<p>I really like Johns Hopkins University. I want to major in chemistry but I DO NOT want to be premed. Not that I don't think that is a great field....I just don't think most people want a doctor/other medical professional who is scared of needles and bodily juices and can't stand the sight of people in pain. I really want to pursue scientific research. I was wondering about the Premed myth. Is it true that most of the school is premed? Also, does the premed/awesome program in the life sciences ever overshadow the physical science disciplines, especially in research?</p>
<p>Also, I've heard rumors that there are safety problems on campus? How safe is Johns Hopkins? What kind of precautions are taken and what kind of incidents have given JHU this reputation?</p>
<p>Thanks to anybody who knows. I appreciate the help.</p>
<p>The fact that a lot of Hopkins students are pre-med shouldn't stop you from applying. It's a great school and you'll love it here! The chemistry professors are very friendly as well.</p>
<p>As far as the "everyone is pre-med" myth -- it is just that a myth. About 30-35% of students enroll saying they will go to medical school - that number will drop to be about 25-30%. That is still higher than a lot of schools, but come on, we are Johns Hopkins University. </p>
<p>Don't worry though, the Natural Science programs are recognized not just for the strength in medical school prep but also for the research science qualities. Actually, Departments like Chemistry, Physics, and even Biology at Hopkins are more well known for the strengths in research than anything else. You'll find that as you learn more about Hopkins -- research is inherent in all that we do. </p>
<p>To AdmissionsDaniel or anyone else on campus - has the transition to Allied-Barton security been completed? Will this result in any significant changes for students?</p>
<p>Annon, you should really post your question on the Hopkins Message Boards -- as the current students who post there are much more aware of the new security at Hopkins. </p>
<p>Anon - From what I know, the transition officially started Jan. 1, 2006. Hopkins has added a lot of new security measures of the last year, and most have been focused on the off-campus (1-5 block radius around Homewood). I actually appreciate all they have done, though I honestly felt very safe in my freshmen year and feel the same in my sophomore year. </p>
<p>Have common sense, don't be stupid, and use the security measures (i.e. blue lights, security vans, shuttles) and you will be fine -- not just in Baltimore but in most cities. </p>
<p>As always say though - come visit and see for yourself.</p>
<p>I remember when I visited the campus, the tour guide said that the blue light system has a response time of 30 seconds. =]</p>
<p>Then I visited Brown later on in the year, and my tour guide boasted about how their blue light system was quick and efficient so I asked what's the response time on that. It was 8 minutes! I started to LMAO.</p>
<p>ROFL BROWN SECURITY
an alumni from our school came back and told us of his experiences at brown. he said that there was a shootout near the campus and the cops actually had to run. the reason? no guns. LoL</p>
<p>neway a city is really great. there's definitely a lot more stuff to do than in a rural campus. But other people like the countryside. if ur looking for lots of stuff to do, go to the city. obviously, like everyone says, use common sense.</p>
<p>They say that the blue light system has a response time of 30 seconds but I don't buy it. Its probably more like, 30 seconds until someone notices one of them has been sent off. </p>
<p>I remember stumbling home from a party one night with some friends, one of whom accidently wrapped their arms around the pole to swing in a circle and hit the button, no one came. She was scared out of her mind because she thought she would get in trouble, but no one ended up coming. I was pretty shocked by the situation, especially after remember hearing the 30 second response when I took more tour of hopkins</p>
<p>spe07, I believe there are cameras on/near the blue lights, so they can see what's up. If they see some kids in a drunken stupor dancing around, I don't think they will feel the need to do something.</p>
<p>Actually spe07 you are wrong. The response rate is well documented to be between 30-60 seconds for any on-campus blue light activation. There are cameras and speaker systems to avoid an unnecessary deployment of officers in the cases where a blue light may go off accidentally. The JHU News-letter did a study of the blue light system a few years ago (prior to updates of the system) and confirmed the quick response time. </p>
<p>As blue lights are installed in more off-campus locations the expectation will be response times will go up a bit, but still be quite quick.</p>
<p>If I am wrong then why did security not at least talk through the intercom of the blue light when there was someone laying on the ground in front of the pole? I could see them not coming if the situation did not look serious, but not calling when someone is on the ground, come on now</p>
<p>I am going to avoid getting into an argument over the specific incident your described. Rather I will re-state that it has been well documented the successful response rate with the blue light system at Hopkins. </p>
<p>Isolated incidents always occur, but it does not and can not lead to a discounting of proven fact.</p>