<p>Ok I know that pre-med is not a major and that it doesn't even matter that much what major you have when you apply to medical school. But my question is would JHU be a good place to study biology/biochemistry for undergraduate and "be a premed" as compared to other similar ranked universities since JHU has such a good medical school?
For example, would a "pre-med" choose JHU over lets say Cornell, Brown, Northwestern, and Dartmouth since JHU has a great med school and thus probably better facilities and research opportunities for undergrads?</p>
<p>Hopkins doesn't offer a biochem major so let me clear that up. Among Hopkins undergrads who take part in the pre-med academic advising track (that is what "pre-med" means here) over 85% get into med school. If that doesn't seem so impressive, consider that the national average is about 48%! Our rate is one of, if not the best in the nation.</p>
<p>I think the reality is that Hopkins offers specialists in almost every area of health care imaginable from oncology, biomedical engineering, tissue development, global public health, women's health care, epidemiology, community outreach, etc. This is the big bonus. You want to specialize in malarial research, then they have a center for that, you want to concentrate in environmental health, you can take classes at the Bloomberg School of Public Health (1st in the US, best in the US). It's nearly impossible to not find what you want when related to health care at Hopkins. That's why it's so famous.</p>
<p>Ultimately, Hopkins is the mecca of health-related issues because there literally is everything there you want with multiple specialists AND research opportunities in each. You get to learn from the absolute, very best. Hopkins receives an inordinate amount of research grant money and that leads to lots and LOTS of research chances for everyone. </p>
<p>Most colleges offer specialist faculties in some specific areas, not others, don't care so much about undergrads and what their research opportunities may be. Hopkins, on the other hand, has a very small number of graduating students each year (~1200) and about 75% of students have done research by the time they graduate, all under the very best.</p>
<p>First, I would advise you NOT to choose your undergraduate institution solely based on its "pre-med" reputation. Coming to JHU is not a stepping stone to JHU Med School. The main advantage to premed here (in my opinion) is that it is very very easy to shadow a doctor, or to do research at the Med School. As far as YanksDolphins' "85%" acceptance rate, that's a little skewed. The 85% acceptance rate (actually, it's more like 98% or something) are those who apply THROUGH the Hopkins Pre-med Committee. There are many many freshman who come into Hopkins premed, and then drop out or decide to pursue other careers. Please don't think "wow, 85% of all premeds at Hopkins get into med school"- no. It's 85% (or whatever the real number is) of those who do well enough to get recommended by the Hopkins Committee. </p>
<p>As far as Hopkins offering "specialists", that's true because JHU Homewood is 15 minutes away from the best hospital in the nation. But just simply working at the hospital won't get you into med school. When you're an undergrad here, you won't be taking med school classes- you're simply taking chem, physics, bio, calc, etc etc. These are classes offered at every institution, not just Hopkins. I'm not trying to discourage you from coming to Hopkins, I just want to make it clear how pre-med is at Hopkins. Granted, Hopkins' pre-med program (it's not a major, but it is a program) is one of the best in the nation. However, it's only as good as you make it. Simply saying you came from Hopkins pre-med will not get you anywhere if you didn't do reasonably well. BTW, FYI, I'm not an advisor or anything, I'm currently a senior at JHU who also wants to be a doctor :)</p>