Hi Divertan,
I am also applying for MEM programs (SPEA, SNRE, FES, and Nicholas) and was accepted to the Nicholas MEM program on Feb 11th. I am also stuck with a difficult decision in terms of balancing the program's reputation, fit, and financing.
If it means anything, Yale FES did their graduate school fair with Nicholas, so perhaps they think their programs are comparable/competitive?
So far I've been accepted to Indiana (dual ES & PP) and UCSB Bren school. Bren is rather tempting given that the entirety of the program is less than a year of tuition at Duke. Would love to hear other's thoughts in regards to whether the Nicholas MEM program is a good investment