Hello. I’m currently considering applying to JHU ED as an English major and I was wondering how the classes/professors are like? Also, would it be viable to add on a second, STEM-orientated major? Oh, and one last thing—would it be easier for me to get into JHU if I applied for English rather than something like, say, biology if I’m an Asian female living in a STEM-focused environment? Thanks!
I don’t think Hopkins looks at your (potential) major when you’re applying.
Whether or not you can balance an English major with a STEM major depends on what that STEM major is, since there isn’t a lot of overlap between the two fields. I knew someone who double majored in Applied Mathematics and English, and she enjoyed it, so it is possible. I don’t know much about the professors or classes, but I imagine the department is pretty intimate due to its size. There are also some great professors in the neighboring Writing Seminars department.
- How is the English department I'm not an English major, but as i understand it the professors are generally great, classes are interesting, and department is small and tight knit. I'm about as far away from an English major as humanly possible though so take what i say with a grain of salt.
- Is double majoring in English and STEM viable? Possibly. It depends on the major. You'd generally have an easier time doubling English with a STEM major in KSAS since KSAS has a larger H&S distribution requirement than WSE.
I wouldn’t really recommend doing an English / STEM double major. Double majoring itself is usually more effort than it’s worth so you should try not to double major unless you have a good justification as to why both majors are necessary for what you want to do in the future. A STEM major with an English or classics minor (or vice versa) would probably be an easier way for you to pursue both of your interests without going through unnecessary difficulty.
- Is it easier to get in as an English major? Generally no. Hopkins doesn't consider major for freshman applicants (except BMEs) - especially KSAS applicants since freshmen enter undeclared. If you show real interest and commitment to your indicated first choice major, that could work in your favor, but that's not exclusive to a specific major. For example, you would probably have a higher chance of admission if you applied as an English major and your major ECs were publishing short stories in magazines and newspapers. But just applying as an English major shouldn't provide a statistical advantage.
Thank you all for your replies. I thought that you could apply as under a specific major, or indicate an area of interest, on the application but I guess I heard wrong.
@saif235 I was considering majoring in chemistry (my favorite science and second favorite subject overall) as I plan on applying for med school, and English (definitely my favorite subject) because I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I am not adverse to minoring in English, though, but I had heard from a recent graduate that it’s not too difficult to have more than one major at JHU.
@Yarnweaver
The difficulty of double majoring at Hopkins (and anywhere else) is directly related to how closely related the two majors are / how much the requirements overlap. A double major in English & Classics or Biology & Neuroscience would be easier to pull off than a double major in English & Biology. English and Chemistry don’t have any core course overlap. There is some overlap in the distribution requirements, but I don’t think the combination would be easy to pull off.
Why not major in English or writing seminars and take the premed requirements? That should be a heavy enough course load in and of itself without throwing in a second major.
When I applied, you could indicate an area of interest (and there was also an essay prompt asking what I was interested in studying), but it’s still not a large factor in shaping the outcome of the admissions decision. I second saif235’s idea of majoring in English or Writing Seminars and taking the premed requirements, or majoring in Chemistry and minoring in English. There’s also a cool new Medicine, Science, and the Humanities major that will help you get a stronger balance of science and humanities courses with a little bit of focus on humanities as they apply to medicine and the sciences.
What did the recent graduate study at Hopkins? It’s one thing to double major in related majors and an entirely different thing to double major in unrelated majors. But double majoring in unrelated majors while ALSO being premed is a lot harder than either of the former two (even if one of your majors is a science major, due to the increased courseload you’ll have to take to get both majors’ requirements in).
@saif235 That is true. I actually wouldn’t mind majoring in English while taking the premed requirements, but my mother believes I should major in a science—though I think taking the required courses would be enough for me to take the MCAT and apply to med school.
@OnMyWay2013 I’ll have to check out the Medicine, Science, and the Humanities major! Seems like it would suit me. 
You’re right; my friend did have two related majors from the SAIS.
If i had a penny for every freshman whose majoring in science because of a parent…
Of course there are advantages to eing.a STEM major - namely the higher paying industry jobs if premed doesn’t work out. But In the end, you should major in what interests you the most. You’re likely to perform better and enjoy undergrad more if you choose a major you really enjoy. As you said, taking the required courses should be enough baseline for the MCAT.
Also just to clarify, you do indicate an intended major on your application, but it doesn’t really impact admission unless you indicate BME as your first choice.
@saif235 Thanks for the clarification. I am genuinely interested in chemistry, just not as much as English. Well, we’ll see. I have to get in first