<p>So, I'm trying to pick between Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, and Tufts. I plan to major in a hard science and follow a pre-med track. I know that Johns Hopkins has one of the best pre-med programs, however I do know its really cutthroat and difficult. I heard its really hard to get a great gpa at Johns Hopkins because everyone's so competitive and only a small percentage get As. I know that med schools look a lot at gpa, and my gpa at hopkins will probably be lower than georgetown and tuft's...</p>
<p>It seems like you already have a decision in mind. "... I do know its really cutthroat and difficult...and my gpa at hopkins will probably be lower than georgetown and tuft's..." You're already assuming pre-med at Hopkins is hard, cutthroat, and will negatively impact your GPA. I think pre-med is very hard here, but it's not cutthroat. As far as how your GPA will be at Hopkins, that's something that you'll know in 4 years (or less) when you graduate. If you're already afraid of challenging yourself and working hard, Hopkins may not be the place for you.</p>
<p>and I heard they weed out applicants to med school by a committee? </p>
<p>I'm guessing the students aren't very supportive of each other?</p>
<p>Man, you have some mixed up preconceptions of what Hopkins is really like. Students are supportive and competitive. The only weeding out is done by challenging courses--but that's why there is a pre-med curriculum. No committee actively sites down and tells kids they can't apply.</p>
<p>Just to clarify, there is actually a committee process for med school admissions. They review your application and credentials, write a cover letter for your application and send it all in. I have heard that in some cases they will recommend that you take a year off before applying, but at least none of my friends have been told that (We're just starting the application cycle for current juniors).</p>
<p>But on the issue of competitiveness/cutthroatness... I'd say people here are competitive.. but also very collabarative. Most people understand that you can't excel without working with people to study, work on problem sets etc. The atmosphere is not all cutthroat. The only "stories" of cutthroatness that I've heard were those I heard before coming here, or those I hear from prospective students</p>
<p>So its more competitive than the pre-med at tufts?</p>