For Johns Hopkins, I was fortunate enough to interview a person who chooses to stay anonymous! She is so sweet and kind and shared some amazing advice and tips if you're interested in John Hopkins! Thank you so much for your kindness and willingness to help high school students out!
How would you describe the weather at JHU? Does it frequently snow? What would advise students to bring when coming to JHU?
"The weather at JHU is generally pretty nice! If you’re from the east coast, I think you’ll find that the seasons are generally similar. For the fall/spring, I would bring some comfortable sneakers or at least shoes comfortable enough to wear on the cobblestone next to the beach (if you’re ever wearing heels, walk down the left side of the beach!). For the winter, invest in a nice, padded, LONG coat that’ll keep you warm between classes. Keep in mind that the sun sets earlier in the winter, so it gets especially cold after 5, which is around when you start having clubs/extracurriculars. I don’t think boots are as necessary, at least personally, but ankle-length rain boots can be nice in the fall. And always keep an umbrella in your backpack!"
What makes Johns Hopkins so special to you? Was it your first choice and your dream school?
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"Hopkins wasn’t actually on my list originally, and I kind of applied on a whim after I had applied everywhere else. I was actually so sure that I wouldn’t get in that I napped through my decision. Despite this, I’m really glad that I ended up at Hopkins. For me, it’s the perfect environment both academically and socially. Everyone admitted to Hopkins is undeniably talented, and it really is a flourishing collaborative environment. I’ve never felt that we’re too academically competitive in a negative sense; rather, my classmates have always been more than willing to help. We have academic programs like PILOT, the Learning Den, departmental help rooms, the Writing Center, and plenty of other resources available to students. Almost everyone I know has singed up for PILOT for at least a semester, so there’s absolutely no stigma around it. Grade deflation also isn’t as big of a problem as it is sometimes made out to be. I can’t speak for everyone, but it seems to me that for most, you work for the grade that you get, and the average grade for someone who does the readings and keeps up with the work in a class is a B+/A-. Something that I appreciate about our academic program of study is that we’re free to double major/minor across KSAS and WSE and even take classes at Peabody (and the graduate schools), all of which I have done/am doing!"
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"Because there is a strong academic culture here and most people put their studies first, there’s also no pressure around “going out” every weekend. You definitely can if you want to, but everyone understands if you can’t make an event because you have to study. Greek life is very different here as well, so I would encourage everyone who is interested to go to recruitment events and see if it’s the right fit for you!"
Were you awarded financial aid? If yes, did it lift off some pressure?
"I am personally on financial aid, as are many others at JHU. The financial aid office was really accommodating, and it definitely solidified JHU as my top choice. I’m very fortunate to have been a recipient of Bloomberg’s donation starting my freshman year."
What is one thing you wished you did more research on before applying to colleges?
"I wish I had looked beyond the prestige of colleges and actually considered location, cost, and flexibility in academics. Fortunately for me, everything really did work out for me at Hopkins, but I would strongly encourage everyone to think beyond your 4-year career in college and the resources whatever schools you’re choosing between offer you in preparation for post-graduation. That sounds kind of crazy considering that at that point, you’re a high school senior, but some internships or job opportunities are much more available in certain locations. Of course, this all depends on your priorities—academic prestige may be more important to you than internship opportunities, which is perfectly fine, but I would say to at least consider all of those aspects at least once before making your decision. (This may be more relevant for those choosing between colleges after decisions have been announced.)"
What is one tip you would give to high school students, especially juniors who are currently searching for college to apply? Should they research how good the food is, the weather, or how prestigious the college is?
"I would say to start thinking about your personal statement/essay early. College essays are unlike any other papers you have written before, so it can be really difficult if you start for the first time in September. The college application process is an incredibly stressful time, and it can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, and keep pushing through it!"