<p>I applied to JHU under the ED program keeping in mind that I would dual-major in Journalism and Computer Science and I got accepted.
The thing is that, I was a bit reluctant at first to have it as my first-choice because Hopkins is famous for its medical program and not as famous for technology. I have heard from others that the Writing Seminars are excellent at Hopkins and the program is well-recognized in the country, thus I am happy with that. Anyway, I got in (and not to mention that I am legally bound now to attend it) but after seeing the ARWU ratings of Hopkins' Computer Science program ( see for yourself: ARWU</a> FIELD 2007 Engineering/Technology and Computer Sciences ) and after confirming my suspicions based upon the fact that University of Maryland: College Park's computer science program is top-rated vastly (@13) [Hopkins = @ 76] in the world, I do not know if I made a right choice.</p>
<p>Just to let you know, I love Hopkins and its campus and all. I have visited it and am very encouraged by the scenery, people, and what not. But I have strong plans in my mind to do dual major with Computer Science and Writing Seminars. I have visited the Hopkins Interactive forum and was even more discouraged seeing that the major contributors there are basically lovers of natural sciences and even those who are pursuing computer sciences are taking Neuroscience etc. which is not my field and I don't want to take it as a course (nor Biology, Chemistry, etc.)</p>
<p>I have received major compliments from my teachers/friends about attending Hopkins. They are all very excited (however, some of my friends waved me off for saying that I want to do the CS program(or the Journalism)..... others think I am stupid for not doing the medical program at a "medically-prestigious" university)</p>
<p>I need advise from current students as well as those knowledgeable on this. I know that it's too late now and I have to attend Hopkins but what is the strength of the Computer Science program? Do the ratings truly give a view of Hopkins' CS? If not, then what is the proof that the CS program is the best in the country? </p>
<p>I only ask that you remain respectful while answering and don't vent out your frustrations with my earlier decisions to apply under the ED program. Will I truly be happy at Hopkins?</p>
<p>don’t put to much weight on rankings. jhu is a fine school. at undergraduate level you can’t go wrong in most majors at jhu. make the best of the situation by doing well in what you want to do; the rest will follow.</p>
<p>The one you site is from 2007. It seems to show an advantage for larger universities over smaller ones.</p>
<p>Very high score on “Top”…and one of the half scored by “Fund”.
Harvard scored below JHU on it… So did Princeton. See where this is going?</p>
<p>Although I love UMass, the fact is constantly fighting budget cuts and deficits, but is ranking #40 on this list, makes me wonder about this list…</p>
<p>JHU is a great school. Congrats on getting admitted!</p>
<p>I think that it’s unwise to focus on major-specific ranking over general university rankings. Most employers will come to Hopkins and look for students from a large range of majors, not just students from one program. Hopkins CS is a small program, but it definitely has strong research and career opportunities. </p>
<p>For example, Dartmouth engineering is probably ranked below Penn State engineering, but engineering students at Dartmouth have far better career opportunities than Penn State graduates. </p>
<p>Hopkins is prestigious for medicine, but it is also prestigious overall (#13 on US News). Overall prestige is far more important to an undergraduate than program-specific prestige.</p>
<p>The Writing Seminars is consistently ranked the first or second best creative writing program in the country. You were right, it gets a ton of recognition. One of my two majors is Writing Sems and it has been a great experience so far.</p>
<p>You need to ask youself what your career goal is. If you eventaully will pursue a career in computer technology and work in IBM, for example, JH may not be a good fit, as compare to other schools, say CM. But if you want to apply computer technology to natural science, you should be fine. If you want to be a journalist writing about technology, JH will be an excellent fit. Since you have already committed to JH, just try to make the most out of it. You may discover something you really like at the end.</p>
<p>JHU, in all disciplines, is one of the most respected degrees in the country as revealed earlier this year. The courses are incredibly challenging, and you will learn an incredible amount of information during your stay there. I know Computer Science/Engineering graduates from Hopkins who now work for Google, Microsoft, Oracle and other computer/tech companies. </p>
<p>You’ll be fine. Keep an open mind and make yourself a desirable future employee during your time there. Have fun!</p>
<p>Thanks a lot, guys.
I am planning to do Computer Security and Journalism. No, it’s not inter-related but when I choose a profession, it is going to be working at corporations like MSNBC/BBC/CNN etc *online<a href=“thus,%20being%20an%20online%20journalist”>/I</a>. Perhaps I can also help manage the sites using the knowledge that I have about computer security. Computer Science is basically my first and top choice, and then journalism comes next.</p>
<p>I am fully satisfied with the Writing Seminars, however, I still feel let down by the strength of the CS program at JHU. I understand that I will have a lot of opportunities but I feel obliged to confirm if I will.</p>
<p>Is there any one of you who is taking/took CS at computer science and majored? I understand that going to Hopkins is going to be a wealthy experience and I will be able to learn in-depth about my focal major of CS. But I have heard that JHU’s all majors safe three are top-recognized in the world. CS does not belongs to those three not-so-well-recognized majors, yes?:o
I apologize if I sound over-careful, but I want to be realistic in my JHU pathway. :o</p>
<p>If you go to office hours, get to know your professors, and do research projects with them, you will have a superb educational experience that goes well beyond what ratings try to capture. Stop second guessing yourself and be excited that you are going to such a great university.</p>
<p>Your career plan is confusing to me… (I work in computer security). Writers (even online ones) at major news corporations are generally NOT going to be handling routine IT responsibilities like security. I am not saying you should change your majors if they are what you enjoy. And you might make a career writing about technology.</p>
<p>"So far you have posted two threads on the JHU forum that seem a bit like trollbaiting… "
One thread, not two. And no, I am not I joined the forum to learn more about what Hopkins is like since I got in. I want to see if my future goals are realistic there.</p>
<p>Thank you for the link tanman & to all for the answers</p>
<p>As others have said above me, I want to emphasize that JHU is very strong academically in basically almost all of the disciplines. It’s a solid school regardless and I am confident you will get an excellent education there if you put in the work and effort. Don’t discouraged by the fact that JHU is a medically prestigious school. I knew that yet I still applied ED to JHU and I am pursuing majors that are NOT premed-related. Many of my friends are pursuing majors that are not premed either - for instance, history and international studies, and they are one of the most strongest majors at JHU.</p>
<p>Just the Johns Hopkins name carries a lot of weight in the job search. I’m sure tha if you do well in all of your classes, being from Johns Hopkins will DEFINITELY NOT hurt you. It is one of the most prestigious colleges in the country and you will be rewarded for that.</p>
<p>Hi I’m a freshman Computer Science major at Hopkins, have taken two of its core courses so far, and will be taking four more next semester. I probably have not had as much experience as other CS majors at Hopkins, but I have talked with many upperclassmen, and I hope this information can prove valuable to you. This is what I can tell you:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>JHU’s Computer Science department is very, very small. This is good because you have more one-on-one interactions with professors if that is what you wish. This means many opportunities to do research, internships, and even just basic help for class. In addition, the department seems to be currently trying to promote CS major bonding time. They organize a semesterly meeting for all CS majors, and we just talk about whatever: courses, advice for freshman, internships, anything you want. In addition, we have a club on campus called the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery), and they absolutely love to help in terms of selecting courses, future planning, and I imagine much more. I hope to join next semester myself. They’re very friendly! In short, JHU’s CS Department are very close-knit and will devote to you and your own personal needs.</p></li>
<li><p>Professors play a very important role in terms of how much ‘fun’ and how much you learn in the courses. There are some professors you will have to endure due to the fact that they’re the only professor teaching the course and that the course is a requirement for CS majors, but for the rest, pick and choose your professors carefully. Look at this site for some teacher ratings: [Teacher</a> Course Evaluations](<a href=“http://www.jhu.edu/merlin/]Teacher”>Teacher Course Evaluations). They’re fairly reasonable. But the best thing you could ask for though is advice from JHU’s CS students. We know what’s up. We’ll also help you get through the tougher courses because we’ve been there!</p></li>
<li><p>You will have a lot of work. And I mean a lot of work. This isn’t a place where you can just flip through some textbooks and expect all A’s or even an average 3.5 GPA as most schools have. Our GPA’s averages around 3.2 (or a B-) and this isn’t an exaggeration. Of course, you will have the first semester to adapt due to covered grades, but if you don’t need it, go score those high marks!</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Feel free to contact me if you need more information. =) We’re always glad to have more CS students. </p>
<p>P.S. About being happy at Hopkins, you definitely can be. ^^ Find a close group of friends, find a goal, an aspiration, your drive, if you have not already! Strongly face the tough academic challenges, and dream about the bright future hard work and effort will bring you. We’re an odd bunch we are, but we’re just like you. Best wishes and happy holidays~</p>
I joined the forum to learn more about what Hopkins is like since I got in. I want to see if my future goals are realistic there.</p>
They’re very friendly! In short, JHU’s CS Department are very close-knit and will devote to you and your own personal needs.</p></li>