<p>Hi everyone-
I'm making an enormously last-minute decision, so I'd love some input!
If I go to Hopkins, I would be majoring in International Studies and, hopefully, Writing Seminars as well. If I choose GW, I would be majoring in the Elliott School (probably International Affairs with a concentration in International Politics), but with honors program requirements, I would not have time to double major; I would likely minor in Creative Writing. I will probably go to law school, so the idea of getting internships in D.C. is important to me, but the draw of Hopkins's name (and amazing wriitng program) are hard to pass up as well. I do, however, feel slightly more comfortable with the GW environment- I'm having such a difficult time choosing!
I've always loved to write, but would never choose to major in it over IS/IA. I have always loved the city and I'm not big on frat life. Financial aid is a factor, but the cost for each is about the same at this point.
Help, please?!</p>
<p>JHU is a top school in both of those areas (IR and writing). GW is average-above average in both. There is also a 5 year BA/MA with SAIS. It is also very good in political science and all of the related areas. The east asian studies department is also strong and SAIS actually has a campus in China. JHU will place better in DC for internships and has better recruiting. If I were in your position, it wouldn’t be very close at all due to the difference in oppertunities and academics. </p>
<p>In terms of student life, I can see the appeal of GW’s urban campus. DC is a better city than Baltimore. Nonetheless, I do like the fact that JHU has a contained campus in the city, rather than being just a collection of buildings in the middle of the city.</p>
<p>DOn’t go to Elliot!. I was accepted with a full ride to Elliot in 2005 and when I went there to visit it was the biggest turn off ever. There is NO focus on academics whatsoever. When the guy gave us the speech, all the guy talked about were the “luxury facilities”. The students I met there were not intellectuals at all. Even my parents that were basically forcing me to go to GWU the day before because of no debt turned to me and said, “Alright you are going to Hopkins.” The entire drive back to NJ was just a talk on what an intellectual wasteland GWU was and how they apologized for pushing me to go there instead of Hopkins. This is not a ■■■■■ rant but what actually happened to me in 2005. And from the people I’ve met from Elliot undergad I think I would hate my parents forever if they forced me to go.</p>
<p>Thanks for your insight, both of you!
Can either of you tell me about the social life at Hopkins? While academics and other opportunities are, of course, my first priorities, that’s still important to me.</p>
<p>social life at JHU:
throughout my time here, I have gone out somewhere between 2-5 nights every week, depending on how close to finals I am (right before finals, it’s only 2). Trust me, trust me, trust me, if you want to party you will be completely able to. There are frat parties, apartment parties, rowhouse (nonaffiliated with greek life) parties, 3 bars around campus…and once you turn 21/get a fake id the whole city of baltimore (clubbing, bars, everything) is at your feet. There are wearhouse parties around baltimore too, which I really like. </p>
<p>Long story short, don’t be worried about the social life.
And I chose JHU over the same UHP thing at GW. Best choice ever. GW is not a great place to be a student nor is it comparable with JHU in terms of academics and opportunities.</p>
<p>I was left with the exact same choice with that exact same major.
I chose Hopkins. 100%
Better program, better opportunity, better people.
There is a social life.
End of story.</p>
<p>@MasterMargarita What do you mean by “not a great place to be a student,” exactly?</p>
<p>It’s a big school with no campus.</p>
<p>hey! i think i saw you on the UHP facebook group. it sounds like a tough call, but on my overnight at hopkins, i asked two seniors if they’d each choose hopkins again if they had to go through the college process again, and they both said no. that moment alone, aside from the fact that my host seemed to be a stressed-out chem/english major really turned me off from wanting hopkins</p>
<p>Bernado, overnight visits are offered in the fall around October and November for prospective students. So after all this, why did you decide to spend the application money and do all the work to apply to Hopkins anyways?</p>
<p>OP: Visit if you can. JHU has one of the highest alumni giving rates, which suggests people were happy with the experience. You already know about the obvious academic reputation differences.</p>
<p>[University</a> Planning & Analysis](<a href=“http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/UPA/peers/current/research_intensive/alumgiv.htm]University”>http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/UPA/peers/current/research_intensive/alumgiv.htm)</p>
<p>Most GW students would give their left arm to be at Hopkins. GW lives in the shadows of Georgetown in DC.</p>