Why do I keep hearing that I ought not apply to JHU for premed?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Johns Hopkins University
21

<p>sjonow:</p>

<p>I disagree with scorp's first reason about GPA - if it was true then JHU BME grads wouldn't be getting into strong medical schools -- and they actually have been. </p>

<p>I do though 100% agree with scorp's second statement. BME is not the right major for someone who is premed and is most concerned with medical school. BME is an ENGINEERING major. Students priority should be an interest in Engineering. This doesn't mean you can't be premed and BME, however we (and yes the BME department is included) discourage students wanting BME just because of their premed interest. </p>

<p>In fact, the BME undergraduate curriculum has been going through adjustments over the last few years to focus more on engineering principles, and an outgrowth of these changes will probably be more BME students looking to the job market then straight medical school.</p>

22

<p>This post is fascinating reading, and in keeping with AdmissionsDaniel's wise advice to put most creedance in recent alums or current students, I want you to know up front that I speak only as a dinosaur parent. I admire JHU for other reasons (my dad's an alum, I grew up in that neighborhood, attended their "bright" pilot program in the l950's which is now a national treasure on many campuses...so even tho I never attended, I'm a JHU fan. </p>

<p>My story brings up a different reflection on why someone might or might not like JHU, or any other large, dynamic university, namely: how were they socialized as a bright child within their home community? I know a student who went off to JHU as future premed, but transferred away by soph year, complaining loudly that it was "impersonal and the profs paid me no attention." </p>

<p>I don't doubt that was perceived by the student. I also witnessed this person raised as the local brilliant star in a small rural community, with dad running the school board and mom teaching all the math courses at the only h.s., center of a small elite group of doctors' families kids who took care of all the poor farmers in the town. When this student walked around, EVERYBODY knew and admired her. </p>

<p>When that child got to JHU as a freshman, I can only imagine how it felt. Suddenly--other smart kids. Suddenly--nobody knew their name. </p>

<p>So, when a student knocks a school, consider the source and where their socialization may have put them. I know others from this same small community who go off and flourish at a wide range of schools, from local junior colleges to tippy-top LAC's and ivy league universities, so I by no means am saying anyone is either ignorant or spoiled when raised in a small town.</p>

<p>I am saying this: whenever you hear complaints about a school academically, especially re: how much attention you get from profs, please also consider that the disgruntled person also has a social context. They may not even understand that, themselves, as a factor for their academic unhappiness.</p>

<p>Keep a fair mind and always, when you hear gripes, "consider the source."</p>

23

<p>Absolutely wonderful post!!!
Thank you paying3tuitions...
Hopefully all the rest of the CC posts of 2007 will be this good -- not going to happen.</p>

<p>I will just add one other thought about the student who does well at Hopkins -- that student must be driven and must have initiative. Things are not handed to you at Hopkins -- you have to go out and seek them. Be honest with yourself when determining if you want a school where you need to take initiative and make your own decisions about your education versus schools where there is more structure and required advising.</p>

<p>AND YES - always consider the source.</p>