<p>I'm having a hard time deciding. Location is not a factor. I'm thinking of maybe going into Pre-Med, but not 100% sure (I also have interests in liberal arts). Thinking of also possibly going to ivy league later for (HYP ) a graduate experience. Which one has the best academics/sets me up best? Thanks!</p>
<p>Congrats on getting into such wonderful schools! Personally, I’d say go to Hopkins because you got into the BME major (number one in the country, woo!). That is assuming you’re actually interested in BME. Unless you visit the other three schools and one of them completely steals your heart, I’d say come to Hopkins! But, I would also say don’t come if you visit Hopkins and you dread the place…so do take location into consideration. life is too short to only be factoring in “what to do to get in the best med school” and not your own happiness. Work very hard, but also try to be some place where you can enjoy your surroundings. </p>
<p>But yeah, academics-wise, if you are interested in BME, there isn’t a better place than Hopkins!</p>
<p>Thank you very much! I appreciate your thoughtful response. The only reason why I am reluctant is because I think I may lean more towards pre-med than engineering and I see that the core requirements of that program require around 29 engineering credits. Plus, not all students are allowed to apply to medical school!</p>
<p>All students are allowed to apply to medical schools. That’s ridiculous.</p>
<p>I suspect what you mean is that not students earn a positive recommendation from the committee on pre-professional advising. If they objectively don’t think a candidate is up to snuff, they will decline to write a positive recommendation. Guess what? Your high school teachers were not required to write you a positive recommendation either. But you don’t need the committee’s recommendation to apply to medical school. You can get recommendations from others (professors, etc.).</p>
<p>^FYI: For Hopkins med and many other med schools, if your undergraduate premedical institution has a premedical committee that provides a letter, you must have that letter as part of the application. You cannot substitute the individual letters of reference if your school has a premedical committee letter. If your premedical committee does not provide you with a letter or provides you with a “recommend with reservation” or “do not recommend” letter, too bad!</p>
<p>^Yet a lot of students at Hopkins apply without that letter anyways. Clearly not all top med schools require it.</p>
<p>I suppose the rumors about the “cut-throat competition” make me a bit apprehensive because it sounds like a serious environment and I was hoping someone could dispel these rumors but I appreciate the helpful responses.</p>
<p>Hopkins is tough no doubt about it. But it’s a close community of scholars - people are there to develop the skills to make the world a better place. Hopkins kids are more likely to help than to hinder. </p>
<p>BME is hard but really fun for the right student. It’s what you make of it!</p>