Amherst, Johns Hopkins, or UPenn

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I got into these three schools and would appreciate any input or advice as to where I should attend. I intend to to pre-med in college but might major in something other than biology or science because I have widespread interests and understand that some med schools look favorably on students who major in something other than science. Thus I may major in political science in something else.</p>

<p>I intend on running at one of these schools and I like the different aspects of the small, rural environment of Amherst and the large, urban setting of the other two. It would be very different running at Amherst or Johns Hopkins (DIII) and running at UPenn (DI).</p>

<p>Just to give some background, I got a 2370 SAT (770 Math, 800 CR, 800 Writing), 100.5 average, Valedictorian, Eagle Scout, President of NHS, recruitable track runner, white male from NY. I was rejected from Harvard, Yale, Princeton and waitlisted at Duke, Brown, and Dartmouth.</p>

<p>While pre-med is my plan now, I know that many people switch out of pre-med and I may find that I am not as interested in it as I thought. This may affect my decision as well.</p>

<p>Thanks for any input anyone has as to where I should attend.</p>

2

<p>Wow, we must be cousins or something, because I'm in virtually the same boat (but replace Amherst with Wash U for me). I got rejected at Harvard and Yale, and waitlisted at Duke, valedictorian, want to premed but want to major in English.
So basically, I'm definitely interested in this thread too.</p>

3

<p>You've got to prioritize
1) Running division
2) Pre-med resources (even if you don't major, will you be able to be involved research, internships, etc?)
3) Professor interaction/ class size
4) Resources of a big city vs. small town</p>

<p>etc.</p>

<p>What matters to you--talking to the teachers after class or being able to run around Philly? That sort of thing. Even if you aren't affected by school size, location, etc, it will affect the sort of peers each school attracts. Also, be sure to look into required classes. For example, since you're uncertain about your major but want to pursue medicine, Amherst's open curriculum might be conducive to the sort of classes you want to take--taking organic chemistry and World Religions (or whatever) might not be so weird there, but you may have to jump through hoops at the other schools. Of course, if running's big to you or you want a campus integrated with a city, Penn's your school. Hopkins has the med focus. Whatever your priorities are--even if you think certain factors are silly, your classmates won't, and that'll have a big impact on the next four years.</p>

<p>Good luck! You really can't go wrong.</p>

4

<p>coolege - lol nice. r u upset that u got rejected from those schools? i know how ridic it is to get into those places but i cant help but feel disappointed/surprised</p>

5

<p>to be honest, i dont really care how good the running is. just running in college i'd be very happy with.</p>

<p>how hard is it to not major in a science at upenn/jhops? do they really encourage you to major in a science.</p>

6

<p>All 3 are excellent schools, and you can't go wrong at any of them. It's really a matter of personal fit, and you should visit them (or visit them again now that you've been admitted) to focus on which one feels right for you.</p>

<p>That being said, I'll post here comments similar to comments I posted in another thread about Penn:</p>

<p>Penn offers a much greater breadth and depth of academic opportunities than Amherst or Hopkins, and the school is very serious about its "One University" policy. Under that policy, Penn strongly encourages all of its undergraduates to take courses in more than one of the undergraduate schools, and to pursue broad, interdisciplinary interests. So it's very common for students in the College of Arts and Sciences to take courses in Wharton, or even in the Engineering or Nursing schools. And of course, vice versa. Penn undergrads are also able to take courses in most of Penn's emminent graduate and professional schools. For example, see the large ad on page 13 of today's Daily Pennsylvanian, in which Penn's law school announces numerous courses open to non-law students for the coming semester:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/paper882/documents/l5j45dld.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/paper882/documents/l5j45dld.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Penn's "One University" policy makes for a unique and diverse academic experience--and a chance to explore far beyond the traditional liberal arts curriculum--unavailable at just about any other school, including Amherst and Hopkins.</p>

<p>Penn also offers unique research opportunities for undergraduates in that the bulk of its eminent health sciences research complex, including its medical school, dental school, nursing school, veterinary school, hospital, research facilities, etc., are all located within a few blocks of each other on the same relatively compact campus as all of Penn's undergraduate and other graduate schools. Penn strongly encourages undergrads to get involved in research, with a separate office devoted exclusively to undergraduate research and fellowships.</p>

<p>And if you're interested in track, well, I have just two words: PENN RELAYS! The oldest and largest track and field meet in the country (if not the world):</p>

<p>Penn</a> Relays - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</p>

<p>Welcome</a> to the 2008 Penn Relays! - PennAthletics.com—The Official Website of University of Pennsylvania Athletics</p>

7

<p>Well, if it's premed you want, here are some figures for Amherst pre-med:
Between 2000 and 2004, '98.8% (168 out of 170) acceptance rate for 'well-qualified' applicants who either were accepted on their first try or who have reapplied', and '97% (199/205) acceptance rate for all applicants, 'well-qualified' and 'less-qualified,' who either were accepted on their first try or who have reapplied'. </p>

<p>You can read more at Amherst</a> College Premedical Guide</p>

8

<p>Yeah, I was a titch dissapointed, but I figured that I might get into one of Harvard, Yale, and U Penn. I'm still very happy!</p>

9

<p>I'd choose Amherst...lovely place, grrrrrreat college (I'm biased though, I'm completely pro LAC's)</p>

10

<p>D1 running will impact a lot of your college experience. Amherst has a very serious running program, too, but it won't be as demanding as Penn's. That is something you have to consider. The coach is the adult on campus with whom you will have the most contact- so with whom did you feel the most comfortable. If you aren't sure you want to keep running, you can take that out of the equation, but if you really want to run, you have to factor that in.
Penn and Amherst are really different places- you will get a lot more individual attention (academically) at Amherst, but Penn offers an incredible range of programs. I wouldn't even consider Hopkins over the other two, but that's just my opinion.</p>

11

<p>
[quote]
I wouldn't even consider Hopkins over the other two, but that's just my opinion.

[/quote]

MOWC--Could you elaborate on this further? Is it in regards to Hopkins running program or other factors? I assume since the OP is leaning pre-med, it has less to do with that? My D is being recruited by JHU, Penn, and other schools for a different sport so, like the OP, I'm trying to collect as many perspectives as possible. Thanks.</p>

12

<p>It is really just my personal preference. I think if you are a lacrosse player, Hopkins would be high on the list. It is certainly strong academically, but I am more of a non-science type and lean towards Penn or Amherst.
I am also not a huge Baltimore fan, even though it has greatly improved in the last decade.</p>

13

<p>I'd pick Amherst.</p>

14

<p>Since I know JHU and Penn both pretty well, I'd pick Amherst! </p>

<p>They are three very different schools. There must be some other factors that will help you decide, like small liberal arts school vs small research university vs gigantic ivy league university. </p>

<p>But by the way, on the subject of non-science majors for pre-meds, one of the good things about JHU is that despite the overwhelming numbers of pre-med students, there are great classes and departments in humanities and social sciences and you can really get to know the professors there. Of course you will still be seeing all those pre-med kids in your Organic Chemistry class and you'll be fighting it out for the "A".</p>

<p>I happen to love Baltimore and Philadelphia, but they are a bit, how should I say it, rough? Would you feel more comfortable in Massachusetts?</p>

15

<p>All three are great schools, but they are different from each other. Since I don't know you, it's hard to recommend one over the other. My advice is to visit all three (they are all within a few hours drive) and choose the one that feels right for YOU. Taking other peoples advice over which to choose (including mine--I chose Hopkins over Penn and remained happy with the choice because it was a better fit for ME) is silly because everyone is different and has different objectives, interests and preferences. I choose Hopkins because it was the right size (bigger than Amhearst, smaller than Penn), tops at what I was interested in (international studies), I loved the campus, I felt comfortable with the people, and I prefer being in a city as long as the campus was beautiful (when I was choosing, Penn was pretty ugly but it has improved markedly in recent years). But you may be different than me.</p>

16

<p>The schools are all so different, but all excellent. You're going to have to visit them and see which one is the best "fit" for you.</p>

<p>But the right answer, of course, is Penn ;)</p>

17

<p>Strictly for pre-med, which school is the best? If I were to switch out of pre-med, which school offers the best alternative options (is most well-rounded)?</p>

18

<p>I would go to Amherst for the overall academics and undergrad experience and Penn second (although a close decision). Amherst will get you pretty much anywhere and LACs tend to be extremely flexible and well rounded. Penn will present the best business options, however, for a Penn CAS econ major. Amherst will still be strong enough in this area.</p>

19

<p>Penn, by virtue of its sheer size, will offer you a greater breadth of academic opportunities.</p>

<p>However I imagine Amherst will also be excellent in the departments that you'd be likely to go into. Again, it's fit fit fit. But for me it was Penn</p>

20

<p>this "greater breadth of academic opportunities" thing is stale ilovebagels.. no pun intended.</p>

<p>I'd take a good look at Amherst and JHU over Penn. Perhaps even more so, JHU-- visit and you'll see :)</p>