Johns Hopkins vs Amherst

<p>My D is admitted in both. Her heart goes to biology and premed. In your opinion, which one would be the best choice and why. Many thanks for response.</p>

<p>congrats to your daughter on getting into Hopkins and Amherst </p>

<p>Does she want to do research?-- I know that might sound like a premature question-- but in the case of choosing Hopkins, it will really be a major plus over Amherst. </p>

<p>The research opportunities will allow her to explore all types of medicine and really get to know the profession.-- she'll get to work with accomplished Dr.'s </p>

<p>This is one angle.. I'll let others comment :)</p>

<p>Thank you, PalmBeach. She is ok with research, but is not extremely exited about it. Any other thoughts?</p>

<p>i think overall JHU is a better school than Amherst...on that basis, she should go to JHU... better school --> possibly better education --> possibly better opportunities</p>

<p>It's interesting to have the choice between a university and a LAC. </p>

<p>Have you visited either school? The atmospheres are very different. </p>

<p>If visiting is impossible, I would suggest having her look at the websites of both schools very carefully. Look at the calendars for events, at the various student newspapers and blogs, and at the official news releases. This will tell you a lot about the school.</p>

<p>Best of luck with the decision!</p>

<p>she should go where she feels "at home" and comfortable.</p>

<p>This is no easy decision. Does she want to graduate school? Biology can be targeted at either school. However, if she wants to do integrative biology, or medicine, I would lean more towards Hopkins. If she wants to go straight into getting a B.A./B.S. in Biology, then really either will work. At Amherst, there is more flexibility overall, she can switch from biology to computer science to english. However, at Johns, if her heart is set on biology, there is more room to specialize.</p>

<p>Good luck, hope this advice helps.</p>

<p>Thanks for all inputs. She is visiting both campus and may have more sense of her own soon. Any more direct or indirect experience on each school and stimulating advice?</p>

<p>I'm not sure how Amherst stands when it comes to Biology and Pre-med, but my initial feeling would be for Hopkins. Amherst is possibly the nicest LAC college in the US, but Hopkins has a nice LAC feel to it as well. If your D wants to go to Amherst, she'll have an awesome college experience in a wonderful atmosphere (I've heard many stories of student life/academics there), and it is THE place to go for a well-rounded liberal arts education, but I would think Hopkins has a better biology/pre-med program and placement into med school (~90%). It's a tough decision...but good luck. :/</p>

<p>I'm in the same situation: Hopkins vs. Amherst. Amherst says that 98% of their applicants to med school get into their top choice. There definitely are more research opps at Hopkins though.</p>

<p>Honestly both are weighted the same by grad schools. Choose for lifestyle.</p>

<p>Although I am sure Amherst has excellent biology faculty, I suspect Johns Hopkins has better faculty. Why do I say this? Most science college professors view the quality of their programs based on the caliber of the graduate students they teach. Top notch faulty like to have brilliant grad students help them with their research. This increases the chance they will get tenure and get their books, etc. published. Although faculty may be attrated to a school based on the grad program, they are usually expected to teach undergraduates. Thus, Universities like Johns Hopkins can attract and retain better faculty than most liberal arts colleges including Amherst. Undergrad programs are difficult to rank. Grad programs are also difficult. For what it is worth, U.S. News ranked Johns Hopkins graduate programs as follows:</p>

<p>Biological Sciences -- 5th in nation
Biochemistry -- 4th in nation
Cell biology -- 6th in nation
Microbiology -- 4th in nation
Molecular Biology -- 5th in nation
Neuroscience -- 4th in nation</p>

<p>U.S. News surveyed deans and department chairs. </p>

<p>Anytime you are talking top 10, you are talking about a first rate program.</p>

<p>JHU has more resources and students have more choices: courses, clubs, even dates! Amherst is too small to suit my tastes. Amherst has like 430 freshmen, right? And approx. 1 in 4 is an intercollegiate athlete.</p>

<p>looove amherst, but loooove JHU just the same. Let us know which your daughter chooses and Good Luck :)</p>