Hopkins ?'s -need-based aid, academics

<p>Just a few questions about Johns Hopkins</p>

<p>1st, I can't seem to make much sense from the collegeboard report on financial aid. Here are the stats:
* Average percent of need met: 94%
* Average financial aid package: $31,612
* Average need-based loan: $2,625
* Average need-based scholarship or grant award: $23,188
* Average non-need based aid: $29,193
* Average indebtedness at graduation: $16,932
Can someone who knows about this, explain these numbers?
They give more non-need based aid than need-based scholarship?
What is the financial aid package comprised of? I thought it was usually grant plus loan, but those don't add up. And $29k average merit aid? Isn't that extraordinarily high? Do they just give a couple of those out? So, some clarification here would be nice.</p>

<p>And second, academics. Johns Hopkins seems to me like it is a school with science and research first. Would you say Hopkins is a well-rounded school, or is there a noticeable deficiency in the quality of non-sciences there than sciences?
And what are classes like. This is a small university. Are the classes mainly small discussion/seminars, or lectures....</p>

<p>Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks</p>

<p>Look here: Hopkins</a> Undergraduate Admissions :: Financial Aid :: Merit Scholarships</p>

<p>Those are big merit based scholarhips. Furthermore, those numbers don't imply that they give more non-need based aid then need based aid. They just say that the average for non-need is higher than need. But need based aid is spread horizontally amongst 4400 undergraduates, and non-need is given vertically to a few a year. And yes, aid is usually grant plus loan.</p>

<p>Hopkins is well rounded. Do a search on these forums about it. It's strong in every department and among the top 10 in many. seriously, don't make us list them all again. There is no noticeable deficiency in any major. In fact, the most popular major isn't even science oriented (International Studies, at least I think that's still the most popular major).</p>

<p>Class size depends on the level of the class, and department, just like any other major research university. Econ, Physics, Math, Bio, Chem 101 are going to be large, no matter what. As you work your way up, they get smaller.</p>

<p>It's on the website too:</p>

<p>1–9 students: 23%
10–19 students: 43%
20–29 students: 12%
30–39 students: 7%
40–49 students: 4%
50–99 students: 6%
100 or more students: 5%</p>

<p>Just to add to what coolguy said about class size, I think most intro classes are big in a lot of subjects (with the exception of English/writing classes and foreign language classes which are always small). Once you get into more specialized classes in your major,the classes also get smaller. Two of my classes right now are core requirements for BME and they have 100 and 60 students each. Then one of my 400 level BME classes has ~30 people. My two 300 level Economics classes have 15 and 5 people.</p>

<p>Johns Hopkins actually has amazing programs in a variety of fields, and is at least top 10 in the common majors chosen by students.</p>

<p>There are numerous lists and other posts which list Hopkins' rankings in deparments. Top 10 in so many of them.</p>

<p>Thanks for the helpful answers.
Does anyone know specifics on the merit-aid. Anyone score some of these?
How many do they give out? If you get it, is it like a full-ride?</p>

<p>Seriously, did you look at this: Hopkins</a> Undergraduate Admissions :: Financial Aid :: Merit Scholarships</p>

<p>that has all the information.</p>

<p>First, don't use the College Board site ... much of their information is not updated or just not correct. Use the Johns Hopkins Financial Aid site for accurate information: Johns</a> Hopkins University Office of Financial Services. </p>

<p>Also using College Confidential Search function could really help:</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/johns-hopkins-university/245847-merit-aid.html?highlight=scholarship%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/johns-hopkins-university/245847-merit-aid.html?highlight=scholarship&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/johns-hopkins-university/375604-academics-student-life.html?highlight=size%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/johns-hopkins-university/375604-academics-student-life.html?highlight=size&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>