JHU vs. Chicago - Help!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Johns Hopkins University
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<p>Hi everyone. I'm considering my college prospects across the ocean in Amsterdam but my options just make my head spin. I was accepted at the University of Chicago, Johns Hopkins, Middlebury College, and Bowdoin College. I still need to decide between going to a liberal arts college and a research university, but this is the perfect place to compare Chicago and Hopkins.</p>

<p>I want to major either in the Humanities or International Relations (broad interests I know) but I think that both Hopkins and Chicago are great in these areas. From what I've read as well often the holistic experience matters more in undergraduate years than departemental reputations. Both Hopkins and Chicago seem incredibly challenging.</p>

<p>Hopkins provides freedom, research opportunities, and the advantage of less graduate students. Chicago has a structured Core Curriculum, the life of the mind, and a sprawling wealth of opportunities. At a small liberal arts college I would probably receive more personal attention and perhaps better teaching, but not necessarily the excitement of these universities.</p>

<p>Both schools are known for research but both argue in their marketing that they do not want students to sink or swim, but to succeed. If anyone is in the same boat or has some critical advice please help!</p>

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<p>well, i'm in the identical situation, JHU vs. Chicago, and i'm making the decision from germany!</p>

<p>i think i'm gonna go with JHU, just for that extra little boost in pre-med opportunities. </p>

<p>but yeah, tough decision.</p>

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<p>what a coincidence! its good that you have a sense of direction. JHU is obviously the best best for pre-med students. I've only visited Hopkins' campus which is beautiful, but I have never seen Chicago. It has many more graduate students than the Homewood Campus which is a drag, but the city of Chicago offers possibilities beyond Baltimore. Ultimately the decision should be made on the school not the city. </p>

<p>any more insights on the differences?</p>

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<p>I made this decision last year. Both are very similar in that they offer rigorous courses of study and are exceptionally strong in the humanities and sciences. In fact, the U of C was based on Hopkins' design. I chose Hopkins because of locale--it's only an annoyingly long drive from my home, rather than a plane flight--but this doesn't seem to be as big and issue for you guys. </p>

<p>Also, when I visited U of C, I wasn't as taken with the campus as I was with Hopkins. Is was a little darker, a little plainer and little more depressing. Also, it is cold in Chicago. This winter it got to -30 F with windchill in Chicago, while we at Hopkins were only suffering a 10-20 F windchill.</p>

<p>Chicago, however, was stronger in Economics, while Hopkins was stronger in International Relations, so that helped, although now I am more in a Math/Econ mode. Also, Chicago isn't in an incredibly brilliant part of the city, and it's quite far from downtown/the loop/michigan ave, whereas Hopkins is a quick shuttle ride from Towson/inner harbor/mount vernon. Hopkins is in a nicer neghborhood overall, than is Chicago.</p>

<p>Of course, I'd love people to come to Hopkins, I love it--it's great. I have friends at Chicago and they love it, they do, sometimes say the architecture is depressing though. </p>

<p>Sorry if this post is rambling and strange, I just woke up. If you have any more specific questions about either UChicago or Hopkins, post 'em.</p>

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<p>Thanks coolguyusa 123, your experience is appreciated. If you don't mind I actually have a few more questions on JHU vs. Chicago, don't worry about the rambling.</p>

<p>JHU has a much more open curriculum than Chicago. Does this cater to more directed people? Would Chicago be the better place to go for a liberal arts education?</p>

<p>How would you describe your relationship with your professors at Hopkins? When the time comes for graduate school do you think that you feel confident?</p>

<p>I've been to Hopkins' campus but not Chicago's. Do you think that Homewood caters to undergraduates more because there are so many fewer graduate students than at Chicago?</p>

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<p>I don't think Hopkins' open curriculum necessarily caters to more directed people, it definitely aids them though. However, it is just as well for omnidirectional people like myself. It allows people who aren't quite sure what they want to pursue peruse a very eclectic variety of courses, without being bound to fulfill certain curricular requirements. I appreciate it in that it allowed to explore many topics at my own leisure.</p>

<p>Overall, I get the sense that many students who have taken upper-level courses in their major knows a few professors very well. I, even as a freshman, have talked to some professors such that they know me by name around campus. Also, keep in mind that almost 80% of undergrads to some form of research and thus get to know their research advisor very well, whether he be at the med school or at Homewood. Many students also elect to do Honors Theses, through which they will work closely with a thesis advisor, who is a professor in the field. And finally, every student has an advisor in his major, who talks about graduate plans, course schedules and the like. I'd say that, on average, every graduating Hopkins student knows 3-4 professors very closely, and maybe 5 others who they know personally. I'm sure I'll be confident applying to graduate schools with this academic base, and many students agree with me. </p>

<p>The number of graduate students at Chicago is very large, and it is nice that at Hopkins there are only 1500 or so grad students. This is very beneficial for the undergraduates because while at any research university, professors are wrapped up with the grad students anyway, but at Hopkins there is a considerably smaller number of grad students per faculty than at other major research institutions. I have always been able to meet with professors as it was needed, and professors are very respectful of undergrads here.</p>

<p>If I didn't answer everything as specifically, just let me know. I'll be glad to answer any more questions, as I realize this is a tough decision (yet one whose outcome I don't regret).</p>

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<p>In terms of Hopkins' curricular approach I think that your right. It accomadates risk takers and people interested in different areas through the freedom and the ability to take one class pass/fail per semester. However I feel slightly as if the system provides less of a liberal arts foundation. I know that the Humanities program for one claims to advise undergraduates in setting up a liberal arts program, but is such balance and breadth of academic exposure valued? </p>

<p>Hopkins claims to let students focus or explore broadly to their desires, but what checks and balances within the system ensure that the student can get a well-rounded education rather than a scattered experience.</p>

<p>To go back to the location, you said in an earlier e-mail that Hopkins' is in a nicer neighborhood than Chicago. However Chicago as a city offers more resources, opportunities, and diversity. Baltimore provides city-life but may be less worldly than Chicago. Of course I could be wrong. Did choosing between cities factor into your decision?</p>

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<p>One thing I can say is that Baltimore will be more diverse than Chicago. Chicago is Midwest; Baltimore is east-coast.</p>

<p>Also, you mention some emails offering a comparison of the two schools. Would you mind forwarding those on to me. I still haven't made my decision either... haha.</p>

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<p>Well actually I was mainly referring to coolguy23's comments posted earlier on this same discussion. Also on College Confidential, if you click on the UChicago section I started a comparison just like this for UChicago vs. JHU. I hope that helps. I can't believe we have to make decisions so soon!</p>

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<p>coolguy23 if you have the chance please take a look at my questions above and this new thought.</p>

<p>The University of Chicago supposedly fosters community through its shared quirky personality/life of the mind, house system, and traditions such as the Scavenger Hunt. I agree with you that Hopkins has a nicer campus and thus the idea of living there seems more appealing, but, in what ways does Hopkins build community? Has the opening of Charles Commons fostered community? Does community only exist in spirit around lacrosse games? Does a pervasive spirit run across campus?</p>

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<p>There is a huge sense of community at Hopkins... imagine hundreds of students cheering on the Lacrosse team or sipping hot chocolate during the Lighting of the Quad tradition in the fall. There is a great sense of community at Hopkins because there is a standard campus which you can't drive through. It's sectioned off and allows for that sense of belonging at a medium-sized university. There is lotsa spirit because of Lacrosse and the games are a huge sense of school pride. </p>

<p>Chicago doesn't have any good sports teams :(</p>

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<p>Aron, I'll start with the last and go up. </p>

<p>As for the city, it didn't really factor into my decision. I love Chicago. In fact it's my favorite city and there is no doubt that UChicago is first on my list for Law/Ph.D programs. But then, why did I choose to go to Hopkins? Because I thought it was a better opportunity, location withstanding. Baltimore is a wonderful city, and will offer many opportunities in and out of the Hopkins world. And Baltimore provides no more true city life than does Chicago. Both are outside of the downtown areas, however Chicago is largely surrounded by a very urban neighborhood, while Hopkins is bordered by very large, very expensive homes on one side and a nicer urban neighborhood on the other--much nicer than southside Chicago.</p>

<p>Regarding checks and balances to insure a rounded education, take a look at the major requirement checklist. Here is the one for international studies: <a href="http://www.jhu.edu/advising/images/checklists_pdf/InternationalStudiesP_c03.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.jhu.edu/advising/images/checklists_pdf/InternationalStudiesP_c03.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>You are required to take 4 writing intensive courses, and if you scroll down, you'll see required N, Q or E distributions, among others. These stand for Natural sciences, quantitative science and engineering. So you have to fill up these credits with whatever you want, so long as it is under one of these categories. You will work closely with, at first your academic adviser, then with your faculty adviser to create a well rounded approach to your major--in your case probably including history, language political science, economics and some math or science, albeit very little. Also, you will take some writing intensive courses--which could be under writing sems or in history or some other area. The long and short of it is, although there are built in checks and balances, it is largely between you and your adviser to come up with a meaningful and coherent educational plan. This process is one I value very much.</p>

<p>As for breadth and depth of education--this is very valued. Hopkins wants to train great thinkers and researchers, and the more you know, the more you will ask. International studies is a very broad major and it will get you thinking about other aspects of relations and you will be able to concentrate in a particular area of IR as well as continue to build your broad knowledge within your major's respective parts. Overall, knowledge is key and in a field like international studies, renaissance men are valued. </p>

<p>I know you are also looking into the humanities, and much of the same still applies.</p>

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<p>That takes care of most of my concerns about Hopkins. But actually to get to the core of the issue, why did you think Hopkins was a better opportunity?</p>

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<p>coolguyusa, you said you were leaning more towards math/econ now...how have you found the JHU math department(s)?</p>

<p>(sorry to semi-hijack this already much-hijacked thread)</p>

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<p>The math department is very good, in my opinion. The professors are very personable and the attention given to individual students is great. The department's strengths, however, lie in the analysis, advanced algebra and topology courses. So unless you plan to take the upper level courses, you won't see much of the department's true strengths, although Calc I-III, Lin Alg and Diff EQ are all fine courses taught by (mostly) great professors.</p>

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<p>My daughter is seriously considering Hopkins and is interested in Math or History...her other option is American Honors in DC; she is pulled toward the academics at Hopkins but toward location at American...any thoughts on this? She is having a tough time deciding...also, she got the Bloomberg Scholarship at Hopkins...is this as big a deal as I seem to think it is?</p>

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<p>Hopkins is a considerably better school than American overall and for either math or history. Also, the Bloomberg scholarship is a pretty big deal.</p>