Decision time - Johns Hopins vs Amherst college

[Anonymous]

DD visited both schools, all had better feeling than before.

But, A was much better than J this time, Admission dean and president both came out greeting students, was treated nice breakfast and lunch, had dorm tour and sit in class, plus other sessions, like career planing, etc. It's a full day event, it shows Amherst really caring about students.

While Johns Hopkins, only admission officer, not even dean, came out to meet us, just some refreshment, nothing else, current student lead a campus tour, no dorm visit, that's it, last less than 2 hours. Campus and surrounding area are fine, safety is not an issue, which we worried about before.

DD is going to study political science, J has much recognized name, and there is an excellent international relation major, even DD like small college, but, for her career or graduate school, would J be a better step stone?

[Anonymous]

Def JHU!

[Anonymous]

Amherst is a great choice. As you experienced, their small size and large endowment allow for a personal experience with amazing resources. It has great recognition among those in higher education and would not hold her back at all in terms of applying to graduate school. The alumni community is also quite tight. My sister is an alum.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't pick any college by their admitted student day events unless actual students or alums confirm that this enthusiasm continues throughout the college experience.

Either is fine at this point...I guess if you plan to major and work in an area that is essentially based out of DC, I would go with JHU if she thinks she may work internships during the school year.

[Anonymous]

The better option is the school at which your daughter will excel based on her courses and environment.

[Anonymous]

Some schools need to work hard on recruitment for a reason. Understand and see past that.

Hopkins is the better school, but your kid needs to find the best fit.

[Anonymous]

They're both outstanding schools. I personally prefer smaller LACs for the quality of UG education. I'm a grad alum of Hopkins and always felt sorry for the lack of attention profs paid to UGs, but perhaps that has improved.

[Anonymous]

Find students at both schools (through parents fb page if you don't know anyone personally) in the program of interest and connect you D with them. I thonk student experiences are informative and helped my kid decide between similarly difficult choices a few years ago.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They're both outstanding schools. I personally prefer smaller LACs for the quality of UG education. I'm a grad alum of Hopkins and always felt sorry for the lack of attention profs paid to UGs, but perhaps that has improved.

Thank you Amherst admissions officer.

[Anonymous]

I don't know that I would say "Hopkins is the better school" like it is a fact.

Hopkins is probably the better choice for the degree field. If that is more important, go for Hopkins.

If the overall campus and environment is more important, I'd give the edge to Amherst.

I will say I wish I had more seriously considered the DC schools and/or schools with really strong programs in public policy. I picked based on the school overall, but my college didn't focus much on helping with career path for students in our department. They now do have a DC program, but they did not in my time - I did all my own legwork to secure a White House internship, that kind of thing.

Just food for thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're both outstanding schools. I personally prefer smaller LACs for the quality of UG education. I'm a grad alum of Hopkins and always felt sorry for the lack of attention profs paid to UGs, but perhaps that has improved.

Thank you Amherst admissions officer.

NP. What an idiotic comment. As if Amherst is such a POS school and JHU is so far superior that is crazy for someone to have this opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're both outstanding schools. I personally prefer smaller LACs for the quality of UG education. I'm a grad alum of Hopkins and always felt sorry for the lack of attention profs paid to UGs, but perhaps that has improved.

Thank you Amherst admissions officer.

Nope, Hopkins grad alum whose high stats kids will not be applying. But will consider for grad school when the times comes.

[Anonymous]

I have visited both schools, and went to JHU for grad school.

I think Amherst is a much better setting for college.

Hopkins is (TBH) a rather greedy institution, that is very much run like a business (so it does not surprise me you felt more "love" from Amherst).

In the DC area, you can't throw a stone without hitting a Hopkins grad. That lessens the gravitas of a Hopkins degree. I think people in the know would be VERY impressed with anyone who went to Amherst.

Good luck on her decision.

[Anonymous]

I have experience with both these institutions and while I usually say not to put too much emphasis on Admitted Student Days (which are a function of the admissions office, with whom your child will have no dealings for the next 4 years), the events you describe seem to capture the cultures of the 2 schools very well

Amherst is perhaps the wealthiest school (endowment $/student) in the country and they provide highly personalized attention and have the money for lavish programming. JHU is famously de-centralized, with faculty and students alike left to pursue their own interests without much attention or interference (for better or worse).

You can't go wrong, it's really up to your student whether they want a small liberal arts college experience or an urban research university experience. I will say JHU is making a huge investment in DC and opening a new school of government there in the coming years - if all things are equal, then maybe that would tip the balance to Hopkins for a political science major

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find students at both schools (through parents fb page if you don't know anyone personally) in the program of interest and connect you D with them. I thonk student experiences are informative and helped my kid decide between similarly difficult choices a few years ago.

Good luck!

Anyone can read opinions of students on the UNIGO website.