Indubitably Hopeful, But Quite Unsure

Colleges and Universities A-Z Johns Hopkins University
1

<p>First of all, let me start off by saying that I'm not a model student. I'm not the exceptional 4.0 genius with 300 volunteer experiences and a billion academic achievements. I'm quite shy in school environments and I never seek to point myself out, and thus I'm never the overachiever. </p>

<p>I won't say I'm a terrible student, but I won't say I'm exceptional (as I mentioned before). In my opinion, I'm average. And average (even with the passion that I have) doesn't get accepted into JHU for no reason.</p>

<p>My SAT scores are downright shameful (to me, not because I didn't do well, I just didn't break the score threshold I wanted to break.) The SAT I score stands at 1980. I don't plan on amending it, as I think the ACT is a better test for me (I function on fact, and unfortunately, the SAT is scored on how well you take the SAT, and not on argumentative basis. To be frank I'm a terrible test-taker.) I received a 34 on the practice ACT and thus am convinced I might do slightly better than on the SAT, however I'm not trying to get my hopes up so soon. My SAT II scores were better, as I only took 2 SAT's, though I doubt I'll submit them as Hopkins wants 3 scores submitted if the SATII scores are submitted. I received a 710 on my Math II and a 740 on my Biology. I also have taken 3 AP classes and two IB classes thus far (but am taking 2 more AP classes next year and continuing my 2 IB Classes). My received scores are: AP Biology (5), AP Calculus BC (3), and AP Government NSL (4). I aspire to take the AP Chemistry and AP Psychology exams next year as both subjects interest me greatly and am taking my IB History and IB English exams.</p>

<p>I wish I could volunteer, but I hold two jobs to a.) support my family, and b.) save for my college education. We fit in the middle range (our gross average is somewhere around 74k per year including my income), and federal funding and state funding only take extreme cases in that sense. My family is in debt though, so I'm attempting to ameliorate the situation as best I can. Although Suburban is across for me, and I've already filled three applications out and have had to recycle them due to the realization that I ultimately have no time in my schedule to volunteer. I'm submitting my application this time and I sincerely hope they'll work around my schedule, though I'm doubtful.</p>

<p>I currently work at NINDS, which is my primary job income. I initially worked there volunteering (though it was considered part of internship class) and I'm sure I've made well over the hour requirements per a double period internship (I received approximately 400 hours per semester and the requirement was 150.) I sincerely love this job. It's made me so happy and has converted me from a pathology advocate to a neuroscience enthusiast. I live and breathe neurons and spike potentials now. It also helps that my section chief has put my name on two abstracts and one paper that we've published thus far. It is my second largest priority (next to my education) and I am so interested by it that I aspire for an MD/PhD certification in order to pursue the mysteries of the brain. My passion exceeds me and I wish I could achieve it, but based off the JHU criteria, I'm just another average student. </p>

<p>However, as the title says for now... I am undoubtedly hopeful, but I don't know where I stand anymore.</p>

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<p>To me it sounds like you should put all this in your application/essay – you yourself have given several reasons as to why you’d make a good candidate for Hopkins.</p>

<p>NOT everyone at Hopkins was the “model student” in high school. I know this because I wasn’t! </p>

<p>To address several of your points –

  • Hopkins RECOMMENDS three SAT II scores. If you only have two, and they are good, go ahead and submit them!
  • “Volunteering” is not the be-all, end-all of college admissions. I, like you, did not volunteer very much in high school. I worked part time freshman through junior years and actually worked full time my senior year of high school. Your job experience gives you knowledge, skills, and maturity that you can take into college and that will help you do well in the college environment. For example, I wrote in one of my essays about how I had great time management skills from balancing work and school, and how that would translate into being a successful college student.
  • Being published is great! That is definitely a plus.
  • You are clearly passionate about neuroscience, which is one of the best departments at Hopkins. I’d recommend writing about that passion in one of your essays. I was a Public Health student, and wrote about how I wanted to work on solving a specific problem (in my case, youth violence), and how I truly believed that Hopkins was the best place for me to do so. Also, I would recommend looking at the websites of the neuro department at Hopkins. Look at the specific work that the professors are doing. If any of their interests align with yours, contact them and ask about their work! I did this prior to applying to Hopkins and actually ended up doing research with one of the professors that I contacted.</p>

<p>There is no one type of student that Hopkins admits. You will find people who got perfect scores on the SATs there just as readily as you will find people who BOMBED them (like, I mean really bombed them). It’s impossible to tell where you “stand” in the eyes of admissions, but I’d say that if you advocate for yourself, you stand as good a chance as anyone.</p>