<p>Hi, I am applying to Brown and Johns Hopkins for Mathematics(1st choice) and Neuroscience (2nd Choice). The problem is that i have not taken biology nor do i have any extras in bio for thr past 4 years(12,11,10,9th). However, luckily both Brown and Hopkins have essays asking to explain the choice of majors which i can explain very well. So is it a good idea to apply for neuroscience also, i can write an excellent essay combing math and neuro if i do?</p>
<p>Also, should i reveal in my essay that i want to peruse a double major in math and neuro?
For Brown it may be fine cause it is open course. Hoever Hopkins does have requirements and i will have to work extra hard to fulfill the humanities requirements since both of the above are a parts of sciences. Please help</p>
<p>Your high school didn’t require biology? As long as you can provide a really compelling case, it shouldn’t matter since you’re not admitted to the major but the school of Arts and Sciences as a whole. I wrote that I wanted to do physics despite the fact that I was taking physics for the first time while completing my application (ultimately, I doubled in math and econ). Bottom line, they’re not looking for reasons to reject you and if you can make a strong case in your essays, write what you want to do.</p>
<p>I agree with Yanks. I applied as an econ major, started as an IR major, and I am now back to an econ major this semester. Write essays based on what you want and see yourself doing. If you want to double major in East Asian Studies and Behavioral Biology then go for it, or in your case Neuroscience and Mathematics. Just write a compelling essay as to why, and the admissions committee will evaluate based on that. Don’t get too worried about what you chose, just write a good essay that is reasonable. You can always switch once you get here.</p>
<p>As has been already stated, for Johns Hopkins you are not applying to a major but rather than letting us know what you intended to major in. The short answer question on the Johns Hopkins supplement asks you simply to let the Admissions Committee why you chose the one of two majors you listed as possible intended majors. It is an open-ended question allowing each and every applicant to respond however they choose to respond. So the only advice I can provide to you is simply … respond however you want.</p>
<p>@AdmissionsDaniel. Thanks but can you please tell me if showing my intrest in neuroscience in only the essay and not in academics or extras, since i realized my intrest late, will look bad? I understand i am supposed to respond however i want but there are somethings that might put me at a disadvantage. Is revealing my intent of double majoring one of those things?</p>
<p>If you want to major in neuroscience and math, then say you want to major in neuroscience and math. Don’t say you want to major in something unless you actually want to major in it. Don’t do what you think the admissions committee will want you to do, do what YOU want to do, or else you will be unhappy and college won’t be a good experience. It’s ok if your activities and interests change. Mine did over the years and I still ended up here, you will be fine. Stop worrying and start doing what compels you. The admissions committee doesn’t want students who fit a “box,” you need to do your own thing or you will become miserable and won’t be as successful over time. I wasn’t a perfect student in high school, and many of my friends weren’t either. Everyone changes their mind on some things. Colleges want students who do what they want to do and are successful and passionate about it, not students who are studying chemistry, biology, or whatever because they feel Hopkins or anyone else wants them to. There’s no ranking that says that it’s better if you want to be a history major over a biology major or anthropology over neuroscience. Do what you want, try your best, and at the end of the day realize it’s out of your hands.</p>
No I will not answer that question because it is impossible to do so with out a complete evaluation of your application. Everything in your application is connected including responses to short answer questions, that is what a comprehensive, holistic review of applications means. I do not provide advice to applicants on how to respond to essay or short answer question prompts, nor do I provide information on how the Admissions Committee will evaluate responses. </p>
<p>As I responded before … respond how ever you want and allow for the Admissions Committee to evaluate your response. Thinking of strategies in how you complete your application will do more harm than good.</p>