<p>Hi guys,</p>
<p>I enrolled at Wash U regular decision, and I was given an admission offer off of the wait list at Hopkins a few days ago. I am really having a killer time trying to decide between these two. I am going to post my perspectives of each. Please try and offer an unbiased opinion regarding the reality or correctness of what I've posted, or anything else that I should know to contribute to my decision. (I am engineering school) I have been told by my counselor and my other advisors that it is essentially a toss-up and I would enjoy both.</p>
<p>The main differences as I see them:
Hopkins is a more "cut-throat" environment where the engineers are very competitive and edgy. Conversely, Wash U is a quality engineering school; however, people are more relaxed and are not so competitive.</p>
<p>Hopkins is a more well-known university that has more of a wow-factor in the real world. While I am positively sure Wash U offers an equal education, the reality is that it is not recognized in the same way Hopkins is.</p>
<p>Wash U's food is better than that of Hopkins.</p>
<p>I know the Wash U campus is very nice, but I've never seen Hopkins. I'd appreciate input about Hopkins campus if you are familiar (no hearsay please though).</p>
<p>My biggest concern about Hopkins is what I've been told about how cut-throat and competitive people there are (that they work extremely hard and don't have much fun).</p>
<p>Hopkins is not nearly as cut-throat as you've heard. That word isn't even applicable. </p>
<p>Here's the campus: Constantinos</a> Michael Pictures of the Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus</p>
<p>There are other pictures online, etc. It's one of the nicest campuses I've set foot on.</p>
<p>EDIT: This too: Johns</a> Hopkins Homewood Campus</p>
<p>I am not a student at either school, but I have a daughter that graduated from Wash U and a son who is attending JHU. Neither of them were/are in the Engineering school, so I can't address that specifically, but I believe that you will get a quality education at either school. You did not say what part of the country you are from, which could play a factor in how you feel about St. Louis vs. Baltimore, also how easy it will be for you to get back and forth to school. I find the cities have a lot of similarities - not too expensive, lots of things to do on the budget of a college student, both schools are a big deal in their respective locations. Wash U's campus is beautiful and sprawling, though there is lots of construction going on which can be annoying. Hopkins does not have as much space (ie you might not have to walk as far to get to class), but the campus is also beautiful. Wash U definitely has better food choices for freshmen, but my son had a small kitchen in his suite at JHU which was key for him. I would describe the environment at JHU as "academically intense", not cutthroat. Students work hard, but are supportive of one another. I think as an engineering student you will be working hard at either place. What type of engineering are you interested in studying?</p>
<p>Food at Hopkin has finally undergone some dramatic improvement. After much debate, our student body had finally convinced the administration to fire Sohexo and hire a new food service company Armark. The food quality has dramatically improved since them. As a freshman, I think the variety of food and the health conciousness of the selection is really appetizing at times. there is Subways, Chipotle, countless pubs, Chinese food and Korean food restaurants close by campus that I frequent often when FFC food gets boring.</p>
<p>St. Louis is the nation's most dangerous city and Baltimore has one of the nation's highest murder rates.</p>
<p>Hopkins is definitely academically intense. I've never been so challenged my entire life. I though highschool was hard, seriously, Hopkins students are just some of the brightest individuals and most hardworking people I've met so far. I always had the academic support I needed with friends who were just willing to help me out and explain concepts to me. For example, the people who I was with study groups with did not hesitate a moment to answer my questions or to explain a concept that I did not understand on the board. They stuck with me until I was set and I really appreciated them for it. Study groups were a big thing that I just discovered and it has it opened up the best and worst of both worlds.</p>
<p>Hopkins campus is AMAZING...</p>
<p>There are variety of things to do on campus. Hopkins students study hard and play hard.</p>
<p>I had to make this same decision last year and I opted for Hopkins. I am glad I did. Others have already mentioned food, atmosphere, campus so I'll add in that the student body is smaller here, by about 2000 students, so take that into account.</p>
<p>wash u is definitely more fun, hopkins is more academically stimulating.</p>