Author Topic: Intended Major in the Admissions process? (Read 5779 times)

lukejlee · « **on:** April 08, 2007, 12:43 AM »

Hi guys! (i'm not really sure if this question belongs in the academics or admission, but, oh well) I have a question:

Okay, so, let's say that when you're filling out your application, you state that your major is gonna be art or theatre, something like that. A few months later, you find out that you're accepted at Hopkins, but you decide you want to change your major to bio and pre-med. Does Hopkins have to reevaulate your application if you're changing your major from a liberal arts to science, or do they just take note of this change and carry on?

The reason i'm asking is cuz i wanna be a theatre major and bio and pre-med (and i'm definatly not double majoring and doing pre-med all at once cuz i'm not insane). I'm gonna put theatre down on my app, but later, i may decide to change it to bio and pre-med and i don't wanna declare my major undecided.

Thank you!

JHU_Lauren · « **Reply #1 on:** October 09, 2007, 05:26 PM »

I'm not actually 100% sure .. my guess would be that you should put down Theatre, as you said, and don't worry about changing it because your choice on the application isn't binding - you are completely welcome to switch your major down the road. You actually don't have to declare a major until the end of your sophomore year, and Hopkins doesn't expect you to know exactly what you want to do with the rest of your life in your senior year of high school. ;) But I'll leave this to one of our Admissions counselors because their answers would give you the most information!

But anyway, the reason that I wanted to reply is that Bio + Theatre + Pre-Med actually isn't that crazy! Since I've been here, I've heard of a lot of people who double major with a science and a humanity, and they actually really enjoy it. I'm not advising you to overload yourself to take courses in everything but, if those two areas are your passions, you don't have to choose to JUST study Theatre or JUST study Bio. It is feasible to double major and we have minors, too! ;)

JHU_Tanmay · « **Reply #2 on:** October 10, 2007, 12:57 PM »

I'm not an admissions person either, but when you're admitted to Hopkins, you're admitted to the University, not to a particular major. So even if you apply as a Film Studies major (we don't have a theater or art major), you can switch to Bio or Writing or Engineering or whatever you want (except for BME, Biomedical Engineering, which is the only restricted program). From what I understand, what you put as your field of interest on your application matters only so much as the admissions officers will look for some interest in that field in the rest of your application (if I'm wrong, either Daniel or Mark can correct me on this). But in the end, you're admitted as a student to Hopkins, not to your major.

When you decide to come here and fll out your candidate reply form, you can write down absolutely anything you want as your prospetive major - it doesn't have to be what you wrote on your application, and it doesn't have to be what you actually major in. When I was applying to colleges, I remember reading something about how the average student changes their mind about their major 5+ times during college.

Also, if you're interested in bio/premed and theater, check out JHU_MichelleB's thread and blog - she's a neuroscience major, theater and music minor.

Admissions_Mark · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2007, 02:48 PM »

blkeydfu8er,

As an "admissions person" I'll go ahead and post. Switching majors at Hopkins is fairly basic which involves just a little paperwork. During the admissions process, students are not admitted to a major, save for BME. Everyone else enters Undecided and then declares at some point during their first two years here, generally the earlier the better.

We do not re-evaluate anything if you want to switch majors. It is equally difficult to be admitted to JHU for all majors, save BME which has an additional review process. I hope this helps.

Mark :D

VTNicole · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2007, 12:11 PM »

Hey!!!
I have a similar question with regards to switching majors

My plan right now is to be an Applied Mathematics Major as well as premed. However, I realized that applied math is in the engineering school. I have heard that anyone in engineering is much more restricted in their academic choices (ie they need to take a large number of required classes). At most other schools applied math is part of arts and sciences so i am a little confused as to what is expected and involved. I want to make sure i would have the ability to change my major because im not 100% sure thats what i want to major in.

kind of on an off note I was also wondering if there are General Ed requirements or if its open w/ no required classes except what is in your major.

Thanks for any help!!!

Nicole
Havin fun in the snow in Vermont :)

Admissions_Daniel · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2007, 02:49 PM »

Hopkins has no core curriculum and that holds true for both students pursuing majors in the Whiting School of Engineering and the Krieger School of Arts. Students will have a set of distribution credits they must take outside of their major -- 18 credits (~6 courses) for Engineering students and 30 credits (~10 credits) for Arts and Sciences students.

There are actually very few differences between an Engineering major and an Arts and Sciences major. Aside from the 18 v. 30 credit distribution difference, Engineering students must declare their major at the end of their first year and Arts and Science students have until the end of their sophomore year. The advising systems also differ a bit. Other than that, majoring in one school over the other is pretty similar.

Hopkins is not like a lot of other schools. When you enroll at Hopkins you become a student of both schools. You can change your major at any time and switch between the schools with out having to apply again. There is a simple cross-registration policy between the schools, which makes it very easy for students to change their mind about their intended majors. In fact, many students make multiple changes of their intended major throughout their first couple of years.

As far as Engineering majors being more "restrictive" that may be true at other schools but not at Hopkins. To complete an Engineering major there will be a few more required credits related to the major than for Arts and Sciences major, but Engineers have less distribution credits to compelete, and the same ability to take electives as any other student.

I hope this makes sense and answers your question. I suggest reading through the description of the Applied Math and Stats program here:
http://www.ams.jhu.edu/undergraduate_progr...12554138442473d

Enjoy the snow!

VTNicole · « **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2007, 07:01 PM »

Thanks so much!!! The information really helped. One other question while i'm thinking about it...I have heard (from Hopkins students) that many of the premeds are VERY cutthroat and they will even sabotage other students in order to get ahead. It sounded very extreme to me, but i wanted to know how much truth there is to it. Any info could be greatly appreciated :)

Nicole

Admissions_Daniel · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2007, 07:48 PM »

This is one of the great myths of Hopkins and there is little to no true in any of the comments that Hopkins students are cut-throat. Any one who is telling you such things is truly not a credible source.

For credible sources, you should read this discussion thread where current students comment on the cut-throat myth:

http://www.hopkins-interactive.com/forums/fact-or-fiction/cuthroat-opinion/

tmuqeem · « **Reply #8 on:** December 31, 2007, 03:36 AM »

Hi!

I have a quick question....i am an international applicant that applied for the BME major at Johns Hopkins...i am still awaiting the letter in the mail but what would happen if I dont receive the letter before january 15? My parents and i have decided that if i have not been admitted into the BME major that i would just wait until april/may to give hopkins my final decision....but if i did get admitted and i didnt know about this before the deposit deadline for early decision applicants....what should i do?

Admissions_Daniel · « **Reply #9 on:** December 31, 2007, 09:59 AM »

You will receive the information by January 15th. We have never had an admit packet take over a month to arrive to a student, even international student. If you do not receive your packet by the end of the week (January 4th) then send an email to Susan Muller in our Operations Department, smuller3@jhu.edu, regarding your missing admit packet.

&hearts; · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2009, 05:07 PM »

Is it better to apply undecided instead of listing a specific major? I've heard rumors that it increases the chance of acceptance since the university doesn't want an overcrowding of students in a certain area.
however, i don't think it should matter too much since most students switch around anyway.
so would applying undecided help or hurt? since jhu is so famous for its success in medical education, there's plenty of people that would apply just for that reason.. should i not mark down a major to distinguish myself from that pool? (the undecided pool is still big, i know)

Admissions_Daniel · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2009, 01:00 AM »

First off, don't believe rumors. Rumors start because nervous college applicants want to explain a process that at times is too intricate to be explained.

As far as your question, the major you choose does not negatively or positively impact the review of your application. In completing your application, we strongly recommend students list the 1 or 2 majors that they are most likely planning on studying at Hopkins. If one is truly undecided, then they should list undecided.

Applicants to Johns Hopkins University do not apply to a specific school nor a specific major. All applicants are applying to the full undergraduate university, and all applicants are held to the same standards. Upon enrollment, a student can choose the major or majors they are interested in pursuing across the Whiting School of Engineering and Krieger School of Arts and Sciences.

The one exception to this rule is the Biomedical Engineering major:

Quote

Please note this important policy: Students wishing to enroll in the biomedical engineering (BME) major must indicate BME as their first-choice major on their application. Students are admitted specifically into the BME major, based on evaluation of credentials and space available.

Students can be admitted to the university without acceptance to the BME major. No separate application is required. Notification of acceptance into the BME major is given at the time of decision notification. A limited number of transfer majors for matriculated students may be available through the Biomedical Engineering Department at the close of each academic year.

CAWest · « **Reply #12 on:** August 17, 2009, 06:43 PM »

I have a question regarding the common application:

There is an option in the beginning of the common app. to submit a portfolio of a creative talent. I've compiled a portfolio of creative writings; however, I am not certain of my major. Is it helpful to the school at all if I submit my portfolio regardless of my possible majors, or would it imply that I am applying with intentions of pursuing writing?

Thanks!

Admissions_Daniel · « **Reply #13 on:** August 21, 2009, 01:25 PM »

Quote from: "CAWest"

There is an option in the beginning of the common app. to submit a portfolio of a creative talent. I've compiled a portfolio of creative writings; however, I am not certain of my major. Is it helpful to the school at all if I submit my portfolio regardless of my possible majors, or would it imply that I am applying with intentions of pursuing writing?

If an applicant chooses to submit an art supplement / portfolio, the material included in that portfolio does not have to align with the applicant's chosen areas of academic interest. Any art supplemental materials are reviewed as additional information and is never linked to what a student's academic intentions might be. More significantly, it is important to remember that applicants to JHU are not applying to a specific major and can change their mind upon admission and enrollment.

danieshokoohi · « **Reply #14 on:** October 18, 2010, 07:20 PM »

I am already certain that I want to be apply to Johns Hopkins for an undergrad major in writing seminars, but have some slight apprehension about how my acceptance application would fare.

My biggest concern is how the applications are considered for those wishing to major in an area such as writing seminars against those who are applying for the purposes of majoring in engineering or medicine. Obviously the grades and focus in core classes would be different for each category, so I wondering how much desired major is factored into the admission process?

Admissions_Daniel · « **Reply #15 on:** October 19, 2010, 07:14 AM »

Quote from: "danieshokoohi"

I am already certain that I want to be apply to Johns Hopkins for an undergrad major in writing seminars, but have some slight apprehension about how my acceptance application would fare.

My biggest concern is how the applications are considered for those wishing to major in an area such as writing seminars against those who are applying for the purposes of majoring in engineering or medicine. Obviously the grades and focus in core classes would be different for each category, so I wondering how much desired major is factored into the admission process?

As we have previously stated, the major you choose does not negatively or positively impact the review of your application. In completing your application, we strongly recommend students list the 1 or 2 majors that they are most likely planning on studying at Hopkins. If one is truly undecided, then they should list undecided.

Applicants to Johns Hopkins University do not apply to a specific school nor a specific major. All applicants are applying to the full undergraduate university, and all applicants are held to the same standards. Upon enrollment, a student can choose the major or majors they are interested in pursuing across the Whiting School of Engineering and Krieger School of Arts and Sciences.

The reason why we ask applicants to inform us of their intended major(s) is so that we can tailor the review of an applicant's credentials based on their intended areas of study and their plans for their education. The admissions committee believes that there are different factors one should strongly consider when reviewing an applicant interested in the humanities and there are different factors when reviewing a student interested in engineering. This is also true of students interested in social sciences or natural sciences, or even a student who is undecided.

R3d3mpti0n · « **Reply #16 on:** November 12, 2010, 11:31 AM »

Hi!

I'm new to this forum but I really want to clear something up.
I applied ED to Johns Hopkins BME and this question has been bugging me for a long time. During your review process for BME, do you separately review BME applications? For example, is the application reviewed for Hopkins in general while being reviewed for the BME program? Is it true that students who apply for BME have less of a chance to get into Hopkins? I really love Hopkins and I'm very interested in BME. Even if I'm not accepted into BME but accepted into Hopkins, I would definitely consider Hopkins as one of my top choices and I want to know if there's any disadvantage admissions-wise to applying to BME.

Thanks a million!

Admissions_Daniel · « **Reply #17 on:** November 15, 2010, 10:29 AM »

Your questions have already been answers on this specific discussion thread as well as another thread that specifically discusses applying to the BME program.

Reply #11: http://www.hopkins-interactive.com/forums/ask-admissions/intended-major-in-the-admissions-process/msg2456/#msg2456
Reply #15: http://www.hopkins-interactive.com/forums/ask-admissions/intended-major-in-the-admissions-process/msg4251/#msg4251

I also encourage you to strongly review the information on this discussion thread:

Question re: Biomedical Engineering (BME)
http://www.hopkins-interactive.com/forums/major-specific-questions/biomedical-engineering/

Finally, the following Hopkins Insider blog posts will shed more light on your questions:

What's New: 2010-11 Application Changes
http://blogs.hopkins-interactive.com/blog/2010/08/whats-new-2010-11-application-changes/

Applying to Hopkins as a BME applicant
http://blogs.hopkins-interactive.com/blog/2009/12/applying-to-hopkins-as-a-bme-applicant/

Username:
Password:

Welcome to the Hopkins Forums!

Author Topic: Intended Major in the Admissions process? (Read 5779 times)