<p>I intend to major in mechanical engineering but have no interest in going into medicine. I believe Johns Hopkins appears to be more prestigious and have a better endowed program but I don't know how good the mechanical engineering program is specifically (it is small for undergraduates) and I would like there to be a decent social life which Hopkins seems to be lacking. This is a very last minute decision and I would appreciate any help. </p>
<p>Anyone here actually go to either?</p>
<p>ME is one of the better eng depts at UVa and the social life>>>JHU.</p>
<p>What are the prospects for graduate school afterward? If I went to the program at the UVA ME department would I have the same options as a graduate from Hopkins?</p>
<p>You can't go wrong with either, but how much does money play into this? If UVa is significantly cheaper, I would go with UVa. If they are equally expensive, I would lean towards JHU.</p>
<p>I have a friend at Hopkins who just finished his freshman year who is currently interning for the summer at Northrup Grunmann (major aerospace defence corporation) as a Mechanical engineering major. Its really hard as a freshman to land a position like that. </p>
<p>USNEWS 2008 Engineering Ranking Compilation </p>
<hr>
<p>Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (At schools whose highest degree is a doctorate)</p>
<ol>
<li>Massachusetts Inst. of Technology 4.9</li>
<li>Stanford University (CA) 4.7</li>
<li>University of California–Berkeley * 4.7</li>
<li>California Institute of Technology 4.6</li>
<li>Georgia Institute of Technology * 4.5</li>
<li>U. of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign * 4.5</li>
<li>Cornell University (NY) 4.4</li>
<li>University of Michigan–Ann Arbor * 4.4</li>
<li>Carnegie Mellon University (PA) 4.2</li>
<li>Purdue Univ.–West Lafayette (IN)* 4.2</li>
<li>University of Texas–Austin * 4.2</li>
<li>Princeton University (NJ) 4.1</li>
<li>Univ. of Wisconsin–Madison * 4.0
14. Johns Hopkins University (MD) 3.9</li>
<li>Northwestern University (IL) 3.9</li>
<li>Virginia Tech * 3.9</li>
<li>Pennsylvania State U.–University Park * 3.8</li>
<li>Rice University (TX) 3.8</li>
<li>Texas A&M Univ.–College Station * 3.8</li>
<li>Columbia University (NY) 3.7</li>
<li>Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. (NY) 3.7</li>
<li>Univ. of California–Los Angeles * 3.7</li>
<li>Univ. of Minnesota–Twin Cities * 3.7</li>
<li>University of Washington * 3.7</li>
<li>Duke University (NC) 3.6</li>
<li>Ohio State University–Columbus * 3.6</li>
<li>Univ. of California–San Diego * 3.6</li>
<li>Univ. of Maryland–College Park * 3.6</li>
<li>North Carolina State U.–Raleigh * 3.5</li>
<li>University of Florida * 3.5</li>
<li>University of Pennsylvania 3.5</li>
<li>Univ. of Southern California 3.5</li>
<li>Harvard University (MA) 3.4</li>
<li>University of California–Davis * 3.4</li>
<li>University of Colorado–Boulder * 3.4
33. University of Virginia * 3.4</li>
<li>Arizona State University * 3.3</li>
</ol>
<p>As a Hopkins student myself, I think Hopkins has changed a lot over just the past 5 years. And for the better. I know of many improvements in academics and student life just since I've been here. Don't let the rumors or trolling of jealous and bitter teenagers turn you away from the opportunity of attending this elite and challenging school.</p>
<p>I hope this information is helpful to you!</p>
<p>This may also be helpful.</p>
<p>Undergraduate engineering specialties:
Mechanical
(At schools whose highest degree is a doctorate)
Methodology
1 Massachusetts Inst. of Technology
2 Stanford University (CA)
3 University of California–Berkeley *
4 University of Michigan–Ann Arbor *
5 U. of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign *
6 Georgia Institute of Technology *
7 Purdue Univ.–West Lafayette (IN)*
8 Cornell University (NY)
9 California Institute of Technology
10 Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
11 University of Texas–Austin *
12 Pennsylvania State U.–University Park *
13 Princeton University (NJ)
14 Virginia Tech *
15 Texas A&M Univ.–College Station *
16 Univ. of Minnesota–Twin Cities *
17 Northwestern University (IL)
18 Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. (NY)
19 Univ. of Wisconsin–Madison *
20 Johns Hopkins University (MD)
21 Ohio State University–Columbus *
22 Lehigh University (PA)
22 Michigan Technological University *
22 Univ. of California–San Diego *
22 Univ. of California–Santa Barbara *</p>
<p>Just go to UVA so you can have some fun, you'll do fine from tere for grad schools. When I visited Hopkins I couldn't leave fast enough.</p>
<p>There is a saying at Hopkins. "Getting into Hopkins is like sex...Glad you got in, sorry you came."</p>
<p>It says a lot about the culture in that students are highly motivated career focused smart individuals who just want to work really hard to get good grades and come out prepared for the real world. This is infact true at many of the top institutions across America. Some people are infact D level study robots. Others based on my experience at Hopkins just go to frat parties all the time, join fraternities, and love their time at Hopkins. That is not to say that they grades will not suffer.</p>
<p>Its tough at Hopkins. The challenging environment and the tough and persistent students you will find here will cause you a lot of stress, you will work hard and work your butt off. The types of mind stimulating problems that you will encounter has definitely matured me a great deal and has given me insight on how to solve even the most pressing intellectual problem.</p>
<p>Plus, if you want to have fun, you can have fun. Frat parties are always going on the weekends. Freshmen orientation was the best time of my life. Relax, Hopkins isn't the end of the world in terms of social life. Its the effort you put into it making what you want happens that matters. Many things in life won't just be given to you. You have to put yourself out there and get it.</p>
<p>PS. My first time at Hopkins, I was just awed at the beauty of the campus. Green grace, nice consistent Georgian architecture. Plus, my prefrosh host was extremely nice and even offered me to go to a frat party. He let me sleep on his bed with fresh sheets that he pulled out just for me so I'd feel clean since I really forgot to bring a sleeping bag. With that said, you can't sum everything up in one sentence based on one days visit.</p>
<p>
[quote]
There is a saying at Hopkins. "Getting into Hopkins is like sex...Glad you got in, sorry you came."</p>
<p>It says a lot about the culture in that students are highly motivated career focused smart individuals who just want to work really hard to get good grades and come out prepared for the real world. This is infact true at many of the top institutions across America. Some people are infact D level study robots. Others based on my experience at Hopkins just go to frat parties all the time, join fraternities, and love their time at Hopkins. That is not to say that they grades will not suffer.</p>
<p>Its tough at Hopkins. The challenging environment and the tough and persistent students you will find here will cause you a lot of stress, you will work hard and work your butt off. The types of mind stimulating problems that you will encounter has definitely matured me a great deal and has given me insight on how to solve even the most pressing intellectual problem.</p>
<p>Plus, if you want to have fun, you can have fun. Frat parties are always going on the weekends. Freshmen orientation was the best time of my life. Relax, Hopkins isn't the end of the world in terms of social life. Its the effort you put into it making what you want happens that matters. Many things in life won't just be given to you. You have to put yourself out there and get it.</p>
<p>PS. My first time at Hopkins, I was just awed at the beauty of the campus. Green grace, nice consistent Georgian architecture. Plus, my prefrosh host was extremely nice and even offered me to go to a frat party. He let me sleep on his bed with fresh sheets that he pulled out just for me so I'd feel clean since I really forgot to bring a sleeping bag. With that said, you can't sum everything up in one sentence based on one days visit.
[/quote]
See, the problem with JHU is that there are schools where the students are equally successful but don't encounter the same problems that you're talking about.</p>
<p>Hopkins>>Virginia easily.</p>
<p>I always wonder how someone can apply to both U Virginia and Johns Hopkins. For everything but lacrosse, these are two completely different worlds. Both very good in their own way and each produces terrific graduates (including in your declared interest in engineering), but the experiences that their students will have are very, very different. Would you care to shed any more light on what attracted you to these colleges and what you are looking for in your undergraduate experience?</p>