Johns Hopkins vs Michigan - Engineering and Overall Fit

Colleges and Universities A-Z Johns Hopkins University
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<p>Hello fellow CC users,</p>

<p>I'm a high school student from Maryland and I'm having some trouble deciding between Johns Hopkins University and University of Michigan for undergraduate engineering, and any help would be appreciated. I see many pros and cons to both schools, but the two main factors to consider are which school I would be more successful at (in the long run), and which school I would be happier at. </p>

<p>I am unsure which particular path within engineering to go down, which is what makes this decision particularly difficult. However I know that I am interested in mechanical, biomedical, and materials engineering (I did not apply to the biomed program at Hopkins). I am also interested in getting an entrepreneurship/business minor, although I'm not quite sure how I would use such a minor in the real world. In your opinions, which is more important - the international prestige of Johns Hopkins or the higher ranked engineering departments of Michigan? The closer connections between students and faculty available at Hopkins or the larger alumni network of Michigan?</p>

<p>Another question related to the academics of the two schools - would I have to spend more hours studying at Hopkins to receive the same grades that less hours spent studying would get me at Michigan?</p>

<p>The second factor that is important to me is my happiness/fit/what have you. An active social life is very important to me - I do want to go to parties and leave college with some great stories. However, this doesn't necessitate a state school. And I am aware of the judgement I am going to receive for this, but I have heard from many people (and my visit somewhat confirmed this) that Hopkins is for the most part devoid of attractive girls. While I'm not going to allow such a superficial factor determine where I go to college, I am an average teenage guy and that is important to me. To that extent, can someone from Hopkins elaborate on how much mingling occurs between Hopkins and Loyola and Towson students?</p>

<p>Another thing that is important to me (which may seem contradictory to my last paragraph) is that I am inside an intellectual community that discusses subjects more intellectual and interesting than solely football, women, and parties.</p>

<p>Some other details - Michigan will cost about 55k for me, whereas Hopkins comes down to only 42k. My parents have determined that if I choose Michigan I will have to make up the extra 13k myself. I've also been accepted to Illinois, Vanderbilt, and Maryland at College Park (where I got a full ride). Lastly, I've been waitlisted by Columbia, Duke, Carnegie Mellon, WashU, and Northwestern - would you pick any of these schools over the ones I've been accepted to, in the slight chance that I get accepted from the waitlist?</p>

<p>A big thank you to anyone who can provide a knowledgeable opinion!</p>

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<p>I’m not sure why this is a dilemma. I would choose Hopkins - several of my friends from Michigan did despite cheaper in-state costs. You’re faced with a cheaper school that is as well known or better at the undergrad level.</p>

<p>Michigan is a better bet for grad school. Undergraduate engineering curriculum is the same, so individualized attention and research opportunities may come into play more if you’re interested in graduate school. Hopkins also has insane graduate school placement:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.jhu.edu/careers/students/explore/pgsmajors/Mechanical%20Engineering%202005-2007.pdf”>http://www.jhu.edu/careers/students/explore/pgsmajors/Mechanical%20Engineering%202005-2007.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>You might have to work harder in the sense that your peers (based on test scores) are more accomplished at Hopkins.</p>

<p>As for the girls comment, there’s definitely mingling between Hopkins and Loyola/Towson girls(they often come to the frat parties on campus and other hangouts). There’s a shuttle that goes between the schools. That isn’t to say Hopkins girls are unattractive either. I dated some Hopkins girls who were pretty cute (one did modeling on the side), and ended up getting engaged to a Loyola grad.</p>

<p>And as for your waitlist question: no, Hopkins is similar enough or better in engineering compared to all your waitlist choices at the undergrad level (different story if it were MIT or Stanford). I chose Hopkins over all the schools on your list back in the day, save for Stanford where I was waitlisted and rejected - ended up there for graduate school, however.</p>

<p>You might choose Michigan if it’s a better fit socially, love D1 sports, love winters/midwest, or want to get away from Maryland.</p>

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<p>Great response - thanks a lot! </p>