Author Topic: Best of...Why Hopkins (Read 1597 times)

JHU_Allysa · « **on:** April 30, 2011, 08:33 PM »

In the past few weeks, we've had two very successful SOHOP programs and open houses. The main question that we heard from many admitted students and visitors was, "Why Hopkins?" So here, we present you with the "best of" reasons for why we chose to attend Hopkins.

For me, it was the welcoming atmosphere and community of the school. The student body and staff is really diverse and comes from all backgrounds, and I found that to be a huge plus. Additionally, I love the size of the student body - it's not too small yet not too big. It's perfect!

JHU_Mandy · « **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2011, 08:58 PM »

My #1: The flexible curriculum that allowed me to flounder around a bit, change my major three times, and still graduate a semester early without ever taking more than five classes in a semester.

See also: the brunch thread.

JHU_Dominique · « **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2011, 09:06 PM »

Amazing Public Health program that has exposed me to a gazillion internship and job opportunities throughout the summers and the semesters. We have such a a strong partnership with our Public Health Grad school and it really shows in our curriculum and in the classes we get to take, as well as with the degree programs we can do there. LOVE MY MAJOR!

JHU_Sydney · « **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2011, 09:15 PM »

Exposure to the top professors in your field. I find it crazy when we are talking about some of the biggest medical innovations of our time, and then I notice in the corner of the screen is my guest lecturer's name or my professor's name. It's just crazy!

JHU_Miranda · « **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2011, 09:47 PM »

This wasn't something I could really know coming in, but the #1 reason I love being at Hopkins is the people I've met here. Whether it's people I've met around campus, students I've debated with in class, professors who've made themselves available, or the friends I've stayed up all night laughing and talking with, there is a great group of people at Hopkins!

Other top reasons...
1. No core curriculum - as Mandy mentioned, the flexibility we have is wonderful. Added bonus - everyone in your classes chose to be there, no one forced them in!
2. BEAUTIFUL campus. Brick buildings and quads and magnolia trees and bell towers and gorgeousness.
3. College campus with city resources.
4. So much good food in Baltimore!

JHU_KateT · « **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2011, 10:12 PM »

The people.

The students are talented and passionate; they are super cool too :). Everyday, I am amazed at the brilliance of the teachers and what I learn in class. It's really cool to be in a place where outstanding discoveries go on everyday.

And the fact that we have a mummy. That's pretty cool.

JHU_Clint · « **Reply #6 on:** May 01, 2011, 11:11 AM »

The reasons are countless... but the lack of a core curriculum, the campus, and the study body have to be at the top of my list!

JHU_Peter · « **Reply #7 on:** May 01, 2011, 05:23 PM »

I personally love the plethora of humanities classes. Since I'm an engineer, it's hard to schedule them in, but I'm always able to find something that is interesting or that I like!

JHU_Tess · « **Reply #8 on:** May 02, 2011, 12:08 PM »

It's hard to chose just one reason - but I loved the emphasis the university placed on undergraduate research. I also loved how passionate the student body seemed to be (which I just wrote a blog about here: http://blogs.hopkins-interactive.com/2014/2011/05/your-typical-blue-jay/)

JHU_Joe · « **Reply #9 on:** May 02, 2011, 01:53 PM »

In the end it all comes down to the one thing I saw at Hopkins that I didn't see at any other colleges

JHU_Allysa · « **Reply #10 on:** May 02, 2011, 03:31 PM »

I also have to say how I love the location of Hopkins. It's in the city, yet it's not. It's got its own campus with beautiful quads. Its proximity to other areas is also so convenient - it's right near the Inner Harbor and near the other nearby colleges like Loyola, Towson, Goucher, etc. As a matter of fact, I went to Loyolapalooza yesterday - Loyola's own version of spring fair! It was so easy to get to - it was right down the street!

JHU_Dominique · « **Reply #11 on:** May 02, 2011, 03:39 PM »

I just spoke to one of my professors who teaches the same class at another local university and he remarked that the students here are just so much more PASSIONATE and PROGRESSIVE than those students are...and the quality of education and caring of the faculty here is top notch. :) It's easy to complain about the toughness when you're here but when you go to other schools, you see WHY HOPKINS!

JHU_Lauren · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2011, 09:21 AM »

For me, it came down to a funny change in my imagination after visiting Hopkins. I've told this to prospective students in the past and, though it doesn't happen like this for everyone, I took it as an important sign: when I went home after visiting Hopkins, my abstract idea of college became Hopkins. When I thought about eating in a college dining hall, that imagined image became Fresh Food Cafe. When I thought about researching for a paper, that imagined image became our MSE Library. The fact that Hopkins stuck in my mind like that so strongly was definitely key for me.

In addition, I judged several things when I came to campus: Beauty of the campus, food in the dining hall, and dorm dynamics. It seems shallow, but think about it. You know Hopkins has strong academics and professors. Everyone does! But another important thing is student life: in other words, imagining yourself at that school on a day-to-day basis. Food and community were crucial to that. And a beautiful campus, I knew, would be able to remind me how lucky I was to come here, even if I was stressed or tired or having a rough week. They all came together at Hopkins, which is ultimately why I chose it - and why, four years later, I'm so glad I did.

JHU_Nick · « **Reply #13 on:** May 06, 2011, 11:01 AM »

I really liked that you can have a very safe and pretty campus, all while bing in the middle of a big city. It is a very rare combination, often schools in cities don't have "real" campuses or they are more city like than courtyard like. Here at Hopkins, we have a campus that could easily be somewhere out in a country area but are smack in the middle of Baltimore!

JHU_LaurenB · « **Reply #14 on:** May 18, 2011, 01:38 PM »

My "why Hopkins" is and always has been the people. When I stepped onto campus as a pre-frosh I was amazed by the diversity of students here, and now, as a rising senior, I'm so impressed by my talented peers. The students really are the strength of the university, and I still feel so lucky to be able to go to school with all these crazy, different, passionate, talented people.

JHU_Dominique · « **Reply #15 on:** December 27, 2011, 02:14 AM »

It kicked my butt. (and i mean that in the best way possible) And for that I know I will be forever grateful because of all I'm able to do and manage.

JHU_Sydney · « **Reply #16 on:** March 30, 2012, 02:29 PM »

For a really silly reason...I think it's fun to the doctor's now, because they all are like "YOU GO TO HOPKINS?!?!?!?!?!" lol

JHU_Ruthie · « **Reply #17 on:** March 31, 2012, 06:29 AM »

I think my choice to come here was primarily one of fit. With such a dedication to research, often overlooked but truly stellar humanities programs, and such crazy talented people, I fell in love with the campus and the students at Hopkins when I visited last spring and haven't really looked back. Being a Woodrow Wilson Fellow also meant that I got to meet real undergraduates who were doing really inspiring and amazing things, and actively pursuing what they were passionate about. It made me think that in my four years at Hopkins, I could also accomplish something great and push myself to new heights – that feeling was something that I honestly didn't get anywhere else.

JHU_Trisha · « **Reply #18 on:** April 01, 2012, 04:42 PM »

Hopkins offers stellar humanities and science programs, has a gorgeous campus, and provides you with the tools you need to do well. The professors are more than willing to answer your questions and giving advice. They truly care about you. The students are genuinely interested in their education and have an ineffable determination to succeed. My biggest concern when deciding which school to apply and go to was who I would become once I left. Upon visiting, and seeing the environment on campus and the people here, I could tell that I would end up just fine!

Hopkins is a great place; it not only challenges you, but surrounds you with other students who are doing some amazing things!

JHU_Nick · « **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2012, 04:44 PM »

My favorite answer to Why Hopkins is convenience. Everywhere you need to go is so close, from classes to stores to restaurants, we get easily spoiled here with how little we need to travel. I need to go to the ATM at some point in the next hour-ish and I've been procrastinating because the two block walk seems daunting.

JHU_Allysa · « **Reply #20 on:** April 01, 2012, 04:44 PM »

As a sophomore, I've really come to the realization that Hopkins is so incredibly well rounded. While JHU has excellent academics, it also has other great assets. For example - the career center. It really helped me prepare my resume and I nabbed my first internship for this summer in California (it was my first and only internship that I applied for!) and I'm incredibly excited. JHU also has a great social life. This year, as a sophomore, I joined Alpha Phi (one of the 4 panhellenic sororities on campus) and the experience has been wonderful. Last summer, I lost my mom, and through Alpha Phi, I literally gained a family. Alpha Phi has also allowed me to really branch out and make new friends as well as do community service, which is my favorite part. And last but not least, the school spirit at Hopkins - you should watch us during a lacrosse game!!!

JHU_KateT · « **Reply #21 on:** April 01, 2012, 04:44 PM »

Haha Sydney that is so true. Another why hopkins is definitely Baltimore. I love this quaint city and love exploring it whenever I can. :)

JHU_Greco · « **Reply #22 on:** April 03, 2012, 01:22 PM »

I recommend Hopkins because it really makes you humble. There are so many smart, academic driven people that I realized I'm not as smart as I thought I was when I was in high school.. haha Also, these people have really motivated me to do better and really challenge myself throughout my three years here at Hopkins. And most of all, I learned the value of teamwork. I feel like I wouldn't have been where I am right now without help from other people and working on assignments as a group instead of trying to do everything by myself.

JHU_Joseph · « **Reply #23 on:** April 03, 2012, 04:55 PM »

I recently wrote a blog on "Why Hopkins?" in which I explain that it really is the unexpected that makes Hopkins so great. Sure our humanities are top-notch and the people are diverse and fun, but the opportunities that seem to spontaneously come up over and over again continue to impress me.

JHU_Miranda · « **Reply #24 on:** April 03, 2012, 11:19 PM »

Why Hopkins?
Because my French class yesterday involved the professors/TAs cooking us a French dinner for our unit on French gastronomy, my instructor for my Native American history class made us carrot cake cupcakes because we've had so much reading this semester, and I came home from class to find that my French TA had just sent out a French music playlist.

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Author Topic: Best of...Why Hopkins (Read 1597 times)

JHU_Clint