Duke vs. Johns Hopkins

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm NOT a pre-med, and have no intention of being one.
My primary interests are in computer science, mathematics, and computer engineering.
I will be entering with 8 AP exams.
Both schools have fencing teams; Duke's is DIV I, Nike supported, and better than Hopkins' which is kind of supported, and DIV III.</p>

<p>I would have a much better chance at being on the team at Hopkins but less of a chance to improve, and visa versa for Duke.</p>

<p>Fencing is not the primary deciding factor, but it is something that I will have for my entire life.</p>

<p>I am not a drinker/loud partier. I enjoy smaller groups and activities focused around them. I do not have an interest in frats.</p>

<p>I am accepted to both schools. I am also accepted to WPI, which is giving a significant amount of money when compared to Duke and JHU.</p>

2

<p>Right, maybe I wasn’t clear: I’m stuck between Duke and JHU. I need to find out from family how big a concern money is. It’s looking like we can afford WPI with no debt, but Duke and JHU both end up costing about ~90 grand more than will be available by all estimates.</p>

3

<p>Help? Still in need of a response.</p>

4

<p>Johns Hopkins seems like it would have less huge parties etc. but I think there is still that scene if you want it. I could be wrong but at Duke it seems like there would be more pressure to join that scene. </p>

<p>Could you answer my question please? It’s in this section (college search) and called “only got into safeties, hate all of them.”</p>

5

<p>Johns Hopkins seems like the better match based on your description above.</p>

6

<p>Actually, they’re not scheduled to play this season. Duke and Hopkins would ordinarily stand a good chance of meeting in the postseason, but Hopkins is having an uncharacteristically terrible lacrosse season.</p>

<p>And while WPI doesn’t seem as “sexy” an option as the other two, I don’t know that I’d begin my adult life $90,000 in debt.</p>

7

<p>I would take WPI off the table. 90K is a lot of money, but depending on your major, the job opportunity/network available at Duke and JHU could probably compensate for the difference in cost.</p>

<p>Duke is a better school than JHU.</p>

8

<p>I’d go to WPI if you have to take on 90K debt to go to Hopkins or Duke. If cost is not a concern, go to Hopkins.</p>

9

<p>If you’re not doing pre-med, then I don’t see why you’re still considering JHU.</p>

<p>Duke would be a better school for you.</p>

10

<p>Duke. I feel that Duke has a more inclusive social scene and the students there are friendlier and more chill. Duke is definitely a lot more spirited than Hopkins. Plus, Hopkins is pretty fratty too.</p>

<p>Weather will also be nicer at Duke and the campus is absolutely gorgeous.</p>

11

<p>The engineering and science programs are generally stronger at Hopkins. If you are a big basketball fan, go to Duke.</p>

12

<p>Yes, science/engineering is slightly stronger at Hopkins, but quality of life is not as good as it is at Duke.</p>

13

<p>The point:
I have no real way to come up with an accurate comparison of the values of the educations (left brain). I also think I’d be fine on each campus, but one might fit better, though which is still up in the air because I have no idea what I’ll be like/how I’ll respond to the change in environment.</p>

<p>I am probably going to go to grad school, so I’m not that concerned about forming immediate contacts. That 90 grand would still be weighing down on me in grad school too. I sent off an email to one potential grad school (like I know where I’ll be applying in four years…) asking what they think about my options. I might even get a response in time.</p>

<p>Actually, with all the information from financial aid, work study, and family, it could end up being 75 grand. That’s a reduction.</p>

<p>Responses/preface to the point:
So I’ve been to Duke and Hopkins, seen the campuses and looked at the tours (WPI too!).</p>

<p>At Duke, it seemed that if I accepted, I entered the Duke cocoon, as in my world would be Duke, Duke, and a little more Duke on the side. No, I’m not a huge basketball fan. According to an aunt/uncle who went there, you acquire it anyway. All the people seemed very open and welcoming.</p>

<p>At Hopkins, it seemed more like I would go there, take classes, maybe even associate with some people in the off time I may or may not have. It seemed that support was there, but that I’d need to go seeking it. Kind of like trying to get a root vegetable as opposed to a low-hanging apple, in terms of difficulty and compared to Duke.</p>

<p>I’m mainly comparing Duke and JHU here because I have to decide what debt I’m willing to take on. I am incredibly debt-averse. As in I never owe anyone money. That might change, but I don’t like taking on burdens I consider to be unreasonable (If I can’t afford it, I can probably do without). I am comfortable with the mathematics side, as in the cost of college, the probability I’ll pay it off in a reasonable time/have a decent job. The problem is that I don’t have that information. I can’t find reliable salary information. </p>

<p>Did I mention the part about being 18 and not qualified to make decisions about 4, 8, or even more years into my future? That’s just a tad important.</p>

<p>These are reordered because of length, and if you’re like me, you want to get to the point.</p>

14

<p>The support you receive at Duke for your academic endeavors is really incredible. I agree that it’s like that “low hanging apple.”. Nice analogy haha.</p>

<p>Also, while the “Duke bubble” does exist, students do go off campus. I go out to Durham to eat/watch plays/go to concerts quite often actually.</p>

<p>Which school felt better for you?</p>

15

<p>“Hopkins isn’t as amazing at the sciences as people make it out to be. With the exception of biology, its true strength is in the humanities. (Michigan is like this too.)”</p>

<p>Who makes Michigan out to be amazing at the natural sciences? I mean heaven forbid, virtually every program is in the top 20, but that lacks behind it’s top 5-10-15 ratings for almost everything else offered.</p>

16

<p>Hopkins and Duke are both great schools. And which one you would enjoy more is a very personal thing that strangers can’t advise you about because we don’t know you. I know students who transferred from Duke to Hopkins because they found the environment better for them, and I also know students who did the exact opposite. Its very subjective. </p>

<p>For what its worth, a few years ago Duke lured a Nobel prize winning professor at Hopkins to move to Duke with an offer that Hopkins could not or did not match. He lasted 2 years at Duke. He’s back at Hopkins. He missed it. </p>

<p>As to the fencing thing–the question is how dedicated are you to the sport and the amount of time it will devour. Division III sports are less time intensive, and will permit you to do other things besides your sport and academics. Division I sports don’t proide that type of flexibility. Also, Hopkins has traditionally had a pretty good fencing team for DIII.</p>

17

<p>Hopkins team has been good in the past few years because of a change in coaching. Duke’s team is generally stronger. </p>

<p>As for strangers, I’m aware that other people can’t make a decision for me, but they still don’t think the same way that I do and can offer insights that I don’t have. </p>

<p>I don’t know which school felt better. I really don’t. They fit different parts of my personality: Duke is socially inclusive, more we’ll support you, and Hopkins is more put yourself out there and on your own. Those seem a bit contradictory but that’s because I lack the proper wording to convey the intent.</p>

<p>It looks like more money might be available depending on how my family’s financial situation changes. This darn thing where the world isn’t a perfect place and education free and all that…</p>

18

<p>Hey jayded.</p>

<p>I’m in the same situation as you bro. Alex (Duke’s fencing coach) just called me yesterday letting me know I was accepted off the wait-list. I sent in my money deposit the day before, and was set on going to Johns Hopkins. I fell in love with duke the first time i visited, which was a while back (it was my dream school), but after visiting JHU again once i was accepted, I really liked hopkins too. I kinda gave up on Duke until i got that phone call yesterday haha.</p>

<p>Message me and let me know which you’re choosing. you’ve probably already sent in your deposit to either school, but I still have about a week to decide since I got off the waitlist. </p>

<p>Gluck man, maybe we’ll end up going to the same place and fencing together :P.</p>

19

<p>For the OP’s interests, Johns Hopkins.</p>