Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 00:14     Subject: Hopkins or UVA or Georgetown
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Have two at UVA now, one Echols, one non-Echols. Echols is a slight boost but not huge, only gets you to the head of the line in your class year, not ahead of higher class year students. [/b]It is sometimes tough to get classes 1st and 2nd year in some areas [b]but by 3rd and 4th year you will be able to get all requirement for any declared major/minor. Don't let that be the deciding factor.


That would worry me. This is a question we asked students at the schools we toured. There were some schools where students said it was a big problem.


Please re-read op’s post.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 19:56     Subject: Hopkins or UVA or Georgetown
I think for public policy or IR, Hopkins or Georgetown if going to SFS.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 19:49     Subject: Hopkins or UVA or Georgetown
Anonymous wrote:If I were your kid I would choose either Hopkins or Georgetown. Great options. Congrats!


+100
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 19:24     Subject: Hopkins or UVA or Georgetown
Another important factor here is that UVA consistently has one of the highest 4 year graduation rates in the country. Both last year and this year it was second (tied this year) out of all universities in the USNWR rankings.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/highest-grad-rate

If kids were having that hard of a time getting the classes they need you would see it reflected here.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 19:19     Subject: Hopkins or UVA or Georgetown
Anonymous wrote:Student is attending admitted events for all 3. Non-stem. Public/international policy/government/ethics/undecided.

We have big concerns about being able to get courses at UVA - not being awarded Echols. We have heard from many disappointed parents/students that kids are not getting into certain core courses/electives, such that some couldn’t obtain minor they desired, etc,

^ if UVA families could speak to above, it would be great help.

Given that which of the 3 would you choose?


If you had actually heard this from “many” parents/students then you wouldn’t need to ask here.

It sounds more like you heard a stereotype and are wondering if it is true. And it’s not really.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 17:50     Subject: Hopkins or UVA or Georgetown
If I were your kid I would choose either Hopkins or Georgetown. Great options. Congrats!
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 14:57     Subject: Re:Hopkins or UVA or Georgetown
Hopkins! DCUM will tell you that it’s too deflated and that the area is bad. Both are wrong.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 14:49     Subject: Hopkins or UVA or Georgetown
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Who’s the “we?”

I had two kids graduate from UVA and neither was Echols and there were no issues. But hey if you’re willing to spend twice as much for that silly reason it’s your money.


Not a silly reason. JHU far better, and endless resources. New Bloomberg Student Center is wonderful!


+1 great to be non-stem there u can shine
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 13:54     Subject: Hopkins or UVA or Georgetown
Anonymous wrote:Let your child choose. Hopkins is in a bad area. Georgetown is in a great area but there is still crime. Georgetown is Catholic.


Ha! Where do you live? Obviously not close-in. We are 2 miles from Georgetown. The crime on the mall at Charlottesville isn’t much different late night.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 13:52     Subject: Hopkins or UVA or Georgetown
Anonymous wrote:Let your child choose. Hopkins is in a bad area. Georgetown is in a great area but there is still crime. Georgetown is Catholic.


The undergrad (Homewood campus) is not in a bad area. The campus there is very safe.

Georgetown is Jesuit. A Jesuit education is notoriously great.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 13:47     Subject: Hopkins or UVA or Georgetown
Let your child choose. Hopkins is in a bad area. Georgetown is in a great area but there is still crime. Georgetown is Catholic.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 13:46     Subject: Hopkins or UVA or Georgetown
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Student is attending admitted events for all 3. Non-stem. Public/international policy/government/ethics/undecided.

We have big concerns about being able to get courses at UVA - not being awarded Echols. We have heard from many disappointed parents/students that kids are not getting into certain core courses/electives, such that some couldn’t obtain minor they desired, etc,

^ if UVA families could speak to above, it would be great help.

Given that which of the 3 would you choose?


Echols and scholars are only about 5% of the incoming class - so about 200 students out of 4000. Yes, they get priority in registering, but it is a very small group of kids and they are are in all different majors. My son is a 3rd year at UVA and has had a great experience. He is Echols, though, so I can't speak to the class selection part.


This is your answer.


DP. Not really though. This person’s kid is an Echol’s scholar and she notes cancer I finally speak to OP’s main worry.


Weird autocorrect: can only speak to
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 13:45     Subject: Hopkins or UVA or Georgetown
Anonymous wrote:Have two at UVA now, one Echols, one non-Echols. Echols is a slight boost but not huge, only gets you to the head of the line in your class year, not ahead of higher class year students. [/b]It is sometimes tough to get classes 1st and 2nd year in some areas [b]but by 3rd and 4th year you will be able to get all requirement for any declared major/minor. Don't let that be the deciding factor.


That would worry me. This is a question we asked students at the schools we toured. There were some schools where students said it was a big problem.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 13:43     Subject: Hopkins or UVA or Georgetown
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Student is attending admitted events for all 3. Non-stem. Public/international policy/government/ethics/undecided.

We have big concerns about being able to get courses at UVA - not being awarded Echols. We have heard from many disappointed parents/students that kids are not getting into certain core courses/electives, such that some couldn’t obtain minor they desired, etc,

^ if UVA families could speak to above, it would be great help.

Given that which of the 3 would you choose?


Echols and scholars are only about 5% of the incoming class - so about 200 students out of 4000. Yes, they get priority in registering, but it is a very small group of kids and they are are in all different majors. My son is a 3rd year at UVA and has had a great experience. He is Echols, though, so I can't speak to the class selection part.


This is your answer.


DP. Not really though. This person’s kid is an Echol’s scholar and she notes cancer I finally speak to OP’s main worry.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 13:29     Subject: Hopkins or UVA or Georgetown
Have two at UVA now, one Echols, one non-Echols. Echols is a slight boost but not huge, only gets you to the head of the line in your class year, not ahead of higher class year students. It is sometimes tough to get classes 1st and 2nd year in some areas but by 3rd and 4th year you will be able to get all requirement for any declared major/minor. Don't let that be the deciding factor.