<p>I've been accepted into four colleges, but now I am down to picking between Johns Hopkins or Wash U. I plan to major in biology/microbiology with a minor in math, and then hopefully get into medical school. Anyone know any details which may separate the two? Money is not a factor; both schools cost pretty much the same. Any comments on campus life/education quality/location are appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Damn, that's a tough choice. Wash U has been called the JHU of the midwest by people over here on the east coast. Coincidentally, I have friends at Northwestern who call JHU the Wash U of the east.</p>
<p>They are separated by student body size, Wash U being a little larger. The weather will also be a factor; Wash U is a bit gloomy during winter months, while JHU is mid-atlantic, which provides nice variations in weather but nothing drastic. </p>
<p>I hear the girls at Wash U are better looking than at JHU, but I think the whole "looks" perspective given by people can be horribly misleading for any college.</p>
<p>Academically, everything is debatable. For what you're interested in, both Wash U and Hopkins are well known. My opinion, since I'm on the east coast and people don't really talk much of midwest universities, is that JHU has better science/math programs.</p>
<p>The final factor is location. St. Louis I hear is a bit more tourist-friendly than Baltimore. Then again, Baltimore is only 45 minutes away from D.C., which in my eyes beats St. Louis any day.</p>
<p>JHU by a longshot.. this may sound very shallow but when you tell someone you appied to Washington University St. Louis they usually don't know what youi're talking about unless a) they have been recruited actively by hte school, b) they are parents who know a lot about top universities, or c) they prowl CC. Wash U has little named recognition, which suck because most people dont know how prestigious it really is! :-D</p>
<p>All shallow reasons aside, I'm biased to say that JHU science isn't easily beat, especially for premed. However, two things I would really take into account are the campus and surrounding area. Both of them are excellent schools, but I think JHU will offer a bit more as far as things to do/sports/school pride. I've heard that there is absolutely nothing to do around St. Louis after a while, based on other student posters. Food should be taken into account too, but who knows as JHU is supposedly getiting new food service next year.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Wash U has little named recognition, which suck because most people dont know how prestigious it really is! :-D
[/quote]
Nah, I disagree. 19,822 people apply to Wash U for a reason. It has quite a bit of name recognition, though you personally may not know it well. </p>
<p>In fact, though I do agree that more people internationally recognize the name Johns Hopkins, only 11,102 applied to JHU last year.</p>
<p>I think one of the reasons Wash U has so many applicants is not because it's necessarily a student's top choice or because a person is really acquainted with it, but because they literally flood students with letters... I received about 20 letters and even emails everyday from Wash U, and this is typical!!! Maybe you're right though - it might just be my area. I am sure people in the Midwest know a lot more about it.</p>
<p>I live in Indiana and Washington University is the "Ivy" out here. I think all of our top students applied. On the other hand, JHU is practically unknown.</p>
<p>WashU gets that many applications because they literally have the most aggressive mailing campaign around. As the previous poster stated, I too was flooded with mail from WUSTL. If you got 2 mailings a week from a school, I bet you would apply as well.</p>
<p>JHU... I'm sorry, but Phyllo, in every other area of the country it seems like Hopkins is known and the WUSTL draws blanks.</p>
<p>Approximately 25 percent of the JHU entering class is pre-med. JHU has not only a National reputation, it has an International reputation. JHU also has a campus in several different countries. JHU has a long history of academic excellence. Washington U. is a fine school, but it is no Johns Hopkins.</p>
<p>I have a question for those of you that claim WUSTL isn't well known. When you apply to Medical School (as the OP is planning to do) whom do you submit your application to? Is it the general public? Or is it an admissions comittee from a Med School? </p>
<p>My point is that Med Schools know of WUSTL just as well as they know of JHU, and to think otherwise would be foolish. So why does it matter if WUSTL may not be as well known to the general public of the US and the International community? What good will it do you if you go to a school that someone from another region of the country has heard about? Besides Wash U has all the name recognition that it needs for people applying to Med School, grad school, or planning to work in industry. </p>
<p>Academically, the two schools are both top notch and will provide you with an amazing education that will prepare you for Med School or whatever career you may decide to pursue. Like Jimp noted, when deciding between these schools you must evaluate various aspects of each school. Size, location, atmosphere, etc. Those are the things you should be concerning yourself with.</p>
<p>It just turns me the heck off when they so actively recruit in an obvious attempt to raise their rankings.</p>
<p>Biology at JHU is top notch, also, most students at JHU take part in some form of research in undergrad. The fact that is has so much research money could make a difference if you want to stand out. From what I know, WashU is a little more laid back than JHU.</p>
<p>wash u got annoying after awhile with all those letters/ e-mails/ etc.</p>
<p>I applied to both schools, but I only applied to WU as a backup in case I couldn't get into JHU. I'm from the West Coast, and here everyone knows JHU. Most people were wondering which Washington WU was in. I'm thrilled to get into JHU. I'm looking forward to attending a school with awesome research opportunities and a university associated with the number 2 medical school and number 1 hospital in the nation.</p>