Hey everyone! Today I wanted to share a Q&A about some basic questions I get asked all the time about attending Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. For kicks and giggles, I wanted to start out with an awesome quote from my favorite professor, Lawrence Aronhime.
How did you decide on Hopkins?
Coming to Hopkins felt like coming home. When I visited for the first time the summer before my senior year of high school, I distinctly remember saying out loud "This campus is beautiful." It was the only school about which I had vocalized this opinion. After being accepted, I came for an overnight visit when all prospective students stay on campus for two days. That night with my host, laughing and joking with her and her friends felt right. It felt like home, and it felt like I belonged here. And as it turns out, I do love it here. Being at Hopkins is like coming home to a familiar place with familiar people and everything just feels right. While I do miss home during the semester (and can't wait to head back for the holidays and eat my parents' delicious food), during the breaks I find myself longing to be back in Baltimore. I can't even watch Hairspray anymore without a strong urge to be back in my incredible Charm City (Hairspray was based on the town of Hampden, about a 5 minute walk from the Hopkins Homewood campus).
What helped you get into the school?
I took a lot of AP classes in high school and was involved with many organizations. I was on a dance team as well as the member of multiple clubs, and during my senior year I was the president of the Spanish Honor Society. I also became involved in academic organizations such as National Honor Society and tutored middle school children. At the same time, I managed to participate in a pre-professional dance company as many as seven days a week all through high school. While everyone's qualifications look different, these were just some of the things I was involved in and could have contributed to my acceptance.
What scores did you need to get in?
Again, scores will vary from person to person. The middle 50th percentile for standardized tests in 2014 was 2120-2310 for the SAT and 32-34 for the ACT. For more fast facts, click here.
What are you majoring in?
I am a Global Environmental Change and Sustainability major, with a double minor in Spanish and Entrepreneurship and Management.
Aren't you insanely intelligent?
I've gotten this question multiple times before and to begin, thank you for the compliment. However, it is important to remember that the students at Hopkins are just like any other people! One of the things I like best about being here is that the experience is so humbling. While I might have certain expertise in one category, some of my friends are incredibly smart in other areas, and I value that greatly.
Is it as cutthroat as I hear it is?
Not really. There is a general atmosphere of collaboration and friendliness, and most people, unless they are bizarrely competitive, are not trying to be cutthroat with you. The school prides itself on the opportunities for cooperative learning, and most students are that way as well. We don't mind helping other people out, so long as we can still succeed academically ourselves.
What about the BME major?
I actually don't know much about the BME (Biomedical Engineering) major and how competitive/cutthroat it is, but if anything that comes from the pure difficulty of the major. The BME major, at the best in the country, is extremely challenging. It is the only major which requires a unique, pre-declared application and the odds of acceptance are even lower than normal. Students are also unable to transfer into this major after being accepted. The coursework and highly selective nature of this major makes for a competitive atmosphere, but nothing much greater than what you would experience at the university on the whole.
But isn't Baltimore unsafe?
Although Baltimore has its good and bad areas, the area in which JHU resides, Charles Village, is fairly safe. The town is under careful watch by Hopkins Police (affectionately known as Hop Cops), and Baltimore Police. Officers are stationed around campus at all hours of the day, and even through the night. Cops on bikes, in cars, and on foot can be seen all around, and they are excellent at doing their job. Furthermore, there are many awesome transportation services that Security staff provides courtesy of the school. If you are somewhere nearby late at night and don't want to walk back alone, police escorts are always on call, or you can take the Blue Jay Shuttle which picks students up at various locations and brings them back home to their dorm or apartment. I have even had Hop Cops drive me to and from the local drugstore if I felt unsafe walking by myself. Most of all, it is important that you use good judgement, always stick with a group, and take the routes that are on campus, instead of on the street. Baltimore is such a unique place to explore if you act responsibly and are aware of your surroundings.
What is the social life like?
The social life is just like any other school! While we don't have large sporting events (even though our teams are awesome) or fraternity houses on campus, there is still an ever present social and night life. There are always events going on for students to participate in, and an abundance of places to go at night. Many student groups on campus work extremely hard to plan events throughout the whole year, and they are often a lot of fun!! Plus, if you are so inclined, the sporting events are great too. Additionally, because of our proximity to the Inner Harbor there is great access to many bars, clubs, and event venues as students get older. The one difference, I would say, is that many students find their own social groups of friends on their own and spend time together socially, instead of having large school-wide events. There is a group for everyone at Hopkins, so you can be sure to feel included in something!!
Do you actually have fun there?
Yes! As a member of a sorority and two dance teams, I spend a lot of time with different groups of friends, and we always plan events to hang out together. I have made some of my best friends here, and know that you can have a fun time at the school, you just have to work hard so that you can relax too!
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Despite the challenge, I absolutely love attending Hopkins and think that if you have the chance to attend an Ivy League or other highly competitive university, go for it! It's an opportunity that won't come around again, and it is so so SO worth it!!! If you have any more Hopkins questions, comment below!
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