Johns Hopkins vs Wesleyan

College Search & Selection
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<p>I am thinking of studying history, art history, and studio art when I am in college. While many of you may think that Hopkins is a premed/science oriented school, it actually has a good humanities department so I am not really concerned about that. What I do worry about though is that Hopkins doesn't really have a fine arts department, and while I could take some art classes there I dont know how good they are.</p>

<p>What I am really worried about is the social scene at the two. I'm probably more of the "hipster" type, but a less crazy version of that. I'm worried that since I am from the city I will get bored at Wesleyan, and I am also confused about what role Greek Life plays on the Wes campus. I know Hopkins has greek life and secret societies that basically dominate campus, but how is the social life in general? I'm not any sort of alcoholic but I like to party on the weekends so I dont want to get stuck anywhere too social or too antisocial.</p>

<p>I also am terrified of the rumored deflation at Hopkins and it hurting my chances of getting into grad school/getting a job. Because while I obviously want to go to a challenging school, I dont know if I want to be up till 3am every night doing homework. Also at the same time, does the Wesleyan name stand strong on grad school/job applications? I know thats a bad thing to say but I really dont know</p>

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<p>Forget about Hopkins, then.</p>

3

<p>Yes, Wes has a great name for grad school apps, and a good enough one for jobs. </p>

<p>Have you visited both? You might be able to get a better sense of the atmospheres. However, I well give you this advice: </p>

<p>I went to Wes and am very familiar with Hopkins (I know both students and professors there), and I really think you’re better off at Wes. Everyone I know at JHU (including a prof in the history department), says that while the humanities programs are strong, there is still a REALLY intense science/premed culture to the whole school. While I’m sure humanities majors find their place and some love the school, it is REALLY not a hipster school – it’s kind of preppy. Plus, they aren’t good for one of the things you want to major in (while Wes’s Art program is good for a non-art school).</p>

<p>Anyway, Wes also just sounds like a good fit. I’m also from a city, and I NEVER got bored – there is a ton to do on campus at all times. Even my friends from cities like NYC and LA never had a problem (plus, you can get into NYC in a few hours if you REALLY want to do something you can only do in a city). </p>

<p>During the week, you will mostly be busy with schoolwork and ECs, though there will also be lectures and performances you can go to. One the weekends (starting about Thursday), there are all sorts of things to do: plays, the film series, lectures, a cappella, comedy, cultural events, sports events, eating in town (Middletown actually has a decent assortment of restaurants), parties of all sorts (big frat parties, big house parties, small house parties, chilling with your friends, etc), going to the bars, chilling in the dorm, etc. etc.</p>

<p>Also, to answer your question, Greek life plays whatever role you want it to play. Most people don’t join, so there’s no social disadvantage to not going Greek, though those who do like it. All of the greek houses, and especially Psi U and Eclectic, throw parties and concerts (some dry, some not), which you can either go to all the time, a few times a semester, or never. Two of the Greek houses on campus (Eclectic and Alpha Delt) are co-ed, and not at all like a “stereotypical” Greek house. Eclectic tends towards being hipstery, Alpha Delt more geeky. </p>

<p>Basically, Wes is plenty social, but there are tons of non-alcohol based things to do, so you can vary what you do if you want.</p>

<p>ETA: Also, why are these the two you are looking at? Did you just get off the waitlist at one? Because if you’re still putting together a list of schools, I’m sure we could help you come up with other schools that have a more arty vibe than Hopkins, but maybe are closer to a city or bigger than Wes, if that’s what you’re looking for.</p>

4

<p>I visited and did tours at both of the schools. I’m asking because I’m deciding where to apply early next year. I’ve seen about 20 schools (tours and everything) so I am pretty well versed on which ones are my favorite, and even though I know there is a big difference between them Hopkins and Wesleyan are my number ones.</p>

5

<p>if you are asking the question after visiting both, you should not apply ED, which is for students who have a clear number 1 choice…not two #1’s, which are vastly different.</p>

6

<p>I wouldn’t worry about being from “the city”. Middletown is not your typical small town with white picket fences everywhere; the “historic” downtown section is still the poor section; the area around Wesleyan is still where younger families tend to settle before hitting the suburbs; if you like Dunkin’ Donuts, hamburgers, good pizza and Chinese take-out, it’s all right there. Weskid can speak more to this, but, in many ways, I think Baltimore is the less interesting place, just because it is so segregated between rich and poor.</p>

7

<p>interesting. I was very interested in Wesleyan too, before falling in love with JHU.</p>

<p>I will say that they are both amazing schools, and that there is no wrong choice between the two. In terms of your major, however, there can be a difference in choices and I will argue for the JHU side because I simply know the side better and am not familiar with Wesleyan beyond being an admirer.</p>

<p>For art history: the Baltimore Museum of Art is located basically on campus and gives you access to a lot of various types of art and a world renowned matisse collection. You also have access via JHMI 10-minute shuttle to the Peabody Institute campus (owned and operated by Hopkins) which is located across the street from the Walters Art Gallery, which has simply one of the best renaissance art and asian art collections I have ever seen in the United States. Beyond that, you have access to the MARC train that can take you to DC within an hour to visit famous art galleries along with various other attractions.</p>

<p>On that note, this is also very beneficial to someone who wants to work in history as you have access to the nation’s capital city. Also, the history of Baltimore itself is nothing to sneeze at and the school’s history department has been strong and in the top 10 for as long as I can remember. You will find that classes are very intimate and though there is a pre-med and science feeling throughout the campus (face it, it’s Johns freaking Hopkins), the other majors are strong as well, and there is actually quite a diverse selection of people to meet and make friends with.</p>

<p>In terms of studio art, yes there are art classes at Hopkins BUT the coolest thing about art at JHU is that you can take classes at the renowned Maryland Institute College of Arts one of the oldest (if not the oldest) and most respected art schools in the country. It’s fantastic, and ther campus is easily accessible anyday via the free collegetown shuttle.</p>

<p>In terms of the culture at Hopkins…there are ALL types of people. Maybe there are MORE hipsters in Wesleyan, but there are certainly hipsters here as well. The beautiful thing about Hopkins is that it’s literally so diverse, you will find any type of person there.</p>

<p>Anyways, that’s about it. The decision is yours. I visited Wesleyan and while I fell in love with the campus, I was less than impressed with the surroundings and general access to things I would’ve liked to have (like art, nightlife, etc)</p>

8

<p>I am a big Hopkins’ fan, and it would be easy for me to respond with a “why Hopkins is so much better than Wesleyan” type answer. But I am going to refrain from that because the fact is that they are both great schools and which one is better for you is something only you can determine. They are indeed quite different. Although I am a New Englander, I didn’t apply to Wesleyan because I knew it would not be the right fit for me; I went to Hopkins and loved it. Assuming you have the choice, I would spend as much time as possible on each campus. They are different enough that the decision ultimately shouldn’t be that difficult. </p>

<p>As to you specific concern about fine arts at Hopkins–the Homewood Art Workshops is a great place to develop basic skills in painting, sculpture, drawing and photography. It is not a full fledged fine arts department–meaning that there are no majors or minors or graduate students. The faculty are instructors, not professors, although they generally are very good. The facilities–while not extensive–are quite nice. One can qualify for an “arts certificate”–which certifies that you achieved a certain level. Basically, the program is designed for people majoring in other fields who which to develop basic art skills. It is not designed to train professional artists, although some students will come with quite a bit of talent (and others not so much).</p>

<p>Hopkins students who exhaust the rather limited offerings of the Art Workshops and/or desire more advanced training can take advantage of the “Baltimore Collegetown Network” and cross register at one of Baltimore’s neighboring colleges. In particular, Towson University has a very strong fine arts department, as does Goucher College. If you are really talented and want more professional training, you can take classes at MICA (Maryland Institute Collge of Art), one of the finest independent art colleges in the country. There are free shuttles between all those campuses. In fact, MICA is only a short walk from Penn Station in Baltimore and Hopkins has a free shuttle going there every half hour or so. MICA’s studio classes tend to be several hours long, so it can be a challenge working them into your schedule but it definitely is doable. The situtation is comparable to Brown/RISD in Providence. </p>

<p>The bottow line is that Hopkins is not the right place if you want to major in painting or drawing. But there are plenty of good opportunities if you want a first rate liberal arts education with the capability of doing some fine arts as well.</p>