<p>I probably will major in Biochemistry, but I would also like to take classes in other areas, and not feel that the school is lacking. As I'm not too sure of my major, I don't want the college to be too science oriented. I might even want to double major in psychology. </p>
<p>I'm having a hard time figuring out which of those to choose, because they are both located in great cities; and because they are both obviously very prestigious colleges.</p>
<p>Can anyone help me? Personal anecdotes are welcome. Thanks!</p>
<p>Both are great school, but very different cultures. I’m not being judgmental-- it’s not a question of good vs bad–just different.</p>
<p>Penn was founded by Benjamin Franklin as a place to train students for practical arts. It is no surprise therefore that the premier undergraduate program is business at Wharton. The most popular career goal at Penn is to go to Wall Street and make a fortune. Donald Trump is a Penn guy.</p>
<p>Hopkins is almost the antithesis of that (although Mike Bloomberg is a Hopkins guy, but he is the exception, not the rule). Hopkins was founded as a place to expand human knowledge–the first US research university. Few Hopkins’ students aspire to go to Wall Street. The most common aspiration is to become a great professor, or a Nobel winning scientist, or discover cures for disease.</p>
<p>Are you in at Penn CAS or Penn SEAS? At JHU are you in BME or A&S? I would choose BME over SEAS but for Arts and Sciences I think it’s a closer call. </p>
<p>Also Bonanza’s view on JHU students is head on. Lots of pre-meds and pHD track students in the sciences. But I think that you will find Bloomberg business types at JHU and I know people with those interests who have received wall street offers. </p>
<p>I think the schools are close enough in quality that you should decide based on personal factors. Which place feels better?</p>
<p>In the same way that there also are people in JHU who “want to go to Wall Street and make a fortune”, aren’t there many people in Penn CAS who want to be researchers? </p>
<p>al6200: I’m an international student, so I haven’t had the time to visit yet… I’m visiting them at some point in April, and I really think I’ll have to decide, as you said, based on personal factors. I think I’d feel “safer” going to Penn because I already have some friends who go there and others that just got in. But it’s just as easy to make new friends at JHU!</p>
<p>About 1/5 of the student body goes to finance after graduation…the other 4/5 are doing other things…there are more undergrads pursuing non-finance jobs at Penn than there are total students at JHU.</p>