Johns Hopkins vs Brandeis

Colleges and Universities A-Z Johns Hopkins University
1

<p>Which one is better for Creative Writing??</p>

<p>I don't know which one to choose..</p>

<p>Thanks :D</p>

2

<p>See here:</p>

<p>[Schools</a> With Creative Writing Majors | eHow.com](<a href=“http://www.ehow.com/list_6720077_schools-creative-writing-majors.html]Schools”>http://www.ehow.com/list_6720077_schools-creative-writing-majors.html)</p>

<p>JHU is pretty renowned for creative writing. Try to visit and get a feel for the schools. Head to head, Brandeis doesn’t really have any advantages over JHU (should you switch from creative writing to say english or history, JHU has a huge edge and is also among the top programs there, too.) The only advantage for Brandeis would be if you wanted a jewish campus or possibly location if you enjoy surburbia, as that epitomizes Waltham. But Waltham is still a drive from Boston proper (Brandeis is not near Mass ave and Harvard Square, where the fun stuff happens.)</p>

3

<p>The graduate program in fiction at Hopkins is one of the 5 most selective in the country and is in the category of “the best of the best” [The</a> Best of the Best - Magazine - The Atlantic](<a href=“http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2007/08/the-best-of-the-best/6049/]The”>The Best of the Best - The Atlantic). The quality is reflected in the undergraduate curriculum.
If costs are equal (Brandeis often has more merit aid) I’d say JHU.</p>

4

<p>I know personally I am going to JHU for creative writing and there really isn’t a better choice for a school that doesn’t JUST focus on writing. I chose Baltimore because I will introduced to way more there and as a writer that is really important. Of course, you could argue I am biased, but I’d say JHU all the way.</p>

5

<p>Johns Hopkins</p>

6

<p>JHU, hands down.
Creative writing is huge there.</p>

7

<p>Hopkins is great for writing and currently all around more prestigious than Brandeis (for what prestige is worth); additionally, Brandeis’ fiscal woes are common knowledge. That said, the “fit” might be very individual, and you should visit.</p>

8

<p>"But Waltham is still a drive from Boston proper (Brandeis is not near Mass ave and Harvard Square, where the fun stuff happens.) "</p>

<p>Waltham is a great college town (with fantastic restaurants) and it’s less than half an hour from Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline.</p>

9

<p>JHU - for the win. This is a no brainer.</p>

10

<p>I realize this is a JHU Forum and therefore is understandably biased. Allow me to voice another point of view. Brandeis has an excellent Creative Writing program as well, taught by many award-winning writers. You should look at this link:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.brandeis.edu/areas/majors/pdfs/creative.pdf[/url]”>http://www.brandeis.edu/areas/majors/pdfs/creative.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Many novelists have emerged from Brandeis, including best-selling author Mitch Albom and award-winning novelist Ha Jin. See:</p>

<p>[Ha</a> Jin, PhD’93, reflects on his new beginning at Brandeis | BrandeisNOW](<a href=“http://www.brandeis.edu/now/2009/december/hajin.html]Ha”>Ha Jin, PhD'93, reflects on his new beginning at Brandeis | BrandeisNOW)</p>

<p>Also, for insight into the excellent teaching in the Brandeis Literature Department, see this Newsweek article featuring Professor Bill Flesch:</p>

<p>[Four</a> Great College Professors - Newsweek](<a href=“http://www.newsweek.com/2009/08/11/in-search-of-great-professors.html]Four”>Four Great College Professors)</p>

<p>Of course one of the most prominent creative writing teachers at Johns Hopkins (recently retired) was poet Alan Grossman who was a product of Brandeis and taught there for many years (he was one of my professors when I was at Brandeis).</p>

<p>In terms of prestige, Johns Hopkins Medical School is the primary source of Johns Hopkins’ prestige. If you’re interested in a prestigious, broad, creative-arts curriculum, especially including theater and writing for theater, it’s Brandeis hands down.</p>

<p>There is misinformation in this thread about Brandeis as well. Its campus is quite diverse with a strong international flavor (116 countries and 17 different religions represented; about 40% identify as Jewish (similar to Barnard)–so hardly a “Jewish campus”). Its finances have turned postive with the stock market and it’s financial future is in good shape–so the “common knowledge” about “fiscal woes” is not accurate.</p>

<p>Finallly Boston–the greatest college town in the world–versus Baltimore is the ultimate no brainer in my opinion. </p>

<p>Which school is the right fit for you? You must visit to find out. Good luck!</p>

11

<p>

</p>

<p>Brandeis is a fine school, but the medical school claim simply isn’t true.</p>

12

<p>Brandeis doesn’t rival JHU academically or prestige wise. Every ranking indicates so. And more importantly, so do the studies of where graduates go for top medical, law or business schools.</p>

13

<p>And really? Not jewish? See here:</p>

<p><a href=“http://reformjudaismmag.org/_kd/Items/actions.cfm?action=Show&item_id=1380&destination=ShowItem[/url]”>http://reformjudaismmag.org/_kd/Items/actions.cfm?action=Show&item_id=1380&destination=ShowItem&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Yup…same as barnard. Must not be a math major. Yea…Boston is the greatest college town. Too bad waltham isn’t.</p>

14

<p><a href=“http://www.hillel.org/about/news/2009/jul/23july09_topschools.htm[/url]”>http://www.hillel.org/about/news/2009/jul/23july09_topschools.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Your data is bad. Including grad students, who are integrated into the main campus, the Jewish population is 40 percent. Even the undergrad population which shows here as 50 percent is more recently estimated to be less. The troubling question is why you focused on that issue. Do you routinely characterize JHU as a “Christian” campus based on surveys of it’s population. I would suggest that both campuses have a similar intellectual culture with no overt religious tones.</p>

15

<p>the data you’ve provided shows 50%, and you admit to this (again, how does this in any way not refute your previous barnard 40% claim?). There’s nothing wrong with having a predominantly jewish campus. But it seems like you are trying to downplay this fact about Brandeis.</p>

16

<p>@B77,</p>

<p>Thanks for your reply . . . I actually ended up choosing Brandeis. . . :)</p>