med school, engineering, or PhD, I’d strongly urge UCSD for free (assuming that you can keep the high GPA required for the Jacobs).

For slacker types and those interested in finance or consulting, paying up for Duke/Dartmouth may make sense.

19

Honestly almost everyone from my high school who went to UCSD is a biochemistry, biomechanical engineer, or other bio- major. It appears to have a very strong program. UCSD is known for it’s strong biological science and engineering programs here in San Diego. I don’t think it’s lacking in prestige. Perhaps it’s because I’m from California and not the East Coast, but I honestly can’t think of anything when I think of Duke and Dartmouth. I honestly didn’t know they were Ivy’s, and even so, I still have no impression of them. Good at sports maybe? But that’s all I know of them. This is just one opinion/perspective though, and as I said, I’m not from the East Coast so perhaps the reputation is different over there.

20

You can do a quarter/semester exchange program to Dartmouth from UCSD . I wish my daughter is keen on this program but she wasn’t, if it were Columbia, she might consider it because she wants to live in NYC for a term. This way you get to experience two colleges.

http://muir.ucsd.edu/academics/honors_opp/dartmouth.html