<p>As a rising senior, I have a set list of where I'll be applying already. Looking at my list, I know that Johns Hopkins is my clear first choice. Based on that, I feel that I ought to apply Early Decision. But, having never visited the campus, I have to wonder if it is wise to commit myself to a campus and, for that matter, city that I've never been near. </p>
<p>So, more than I'd like to know if I ought to apply ED, I'm wondering: Would you apply ED to a place you'd never seen?</p>
<p>No. Simple as that. I don't think it wise for a student to apply to a school that they've never seen before. I'm applying ED, but I did spend 5 weeks of my summer at their precollege program. </p>
<p>Here's what I think about the school:
1) It's a very homey environment with architechture that seems really old fashioned (bricks and stuff), but I really liked it.
2) There is a good amount of trees.
3) The campus looked like there was a lot of renovation going on
4) The area around it is...Baltimore. Not the safest area after a certain point.
5) Inner Harbor (downtown area) is pretty okay.
6) Not safe to walk around at night.
7) Lots of places to chill around campus and on campus.</p>
<p>There's a lot more that I missed, but I have to get up early tomorrow. PM me if you want to know more. I loved it there, but I'm not sure that you will. Each person has a different taste.</p>
<p>I would not recommend applying to a school under a binding Early Decision program without visiting, but I have known many a student who has done so. Is there no way you can visit the campus between now and November 1st?</p>
<p>AdmissionsDaniel:
I actually had a trip out to Hopkins scheduled complete with tour, information session and an interview that, unfortunately, had to be cancelled at the last moment. And, a reschedule is looking a little unrealistic due to a large amount of medical issues in my family, requiring me to be home. Hopefully those issues will clear up and I'll be able to sneak away to Baltimore at least for a long weekend, but I figure I ought to plan for worst case scenario, and not assume that my situation will change. </p>
<p>:( I really do love Johns Hopkins on paper and my computer screen, I just wish I had a little more context and experience.</p>
<p>If you are not able to visit, you should really check out Hopkins Interactive (<a href="http://apply.jhu.edu/hi)%5B/url%5D">http://apply.jhu.edu/hi)</a>. There is a lot of great stuff on the site that was designed by current students for prospective students, including the student blogs. Using that site should provide you with the best virtual visit.</p>
<p>I completely disagree that JHU is not safe to walk around at night. That's crazy. It's no more dangerous @ JHU than it is at Penn, NYU or BU. You just shouldn't be stupid and wander around at 3AM alone. Otherwise, if you're with a friend at 10pm, you're fine - there are SO many students. You probably didn't get that feeling over the summer however.</p>
<p>I really have no view regarding the ED part of it, I was an RD applicant myself, but as regards the safety, I came from a really, really safe city, (As low to no crime as it's possible to get), and so far I haven't felt that unsafe at any point. (I'm a freshman). Sure, be sensible, and don't walk alone at night, but other than that, within the Campus and immediate Campus area, you should be fine.</p>
<p>yeah, safety at jhu and baltimore at large was never really one of my concerns, seeing as i grew up in and around downtown minneapolis. if people aren't getting shot and robbed on a good basis in baltimore, it's okay in my book.</p>
<p>Safety discussion:
<a href="http://z14.invisionfree.com/Hopkins_Forums/index.php?showtopic=101%5B/url%5D">http://z14.invisionfree.com/Hopkins_Forums/index.php?showtopic=101</a></p>
<p>reviving this thread from the dead because i get to come visit JHU this weekend!!</p>
<p>too excited for words. now maybe i can finally do early decision with confidence :)</p>
<p>any suggestions on things i should definitely see while i'm out visiting? keep in mind i'm a potential public health (natural sciences option) major, if that makes any difference in suggestions.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>If you are visiting this Saturday, then you are visiting for our Engineering and Natural Sciences Open House and you will have a full day's worth of events planned out for you to see the campus, connect with faculty and current students, and learn about the admissions process.</p>
<p>Come to Bloomberg for physics information. The building itself is amazing and the department is even better!</p>