<p>I'ma first time poster but long time reader. One question I do have is how one can know if they can handle the academics at a school such as Johns Hopkins (or other top schools). Personally, I go to a school that isn't very competitive (in fact, you could even call it uncompetitive!). I have avg. stats (2060 SAT, Top 5%) by CC/top college standards, so I would be a borderline applicant at Hopkins. In the unlikely circumstance that I do actually get in, how can I know if I can hang with the big dogs (in bio/chem classes for pre-med) with great SATs, grades, and who have thrived in competitive atmospheres at top high schools. Of course, visiting campus helps with knowing the "academic feeling" (which I can't), and the 1st term covered GPA gives students time to acclimate to college life...but still. If you've never been in a competitive atmosphere, and are a seemingly average person, how do you know you can compete with the big dogs?</p>
<p>The usual assumption is that if you are admitted you should be able to succeed and graduate. I know many very smart individuals who have not lived up to their potential. Some did not graduate from college; others did not do anything with their lives after graduation. Having SAT scores a little lower than the JHU average should not be a problem. Actually, your SAT scores are not that low. You are well within the 50% midrange for JHU. If you are accepted, plan on doing well. Don't be concerned about "competition." Very few schools foster competition. Many like JHU set high standards and strive to challenge and stimulate students. If you are concerned you might want to reconsider your college list. There seems to be a lot of applicants trying to get into the most selective and most demanding colleges. For some students, a more relaxed environment may be a better fit.</p>
<p>Like edad said, if you get in to a school, you should probably be able to handle the workload. Not everyone here went to super-competitive high schools - most of the people I know came from normal public high schools. But even if you do have some trouble, Hopkins (and I would guess most other schools) have ways to help you. At Hopkins, first semester grades are covered, so that help in getting used to the college environment (which, at least of me, was a lot different than high school). Also, there are programs like peer-tutoring and group-tutoring through the Academic Advising office to help anyone who needs help with their classes. I haven't tried them, but I do have a few friends who are tutors. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>This is just a thought - one method, not the end-all and be-all. Even though you call your high school "not very competitive," have there been kids in recent years who have gone to schools of similar academic caliber to Hopkins? If there have been and they have been comfortable, well enough prepared to thrive at such schools, I think you can take some comfort that you would be able to handle it too.</p>
<p>I also agree with everything the above posters have said.</p>
<p>Appreciate the responses from everyone and found everyone very helpful.</p>
<p>jmmom- In the last decade or so, there have been no more than a small handful of students from my school that have attended top 20 schools. (BTW, I go to school in rural Iowa). No one really looks into competitive college admissions at my school, and I really have nothing to gauge myself with (I don't know what the heaven I'm doing). I guess that's why I'm a little apprehensive about the top schools and my ability.</p>
<p>edad-I guess my definition of success at JHU will be whether or not it can help me with top med schools. I'm looking at undergrad schools with an eye toward a top med school in the future. I know JHU has the +90% acceptance rate into med school, but the acceptance rate into top 15 med schools is much lower. I guess I'm more concerned with doing well in regards to getting into a top med school (i.e high gpa, mcats, research, etc.) If I have to pay a poo load of money to attend JHU, then I guess I want to be sure it will help me get into a top med school. I guess my question is, can you gauge the difficulty of succeeding @ JHU with regards to my definition (though a lot of this does have to do w/ my ability, motivation, etc.)?</p>
<p>tanman- your post implied a lot of collaboration and help at JHU (which of course is great). Is that the general academic setting at JHU...especially in the sciences? I don't believe the garbage about JHU being a pressure cooker, backstabbing place, etc., but there is intense comptetition at JHU. Can things like peer tutoring really help that much? (I don't mean to sound like I'm going to struggle at JHU like a kindergartener with finger paint). Also, with the covered grades deal at Hopkins, does it help a lot with knowing what to study, how to study etc.?</p>
<p>I would say that most people at Hopkins are pretty collaborative. Yeah, there's competition just like you'd find at any top school, but I'd say it consists more of "studying to do well" variety and not really the "working to make sure other people fail". I had a Thermodynamics exam last week and I stayed up working with friends on practice problems and going over lectures. Thursday was the Orgo I midterm and all the study lounges in my (sophomore) dorm were filled with groups of people studying together (Luckily, I got Orgo done with freshman year :) ) If you get the chance, visit the Homewood campus. Try to stay overnight, but even if you can't, talk to random students about what they think about the environment. When I came to visit as a pre-frosh, I had heard some of the same rumors about Hopkins, but the night I came was the night before a Physics midterm and my host was working together with a bunch of friends to prepare for the exam. That, plus the fact that I was able to talk to some random people in the dining halls helped in my evaluation of Hopkins.</p>
<p>Having first semester grades really helps in easing some of the stress of starting college. At least for me, high school wasn't terribly difficult and I never really had to study as much as a do now, except maybe for AP exams. So with covered grades first semester, you can get adjusted to the new types of classes and figuring out how and what to study.</p>
<p>As for what you asked about med schools, people from all kinds of colleges get into top 15 med schools. Regardless of where you go, you're going to have to work hard and take advantage of opportunities around you (internships, research etc) to be able to get into the top med schools. So in a sense, it does have a lot to do with your ability and motivation. Just coming to Hopkins won't really help in applying to med school (at least I don't think it will), but if you take advantage of the different things avaliable at Hopkins, then I think it can give you an edge</p>
<p>goofy question i know but where is JH located? We had a grad go there last year. I am a close friend who worked with them through the process so if anyone has a question i would be happy to answer.</p>
<p>If you can work hard, then you can handle it. I'm doing fine and I was a borderline applicant- deferred ED and accepted RD with a high gpa but low SAT scores. </p>
<p>I think that's why gpa is emphasized so much in admissions. Some people dont have to really work to get the high SAT scores. However, those who do very well in high school are equipped with the skills necessary to be successful in college. </p>