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JHU has a reputation for being really competitive and cutthroat. Anyone know how bad it really is? Do people steal books from the library & sabotage experiments & stuff? I'm interested in premed, so JHU is on my list, but I don't want to put up with a lot of BS.

By David Hawsey on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 10:24 am: Edit

Dear Arf: There is no way to answer this question with any accuracy, since the issues of "cutthroat" and "sabotage" seem more like things from the movie "Mission Impossible" than from a college campus.

Try this: Go to the JHU website, and look for the online student newspaper. There should be a current issue, as well as archives from the past. Watch for editorials, letters to the editor, and stories and features about this issue.

If you don't find anything, chances are 95% these "legends" are just that: stories made up by students. Call the student life office, and ask if there have been any judicial incidents or proceedings against current students involved with academic dishonesty. They won't (and shouldn't) tell you the names, but they might be willing to verify the overall story. Or dismiss it outright.

By Roger (Roger) on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 10:39 am: Edit

Arf, a lot of the "cutthroat" buzz about JHU got started when Greene's "The Select" came out a few years ago. This book surveyed current and recent students at 20 elite schools, and JHU stood out in the "cutthroat" question. About half of the JHU students thought the environment was cutthroat, compared to much lower percentages at the other colleges.

Some attribute this to the many premeds who attend JHU. Premeds are notorious grade-grubbers, and having a large percentage of the students paying a lot of attention to their GPA may make the atmosphere seem more competitive. Greene's survey also showed that the vast majority of students at JHU wouldn't choose to go someplace else even if they could, so I wouldn't obsess about the competition. If trickery and sabotage were rampant, I doubt if the satisfaction level of the students at JHU would be as high as it is.

David has some good advice - do some research on the school's web site, and try to get concrete info from administrators if necessary. You could also seek out some student web pages and write them directly. Good luck.

By Dadster on Saturday, November 03, 2001 - 09:32 pm: Edit

Arf, one suggestion on your undergrad major - while some schools do offer "premed" as a major, I'd suggest enrolling in another major that interests you. Just be sure to complete the courses you need for premed - depending on your undergrad major, you will probably only have to take a few extra courses. Having a major in science, liberal arts, or even fine arts will broaden your undergrad education and perhaps even be attractive to med school admissions committees.

By david m. hughes on Saturday, January 05, 2002 - 12:34 pm: Edit

My daughter just completed her first semester at JHU (as an engineering major). Even with a pass-fail first semester, the students there do work hard, especially the pre-med. However, my daughter's experience is that the kids support each other, studying together,respecting one another's late hours and study times, and finding time for fun stuff together. She sensed this during her overnight stay at JHU last spring (also stayed overnight at CMU and Cornell). Overnight stay is the a good way to learn more.

By W. Aldis on Sunday, May 19, 2002 - 05:36 am: Edit

I graduated from Hopkins a good number of years ago, but the hyper-competetive reputation was already there... but my experience was completely different. I had a lot of fun. The place is for sure very intense, very academic, and probably not the place for someone who is the least bit ambivalent about doing serious academic work during his/her undergrad years. But for someone who is in a serious frame of mind, it's perfect. To quote Woodrow Wilson (Hopkins PhD in political science, U.S. president): "Johns Hopkins is a good place to do work". But I had a great time there too, went on to medical school at Harvard (not as good as Hopkins but OK in its own way). Some other advice- for the person who finds Hopkins interesting, also look at U. of Chicago, Swarthmore, Reed....

By sgandhi on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 10:30 am: Edit

Is Hopkins as selective as the Ivy League, or is it slightly easier to get into than the Ivy League?

By Yianni Alexander on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 05:51 pm: Edit

Selectivity also depends on the field. If you wish to attend JHU for religious studies, you are more likely to get accepted than if you apply to a biology or pre-med program there. Overall, JHU is easier to get into than the Ivy Leagues. Also, according to the latest US News rankings, the lowest ranking an Ivy League school had for selectivity was 15th, while JHU ranked 28 for selectivity.

By weasy on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 03:57 pm: Edit

How hard is it to change ur majors was in JHU, for example going from Poli. Sci. To Pre-Med. And will i tincrease ur chances of acceptance if u apply for a less competitive major

By k,i on Thursday, July 25, 2002 - 01:55 am: Edit

fgvtb

By I now a doctor on Friday, August 16, 2002 - 05:49 pm: Edit

Yeah its very hard. I sure miss Jhu. I just graduated there months ago.. and I can't wait this fall to be a full time doctor..

By Wow on Saturday, September 14, 2002 - 07:09 pm: Edit

Hey I now a doctor, how did you get into medical school? Medicine is really tough!!! Please give me your stats: MCAT, undergrad scores, high school SAT'S ets. Thank you.

By Melissa OShannahan on Thursday, January 09, 2003 - 07:53 pm: Edit

Let me ask you guys this... Currently I am a student at one of the nations best community colleges. After this summer I am planning on transfering to a major university in Maryland. I'm not sure where I should go, but I have one main goal in mind. One day I hope to go to the Johns Hopkin's Medical school. I know that I am going to have to climb a rather large ladder in order to go from a community college to one of the top ranking Medical schools in the country, if not the top ranked. But never the less, I plan on doing so, even if it takes me years and years. Does anyone know of a specific MD college that I could attend in order to have a chance at JHU?? Because I got my GED and went to Community College am I automatically not elligible for JHU ever??? Is it just too competitive?

By DB on Wednesday, January 15, 2003 - 09:25 pm: Edit

this is mostly an undergrad post, so id oubt anyone would know..sry

By premed geek on Thursday, February 06, 2003 - 07:42 pm: Edit

I think that you definetly have a chance, if you can show a passion for medicine and have the grades and test scores to back it up then go for it! If you don't get in on the first try you could consider doing a post baccalauriate pre-med program at a good college. Good luck, and remeber that no matter what med school you go to, you will eventually become a doctor, and if that's your passion, then being at a top med school would just be iceing on the cake!

By hollyj on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 06:36 pm: Edit

I'm going to a community college in California right now and am a pre-med. I have a 4.0 and am willing to work like crazy to get into JHU medical school. At the end of next year I plan on transfering to a University that offers a good pre-med education. Does anyone have any suggestions of schools that look great on an application to medical school? The state doesn't matter but public is prefered.

By Acheesma (Acheesma) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 08:15 pm: Edit

Hi, I’m an international student and I’ve just been admitted to JHU. I’ve done the IB, SATs and all that stuff, but I’m not familiar with the American system (GPA). I’ve been awarded a $25,000 scholarship, given I maintain a 3.0 average, but I’m afraid about maintaining this average. Could anyone help me please! a.s.a.p.

acheesma@hotmail.com

By Multinational (Multinational) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 10:15 am: Edit

Hi, Acheesma, Congratulations on your admission to JHU! As far as I know, maintaining a 3.0 average shouldn't be a problem if you work hard. I am also an international student and attend to apply to JHU next year. I heard it's extremely difficult to win a scholarship there if you are not an US citizen. Could you tell me your stats and experience? Thanks

By Quink (Quink) on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 11:13 am: Edit

Goucher or St. Mary's - be a top student, you will be looked upon favorably.

By Meadow27 (Meadow27) on Friday, January 09, 2004 - 12:19 am: Edit

Acheesma,
How did you get a 25,000 scholarship from JHU. I thought they were going to give out the scholarships in April. Were you notified with your acceptance package.

By Spiffybrownboy (Spiffybrownboy) on Friday, January 09, 2004 - 12:04 pm: Edit

Meadow... Acheesma's message is old... she got in last year, making her class of '07. She posted last April, so I guess that answers your question.

By Meadow27 (Meadow27) on Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 12:51 am: Edit

Thanks Spiffy for clarifying that. I didn't notice the date of the post.