<p>Our son is leaning towards UVa, but we are concerned about the class size, teaching by TAs and the size of UVa (14K undergrads) versus JHU. He will likely major in Math or Science, but isn't a pre med track student. </p>
<p>Can anyone comment on the quality of the classroom experience at JHU? If anyone has experience comparing the overall experience between these shools as well, it would be great.</p>
<p>Son has great work habits, is very bright, but not an intellectual. Active, athletic and friendly, but on the shy side.</p>
<p>Can’t comment on UVA except that it has an excellent reputation. Note that at JHU you would also have some classes or sections taught by a TA. I may be alone in this opinion but that is not necessarily a bad thing. I was an organic chem lab TA at Columbia and a fine one I must say. DS was a TA for several years for IFP (Intro to Fiction and Poetry) and his section was more popular than ones taught by faculty. I think the main advantage to UVA would be that its cheaper if you are in-state.</p>
<p>Another piece of the puzzle related to class size is class availability. Is it hard to graduate from UVA in 4 years because you can’t get into the classes you need/want? I don’t know the answer but understand that it can be a problem at some larger public schools.</p>
<p>The only classes taught at Hopkins by TAs are introductory writing classes and introductory language classes. For math and science classes, they are always taught by professors but you will likely have a section led by a TA. The professors at Hopkins are always at the top of their fields and they really care about undergraduates. Some of the classes are large, but the majority of classes at Hopkins are small. Even with the large classes, you can still talk to your professor and get to know them if you choose, and all professors have Office Hours where you can ask them questions. I think that the teaching at Hopkins is great.</p>