Having trouble making a decision on JHU ED

Colleges and Universities A-Z Johns Hopkins University
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<p>I’ve held an interest in JHU for as long as I can remember. I will want to be a biology pre-med, maybe a pub health premed. I believe JHU is the best school for both of those, as Hopkins Hospital and Medical School are so nearby and offers so many research opportunities.</p>

<p>I also visited today, and loved the campus. I also liked how it was fairly small, and had a small class size (9:1 student to faculty ratio). I’m not sure if that’s below or above average, but I definately like small classes.</p>

<p>But I came back home, told all my rising college freshman friends that I liked JHU, and I didn’t get too many excited looks. JHU gets a really bad wrap where I live for three main reasons.</p>

<li>Food and dorms aren’t so great, especially the food</li>
<li>It’s in the “ghetto” area of Baltimore</li>
<li>IT’S SUPER COMPETITIVE WITH NO GRADE-INFLATION</li>
</ol>

<p>But I ate at Levering, and the food wasn’t bad at all. I guess it’s worse at the Terrace and Wolman (sp?) but how bad can it be?</p>

<p>I would think Baltimore, like any other city, can be dangerous. I’m pretty sure if you use some basic street smarts, like not walk outside alone at 2am, you should be fine, right?</p>

<p>And to be honest, I kind of want to go to a competitive school without too much or any grade inflation. I want to be pushed to my limits and know what I am truly capable of accomplishing. I don’t want to be handed an A when I deserved a B. And I’m sure if you manage your time, Hopkins isn’t study 24/7 until you die. Is this attitude of mine too idealistic, and will it probably fade away after my first year if I attend Hopkins?</p>

<p>My parents also aren’t so thrilled with the idea of EDing to Hopkins. After hearing that Hopkins acceptance rate RD is 30% and ED is 45%, they kind of saw it as something I should just RD too. They say I should shoot for something harder to get into for ED, like a competitive ivy. Although I understand what they are saying, I really don’t think there are very many schools that can offer me what JHU has to give. The fact that I can have tons of research oppurtunities is one of the main reasons i’m liking jhu, but as my dad said, “Research isn’t important for undergrad” True or false? What other schools might I want to look into?</p>

<p>I’m quite torn. I feel like it’s the rest of my world vs. me. JHU really does feel like the match for me though.</p>

<p>BTW, i haven’t visited many colleges. I walked around the Boston area, but didn’t really take a tour or anything. I attended tours/info sessions at only Cornell and JHU thus far.</p>

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<p>I'm a current student.</p>

<p>To begin don't be fooled by the student to faculty ratio, class sizes (lectures) the first two yea are huge. i.e my Organic Chemistry class had 450 students during lecture! But I hear (from friends) that schools like Stanford and Harvard can be just as bad. But the truth is if you talk to the professor (during office hours or after class) most of them are nice people (even willing to bump your grade up if you ask).</p>

<p>The ED rate is a little misleading because many athletes are also taken in. But if you really want to go there ED is the best way.</p>

<p>30% RD is no joke either. The application pool is highly competitve (the pool of 2009 had an average SAT of 1420). If your confident enough you could apply RD. Research isn't all that important because most students who apply/get accepted into med school don't have any. I got that information from two JHU med school admissions officers at a religious gathering. But they said that having research can be a big boost. But it's better to have a good GPA than having research. If you can handle both, good for you.</p>

<p>Class work is hard but not impossible. My GPA isn't terrible, but isn't all that great either. I have friends who don't work an ounce and got Dean's List.</p>

<p>You could also look into U.Chicago and Duke both follow a similar research model.</p>

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<p>I was an ED applicant to Hopkins and I never regret the decision I made. It was so nice to know in December before winter break that I was into a school. I just signed up for classes. The two history classes I'm taking have a max of 15 students, and the Language class I'm taking will have a maximum of 18. Obviously if you're doing science lecture-oriented classes, you'll have 450 people in a lecture, but realize that a lot of your classes will be in smaller classes (or labs). Also, like javis said, most Ivys probably will have lectures of that size too.</p>

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<p>nerdatheart -- I have said it in another thread, but if you are going to apply ED to JHU it should be your clear first choice. If you think JHU is the “perfect fit” school for you than do it. And from your post it seems like you feel that way.</p>

<p>I applied ED and have never regretted it. JHU is not perfect but it provides you with the opportunity to have an amazing college experience – which I am making sure I take full advantage of. I had a lot of your concerns as well when applying because everyone I spoke with focused on the rumors about JHU (too competitive, all future doctors, bad city, etc.). A lot of these rumors come from those stupid guidebooks which talk about JHU 10 or 20 years ago. Also the voices of overly negative students who probably dont even go to JHU state these rumors as facts, on boards like this.</p>

<p>I have had a lot of fun…love Baltimore and feel safe…enjoy the food to some degree…and study hard but don’t feel overwhelmed. The whole competitive, cut-throat rumor is so overblown. If you had a good visit and this Hopkins is perfect, don’t let rumor and conjecture guide your way.</p>