<p>Hey guys!
As you all know college decisions are out, or at least most of them. I got into all the UCs and Johns Hopkins University. However, I am currently debating between UC Berkeley and Johns Hopkins. If I attend Johns Hopkins, I will definitely go for medical. For UC Berkeley, I will major in EECS, but most likely I will move out from the engineering major into something like bioengineering because I am also debating between medical and engineering, though I am leaning a little bit towards medical than engineering. For UC Berkeley, I received the Regents Scholarship, which, though I haven't checked it yet, will probably provide me with a significant amount of aid. Furthermore, being a CA resident would also greatly help me out. On the other side, Johns Hopkins is all the way across the country. JHU is providing me some financial aid for their nearly $50,000 price tag, almost half the price is paid for me. Thus, for JHU I will probably have to pay around $25-$30,000. Aiya!! So much to think about. Please help. JHU vs. CAL O_o</p>
<p>Hopkins could be a very new experience for you. I mean when you think about it - you have the rest of your life to live in California and you can go back once you graduate! JHU has a great mix of students from all over the world and all over the country which is a great mix not to mention that the incoming class of students is but a mere 1,200 students. </p>
<p>I think Berkeley is a great place - but perhaps this is your time to seek out a new experience and be at a place like Hopkins? Clearly the choice is yours, but I think it's hard to pass up a great opportunity like Hopkins in my mind.</p>
<p>The best way to make this decision is to VISIT!!! Make your own conclusions. Check out the Admitted Student Web Site for all the different ways to visit campus in April.</p>
<p>If Hopkins is only a few thousand more than Berkeley and you want to do some sort of biotechnology major or medicine, then Hopkins is a much better choice in my opinion. But don't take my word for it, go visit.</p>
<p>From my sources, I have heard that JHU really deflates GPA and thus greatly diminishes chances of getting into any med school except graduate/med school in JHU. So it seems like: </p>
<p>8 years at JHU vs. 4 years @ CAL + 4 years at UCSF(or other med school)</p>
<p>As for financial status, I have practically all expenses paid for CAL because I received regents. As for JHU, I am left with about $20,000 to pay. </p>
<p>And yes, I will be attending the admit days and overnight programs for sure.</p>
<p>Aiya!! My head is twirling in circles as I must make one of the most important decisions in my life. O_o gg....</p>
<p>Sorry to make this more complicated, but if you're dead set on going to med school, you might want to opt for a less academically demanding environment so you don't feel burnout. Also, 8 years of schooling is a lot of money so if going to Cal saves you a significant amount, it's something to consider.</p>
<p>Would a low (3.0?) GPA at JHU affect the amount of grant money I receive throughout my years there and affect my financial burden?</p>
<p>This is something to ask admissionsdaniel. However, from my understanding, no. Hopkins should completely cover your financial need assuming you don't fail out. Don't take my word though.</p>
<p>Is there a way that I can appeal for more financial aid because the $20,000 still seems kind of hefty...?</p>
<p>Apply for more scholarships..... But really, 20,000 is what you would have been paying for a UC education without your regents. So basically, you get to go to a medium sized private school that fits your academic needs at the price of a UC. If money really is an issue, I say go to Cal, but opportunities like Hopkins don't come around too often, especially if you want to do medicine.</p>
<p>Hey CTBear, I'm in almost the exact same situation. I'm trying to decide between Cal (bioengineering) and JHU. </p>
<p>I absolutely agree with going to visit each of the schools, because the two environments are definitely very different. I've been a bay area kid all my life. So many ppl i know are going to Cal next year and the weather is gorgeous here (esp. at this time of year!), but i feel like we've been spoiled and sheltered here our whole lives, it'll be good to try something new. </p>
<p>I have almost full rides to both JHU and Cal, and it's really hard to decide. I agree that for medicine JHU probably offers more opportunities and individual attention but people have said JHU is less well-rounded (science emphasized heavily rather than a mix of sciences and humanities at Berk) and the atmosphere is more intense and less fun. I believe you can have a great time and meet awesome people at both places if you know where to look, but is there some truth to what many say about hopkins providing a less balanced education and less fun?</p>
<p>The oft told myth about grade deflation at JHU and inability to get into other med schools is obviously bunk.</p>
<p>^ What he said.</p>
<p>As a student, grades are hardly deflated. Some majors are worse than others, but, in fact, this does not worsen any chances for any graduate school.</p>
<p>
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JHU is less well-rounded (science emphasized heavily rather than a mix of sciences and humanities at Berk)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Not really true. A lot of people do things outside of science here. International Studies is the most popular major in the school of arts and sciences.</p>
<p>international studies makes up the largest second % of chosen majors</p>
<p>darkhope, I'm not sure if you meant to say second largest or if you were including engineering, but it's actually THE largest major on campus outside of engineering.</p>
<p>srry lol, i was only looking at us news which lists it as a 10% thing which was the second largest in that comparison there...but as we all know us news probalby uses old info so yea lol</p>
<p>This is a great thread, I'm in the same boat for deciding between JHU and UCB and I want to major in biology and eventually go to medical school. Keep the great advice coming!..</p>
<p>^ GG...What he said.</p>