The original "Meet JHU_Noah post was accidentally deleted, so I've reposted everything from that thread here. I've updated a few things about my first post, like my classes for the Fall and Spring Semester. Feel free to ask any questions you may have!

Howdy, y’all!
My name is Noah Guiberson, and I am from Houston, Texas! I am double majoring in Molecular & Cellular Biology and Neuroscience, and I'd like to pursue an MS in MCB or Neuro in my fourth or fifth year, depending on how things shake out.

Why Hopkins
When it comes to Biology and Neuroscience, there is no university in the world that is as prestigious and that has been nearly as consistently productive as Hopkins has. I decided that I could suffer through questions like, “What is John Hopkin?” and “Why in the world was this guy named Johns?”, in order to be a part of the most legendary congregation of scientific aptitude in the history of modern medical research.

My Classes

Fr. Fall [X denotes classes I dropped when I was hospitalized during a prolonged illness, no worries though. I'm fine :)]
Gen. Physics I for Biological Sciences X
Gen. Physics I Lab X
Calculus II for Engineers X
Intro. Chemistry I
Intro. Chemistry I Lab
Introduction to Neuroscience

Fr. Intersession:
Foreign Gene Expression Lab

Fr. Spring:
Expository Writing: Lofty Praise and Vulgar Accusation in Ancient and Modern Oratory
Early Renaissance Art: Giotto to Leonardo
Intro. Chemistry II
Intro. Chemistry II Lab
Cognitive Neuroscience
Research

So. Fall:
Nervous System I
Organic Chemistry I
Biochemistry
Biochemistry Lab
Research

So. Intersession:
Biology of Neurodegenerative Diseases

So. Spring:
Nervous System II
Organic Chemistry II
Cell Biology
Cell Biology Lab
Research

Jr. Fall:
Honors Single Variable Calculus
Oral Presentations
Disease & Disorders of the Nervous System
Signalling in Development & Disease
Introduction to American Politics

Jr. Intersession:
Neurologic Diseases to Nanoparticles


My Extracurriculars
These are some of the things I’m involved in most heavily on campus, thus far:

NeuroJAYS: I'm president of NeuroJAYS, a student organization in which neuroscience majors (as well as other undergraduates interested in neurobiology) meet weekly to discuss some of the most formative papers in the field with Hopkins Neuro faculty. Basically, NeuroJAYS is a neuroscience journal club. We meet in Krieger Hall, and discuss papers and reviews pertaining to a central theme. The mission of NeuroJAYS is to provide undergraduates interested in Neuroscience with a relaxed setting in which the theory and implications of some of the most important articles in the field can be discussed and better understood.

Student Admissions Advisory Board (SAAB): I applied and was accepted to SAAB because I want to help guide prospective Blue Jays toward making the right decision: applying to, and subsequently enrolling at, the Johns Hopkins University. The members of our group (my SAABuddies) are wonderful. It’s great to be able to play a role in shaping the next, best classes of the University I love.

Where I Lived: CHARLES COMMONS (N CHARLES TOWER)
Charles Commons is incredible. It's a mammoth, state-of-the-art dorm that holds a great deal of the sophomore class. When my friends from other colleges visit, their jaws hit the floor. One told me that it was like being in a really nice hotel! In addition to the great dorm facilities, Commons has Nolan's on 33rd, which in my opinion is the pinnacle of campus dining options. It's also right on top of Barnes and Noble and achieves the perfect balance of access to Charles Village (which right out the 33rd Street door) and proximity to campus (CharCom is across the street from The Beach)!

Eri:

Hello Noah,
My name is Eri and I also applied to Johns Hopkins for the 2011-2012 semester. I am wondering how the Molecular and Cellular Biology part of your double majoring is going and what classes you plan to take on in your sophomore year.
Thanks,
Eri

___________________________________________________

JHU_Noah:

Hey Eri!
It’s going really well! Right now, there isn’t a lot to do for Mol/Cell because I have to finish Chemistry before moving onto Orgo and Biochem –– the two classes that really open up all of the upper level Biology courses. I’m staying in Baltimore this summer to take Organic Chemistry 1 and 2 as well as Orgo Lab. Then, I’ll be able to take Biochemistry next Fall and Cell Biology next Spring.
The way I have it currently planned out, my Fall semester will consist of:
Nervous System I (3)
Biochemistry (4)
Biochemistry Lab (2)
Research (3)
Honors Single Variable Calculus (3) [I placed into this class and wanted to take it during my freshman fall, but my advisor convinced me that it would be way too much what with my already heavy schedule and commitment to soccer. Then I got really sick and had to drop a bunch of classes anyway, so it was a moot point.]
My Spring semester is a little foggy, in that I don’t know exactly what I’ll be doing…BUT this is my best guess:
Nervous System II (3)
Cell Biology (4)
Cell Biology Lab (2)
Research (3)
(Probably 3 or 6 distribution credits; classes TBD)
I hope that helped!

___________________________________________________

Eri:

Thanks that actually helped a lot!

I know that JHU uses a Pass/Fail system for the first semester. Would you recommend using AP credits to take more “risky” advanced classes or is it more beneficial to take more background classes before that?

___________________________________________________

JHU_Noah:

Well, that is very much an individual decision. If you feel like you have already have a solid grasp on the material you’d be skipping by placing out of a class like Chemistry, taking Organic Chemistry under covered grades might be a good idea. But, while it may be tempting to just take the credit and move on to a more advanced topic, remember that your grades will not be covered second semester. If you’re not ready to take a class like Orgo right out of the gate, you might want to consider retaking Intro. Chem. However, these are all things you can discuss at length with your academic advisor–they’re all extremely experienced with this sort of thing and will be able to help you work out the best possible plan for your Freshman Fall.
Now, a bit of personal insight:
I was an IB kid, and I did well enough on the IB Biology Exam to receive credit for Biology I & II as well as Biology Labs 1 & 2. (A guide to the AP/IB scores that merit credit at JHU can be found here: http://apply.jhu.edu/apply/apib.html) I took the credit, but it turned out not to matter. Believe it or not, General Biology is not a required class for either the BS in Mol/Cell Bio OR the BA in Neuroscience, provided that you choose the Cellular & Molecular concentration. General Biology is required, however, if you are pursuing the BA in Biology or the BA in Neuroscience, provided that you choose the Cognitive or Systems concentrations.
So, it depends. Find out what your desired major requires and weigh your options with the help of your advisor.
Since you’re interested in Mol/Cell, this is the link for the Mol/Cell major requirements: http://www.bio.jhu.edu/Undergrad/BSProgram.aspx
And, just for kicks, this is the link to the Neuro major requirements: http://krieger.jhu.edu/neuroscience/undergraduate/major_req.html
I hope I’m two for two in terms of helping you out!
Let me know if you have any other questions!

___________________________________________________

Eri:

Thanks so much!
Yep, 100%
It is so nice that Hopkins offers a site for prospective students to get real hand accounts from students such as yourself.
Again thank you.

___________________________________________________

JHU_Noah:

I know, right?
You’re welcome!

Hey, Samantha!

Firstly, congratulations on your acceptance! Being offered a spot in the Johns Hopkins Class of 2015 is a really, really big deal. This year, we had the lowest acceptance rate in our history, so you should be very proud of yourself! :)

Well, let me say first that it will be very difficult. But, frankly, that's what you've signed on for isn't it? To challenge yourself intellectually in the company of some of the smartest people in the world? You will have to put in the time, that is a given. That said, I'm a Mol/Cell Bio and Neuro double major, who is heavily involved in a number of extracurriculars (like SAAB, SAAC and NeuroJAYS), and who is also a varsity athlete. Never, outside of exam season, have I ever felt like I couldn't go out on the weekends or that I was completely overwhelmed.

You mentioned that you're worried about not having free time; I think you'll find that the hardest part of doing well at any college is utilizing the HUGE amount of free time that you'll have. It's not like high school where you have eight or so hours of class a day...you're going to have (on average, I'd suspect) about 2-3 hours of class a day and a hell of a lot of time to do your own thing. Now, a lot of that time is going to need to be spent studying. And, like I said, the hardest part of adjusting to college life and academics is learning how to use that time efficiently (or, at least, how not to completely waste that time).

So, I may not be the best person to ask about what Hopkins was like at the very beginning--I got really sick and was repeatedly hospitalized during my first semester. But, I can vouch for how incredible the professors are with helping students catch up. Every professor I've had so far, from the huge lectures to the tiny seminars, has been EXTREMELY accessible. Every email I've sent has been promptly responded to, every extension I've ever asked for has been granted, every problem I've had understanding a particularly difficult aspect of a lecture has been clarified without condescension, and every time I visit a professor, I end up staying way longer than I had intended just to chat. If you're really worried about being able to keep up (and I don't think you should be, you sound like you're really well-prepared to do well here), know that you have a whole host of friendly, accessible, world-class faculty at your disposal.

I hope I've helped! Please don't hesitate to follow up or ask any other questions you have!

Good! :D

During your first semester, your grades will be covered. A grade that is covered is one that only you can see. Your first semester grades will appear on your transcript as S (Satisfactory; C- or above) or U (Unsatisfactory; from D- to D+). The idea is to reduce stress during the first semester and to allow students to focus on becoming acquainted with their community instead of being buried in work right away.

I work as a Research Assistant at the School of Medicine in the Institute for Cell Engineering's Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Biology programs. Really, I do whatever my post-doc needs me to do. Currently, I'm running an experiment during the course of which I've done everything from harvest mouse brains to immunostaining to lesion quantification--none of which I knew how to do before I started researching. Whoever you're working with will teach you everything you need to know!

It's required for most science majors. When it isn't, it's required to graduate with honors in that major. It's a really amazing experience though, and it's really easy for undergrads to get research positions on the Hopkins campuses. Don't let the research requirement turn you away from Mol/Cell or Neuro!

Howdy!

Yeah, Mol/Cell and Neuro are tough majors to double in, but I haven't found the work entirely overwhelming thus far. I think that next semester, when I take Nervous System I and Biochemistry, it will get a little tougher.

It's good that you know that about yourself. That self-awareness is what's going to help you succeed here. You may need to buckle down more than the average student, but I think you'll find that's for the best anyway! However, I don't think that you'll find the work so time consuming that you won't be able to go out on weekends and enjoy college life.

I would say that I study most of the day in between classes and just relax at night. All of my classes are really interesting, so it really never feels like I'm working, you know?

I hope that helps! Feel free to follow up if it wasn't exactly what you're looking for.

Noah G.

Hey, David!

First, congrats on applying ED! It's a big commitment, and I'm thrilled that Hopkins is your first choice!

Regarding the Woodrow Wilson Undergraduate Research Fellowship, it is pretty selective. The program exists to identify and support highly qualified undergraduates who are deeply interested in conducting research as undergraduates. They'll ask you to submit a research proposal, which is really more of a statement of research interests, because you are by no means bound pursue the exact project you proposed in your application, nor are you even bound to conduct research in the same field of study. What they're looking for in applicants, I guess, is a sense of focused excitement--an enthusiasm for research as well as the intrinsic motivation and vision to see a project through from conception to publication. You don't have to publish, though, it's up to you what to do with your work at the end of your time here. The program provides you with support and funding, as well as faculty and student mentors to help guide you.

Did that answer your question? Feel free to ask anything else!

Cheers,
Noah G.

Right, on the WWURFP application, it says: "In the space below, please provide an example of a possible project you might choose to pursue if selected as a Woodrow Wilson Research Fellow. Feel free to discuss past projects you have completed or work of which you are especially proud in your explanation." That's what I meant by the research proposal. Sorry for the confusion!

If you are selected, you will have the opportunity to select a faculty mentor. They do have to be Hopkins faculty.

Best of luck to you!

Hey!

Firstly, congratulations on your acceptance! Welcome Home(wood)! :)

I took Introduction to  Bioethics and Foundations of Modern Political Philosophy. I wouldn't say that the workload was significantly higher than I would have had for a similar class in high school (although I was IB, which was pretty rough, I guess), but what I did notice was that the level of critical analysis and depth of understanding that you were expected to achieve and bring to discussions was on a whole new level.

Your courses are compressed, but remember that you're also only taking one or two courses. So you're really not spending MORE time studying per credit than you would be during the semester. Overall, I'd say that it's really not that bad, but you should expect to spend a lot of time reading treatises and writing essays. I know it sounds weird, but the rising freshmen at SummerHop just sort of naturally congregated at the library all day. It was a nice, central place to hang out and study, and we had a great time.

Yeah, it was exciting! I got to familiarize myself with campus early on, so it was really nice to be able to show my friends where their classes were when classes started in the Fall.

So, my year stayed in Buildings A & B with the high schoolers, but they moved the program to Wolman Hall (which is awesome). You'll still be with all the high school kids, but you really aren't expected to do all the programs directed at them--especially if you're 18.

Let me just say in conclusion that no matter what your reservations are I recommend doing this. It was an excellent decision, and I'm really glad I did it. Plus, I got to move into Wolman a few days before everyone else got to campus in the Fall, because...well...I was just there haha.

I hope I answered everything! Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any other questions!

Yeah, so, funny story...the summer session ended around August 5th or 6th (something like that). I had been recruited to the soccer team, so I was to move into Wolman on or around the 19th.

I moved into Wolman on the 17th (that much I remember), after emailing Housing and explaining my circumstances. However, for the interim of about two weeks, a close friend of mine (who was, at the time, a rising Senior) offered to let me stay in his room at his fraternity's house--which I did.

Obviously, there's no guarantee that you'll be that lucky, but there's always a way to figure things out.

If your biggest problem is whether or not you'll have to take all your stuff back overseas with you, there are definitely low-cost storage rental options that cater to students and that can hold onto your stuff until you get back. You might even befriend an upperclassman who will let you store your stuff in his/her basement. No matter what, you'll be okay.

Hi Noah!

My name is Yi (but most people call me Annie), and I'm extremely excited to be admitted as part of JHU's Class of 2016.  Your posts have been really helpful in demonstrating what makes a JHU student well-rounded.

The only aspect that makes me incredibly nervous about choosing JHU is the academics.  Is there a correlation between working very hard and doing well in your courses?  It seems logical that JHU is tougher than high school, but I'm worried that JHU will be beyond my abilities (since high school was already stressful for me).  I do struggle with testing a bit more than my peers, but studying hard has helped me a lot.  Has there ever been a moment in college when you thought "I'm trying hard, but it's not enough?" Also, do covered grades apply only to first semester freshmen year?

In addition, I would like to pursue a Neuroscience major, but (to be completely honest) I have little background knowledge aside from high school AP Biology and Chemistry.  I will actually be visiting the campus this Thurs. and Fri. (5th-6th), as well as some classes. Are there any classes that you recommend sitting in on?

Thank you so much for taking your time to read this, and have a great Easter!
Cheers, Annie :o)

P.S. It made me smile to see that you say "y'all" a lot.  Being from New Orleans, I can say with a smile: Thank y'all.

Hey Noah!

My name is Miguel, I'm from Portugal, and I just wanted to start by thanking you. You gave me and my family a tour of JHU a couple of weeks ago, and I loved it (I don't know if you remember, but you spoke two sentences in Portuguese because you had a Brazilian girlfriend or something - "Oi tudo bem com você?" and "Eu amo você" , if I recall correctly).  :D

By the way, you're like the greatest tour guide ever, keep up the awesome work! One of the main reasons I'm thinking of applying to Hopkins is because of how convincing and comprehensive the tour you gave was and how excited you are about being a student at Hopkins.

I read somewhere on your forum you took the IB. I'm currently taking the IB as well, and was wondering if you could answer a few questions about the role it played in your application to JHU.

How does JHU view the IB in general? I know it's recognized as challenging and everything, but is AP preferred or anything like that?

How does JHU treat predicted grades? As you know, the IB exams are only at the end of senior year, so, are the high school transcripts and predicted grade equally, or how is it done in terms of assessing the grades themselves? And, that you know of, based on your own predicted grade and stuff and grades from other people who took the IB and are at Hopkins, what would you say is the general number of points most successful JHU IB applicants have as their predicted grades?

How feasible is double majoring at Hopkins? Is double majoring in something like you're doing - neuroscience and molecular and cellular biology - doable or is the workload overwhelming?

Thanks in advance for your help, and keep giving awesome tours and inspiring students like me to apply to Hopkins!

Hi Noah!

I am a die hard JHU fan and am hoping to attend there next year. I'm applying ED and am truly interested in the neuroscience/biology program. As per naviance, only two student from my school have been accepted to JHU. I understand getting accepted to JHU for bio/neuroscience is extremely hard and requires stellar EC, SATs and GPA. Do you think i have a greater chance of getting accepted to JHU if I change my intended major to maybe undecided?

Thank you for your time!
Krishna