Currently I am weighing between Johns Hopkins and Georgia Tech for BME. Cost aside, what should I consider in making this final decision, based on academic style/social life/location etc? Which is the better option?
To clarify, I will be an undergraduate. I’m not considering premed (I want to go into research)
Price difference? What are the chances that you will switch out of BME? GT has a lot more highly rated departments, JHU excels at BME
@TooOld4School I don’t think I’ll switch out of BME but if I do I’d go into neuroscience or something similar. There is a big price difference, but i’ve heard many students graduate from GT in over 4 years, and I’m out of state so that reduces the difference
Both are going to be very intense academically. JHU will have more non-engineering students, and a more balanced M/F ratio.
Atlanta vs Baltimore. I’d pick Atlanta every time. The area surrounding GT isn’t all that great, but the city overall is wonderful and dynamic. The airport is 20 min on the MARTA train. Internships and co-op are accessible even during the school year. JHU’s undergrad campus is in a good area for Baltimore, but other parts of JHU are dispersed throughout the city. Baltimore has lots of racial issues and is run down. Students were not affected by the riots. Atlanta is a lot better racially and a lot friendlier. Atlanta has a far more corporate (many HQ) and entrepreneurial activity.
Research- JHU is the #1 university for research (mostly life sciences). GT also has research but not as much. How important is it to you?
Both would be worth a visit before committing.
JHU would be the safer option here especially if you are interested in non engineering or might do something non-engineering related (consulting or finance afterwards). The other engineering departments are comparable to Georgia Tech (it really is tough to evaluate undergrad engineering quality), and the overall university is far far stronger (based on any ranking, student stats, you name it). You might be saving money too even if JHU is higher cost initially. georgia tech’s graduation rate within 4 years is an abysmal 32% relative to JHU’s 84%.
Gosh, your options are bad. Go to a school that will be tuition free. For med school avoid those two. For BME pick Hopkins.
You must be kidding. These are great options.
As for the OP, what kind of atmosphere are you looking for academically, professionally, and socially?