Princeton v. Johns Hopkins v. Columbia

College Search & Selection
1

So, I narrowed down my options to these three schools, but I am still having a hard time choosing which school I will attend next fall. Unfortunately, I am only able to visit JHU and I fear that I am not going to get as much information about Princeton and Columbia. Money is not going to be an issue here because I received outside scholarships that can cover my entire expected family contribution. I want to major in Global and Public Health and then get an mph or go to med school (I’m not 100% sure about med school, but I still want to have that option as an undergrad). In addition, I would also like to study French in college because it’s been a passion of mine for a long time.

  • I know that Hopkins has an amazing public health major, and I will also be able to double major in French (which is something I cannot do at Princeton). Hopkins also has amazing scientific research opportunities, and I think that it will better prepare me for med school (In fact, I hope to go there after my undergraduate studies because they offer a combined M.D/MPH program which sounds amazing). The only downside to Johns Hopkins is that it focuses mostly on the natural sciences (I want to explore the social sciences, humanities, literature... before going to medical or graduate school)

-I really like Princeton because it combines a liberal arts education with awesome scientific research opportunities. Princeton offers a Global Health Policy certificate program through the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. Princeton also has a great study abroad program that will allow me to work/study in different places. Last but not least, the Center for Health and well-being offers many research opportunities, so I will not only gain a good perspective of healthcare policy but I will also have scientific research experience.

-Columbia is more complicated because I did not apply to Columbia college but to the Dual BA program between Columbia GS and Sciences Po. I will spend two years in France studying the social sciences and two years in New York. The program guarantees me admission to Sciences Po’s grad school where I will be able to study Global Health Policy, and I think that I will have a better chance of getting into Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health. I like the idea of receiving two degrees from two very prestigious schools, and I also love the idea of living in France for two years. Nevertheless, I will not have any research opportunities and I won’t be able to go to med school afterwards (Maybe I can go to med school after receiving a mph?).

To be quite honest, I am leaning towards Princeton, but I still want to get as much information as possible before I make my decision. I am more than happy to receive any advice. Oh! Can you also tell me the general atmosphere at Princeton and Columbia since I won’t be able to visit them. Thank you in advance for your help and sorry for the long post!

2

Congratulations!! You cannot go wrong in your choice no matter which you choose. I can only tell you that Princeton requires every undergraduate to write a senior thesis. You cannot graduate without it. And this has been the case for most of the last century. Each and every one of these senior theses is stored ( and carefully guarded) in an underground vault. This vault is designed to withstand numerous natural disasters. Princeton does this becuase it considers their graduates to be important people who will make a lasting contribution to the world I hope this helps your decision.

3

My first impression when I read the title of this thread was that I bet he doesn’t have the guts to turn down Princeton.

After reading OP’s post in this thread, my reaction changed to OP will regret whatever decision is made.

In short, no easy answer.

4

Thank you @richardsenic! Anyone else?

5

@chss101: After reading your prior threads, I think that the best choice for you is to take the Columbia offer & then pursue a graduate degree at Johns Hopkins University.

6

If you can get to JHU for a visit, you should also be able to take another half-day and run up to Princeton. Look at your calendar again. You could hit all three campuses easily in three days, and probably in one and a half in a pinch.

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UNLESS there’s a real good possibility that you’re going to make a career out of majoring in French, I’d explore many ways to keep up with your passion rather than trying to double major. You can’t go wrong with any of the schools. Just go with where your heart’s leaning toward.

8

Just because Hopkins is popular with would-be pre-med high schoolers does not mean it focuses “mostly on the natural sciences.”

Hopkins has extremely strong programs in creative writing, international relations, art history, history, classics, Egyptology and archaeology, German, etc. I don’t think anyone can say its humanities or social science offerings are deficient in any way.