Johns Hopkins vs. Vanderbilt/Duke

Colleges and Universities A-Z Johns Hopkins University
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<p>I know this sort of topic has been brought up before, but since my situation is a tad bit different, I'd like honest evaluations of the choices I have:</p>

<p>Johns Hopkins - no scholarships. Will cost $45,000 a year.
Vanderbilt - $20,000 Academic Achievement Scholarship. Will cost $27,000 a year.
Duke - no scholarships. Will cost $45,000 a year.</p>

<p>My interests are in the BME major, and then Medical School. Obviously, Vandy's better financially. But won't Duke or Johns Hopkins be much better in helping me get into med school and, later on, get nice jobs?</p>

<p>What about academics vs. social life? Vandy's infamous for being a drinking/partying/Greek life school, and Johns Hopkins is considered to be a "monastery." Duke is supposedly in the middle. I don't want to study ALL the time, but I definitely don't want to get distracted by a hypersocial scene either.</p>

<p>What about extracurricular opportunities? Reserach, volunteering, hopsital experience? All three colleges seem to be excellent choices in this respect, but are there any notable differences?</p>

<p>Also, what about the competition? I realize college will be tough no matter where I go, but won't certain places be tougher to succeed in than others? Won't Hopkins or Duke be full of crazy smart pre-med students, making it virtually impossible to make a good impression and beat the average? If I go to Vanderbilt, will it be easier (relatively speaking, of course) for me to make my presence felt and win greater recognition for college recommendations, etc.?</p>

<p>Your insight and analysis would be greatly appreciated.</p>

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<p>I'm deciding between Duke and JHU (biology/Natural Sciences major) as well! First off, I wouldn't choose your college based on trying to get into med school- it might backfire. Many schools with good, lesser-known pre-med programs, like Davidson College, are very supportive of their pre-meds and thus have a very high rate of success. Duke, JHU, Harvard, and WUStL all have somewhat of a reputation for being "pre-med factories" (I realize these schools have other wonderful programs!). When you're competing with many other pre-med students, you're not likely to get the attention you would at other colleges, not to mention trying to fight the grading curve! Competition for internships at the JHU hospital is very keen, according to what I was told when I visited. That said, Duke and JHU both have a tremendous amount of resources, both academically and socially. By no means is JHU a monastery! I also wouldn't worry unduly about the supposedly rowdy party scene at Vanderbilt. There are plenty of other fine colleges that share that reputation. It was UNC students, I believe, who repeatedly jumped over a large celebratory bonfire the other day...Anyway, if money is not an issue, then Duke would be your best bet. It has a nice social scene, amazing academics, a drop dead gorgeous campus, and extremely impressive facilities and resources. Research and volunteer offers are not extremely hard to come by, but it does require initiative! The classes are surprisingly small (relatively, at least), and I've found that the professors are very approachable (at least to potential students!). Johns Hopkins is not very far behind, in my opinion. It does have a vibrant social scene (although juniors and seniors live off campus), and it's Baltimore location is much better than Durham (don't argue). It has extremely good programs, and its BME is tops in the nation. However, I think competition will be a little worse than at Duke. If money is a concern, then Vanderbilt is not a bad option at all. It has very good biology programs (I don't know about BME), and it's reputation is on par with Emory, Rice, UNC, etc., I think.</p>

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<p>Johns Hopkins and Harvard are the most prestigious schools for anything health or medicine related. Harvard & JHU both have the two best medical and public health schools, and leading Biology Departments in their Schools of Arts & Sciences. Additionally, Johns Hopkins has the best BME program and hospital in the world.</p>

<p>Graduate schools aside, Johns Hopkins has unparalleled undergraduate research opportunities. If you're passionate about genetics, neuroscience, biophysics, etc. why wouldn't you pick Johns Hopkins over Duke? Duke pre-med students (like JHU students) have success in getting into grad school because they're typically great at standardized testing (SAT, MCAT). However, the sciences at Hopkins are superior.</p>

<p>If it's all about $, go to Vandy. If you can come up with the $, go to Hopkins.</p>

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<p>BarryD,</p>

<p>My son is also making a decision between JHU and Duke. Do you know anything about the Hodson Trust Scholarship? He has been named a recipient of this at JHU. Do you think it will provide him any advantage in the areas of research? Thanks! ~berurah</p>

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<p>In discussing the BME major, I assume you mean the Basketball My Eye option. Between the two, I'd have to say that Duke edges out Hopkings.</p>

<p>Now in the LME, which relates to lacrosse, I'd suppose that Hopkins wins, though it shoud be added that a dozen of Duke's sports teams were ranked among the top 10 in the country last year, with a half dozen being ranked in the top 2 at some point.</p>

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<p>I would be absolutley shocked if duke doesn't win the lacrosse championship next year......they should be able to walk all over hopkins</p>

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<p>I dont see Duke winning it. More like syracuse. They have 3 of the best freshmen ever. Hopkins will do allright hopefully.</p>

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<p>Ha Ha Ha. Duke and 'Cuse should focus on trying to win in basketball this year. They will have no chance in LAX -- the Pietramala dynasty officially began this past May and will continue May 2006. Enough said!</p>

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<p>Do you guys actually follow lax?? Duke is returning all of their starters except for their goalie......cuse has no defense.....hopkins lost their defense and the best player in the country. Duke/UVA should be 1,2 in the polls come next spring</p>

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<p>now that it's 2006, it's pretty fun to look back at what spe07 predicted about duke lacrosse's success this year.</p>

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<p>Hey, they didn't lose a game over the last two months of the season, and, further, they received more press in that period than all of lacrosse has received in its history.</p>

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<p>swmng109, where'd you choose...?</p>

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<p>lol @ cleareyedguy that is true.</p>

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<p>I seen a girl who gave up yale to go to augustana college (full ride). Thus, if you plan to go to medical school (40-50k), then you should choose the college that provides you with the most scholarships/financial aid. Vanderbilt is a great school and they do have great pre-medicine programs.</p>

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<p>I somewhat disagree wiht your advice. The Johns Hopkins name really helps when applying to medical school. Johns Hopkins meets all demonstrated need so few admitted students cannot afford to attend.</p>

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<p>definitely JHU!! :)</p>

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<p>Also, Hopkins has a faculty student ratio of just 1:9 which is outstanding. Incoming class size is about 1140 which is ideal for students looking for a strong academic reputation in a small school but who odn't want to wander off into the middle of nowhere.</p>

<p>Hopkins is a clear choice in this case.</p>

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<p>You do realize the OP posted last year.</p>

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<p>lol. what school did he/she choose?</p>