Hi guys!
International student from Australia looking at a pre-med track. Been offered a Robertson Scholarship to Duke and also the UPenn Vagelos Molecular Life Sciences Program. In terms of structure of course, ease of getting into med school, workload etc. which one would be better?? I’m leaning towards Duke because it’s a full ride and I like the school environment but it’s seems the UPenn one is more focused on biochem and research etc. Please let me know 
Much appreciated
Don’t turn down a Robertson offer. Duke by a mile. I’m premed here (not a Robertson) and the resources are awesome and everyone is very supportive.
CONGRATULATIONS! Both are superb universities, both will provide you with every conceivable resource, and both offer outstanding pre-med education (with medical school admissions rates that reflect the quality of the institutions, the faculties, the students, and the curriculum). However, the Robertson is a BIG deal, it offers advantages that are rare at any first-tier school and it will perpetually be a substantial, additional distinction. I respectfully suggest, with 100 percent confidence, that turning a Robertson down would be very foolish. Again, congratulations; your performance and potential must be spectacular.
The Robertson Scholarship program is amazing so I’d be disappointed if you were to turn down such outstanding privilege. Please also know that Duke’s medical school placement rate is 85%. I’m not sure what Penn’s placement rate is but given the competition of med school admission, I’m sure only a few schools in the country place better than Duke.
Good luck with your decision!
No question. Robertson. As a Robertson fellow you will have special opportunities that most students won’t have. Also imagine your pre-med committee letter. It will have details on the prestige of the Robertson throughout it. If you keep your grades up, this will give you a serious leg-up when applying to Med School.
Now if you had told me that you had a full tuition offer from UPenn, and had to pay for Duke, I would recommend the other way around. Med school is expensive, so you need to start saving now, as you will probably need to take loans which take years to repay.
UPenn and Duke are very similar schools in terms of academic prestige and placement, so it really comes down to the outside factors (sports vs Philly etc). But as you got the Robertson, it really seems like a no brainer to pick Duke.
I thought @sgopal2’s comment re “I would recommend the other way around” was spot-on. I suspect none of the posters to this thread feels the Penn is anything but a great university – and an excellent option for you. But the Robertson – financially and MUCH more – really is a rare and brilliant opportunity.