<p>I got into Duke and Johns Hopkins and am having a hard time choosing between the two. </p>
<p>I would like to double major in political science and English or history. I am absolutely certain that I will not do a science major, which I hear is what Hopkins is famous for. I am definitely sticking with social sciences/humanities.</p>
<p>Duke has a nicer campus, and it seems like the teachers care more than they do at Hopkins, but some people say Johns Hopkins is more prestigious (I typically don't care about prestige). I also heard that Duke's social life revolves ONLY around frats, which don't interest me. Is this true or is it a myth? I enjoy get-togethers and other activities more than partying.</p>
<p>Also, there's nothing I hate more than professors making it impossible for a student to get an A. I love being challenged, but some schools deflate grades just to keep prestige up or some bull crap like that. Is it utterly hard to pull off As at Duke? I am a VERY hard worker and am very studious. </p>
<p>How are Duke's alumni relations, academics, social life, clubs, etc? I'd appreciate any feedback!</p>
<p>It’s all subjective, but I personally wouldn’t say that JHU is more prestigious than Duke.</p>
<p>If, and only if, you drink, then your social life at Duke will very likely involve frats. There are plenty of other things to do. If you’re not the type to party, you won’t feel pressured at all to join the greek scene.</p>
<p>Overall, an A isn’t that hard to get in most classes. Some of the intro classes (esp. in the sciences) required a lot of work, but are still manageable. If you aim for an overall 4.0, it’ll take a lot of dedication and sacrifice, and in the end, some inherent genius, but it’s still doable (and a few people do end up getting a 4.0 at graduation each year). The average grade in most classes are B though: usually B- in bigger classes, B+ in smaller ones.</p>
<p>phoenix7, I’m having the same dilemma - except between Duke, Johns Hopkins, or WashU for BME. I’m visiting all three this week.
anyone have a persuasive argument for me? it seriously might come to picking names out of a hat :)</p>
<p>There really is not diff in prestige…so look to attend the school where your heart skips a beat and lifts…</p>
<p>It is my understanding however that Hopkins has a stellar English Dept…so I would focus inquiries into the culture of that dept vs others </p>
<p>JHU is also great in international affairs etc with that to die for location near the Beltway and major federal departments although I love the Sanford School at Duke too</p>
<p>all students work hard at JHU and Duke…not an issue. Duke students are very serious students!
So pick your social life…Duke’s social life features a sports calendar that outshines most other college experiences…one of my sons loved that…the other didn’t even apply to Duke and wouldn’t like a school that sports crazy.</p>
<p>I’m sorry, there definitely is a difference in prestige between Hopkins and Duke. For BME, no, they are the same. For everything else, Duke wins hands down.</p>
<p>I would personally factor this in, as while you want BME now, if you decide to drop or switch majors you’re going to be in a better position at Duke.</p>
<p>Plus KiD CuDi just had a concert here last night. Just sayin its a ton more fun here.</p>
<p>@knat: Do you mean a student’s average or the class’ average as a whole? I understand that As won’t be handed out like free samples and that it’s Duke, not some random community college (no disrespect to community colleges), but I need to know that if someone puts in enough time and effort, getting As is possible.</p>
<p>Also, I don’t drink/smoke/do drugs or anything like that. You’re saying that won’t be a problem?</p>
I meant the average grades of classes as a whole. Overall, I think the average GPA at Duke at graduation is ~3.44, which is slightly below average (I think…check gradeinflation.com if you want more statistics on GPA and grade inflation).</p>
<p>
Yep, that was my point exactly. Getting A’s in almost any class here isn’t easy by any means, much less getting A’s in most/all of them. However, I’ve found that there aren’t really any classes where A’s are entirely elusive once you put enough time and effort into them. The “hardest” classes are just the ones that require the most work (studying).</p>
<p>
I drink occasionally, but about 3/5 of my friends don’t. You won’t have any trouble finding things to do on weekend nights–from Disney sing-a-longs (which are surprisingly well-attended) to basketball games. There are a few people who smoke pot here, but that’s not really a social drug in the way that alcohol is–usually they just go in a little group outside, smoke, then come back in. That won’t bother you, and it’s only a small minority of the students here who do that. Other drugs aren’t really prevalent at all except for frats. Long story short–no, you’ll have no problem fitting in. Contrary to what most people think, most people here actually don’t drink/smoke. It’s just that the ones who do drink are much more visible–from the knocked-down trashcans and what not–than the the ones who don’t. It’s the representative heuristic.</p>
<p>Are you Christian by any chance? Many of my friends who don’t drink are, and there are a variety of Christian organizations (InterVarsity, Campus Crusade for Christ) that hold drug-free social events on weekend nights.</p>
<p>If you think you’d feel uncomfortable at all by the presence of alcohol/drugs, you can consider joining Brown, the substance-free dorm.</p>
<p>Yes, Kid Cudi did come yesterday, but colleges invite music artists all the time. What makes the difference is the student body–I’ve never visited JHU, but I can tell you that Duke students are pretty lively. No one will pressure you to go to anything/to do anything, but if you’re ever in the mood to (whether it’s midnight soccer or swing lessons), then the opportunities will be there.</p>
<p>@ ashwin: yeah… im not surprised your uncle got mugged… it is baltimore after all. (a jhu undergrad ninja-ed a trespasser with a samurai sword last year lol)</p>
<p>I highly suggest visiting. Naturally if you post on the Duke side of a message board, things are going to appear more Duke favored. </p>
<p>I think you should strongly consider Duke and Hopkins again as they are clearly attracting the best students overall of the schools you are looking at. </p>
<p>Let me share some advantages and disadvantages of each school for you to consider.
I won’t mention much about prestige because it’s moot. Really, it is.</p>
It is a very Greek-centered campus life experience
The freshman campus is segregated from the overall campus which is somewhat of a pain.
While Duke does attract students from across the country, international students find it hard to get to and from and tend to stick to more urban locations.</p>
<p>Johns Hopkins Advantages:
Incredible faculty at a very small university [4,800 students] which means you get a lot of attention. For those students who are interested in the social sciences and humanities, you definitely get full attention at JHU. Not a pre-med? A+ faculty attention.
Very strong focus on undergraduate independent research and study, scholarship at a high level.
Living in a city - great resources, access to internships and easy to interview for everything from DC to Boston. It’s affordable to ride the train. Nightlife, major concerts, NFL and MLB games (Orioles, Ravens).<br>
Hopkins Lacrosse brings a lot of school pride.</p>
<p>Hopkins Disadvantages
Students work hard and are very committed to their education, scholarship compared to most places. It’s demanding.
Northeastern weather
Liberal Arts curriculum (if you like being told what to do and how to do it) then Hopkins may offer you too much freedom with class selection.</p>
<p>Students at Hopkins are very happy as they are at Duke. I would strongly suggest reaching beyond the realm of the college message boards and </p>
<p>@WealthofInformation: I realize that a good chunk of Duke students participate in Greek life, but I’ve heard also that there ARE other things to do if you’re not into partying.</p>
<p>It’s easier to get to and fro from major cities - NY, Philly, DC with dozens and dozens of flights a day to europe etc. It’s more affordable also. I know it’s an international airport, but that doesn’t mean that getting there is easier than to DC or JFK for example. </p>
<p>Nonetheless, Duke students absolutely have things to do -there is a great campus life. I don’t it’s any more or less active than Hopkins however. You can’t go wrong with either but I don’t think the answers you want can be found here.</p>
<p>JHU enrolls approximately 130-150 international students per year. x4 years, it’s roughly equal to Duke at about 600. </p>
<p>Ultimately, my point is that the northeast is more convenient to travel to for those students going abroad with more airport opportunities, and typically fewer flights. It’s not a deal breaker or anything like that but the OP wanted some information so I shared my thoughts.</p>