<p>In the course of less than a minute, you will know a human beings interests and passions without physically meeting him. Please comment the truth, even if it hurts. I don't want lies. Ready?</p>
<p>College Admission is dangerously similar to molecular biology. The students are the substrates trying to fit into 'prestigious' enzymes. Do you think I, being the substrate, would fit in at the prestigious Hopkins enzyme?</p>
<p>I am a junior in High School who loves to read and write and debate about economics and technology with a strong liking of the humanities and select science courses. (For example, I hate chemistry and algebra but love biology and geometry.) </p>
<p>I have relatively high SAT scores, top 5% with A's and a fair share of B's (predominantly in math and science) at a large high school. I also have neat EC's like competing in debate tournaments nearly every week that I do very well in. </p>
<p>I am not interested in a 'chance', I know admissions depend on subjective matters that this forum can't possibly analyze. All I want to hear is if Hopkins would me a good place for me to pursue my passions, which lie mainly around writing. I have been luck enough to run a blog and write for local online newspapers, but most of my writings are satirical (username says it all!) and involves technology as well as economics. Again, I love going on stage and fiddling with arguments and evidence, in fact I do it nearly every weekend at national (like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Berkley) and local tournaments. Don't look at this as 'Will I get in?', that's not what I'm interested in. It's more of a 'Will I person like me, with interests similar to mine excel at a place like Hopkins?' I personally love Hopkins, but I want to make sure that feeling is mutual. Thanks!</p>
<p>I would say maybe. All types of people with all types of interests come to Hopkins and do really well. I’m sure there’s a niche for you here (I think Hopkins has a debate team, and I know we have good Writing Seminars / English programs, many newspapers / newsletters, and opportunities to be student bloggers on the JHU website). </p>
<p>That being said, the one thing that unites JHU students is a desire to do really well academically. You sound like a very smart kid, but as a STEM double-major pre-med, I can tell you that schoolwork and studying can consume a lot of your free time. Then again, I know a lot of humanities majors who do have a lot of free time. But if you come here, that means you and/or most of your friends will spend a lot of time in the library doing schoolwork. <em>I</em> really like that, because that’s the kind of person I am, and my friends and I can chill and study together. </p>
<p>But be warned that if you’re looking for a student body that will just sit around and debate and visit art museums (we do have one practically on campus though) and “pursue their passions” all day, every day, you won’t find it here. You’ll find that at certain times of the day/week/year, and in certain places, but <em>you</em> have to be the one to seek it out. Only you’ll know if that’s the kind of environment in which you will excel.</p>
<p>Hey!</p>
<p>Like OnMyWay13 said, there is such a wide variety of people on campus, so you’re bound to find someone to fit in with. At a school with 5,000+ undergrads, you’re sure to find someone with a similar personality and interests as you.</p>
<p>As far as workload is concerned, I am a current double major in Computer Science and Economics, which it sounds like is exactly what you’re interested in. Actually, here at Hopkins, the two majors play together quite nicely, since most of my science requirements for econ are satisfied by computer science courses and most of my non science courses for computer science are satisfied by econ courses. In addition, a lot of the more core classes–such as calculus, statistics, and writing credits, count towards both, making it even easier to accomplish the double major (I’m getting a minor in Financial Economics as well, without taking a single extra class).</p>
<p>Obviously, at any school at the caliber of Hopkins, the work isn’t going to be easy. However, if you talk to your adviser and other students, you’ll learn to build yourself a manageable schedule. There are certainly classes that are far more challenging than others, and you’ll quickly learn which those are so you don’t end up taking 3 of them the same semester and having a miserable time. By doing this, not only will you be able to study what you want and graduate on time, but you’ll also be able to make time for having a social life. Although there will be some long nights spent in the library, you’ll have plenty of time for extracurricular activities and relaxation.</p>
<p>Please don’t hesitate to ask any other questions!</p>
<p>Hopkins has a LOT of type A personalties there. If that is not something that you like, then it is not likely to be the school for you. It has a whole other vibe than a school like Bard, Vassar, Connecticut College. The many premeds and tech type majors there really does affect the atmosphere. A lot of kids do NOT like it there It’s not a school that is considered a lovely experience by the overwhelming majority of kids going there, like say, Wm & Mary.</p>
<p>Actually, one of our most popular majors is International Studies, which, along with writing and the school of education, is ranked among the top in the world. The majority of students are also not premed, and the total enrollment of the Arts and Sciences school is around 2 times larger than Engineering’s total enrollment, so engineers aren’t even a majority. All this leads to a very diverse campus in terms of academic interest. As a current undergrad, I can tell you that although, as with any school, there are bitter students, they are far from the norm. I’d say most Hopkins undergrads are actually very happy with their experience here. I’ve been here for 4 years and can personally attest that Hopkins has been the right place for me, despite not being premed.</p>