Official Ask-A-Student Thread

Colleges and Universities A-Z Johns Hopkins University
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<p>@atm28vacations‌ I think it depends from case to case. For my family and at our income level, Hopkins hasn’t been super generous. Also, I hear that between the first year and subsequent years, their aid does drop a little. But if you feel your aid is too low, you can always appeal, and from my experience, they’ll always consider your case. And they’ve adjusted their aid pretty generously for my family, both last year and hopefully for this upcoming year.</p>

<p>@atm28vacations‌ and @sadiea5252‌ The website says “Freshman applicants are strongly encouraged to submit two SAT subject tests.” Admissions Daniel has said the following on the subject, from back when the “recommendation” was 3 tests:</p>

<p>The Admissions website says “strongly encouraged” … it does not say “required” and it does not say “recommended.” Each applicant can interpret “strongly encouraged” in whichever way they choose and when they apply they can submit 0,1,2,3, or more SAT subject exams.</p>

<p>"The Admissions Committee sees it as we would prefer to see subject exams from all of our applicants and we would prefer to see scores on three different exams. This is a strong preference of ours but not a requirements because we understand that circumstances may be different for each applicant. We would understand why a student without the financial means of taking extensive standardized exams would not send in subject exam scores. We would understand that a student with multiple AP exam scores prior to their senior year may choose to send the AP scores instead of subject exams. Every case is different therefore we do not set a requirement, but in the end our preference is stated and is clear.</p>

<p>So a lot of students take that to mean, if you want to get in, do it. That’s how I interpreted it and that’s how a lot of people I know have interpreted it. But I have heard of people getting in without submitting any. So if you can’t afford it, don’t think you can do well enough for them to help you, or just really don’t want to take them, don’t. But if you’re interested in BME, I’ll say, yeah, suck it up and do them."</p>

<p>@marshmallowpop‌ IDK about 10% (Hopkins has many people who have felt the pre-med call with so much intensity that it’s hard to imagine them dropping out unless something drastic happens in the first two years, or even after). But other than that, I think you’re accurate that they classes are competitive (not maliciously so; it’s just how we are) and a little harsh with the grading. </p>

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<p>Not all majors require a foreign language. If there are particular majors that interest you at this point, check here for A&S majors (<a href=“http://www.advising.jhu.edu/majorsminors.php”>http://www.advising.jhu.edu/majorsminors.php&lt;/a&gt;) or here for Engineering (<a href=“Resource Finder - Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering”>http://engineering.jhu.edu/academics/degrees-at-a-glance/&lt;/a&gt;) to see if there is a language component.</p>

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<p>@atm28vacations‌ I only have the struggling freshman experience, but I would say that’s kind of, sort of true. Contributing factors to that are: Students’ own procrastination / not going to class / not doing homework if they don’t want to, taking on max credit loads or overloading, and taking on lots of extracurriculars and research. It’s crazy how the same people who would use an hour study break at 2 in the morning before a final to talk about how Hopkins is super stressful were the same people who told me that next semester, they’re taking more than the max number of credits, signing up to be an EMT, and doing sports! We are overachievers, and we are also humans who slack off sometimes. We like to bite off more than we can chew, and that can hurt grades.</p>

<p>Also, it’s not so much as a constant tsunami of work. More like a tide with ebbs and flows where assignments pile up and due dates overlap, then maybe 2 or 3 weeks of calm.</p>

<p>However, yeah, I will say that the grading can be harsh and the curves brutal in some of the classes. Some classes are tougher than the norm, notably Physics, which requires two semesters of Calculus as a prereq (which is hard in itself), and is Calc-based unlike other schools.</p>

<p>But I do know some people who had pretty chill semesters. There was one Film and Media studies major I knew who took the minimum number of credits every semester. I never saw him working. He actually got to read books for leisure, lol. But he was super smart too, in a lot of areas; he actually helped other people with their Chemistry homework. So a happy medium of hard work and relaxation is doable, I truly believe that.</p>

<p>@sadiea5252‌ JHU will credit language as 8 credits worth, so you’d place out of the Intro courses. If your major has a language requirement, you can place into higher-level classes. If it doesn’t, I think it just counts as credits towards your graduation requirement.</p>

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<p>@onmyway2013 Do you know if you can skip required courses for pre med such as English. I saw on their website that they do require 2 semesters I think of English. And if I got English credited would I still have to take the course?</p>

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<p>@sadiea5252‌ Unfortunately, JHU doesn’t take credits for AP Lit or AP Lang. On the bright side, the 2 semesters can meet 6 of the 12 Writing-intensive credits required for graduation…</p>

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<p>I don’t know if things have changed since I graduated three years ago but I got credit for AP Spanish (I think a prerequisite to actually get the credit is to take the placement exam, even if you have no plans to take a language course).</p>

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<p>My son is thinking of applying to the dual program with Peabody and is worried about the workload. The valedictorian from his high school went there a couple of years back and is thinking of transferring, because she doesn’t have any semblance of a social life. Do you know of anyone who was in the dual program with Peabody and whether they had time to participate in chamber music groups, practice a few hours per day and actually talk to other human beings every now and again? FYI, he would likely do an English or Film and Media Arts major at JHU. For what it’s worth, his instrument is piano. Thank you so much for any guidance you can provide. We are planning to attend the open house in late September and he has applied to do the overnight.</p>

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<p>@bluemeringue I didnt know about a dual program. Is the dual program for med? I</p>

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<p>@bluemeringue‌ Based on the few English and Film majors I know, their schedules can be really light if that’s what they want. I don’t know anyone who’s doing the dual program, but if it’s comparable to someone who does research often or works every day, I think that it is hard to have time to just sit and talk to people or do a lot of clubs. But if your son could arrange it so that he’s free nights and/or weekends, that’s pretty much when most people will be free to hang out and do things anyway. Still, you definitely want a second opinion from someone who’s in the program.</p>

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<p>I knew (not well) a girl who double-majored in math and physics at Homewood and also pursued a degree at Peabody (piano, I think). I have no idea what she did in her free time, or even if she had free time, but I think she’s currently in grad school at Stanford.</p>

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<p>Can anyone talk about what it’s like to be an engineer in non-BME?</p>

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<p>If I apply to BME under ED and I am not admitted, will my application still be considered for the regular school? or
do I have to reapply under RD? Please reply earliest as ED is just in two days.</p>

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<p>You will be automatically be considered for the regular school rd.</p>

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<p>Thank you for coming forward, spending time and helping prospective students.</p>

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<p>Also, I heard at a JHU session. if you apply ED for BME, and do not get into BME, but are accepted as a non-BME student, you may be able to back-out of the ED agreement. I would confirm this, but I recall this explanation at an admissions session. It may be on the website too. </p>

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<p>Good to know! so if no for BME ED, then they may consider my application for regular school ED with having option to back-out ED agreement if accepted. Thank you @worldspirit. </p>

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<p>Yes, that is my understanding as well. The ED contract was specifically for BME so they don’t hold you to it if they are unable to offer you BME but they will automatically put you in consideration for non BME regular admission to the school.</p>

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<p>do I apply to JHU as a school or for a specific school. If i have to apply to separate schools, where can I find the info about which high-school courses are required. I only have one foreign language credit, so idk if i should apply to an arts and science school or engineering(i applied to Cornell COE because of this).</p>

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<p>I believe the only major you need to declare early is Biomedical engineering, because it is impacted as it is the best in the country. For all other majors, you just apply to the school in general and you don’t have to decide till end of sophomore year. You might check their website for required high school courses; most of the top schools require at least 2.</p>

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<p>@1203southview i called them yesterday and they said there is no requirements for high school courses, and this info is not avail. on their website, i checked, however I did rush so if u find it, please send it to me.</p>