<p>I've heard from a number of sources (current students, alumni) that although a Hopkins degree is extremely rewarding in the end, the path is often the most difficult (particularly for premed).</p>
<p>Why is this?</p>
<p>My opinion (and that’s all it is) is that it is a combination of very high faculty standards and expectations, and the talent level of Hopkin’s undergraduates (which is very high). My freshman year, I dropped the second semester of intro chemistry on the advice of my advisor who realized I was very distracted and distraught over my Mom’s fatal illness. Not wanting to get behind, I retook what was supposed to be the same class that summer at my state’s flagship university. I couldn’t believe the difference. The summer class was very easy–cookie cutter stuff-- essentially an extension of my high school chem class. While I appreciated the easy A, I felt cheated in terms of the knowledge I was deprived of. I couldn’t wait to get back to Hopkins, notwithstanding the difficulty and tougher grading.</p>
<p>Hopkins is very expensive, but I always felt It was well worth it. You will be challenged (which is more good than bad), but you will get a superior education.</p>
<p>BTW, one of my favorite peeves is students looking for the easiest way to get to medical school. I know that the person graduating at the bottom of the class is still called doctor, but I want my physician to live up to the highest standard.</p>
<p>That’s what I’ve been hearing. I guess I was under the impression that chem is chem, regardless of where you learn it.</p>