<p>I've almost finalized my list of reg. decision schools, but I'm having trouble choosing between two universities. </p>
<p>I've been planning to apply to Johns Hopkins since last year, but recently I've gotten some bad news about that place.</p>
<p>Exhibit A: I visited JHU this summer, and I really didn't feel anything special about that place...it was in a really shady part of town, and the campus seemed almost exactly like that of UNC-Chapel Hill. </p>
<p>Exhibit B: I was an intern at Duke University Cancer Center this summer, and the undergrad in my lab did her undergrad at Hopkins. She said she was miserable there, but that was mainly because of personal reasons (bad roomie). </p>
<p>Exhibit C: I've heard a lot of negative comments about the competitiveness at Hopkins, both from my friends there and on this (and other) college forums. </p>
<p>So the bottom line is, I'm not so sure I want to apply/go there anymore. But the alternative I'm considering is Columbia. I want to go into pre-med, which is why Hopkins held such an interest for me. I've heard some good and bad things about Columbia, but I don't know if it'll match my interests in a college. I want to go to med school, but I don't know what I'll major in for undergrad...probably biomedical engineering, physics, or biology</p>
<p>My interests in a college:</p>
<p>-quality of education
-place with history
-well rounded undergrad experience (internships, study abroad...not just math/science focus)
-urban setting preferred
-vibrant social scene</p>
<p>Just for reference, I'm also applying to Duke, Harvard, Stanford, UPenn, Washington University in St. Louis, NC State University, and UNC-Chapel Hill. I was also considering Princeton/Yale, but they dont seem to have that strong of a biology/biomed program...</p>