UChicago or JHU

<p>UChicago or Johns Hopkins. To be honest, I didn't plan on making it into either--they were both "First Choices". However, I did. And I'm ecstatic about that. But now I can't choose between the two.</p>

<p>I know that this is ultimately a personal decision that no CCer can make for me. But I would really appreciate some input and advice based on personal experience. I've tried to look at the pros and cons of each, but the best choice is still not clear cut. I'll show you what I've got.</p>

<p>ACADEMICS: I'm an International Baccalaureate student, top of my (very small) class. I know UChicago's core would make college very similar to these last two years of high school. The thing is, that really doesn't bother me. My interests are spread across the academic spectrum: I'm very interested in both the humanities and the natural sciences.</p>

<p>However, my heart is set on med school. Last year Hopkins sent 95% of its pre-meds to med school. While UChicago also sends many students to med school, the numbers aren't nearly as impressive.</p>

<p>Also, I'm somewhat torn between the majors offered at the different universities. I do believe that at Hopkins, I could manage to double-major in something like Biology and International Relations. At UChicago, I don't think this would be as manageable. I'd have to focus on one of the two. Thus my med school app would be considerably more impressive coming from Hopkins than from UChicago, wouldn't it?</p>

<p>LOCATION: UChicago is considerably more attractive than Johns Hopkins in terms of campus location. I love the city of Chicago, and the freedom and social opportunity it provides. I've grown up in a European city, and this is important to me. However, Baltimore offers the JHU Hospital, as well as many links to other east coast cities--internship opportunities?</p>

<p>ATMOSPHERE: Maybe I'm a little disillusioned about both of the universities, but the atmosphere at each seems a little intimidating. Now I know JHU is an excellent university, but for some reason it's begun to come off as NOT intellectually stimulating. Maybe that's just because I've been comparing it to UChicago, which is, of course, as intellectually stimulating as it gets. I WANT to be challenged in college, and I WANT to have to work. However, at the same time, I want to have some fun. I'm coming from a European city, so I am used to a pretty lively party scene. However, I "party" in moderation. Never more than once a week, and me and my friends know that, with the exception of that one night, it's back to work. It's an excellent balance, and something I don't want to lose.</p>

<p>PEOPLE: I can't help but wonder if I fit in with the UChicago stereotype. Thing is, I'm not "quirky". Outside of school, I pursue many intellectual interests, but I also like girls, movies, sports, hanging out downtown, shopping, you get the point. I'm not an antisocial bookworm, and I wouldn't be happy surrounded by them. Yes, I've done my research, but it still seems like I might not be happy surrounded by UChicago students.</p>

<p>Then again, maybe I'm just contradicting myself. So I want social students, but an intellectual atmosphere? Do they come together?</p>

<p>REPUTATION: As ridiculous as this is, it does play a role. Everyone knows of Hopkins, and in Europe it's called the "Harvard of Medical School". With everyone so amazed at my accomplishment of getting in, it's hard to turn down. All that work in high school seems to have paid off when I'm constantly being congratulated. :)</p>

<p>So, if you've finished reading this, thank you. I'm just trying to sort out my thoughts, and I'd like some advice. Anyone who was in a similar situation, or can read into what I'm thinking a little deeper, help me out please.</p>

<p>Oh yeah, I've visited JHU, and the city of Chicago (though never the campus). At this point, it's unlikely that I'll be able to visit Chicago before I make a decision.</p>

<p>"Last year Hopkins sent 95% of its undergrads to med school." - Is that true? or you meant 95% of its premed students?</p>

<p>IMO, if you know you are going to med school, JH is better choice. Otherwise, it really depends.</p>

<p>yeah, sorry, I meant pre-meds... just changed it.</p>

<p>Looks like JHU for you, based on your pre-med desire.</p>

<p><a href="http://maroon.uchicago.edu/o-issue/2005/the_unofficial_guide_to_being_a_u_of_c_premed.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://maroon.uchicago.edu/o-issue/2005/the_unofficial_guide_to_being_a_u_of_c_premed.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I did acknowledge that JHU sends more pre-meds to med school than UChicago. However, I don't think a little discrepency in this figure should immediately eliminate UChicago. Can you guys give more reasoning please?</p>

<p>JHU plays a little fast and loose with its pre-med figures; they do a bit of sorting before pre-med applicants apply to medical school. Directly comparing the rates is misleading.</p>

<p>The necessary resources for pre-meds are present at both, but the social scene sounds like Hopkins.</p>