Decision time - Johns Hopins vs Amherst college

[Anonymous]

Amherst is going to be more personal and more “cushy” and also more provincial. Hopkins has a different energy because of the grad schools, the research focus, and a lot more diverse students, especially Asian students. I know Amherst is “diverse” but it’s smaller so if you are a student of color there aren’t going to be that many people of your background. I think Amherst has a more athletic vibe.

I would probably choose Amherst because I think personal attention is important to undergrad but it’s really a preference question—they are both great schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not the same as speaking one on one.

[Anonymous]

I'd pick Amherst over JHU. In my mind it's no contest at all. Faculty at the LACs are much more involved in teaching leading to a better undergraduate experience. The alumni networks are also incredibly strong and truly open doors for grads.

[Anonymous]

I would also go Amherst over JHU.

[Anonymous]

Do you live in the DC area? if so, then I say Amherst. The only reason I was going to say JHU was if you are out of the area because you can do DC based internships more easily but if you're here, then summer internships in DC are very possible.

[Anonymous]

For international studies major, Hopkins is better reputation wise. That said, Amherst is an excellent school with good name recognition so she won’t suffer by choosing Amherst.

[Anonymous]

For undergrad education, I would pick Amherst over JHU without hesitation.

[Anonymous]

Amherst, no question.

[Anonymous]

They are so different! Does your kid want an intense, medium-sized research university in an urban setting or a tiny, open curriculum liberal arts college in a New England town? She should really think about which of those environments she wants to spend the next four years in.

The things you said she liked about Amherst’s admitted students day—and what she didn’t like about JHU’s—suggest to me that she wants the small LAC environment. But she really needs to ask herself the above question to be sure.

[Anonymous]

I was an IR major at JHU. I had a good experience there overall, and although it obviously has a reputation for having a grind culture that’s not really so true in the social sciences. The campus is also gotten so much nicer since I went there! I think the biggest difference your kid has to decide on is are they looking for an urban undergrad experience or more pastoral. I really liked being in a city and although Baltimore obviously has parts to stay away from I think it has a lot to offer. But it’s not for everyone for sure.

[Anonymous]

Im confused by your post. Are you working on the assumption Hopkins is perceived to be a better school than Amherst? That's not the case. If kid prefers Amherst, go to Amherst. Arguably Amherst is more prestigious. Are you from another country?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Im confused by your post. Are you working on the assumption Hopkins is perceived to be a better school than Amherst? That's not the case. If kid prefers Amherst, go to Amherst. Arguably Amherst is more prestigious. Are you from another country?

You must be joking. Hopkins is a top 10 national university while Amherst is just a LAC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are so different! Does your kid want an intense, medium-sized research university in an urban setting or a tiny, open curriculum liberal arts college in a New England town? She should really think about which of those environments she wants to spend the next four years in.

The things you said she liked about Amherst’s admitted students day—and what she didn’t like about JHU’s—suggest to me that she wants the small LAC environment. But she really needs to ask herself the above question to be sure.

Hopkins will always favor graduate students over undergrads, and faculty who put research over teaching. I say this as a Hopkins alum.

It has also been documented in their own internal reports.

[Anonymous]

Amherst, hands down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im confused by your post. Are you working on the assumption Hopkins is perceived to be a better school than Amherst? That's not the case. If kid prefers Amherst, go to Amherst. Arguably Amherst is more prestigious. Are you from another country?

You must be joking. Hopkins is a top 10 national university while Amherst is just a LAC.