Hopkins BME?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Johns Hopkins University
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<p>I have a couple of questions about BME in general and BME at JHU. I know that generally BME is really hard to get into, but what makes BME at Hopkins so competitive?
Also, how does the program at Hopkins compare to other schools? Is it the prestige of a nationally recognized research school that gets people or is there something really challenging about this program that others dont have?
What do succesful BME graduates end up doing? Do they become engineers? where do they do research?
I really want to go to JHU and totally intend to apply (possibly as a BME major), but I really want the low-down on this major to see if it's for me.</p>

<p>I know this is a lot to chew on, but I can really use all the feedback I can get, especially from current BME-ers</p>

2

<p>Let's see how much assistance I can be (though I do expect you will hear from current JHU students both BME and non-BME with their opinions) -- </p>

<p>First, the reason why it is competitive to be admitted into the BME major at Hopkins is because it is a limited enrollment major. Unlike for all other programs at Hopkins, applicants must apply to both JHU and also directly for admission into the BME major. You do this by selecting BME as your first choice major. </p>

<p>Admission to BME is limited to 100 - 110 incoming freshmen each year which makes it the most competitive part of the Hopkins admissions cycle. Do note though that you may be admitted to JHU (and for that you will be held to the same standards as the rest of the applicant pool) but not admitted to BME. So, yes being admitted to BME is more difficult, but no it is not harder to be admitted to JHU if you select BME. </p>

<p>Just to add a bit about competition, BME applicants tend to be the strongest applicants in the entire applicant pool (in terms of average GPA, SAT, course rigor, and other academic factors). For this reason many will be admitted to JHU, but not admitted to BME. Actually, only about 1/3 of admitted students who selected BME ultimately are offered a spot in the program. To add to the competition, the applicant pool to BME is one of the top 3-4 majors each year.</p>

<h2>To wrap-up the competition aspect, many applicants -- many qualified applicants -- so few spots!!!</h2>

<h2>Your next questions get to rankings and/or prestige of the program, and typically avoid such debates. I will say though most people agree that Johns Hopkins BME program is one of (if not) the best program in the world. The faculty, the facilities, the program, the research opportunities (both on the undergrad and grad side) are all consider top notch and are traditionally ranked #1. Just think about this - what other school in the country has to limit their BME program, and also what other school can offer FIVE concentrations in bioengineering!!!</h2>

<p>And finally, to learn about what BME students are doing - just check out the Department website (<a href="http://www.bme.jhu.edu/)%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.bme.jhu.edu/)&lt;/a>. There is a ton of information there if you just take the time to read through it all.</p>

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<p>Wow!! I am so glad I asked. I didnt know the major was capped at ~100 people. What kinds of grades/SATs/EC have current BME majors brought to the table?</p>

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<p>Can you apply BME, get in, and change majors later?</p>

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<p>chronicidal - yes, as an admitted BME student you can change your mind and leave the major. Unfortunately, if you change your mind again you are most likely not going to be let back in. </p>

<p>imabeliever - I avoid posting admissions statistics because I personally do not feel they tell the story of our class, our admitted students, nor the process by which we make decisions. Let's just say that BME admits tend to have the strongest GPAs, in the strongest curriculums, with high test scores, much involvement, and sincere interest in the field.</p>

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<p>I got in this year to BME as regular decision.
Here are my stats but this should not be taken as the final must have requirements. Each applicant is different so they shine in their own way.</p>

<p>SAT: M-800, W-800 Essay-12, CR- 660 (ehhh..)
SAT II: M2C-800, BioM-740, Chem-700, US Hist-710
GPA: 4.00, 7.74weighted <---I was in IB.
ECs: Tennis team, Indian dance, volunteering at hospitals, Stem Cell research, VA Spinal Cord Injury Internship, Key Club president, Science Bowl captain (2nd place in state twice), MAO.. and bunch of other stuff</p>

<p>**suggestion: if you do common app, on the suppliment there is a optional essay question..ANSWER IT! I know ppl who didnt answer it and didnt get in. Idk if that was the reason but u dont want to take chances.</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

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<p>I'm gonna be a sophamore as a Hopkins BME. I applied a couple years ago early descision and my record wasn't quite that strong. I don't remember all that high school stuff but my SATs weren't as high and my weighted GPA was 4.00 (not 7.whatever). I had never done any research, although I am now. I had some good ECs like sports and clubs and stuff but nothing too special. I am now a walk-on varsity athlete and involved in greek life and BME. I admit the BME classes are tough but interesting and can be done. Just thought I'd let you know you don't have to be a super nerd and already be published to get in. Good Luck.</p>

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<p>AdmissionsDaniel - can u apply ED with BME as ur top choice, not get into BME but into hopkins and be considered for BME in the spring?? (basically deffered)</p>

<p>also, do most candidates for BME have an extensive history of research at RSI, ISEF, Siemens, etc.???</p>

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<p>First question: Yes, if you apply ED and choose BME but are not admitted into BME during the ED phase, your BME decision will be deferred into the regular decision phase. </p>

<p>From our website:
"Early Decision applicants who are admitted to Johns Hopkins but are denied admission to the biomedical engineering (BME) major will be allowed to apply to and consider offers of admission from other institutions. The commitment to matriculate at Hopkins if accepted, as stated in the Early Decision Agreement, is null and void in this circumstance only. Such candidates will have until May 1 to reply to Hopkins' offer of admission."
And some more info: <a href="http://apply.jhu.edu/faqs/edfreshmen.html#ed_bme%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://apply.jhu.edu/faqs/edfreshmen.html#ed_bme&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Second question:
Yes many admitted BME applicants have done research in their high school years. We do not keep specific statistics, but my best guess is that more than to close to 2/3 of admitted BME students have done research or have strong academic enrichment experiences.</p>

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<p>I've said this before in previous posts but figure I might as well post it again.</p>

<p>Even if you aren't admitted into the BME department at Hopkins you can still study BME here. BME is really just a concentrated version of one of the traditional engineering majors (mechanical, chemical, electrical, etc.). So the moral of the study is that if you came here and studied Mechanical engineering and concentrated in biomechanics you would essentially be studying BME. You can still take courses/electives in the BME department and a lot of the hot research topics in the BME are actually housed in MechE department. For example there are Profs in the MechE dept. doing research or skeletal impacts leading to brain damage, thermal mapping of the brain to locate abnormal growths, not to mention much of the cell/tissue engineering research is housed/run by MechE professors. In some sense you may (but not always) actually be better off at getting into the biomedical world by studying MechE in with a concentration towards biomechanics.</p>

<p>The same example can be made to other forms as engineering as well, I just happen to know Mechanical the best.</p>

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<p>as a whole, AdmissionsDaniel, how do acceptance rates compare for BME, Whiting, and Krieger???</p>

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<p>I'm doing research now, and whether I get into BME or not, JHU or not, I intend to continue my research. But, considering the diffucult BME cirriculum, do BME students find that they are able to manage research along with the school-work? Do you ever feel that you're doing so much work that you dont have time for much else. Rusty@Hopkins, you seem like the best person to ask about this, considering all your involvement. Getting involved in school is something important to me, and I would like to know how difficult or possible it is to balance BME with non-academic activities.</p>

<p>Admissions Daniel:
2/3 is a really high percentage of ppl who did research in high school. Do you prefer that applicants applying to BME have previous experience?</p>

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<p>smder99 - we do not share acceptance rates for specific schools or specific majors. </p>

<p>imabeliever - Do not believe the hype about the BME curriculum being TOO difficult. Many, many, many BME students conduct research during their undergraduate years and also heavily contribute to the social life at JHU. </p>

<p>As far as preferring students with research when reviewing for BME, there is no stated preference - but when you are looking at the "best of the best" things like research will shine through.</p>

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<p>hm. i got into bme ED. i dont think my stats were very strong compared to the others....</p>

<p>gpa: 4.3W/3.98UW
sat I: 790M, 660W, 610V
sat II: math ic-740 / math iic-770
ec: nhs jr and sr secretary, keyclub webmaster, hosa historian, vp of multicultural club, secretary of spanish club, treasurer of psychology club, band freshman year, tennis sophomore year, involvement in church youth group, mission trips, volunteered at the hospital for 3 years straight, and some other stuff.</p>

<p>i didnt think my essays were that good either...maybe it was my recommendations.</p>