<p>What would you recommend to this student? He is a white male athlete (probably play football or another sport) interested in English or Philosophy or some other liberal art. Assume he has visited both schools and finds that the pros and cons of each school result in a tie. Which school would you recommend and why?</p>
<p>Johns Hopkins...to be honest, because its academically superior and has resources that blow W and L away. </p>
<p>Ok before you all scream bias, its true, but i will say Wash. n Lee is a very good school, but JHU is one of the best. </p>
<p>Definately JHU</p>
<p>Anyone else care to share a thought?</p>
<p>I would say, unless he is pre-med (which he is not), the schools are academically equal. </p>
<p>The thing about JHU's resources vs. W&L's resources is that, as an undergraduate, he may or may not be able to access all of those wonderful things promised to him by JHU.</p>
<p>I think it all comes down to the fundamental differences between the schools. If he would be comfortable at both campuses (keeping both campus cultures in mind-- and what I mean here is that both schools are academically focused, but one of the two schools balances it with periodic breaks between studying), he has to ask himself this. How much does it mean to him to feel like he's actually a part of a great school? And how much does it mean to him to be able to leave the bricks-and-grass of campus without being violently murdered? (Just kidding, kind of-- I love Baltimore, but let's be real, it's not safe in the least).</p>
<p>If the answer to either of the last two questions was anywhere between "it means a good amount" and "it means everything," he should probably give more thought to choosing W&L.</p>
<p>But I'm wayyyy biased.</p>
<p>JHU is stronger academically not just as a premed but basically across the board. Thought overlooked, JHU's humanitiies and social sciences programs are very highly regarded.</p>
<p>The real difference here is in learning style. JHU is for a self-motivated person who wants to experience academics by doing not just hearing about. No matter the field JHU's research, opportunities and resources are superior. A school like Wash. and Lee will definately have a lot of great teachers and no question the kids are bright, and if you are interested in classroom-setting learning and need help etc stuff like that W and L is better for you. But if you are passionate about your subject and willing to put in the effort, JHU is better all around.</p>
<p>Yes, W and L has a nicer surrounding neighborhood, but JHU as a school is stronger</p>
<p>"Yes, W and L has a nicer surrounding neighborhood, but JHU as a school is stronger"</p>
<p>Although I maintain, like I always have, that there probably can't be a noticeable educational difference between the top universities or top LACs (or in this case, the top universities AND the top LACs), I will for a moment let what you say be true. What I ask, though, is how much of a difference could there possibly be? Enough to offset every other feature of a school? Certainly not. The original poster should not base his decision between W&L and JHU, two schools that are nearly as different as night and day, on the supposed differences in educational quality. </p>
<p>As far as the education being "differently styled," I agree to a point. Sometimes, however, I feel that the proponents of universities for "motivated students" are simply wrongly equating inaccessible faculty and resources with motivation.</p>
<p>Would he like JHU? Personally I think its nerd central.</p>
<p>if by nerd u mean people who want to challenge themselves academically and taking academics seriously, it is nerd central. JHU is just plain better.</p>
<p>I mean people who could be achieving the same overall success in life while having a lot more fun.</p>
<p>Nerd Central might be overdoing it, but the Hopkins student body is not nearly as diverse as some other places.</p>
<p>JHU nerd central! i love it!</p>
<p>call it what you want, thats jealousy speaking</p>
<p>jhu, my friend.</p>
<p>Not really. There are plenty of other schools that offer a similar education and a much better overall atmosphere.</p>
<p>I am just saying all those pre-meds flocking every year seems silly, comparable schools do just as well in placement and are seriously more fun.</p>
<p>all those premeds? thats just not-informed...not everyone is a premed infact most of the most popular majors are in the humanities and social sciences, so, you would be plain wrong. In fact, many of JHU's human. and s.s. programs are among the best in the country. W and L is just not in the same league academically, sorry.</p>
<p>The schools are so fundamentally different, the people, the area, does your friend know what he prefers?</p>
<p>Little quiet and possibly boring Lexington, VA vs. big (and quite dangerous) Baltimore
Small, friendly campus vs. big campus with lots of different cliques
Honor System vs. well...not
Better access to professors and resources vs. more professors and resources</p>
<p>The two schools are about equal in academics. In sports, JHU has more of a chance to go far as it is Div I, while Div III W&L is more for love of the game.</p>
<p>They are NOT equal in academics. not even close.</p>
<p>JHU is div III for football...at least im pretty sure it is</p>
<p>Isn't JHU only DI in lacrosse?</p>
<p>"They are NOT equal in academics. not even close."</p>
<p>I would like anyone in this thread who has said such things to at least give a reason for believing this. I'm not asking for sources and statistics (though if you have them...), just any kind of reasoning. It just seems odd that any reasonable person could believe that an education isn't "what you make it" (especially coming from people who swear that JHU is better because it's for "highly motivated students"), and when it comes to top schools that are recognized for providing excellent educations, that one could give a necessarily better education than the other.</p>
<p>I almost get the feeling that "academics" is becoming a crutch in this discussion for those who believe a student should unquestionably choose JHU; I frankly find it ridiculous for any person to tell someone to choose between such different schools for your reasoning.</p>