<p>I have found the thread comparing Wash U and Northwestern very interesting. How would those of you familiar with Wash U and Johns Hopkins compare the two schools? Like the person who posted the Northwestern thread, I'm generally familiar with both schools and the published information. I'm looking for more subjective evaluations from people who know both schools.</p>
<p>Last year, it came down to Wash U and Hopkins for my S. Our research clearly showed that Wash U was far superior: happier students, more academic help from faculty and other students (Hopkins is said to be quite cut-throat), better food, better dorms, safer neighborhood, a more "caring" environment overall. And it's a beautiful campus.</p>
<p>I don't know that much about JHU. We visited there along with Wash U, and that is about the extent of what I know. From that one experience, I would observe one large difference. The community around JHU is pretty rough. Baltimore is pretty nice, especially the water, but getting between there and school is tricky. The neighborhood around Wash U is beautiful and pretty fun. The park is extraordinory. St. Louis certainly has rough spots also, but not near campus.</p>
<p>I agree with what everyone has said. I must echo the point of JHU students having the reputation of being cut-throat. I don't know if it's true, but I have heard it a lot and from many different people.</p>
<p>My eldest daughter and I went to a weekend program at Hopkins. The questions from the floor centered on how Hopkins helped the stressed-out kids, what was the suicide rate, and why couldn't they guarantee housing for upper classmen. The Hopkins "hook" in their dog-and-pony show centered on the fact that when you graduated from Hopkins, you'd be part of an elite network of other Hopkins grads. Well... what about the four years of undergrad? My/our takeaway was that Hopkins felt it was worthwhile to suffer for four years, because afterwards you'd be able to say so, and commiserate with other sufferers.</p>
<p>In contrast, Wash U. is ranked as high or higher (though I do think not as widely known or respected by the overall populace) and the Wash U. creed is that the students should be happy, helped, boosted to success during their four years on campus.</p>
<p>I do think if you can get into Hopkins Med School you should hop, skip and jump to matriculate. All med students suffer - you might as well suffer at one of the best Med Schools in the world.</p>
<p>According to USNWR - Hopkins Med School = #2; Wash U #3</p>
<p>Wonder if the undergrad attitudes also extend to the grad schools.......</p>
<p>My nephew went to Hopkins, found it cut-throat and geeky and really disliked it. My son goes to WashU and loves it. All the positive things other respondents above have said about WashU are true.</p>
<p>It you are engineering NW>JHU>WashU. WashU engineering seems to be a bit risky at the moment.</p>