Hi everyone! So I’m having trouble deciding between johns hopkins and uva. I got into the bme program for johns hopkins, which is ranked really good (#1!), and I looked at the courses and programs and absolutely loved it. Also, jhu has a really good creative writing program that I’m really really interested in. I’m not planning on being on the pre-med track, so I wouldn’t have to worry too much about my GPA I’m guessing. They also have amazing study abroad opportunities, and they have this interesting thing where you have to take this many humanities courses, this many science courses, but you can choose the types of classes you want to take in each section. (Basically, overall, they have my dream academic curriculum and dream programs!). However, I didn’t receive any financial aid and would have to pay around 50K and also I heard scary things about the city. Additionally, I’m also worried about the social life aspect, because I don’t want to be studying 24/7 and become miserable. I also got into UVA’s engineering school (for bme) and I would get to pay significantly less since I’m in-state (around 15K). Also the academics at uva are still pretty good. Choosing UVA would be the safer option because I don’t declare any major the first year, so if I decide I don’t like bme it would be easier to pursue something else. Also, the campus is very gorgeous and it’s a very safe place. I would also be getting the whole college experience, with the college social life (like game day culture). However, the programs are not as good as they are at johns hopkins. So my question is, do you think an undergrad at johns hopkins is worth it? My parents said that the choice is mine, they are willing to pay the money and send me to the city of Baltimore, but is pursuing my dream undergrad curriculum worth it? Should I sacrifice my college experiences for it? I don’t mind working hard if its towards my dreams, but does where you do your undergrad matter in the long-run? I appreciate any advice.
Neither engineering program will be easy, at all. You will work hard both places. UVA has much bigger class sizes the first 2 yrs especially, and overall is a much larger undergrad population. I would suggest you go see both again and see if you can sit in on a class at each, get the feel for which one suits you! The fit factor matters most, since your parents said not to worry about the $.
Time to wake up and adult up.
Waking up: the differences between what you can do at JHU in terms of creative writing, study abroad and course selection are not huge: there is no “sacrifice” involved here. You say that none of the programs are “as good” as JHU, but I suspect that 1) the differences are not ones that will impact you as an undergraduate and 2) City Girl JHU is always going to look more glamorous than the Girl Next Door, UVa. I am in no way dissing JHU- it is a phenomenal school, with great programs. I’m saying that you aren’t deciding between west podunk and harvard here! As it happens I know a student who recently finished as a creative writing major at UVa who is now in a grad program at Harvard- the program is certainly ‘good enough’ even for really strong students…
Adulting up, part 1: Yes, JHU is #1 for BME- but what is your plan with that UG degree? That is the longer term purpose of going to college. Here is an article that questions BME as an undergraduate major at all: Good advice: Don't major in biomedical engineering. A 5-minute podcast.. My point is not that you shouldn’t do BME! but more that the thing you talked about the least as a decision factor is the thing that is the central element.
Adulting up, part 2: if you didn’t get any aid at JHU your cost is not $50K - tuition alone is $57K, and the Cost of Attendance (COA) is approx. $73K/ year. UVa Tuition is about $25K instate, and COA is about $45K. So, for your undergraduate degree that’s almost $300K vs $180. Ask your parents if they will give you $100K as a graduation present if you choose UVa.
You need to see both again but if you’re spending $50K all in (I assume including Room & Board) at Hopkins and $15K at UVA, you have financial need?
So that’s $140K less that your parents have to spend.
The allure of Hopkins may be too hard to pass up - and I understand that.
But are loans involved? How do your parents feel?
Neither is going to be easy - and you busted tail to even have these options.
btw - my kid goes to Alabama and he’s MechE - and yes, he studies sometimes it seems in all his free hours… And has gotten his a$$ kicked - and he’s no dummy as he got into Purdue with merit. So you don’t escape easy anywhere as an engineer.
I’m not sure why you would sacrifice your college experience going to Hopkins. If you want football, you’d miss that (but have lacrosse). I think you are making things up trying to justify UVA.
You’re gonna be fine either way. Based on the writing I’d go to Hopkins. But - how will that $140K impact your family - because if it puts stress on them, that matters too.
The previous suggestion to go visit both and they are close enough - is the smartest thing you can do. Don’t just walk…talk to kids on campus, stop a professor on the quad, eat in the dining hall, visit the surrounding areas, etc. One will stand out.
Good luck.