<p>We would like to introduce this account, JHUStudentRep, to all of you. We are a group of current students operating this account, in association with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, to help give a verified current student response to questions here regarding student life as an undergraduate. We hold various volunteer positions in the admissions office, including blogging on <a href="http://hopkins-interactive.com/">http://hopkins-interactive.com/</a>, tour guides, overnight hosts, etc. We come from a wide variety of backgrounds and represent several different majors and departments, in both Arts and Sciences and Engineering.</p>
<p>We look forward to becoming a part of the College Confidential community and helping everyone learn a bit more about JHU!</p>
<p>Hi! I’m actually an Undecided freshman. But could anyone help me figure out the differences between Applied Math and Mathematics? I took Discrete Math, an AMS course, and really liked it because of the proofs. I also took Linear Algebra; I enjoyed the computation but so many matrices were kind of boring. If you see two similar majors, how do you decide which one is right for you? </p>
<p>OnMyWay: From what I understand, the difference between the two types of math is how much theory vs applied material they include. Obviously, applied math is the less theoretical and more applied one. I suppose it really comes down to your interests, and what you plan on doing in the future.</p>
<p>Spencerxx: Most everyone does random! Either way, it is a toss up–I know roommate pairs who met via Facebook who didn’t work out and randoms who ended up being best friends, and vice versa.</p>
<p>@ OnMyWay2013 The two are similar and dissimilar. They’re similar because they both emphasize math and they’re both pretty technical (I didn’t major in AMS so I don’t have direct knowledge of the content of their courses, but I imagine the upper-level courses are quite proof-intensive). They differ in their focuses: AMS emphasizes, as the name suggests, applied topics: probability, statistics, optimization, stochastic processes, numerical methods, and so forth. The pure math department (aka math) emphasizes more abstract theory in things like analysis, algebra, and geometry. The math courses are very proof-oriented. From my own experience, it’s straightforward to take knowledge obtained from the pure math courses and then dive into the applied math courses. It’s really a matter of what you want your focus to be.</p>
<p>@YanksDolphins Thanks! I think I’ll be able to squeeze in an AMS-Math double minor to get the best of both worlds!</p>
<p>@zzzmmm I think that Hopkins academics are definitely more intense than in high school, especially for pre-meds. There is a good deal of support though, from TAs to office hours to tutoring, although most people think the academic advisors aren’t that good. The thing about Hopkins is that it requires DISCIPLINE and INITIATIVE to get things done in a timely manner and get help when you need it. So freshmen tend to struggle, but I think it will get a lot easier as you go on. And the rigor is not something to fear.</p>
<p>And the competitiveness thing is a myth as far as I’m concerned. Students here are driven (and spend a lot of time in the library), but I think we’d do that even if we were the only student there…</p>
<p>Is there a way you can get out of living in a dorm if your out state. I know freshman’s and sophomores are required but are there any freshman’s living off campus but not with their parents? I personally do not like the idea if dorms and neither do my parents. So is there a way that I can stay in an apartment near the campus?</p>
<p>Sorry I was writing this from my phone. And I guess it’s fine then. Do you know if they close the dorms for holidays and breaks? And how is the meal plan for people staying at dorms?</p>
<p>Hello students! How generous has JHU been with you in regard to financial aid, especially since few merit scholarships exist? Also, I’m aware that SAT II’s are strongly recommended for applicants; however, is it still likely that a strong student can get in without them? Thanks so much for taking the time to answer these questions!</p>
<p>How competitive are the pre-med courses? I’ve heard that they’re crazy weed-out courses, and that only like 10% of the students who originally plan to complete the pre-medical requisites actually do.</p>
<p>Isn’t it like to do pre-med you just have to finish the required courses ie: biology, organ. chem etc…I know that they are really hard courses, but I’m pretty sure it’s more than 10%…And also is Johns Hopkins one of those schools that allow you to skip courses (For example my bro got agood ACT score for English and doesn’t need to take it in college. He’s going to UTAustin and taking ECE)</p>
<p>@sadie5252 - Hopkins does allow AP/IB credit for some classes. Here is a link. <a href=“http://apply.jhu.edu/apply/examcredit/”>http://apply.jhu.edu/apply/examcredit/</a> English is not one of them that transfers over. If you are interested in pursuing a pre-med track, you will need to discuss which AP credits to take with a pre-med adviser as the rules for accepting AP credits differs for medical schools. Of course the pre-med courses are hard but no harder than at any other school. </p>
<p>Really? Everyone on here is saying that at JHU, everyone is pushed to the limit with work (regardless of their major, and especially the premeds) as though the premed courses there are tougher than the norm. Are you a student there @akbknc ?</p>