WashU vs. JHU

I would like to major in the BME field. I understand that JHU is more renowned than WashU in this area, but WashU is close to where I live and I like the St. Louis area. Just how much better is JHU’s BME program and will I be more likely to land a successful internship/job at JHU? If not, then I will probably go to WashU.

Is anyone actually going to reply to this, or is it rare? I’m new

This is kinda late but I can give some thoughts. I go to WashU and I have a good friend at JHU who is not BME but is pre-med so somewhat similar courses to BME I would imagine.

I feel like WashU and JHU are very similar in many ways (similar rankings/caliber of students, both known for their med schools and pre-med courses, similar size), but also it seems from my very limited perspective like there is a significant cultural difference. WashU has a reputation for having a very laid back, non-competitive environment and in my experience this is accurate. The way I sometimes describe it is that there are a lot of “Type B” people at WashU. In this respect I have heard that Hopkins is a lot different… probably less grade inflation and maybe more work expected of students. From what my friend describes there are many people who are stressed and have to work very hard to get good grades, which in my experience is not really the case at WashU (obviously there are always exceptions, some people may feel differently).

There are advantages and disadvantages to both… I personally feel like I might do better in a more competitive environment because it might force me to work a bit harder and stop being lazy at times, but if you are someone who does not handle stress well obviously that could be a detriment.

I will say that I know Hopkins BME is one of the top programs if not the very top program (as you probably know), and if it were me personally this would be enough to make me pick Hopkins if costs are similar and there are no big reasons why you don’t like Hopkins. I guess the counter argument here though would be that Hopkins might be more research/graduate student oriented and WashU may be more undergraduate oriented… really hard to say though unless you have experience with both departments. But it is conceivable that just because BME has a better reputation at Hopkins does not necessarily mean undergraduates are learning more… when you’re taking undergrad courses it probably doesn’t matter whether your professors are in the best BME Department or the 20 something best BME Department, at that point factors other than departmental rankings come into play.

My son is premed at Wash U, and he’s found the atmosphere there to be extremely collaborative… not competitive at all…and he has really appreciated that aspect so much. That being said, the premed core courses are very difficult, ( I’m sure that’s true everywhere), but it helps to have a supportive group of friends to study with! In addition, the school really helps students reach their goals, and provides countless resources/ study groups etc that are really helpful to that end. My son has really enjoyed the academics at Wash U and has had wonderful professors, great advising, and easily attainable research opportunities beginning freshman year. I can’t comment from personal experience about Hopkins, but obviously both schools are top notch, so pick where you feel most comfortable and where you feel you will be happiest. Best of luck with your decision!

I have a kid studying engineering at Hopkins (not BME) and she loves it. The BME department at Hopkins is the only department, I believe, that you must apply to get into. It is extremely competitive to get into. Also, only a couple of kids might be able to transfer into that department later, so that is not a viable option. Not sure how it works at WashU.

agree, if you want BME The Hop or Duke are the places to go.

But folks, this is an early April thread and I assume the OP has already decided.

Oh, I thought this kid was a rising senior.