<p>Hi everyone. Sorry to start a new thread, but I only have a few days left to make a decision. I understand that the locations of both places are different and I could see myself living in both for the next four years, so it comes down to academics. Which school would provide a better foundation for me to go to medical school? Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>Hopkins. Picture unlimited health-related resources and world class mentors. Absolutely Hopkins.</p>
<p>As Wealth said, Hopkins does have some fantastic resources that are world class (many of my friends are involved in health / chem / bio research etc.). It’s very hard to get this at other schools (especially as I am a freshman). That said, Dartmouth is a fantastic school and you would be fine if you went there and did well. It really comes down to which you like better and what resources you want.</p>
<p>At Hopkins, you will have to work extremely hard to earn a high GPA, but the research/learning opportunities are incredible for a premed. You’ll also be surrounded by a ton of other premeds, which can turn out to be really good or really bad.</p>
<p>A fairy tale, oft repeated. Your chances of getting into med school will be no less coming out of Dartmouth. Given the lower level of competition, arguably the better choice. Go where you see yourself happier.</p>
<p>Most people would say Hopkins, but it’s really cut-throat. Dartmouth isn’t like that, and I think it’ll be easier to earn a high gpa. With that said, I’d say Dartmouth</p>
<p>Hopkins is no less cut throat than any top school. Because of grade deflation at JHU grades are actually considered legit from what I understand from my friends at med school. He did an interview at cornell med school and when the guy mentioned they were beyond impressed when he got straight As at JHU considered the toughness of the program.</p>
<p>If you want to work on Wall Street, Dartmouth is one of the top places to have on your resume along with Wharton and Harvard. But if medicine is your goal, there is no better name to have on your resume than Hopkins (although Harvard is ok too :). ).</p>
<p>Did you visit?</p>
<p>Stuff like “Most people would say Hopkins, but it’s really cut-throat. Dartmouth isn’t like that, and I think it’ll be easier to earn a high gpa. With that said, I’d say Dartmouth” from idiotic high schoolers shouldn’t drive your decision.</p>
<p>Just stating my opinion… That’s what he/she is asking for, no? And it’s funny because ‘I’m’ the ‘idiot high schooler’ but at least I’m not so immature to call someone an idiot.</p>
<p>please tell me what facts your opinion is based on. I’m all ears.</p>
<p>As it relates to premedical quality and acceptance to medical school, you can’t go wrong with either Hopkins or Dartmouth. As stated, there are more premeds per capita at Hopkins than Dartmouth, and you will need to determine if that is a positive, negative, or wash. Both schools are considered top-notch by medical school admissions committees, so that should not sway your decision. Hopkins undergrads. do have access to Hopkins med. and all that it has to offer–and that is far more than what is available at Dartmouth med.; however, in terms of what UNDERGRADUATES want and need, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center will certainly fit the bill. I believe you should decide which environment is better for you–they are quite different–Dartmouth and Hanover, Hopkins and Baltimore–that should guide your decision.</p>
<p>LesleyCordero,</p>
<p>“Just stating my opinion…”</p>
<p>I think that most folks reading this threads are looking for opinions that have some contact with reality. Thus, the question, have you actually visited the campuses in question? Even better, have you attended either school?</p>
<p>My son applied to Hopkins and was accepted, and has visited the campus any number of times. He hasn’t taken any classes, and since he will not be attending Hopkins (too expensive - another decent school up north gave him a much, much better deal), his opinion (and mine, as I’ve visited the campus with him) is of limited value, coming from extremely limited experience.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, our experience of the campus is that it isn’t overly competitive for a top-tier school. My impression is that the kids at Hopkins work really hard, probably much harder than at most other universities. But my impression is also that the students at Hopkins are a cut or two above those at most other schools, at least intellectually, and that these young folks greatly enjoy working hard, achieving and excelling in their studies.</p>
<p>My sense is that the students compete mostly with themselves, to be the best that they can be as individuals, not quite so concerned beating out the next fellow. There are schools that my son visited where he did get an overly competitive “feel,” for whatever that may be worth. Hopkins wasn’t one of them. The predominant feeling we got from Hopkins was one of joy, of delight, of getting to be in a special place, getting the chance to learn and do great things.</p>
<p>And somewhere in there lies the right question to ask regarding whether to attend Hopkins: Are you the sort of student who is not only up for the academic challenge, but will relish it? If so, Hopkins may be your place. If not, maybe not.</p>
<p>In terms of applying to med school, it’s tough to beat a Hopkins undergrad education. Hopkins undergrads do very well in terms of getting into med school, holding their own with anyone, and beating out most. That’s not opinion, that’s actual fact.</p>
<p>I’ve had enough of all these people who don’t know anything about Hopkins but apparently knows enough to say that Hopkins is cut-throat and no one has fun…</p>
<p>Hopkins IS NOT cutthroat at all. Since everyone is in the same boat, you’re more likely to see students helping each other out. I do most of my homework with friends, and whenever I really need help on something, I’ve never had a problem getting help from a classmate that I didn’t know well.</p>
<p>And if most people would say Hopkins, doesn’t that in itself say something? Its name precedes itself. Even next to an elite school like Dartmouth, mouth people would say that Hopkins is the better choice.</p>
<p>May be cut-throat is not the best description, however, regardless, Hopkins curves grades in at least pre-med required classes. Which means, they grade/test students in such a away that there won’t be a chance that a full half of an important class (pre-med track required) will have As. This fact can easily put some students in a bind where some students may end up becoming more zealous than others about their grades, who can blame them. This atmosphere can be contagious and depressing too, I imagine. And that, people, is what some considers cut-throat… I certainly understand that:)</p>
<p>^Here’s a hint. All top private college curve premed classes. And ALL of them do not give A’s to more than half the class. By virtue of your criterion, all colleges are “cut-throat” by your interpretation.</p>
<p>I just applied applied ED to Hopkins after considering Dartmouth for a long time. I’m also planning to follow a pre med track.</p>
<p>One of the deciding factors for me was semesters> trimesters. Both have their pros and cons, all of which are hugely important imo, so you may want to focus some of your thinking on that because both schools will prepare you well for the mcats and med school.</p>
<p>This year Dartmouth saw ED applicant numbers down 12% from last year. You really can’t blame Hurricane Sandy as Dartmouth extended the deadline by 10 days and other ED schools reported gains (UPenn, Brown). 12% is huge considering that over 50% of the applicants are recruited athletes who are required to apply early and/or legacies who would have applied anyway. </p>
<p>The big factor for Dartmouth’s decline, in my humble opinion, is the Lohse factor. If you haven’t read it, google Lohse, Dartmouth and you can read about his upcoming ‘tell all’ book or his controversial tell all in Rolling Stone Magazine this past spring. On top of all that, others came out with their negative stories of the the ongoings at Dartmouth. </p>
<p>I know it seems like a ‘this too shall pass’ situation, but do you really want to risk graduating from a school with so much negativity in the news? Everything can be googled these days. Your alma mater should have a solid positive reputation.</p>
<p>^ From what I can tell from Lohse’s accounts, Dartmouth overall and Dartmouth frats are pretty tame compared to the scene at certain large state schools.</p>
<p>Question: How much does one’s undergraduate school matter in the eyes of medical school adcomms ? Is there a different answer if one is just seeking to gain entry to any fully certified medical school as opposed to only elite medical schools ?
I’ve been told by the president of one (non-prestigious) medical school that all his adcomms cared about were a high GPA (from any school) & the MCAT score & the interview. Any comments ? Thanks in advance ! </p>
<p>P.S. I have no reason to doubt the sincerity of his response as he’s a relative & a very successful surgeon who authored the leading medical textbook in his specialty.</p>