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<p>That’s not correct. While Penn does fill a larger portion of its class through ED (48% for the Class of 2015), it has many more ED applicants than Duke, and Penn’s overall ED accetance rate of 26% was lower than Duke’s overall ED acceptance rate of 29%:</p>
<p>[Penn</a> Admissions: Incoming Class Profile](<a href=“http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/profile/]Penn”>http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/profile/)</p>
<p>[Duke</a> University Admissions: Class of 2015 Profile](<a href=“http://www.admissions.duke.edu/jump/applying/who_2015profile.html]Duke”>http://www.admissions.duke.edu/jump/applying/who_2015profile.html)</p>
<p>For all intents and purposes, however, their admissions selectivity is fairly comparable.</p>
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<p>Penn’s BME is also exemplary (usually ranked very close to Duke).</p>
<p>But in response to the OP’s initial inquiry, don’t overlook that both of these schools are also very highly regarded–and quite comparable–in arts and sciences, with many liberal arts departments ranked among the top 10 or top 20 in the country.</p>
<p>The choice between these 2 excellent schools is really a matter of personal preference and fit.</p>