<p>I was recently accepted to Johns Hopkins, and I'm having a hard time decided on where to attend. I'm planning on going into the social sciences or the humanities (at this point, I'm thinking Political Science). I've heard great things about the department, but I have questions regarding the atmosphere at JHU.</p>
<p>Is it a cutthroat environment? How personable are professors? Are students generally happy, or do they find themselves overcome with their course loads? I've obviously studied up on these things already, but I'm hoping a JHU student, parent, or recent admit can bring forward their two cents. Any opinions or advice helps!</p>
<p>It’s not a cutthroat environment at all. Not even a little bit.</p>
<p>Most professors are extremely personable, love talking to students, and are extremely accessible. Once in awhile you’ll get a professor who isn’t but that’s inevitable. On the whole though they’re great.</p>
<p>Most students are happy. There is a pretty good amount of stress but we are an incredibly challenging and demanding institution of higher learning. No one skates by here without working hard. That said, the work load is definitely manageable and most people are usually very happy and friendly.</p>
<p>Probably worthwhile to visit and get a sense of the school. Johns Hopkins has long worn away the stereotypes of old (boring, competitive) and has come on through the years as an international community of thinkers, innovators and out-going people!</p>
<p>As a parent of a JHU student, I can say that JHU2013’s comments are absolutely true. It is not cutthroat at all. There is stress - especially at certain times of the year - but that is because students are dedicated, work very hard, often are juggling course load with research, and the courses are very challenging. I see this as being an indicator to future employers that you know what hard work is all about and are willing to put the time in. And yes, the students do have a great time at JHU as well. But in decisions like this, you have to experience the school for yourself, step on campus, stop any student and ask them these same questions. Good luck!</p>
<p>well I am going to Hopkins fir humanities and all I can say is that the humanities department is small yet renowned. It is the furthest thing away from cutthroat too.
Visit there. The campus is beautiful too btw.</p>
<p>My son is quite happy, busy, and learning loads. He is in math/physics and has not run into any competitive situation with classmates. I know that he needed a lot of help from a classmate when he first started 2nd year Honors Math course that was way over his head initially.</p>
<p>Seems to have had good relations with professors when he has sought them out. The hard part was getting him to go to their office hours and start interacting with them outside the classroom.</p>
<p>If you are interested in the Social Science/Humanities, I think that Hopkins would be a great school for that. Whenever students tell me they are interested in the basic sciences, I (personally) always have to think carefully about how to respond. This is usually because the science courses at JHU can be challenging for many students and might not be for everyone. However, for students interested in the Social Sciences/Humanities at Hopkins, I can say without hesitation that students majoring in these fields are often very, very, happy.</p>