Hey guys! Well it's two in the morning and I should be heading off to bed. My life has been busy, but I'm loving it. I really can't believe I only have a month left.
We have begun to have a few warm days here on campus: the flowers are blooming and tons of people are out on all of the quads playing around. I love seeing people enjoying themselves and my walks throughout campus have been even happier than usual because we have all come out of our shells to enjoy the sunshine.
I have been keeping my weekends busy. Last weekend I enjoyed some of the Cherry Blossom Festival on a trip to D.C. This weekend was Homecoming weekend. I got the chance of going to an alumni lunch with my boyfriend's family. It is nice to see how many people are still connected to this school. On top of eating a lot this past weekend, I also got to watch Hopkins beat Maryland in the Homecoming game (finally!) Today I participated in a two-game club soccer tournament, we played Towson and American. One of the games was played on the lacrosse field. Let me just say, the field definitely looks smaller from the stands!
My weekdays have been plenty busy too. The last few weeks have been light in terms of workload, but starting this week it begins to be piled on again. Last weekend my roommate and I both hosted prospective students in overnights. I host again on Tuesday night and again next week. Like I said, it doesn't look as though the action-packed days are stopping.
Next weekend my brother and mother are visiting. We will be going to the Hopkins vs. Navy game at Navy and then to the Yankees vs. Orioles game at Camden Yards. I hope I come back in one-piece, after cheering for the visiting team in two games. I am also going to the Yankees game on Friday night...yay $6 student tickets! The following weekend is Spring Fair, full of concerts, prizes, venues, food, etc. I have heard great things about Spring Fair and can't wait to experience it first hand. And you know what is after that...oh no, please don't say it...the dreaded F-word....FINALS.
Anyway, like I said, I SHOULD be going to bed. And sitting here with my roommate asleep next to me only makes me want to go to sleep more. However, I thought that I would start a post with questions and answers that I have been getting at open houses. Some of the questions I will answer because they are being frequently asked, while others I will be answering because I think they are random and funny. (Thanks Admissions Daniel for the blogging idea!) This post will continue to be updated in the next two weeks with more questions from the next two admitted student open houses.
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Questions:
1. What do you do on the weekends?
This is a REALLY tough question to answer, but one that I was asked three times last week. I explained my DC weekend to the students that answered. As you can see from above, my weekends usually get filled up with activities on and off campus. However, every weekend goes by quicker than they ever did in high school. The best answer to this question, would be to ask the student: What do you do on weekends now? Chances are that the same things that you do now for fun on the weekends, you can also do here! So, you're into debate? Then do that on your weekends! Like going to movies? Baseball games? You can do that too. However, your weekends will probably be even better than your weekends in high school because your friends are right HERE. There is very little planning needed to hang out with your friends.
2. How tall are the ceilings in Building A?
For the mother who wanted to know how tall the ceilings are in a typical room in Building A, I will get back to you. I'm still looking for my tape measure.
3. What is the weather like?
For those that came to the past open house, I honestly will say that you guys got an atypical day in terms of weather. The day started off REALLY cold and foggy, and then finally cleared up. However, I must say, most days in April aren't in the 50s. The weather here, compared to my home state (New Jersey), is just a tad bit milder. That means that we missed out on some of the snow that New Jersey got, but still got a little. It also means that the flowers are blooming earlier. I love the weather here. I wanted a place that was warmer than home, and I got it (but not by much.) Please go to this link to check out the weather statistics for Baltimore, MD. In conclusion, please don't judge the Hopkins weather based on your one day here last week...it was fifteen degrees cooler than the month's typical temperature.
4. How does the workload compare to your high school?
Every high school is different. However, no high school completely prepares you for college academics. College academics are different--there are fewer tests, usually less one-on-one interaction, etc. With all of this being said, I find the workload pretty much the same. However, it is definitely higher when a test is coming up. What people don't realize is how much more time is in your schedule in college. I only have fifteen hours of class a week. Yes, I spend another few hours in meetings. And yes, I spend another ten hours working in the admissions office. However, it doesn't compare to the LONG days of high school. So, although I may be spending more time studying, it doesn't feel like it just because of how my days are set up.
5. What do you like most about Hopkins?
I love that I have yet to come up with a "typical" college student. Anyone who visits here will be able to find someone else like them. There is no stereotype, okay, maybe a love for learning...but that's it! I was worried when I was looking at schools that the school would change me because of the type of people that I would be around. However, at Hopkins I have been able to hold on to my values and my personality because there is no typical student.
6. Is there a break dancing team?
Yup!
7. What other schools were you picking between?
Ugh, I hate this question. Seriously every person has different college choices and a lot of it depends on who you are: what you want to be, what you want to major in, where you're from, etc. To answer it simply, I applied early decision here, but the summer before I was deciding between Vassar, Georgetown, and Hopkins to apply early to.
8. Why did you pick to live in Building A?
I knew I wanted suite-style living and I really liked the location of Building A. I like looking out the window and seeing students and the sculpture garden. I wanted to be actually on the campus and close to the FFC and the gym. Plus, I like that Building A is small (only about 120 students) and that I am able to study in my room without many disturbances.
9. Why do the birds chirp at 3 a.m. here?
I have no idea, but I'm hoping my roommate asks in her Animal Behavior class.
*Edit*
MORE QUESTIONS:
10. Is there a pep band on campus?
Yup, we may not have official cheerleaders...but we do have a pep band! Our pep band performs at all the lacrosse games and they do some traveling to. I have never been the musically talented one, but if you were part of this in high school, you definitely can continue in college.
11. Do you need a car on campus?
I did not bring a car on campus and personally I don't think you need one...especially as a freshman. Our campus is very centralized. There have only been a couple of times when I've wanted to go somewhere that wasn't really convenient by walking, escort van, JHMI shutle, and the Collegetown Shuttle. Taxis are expensive here, so I try to avoid them. However, these times I have been able to call an upperclassman who I knew had a car to bring me to wherever. So, my words of advice, well it's up to you, but I would suggest being environmentally friendly and not bringing a car...you'll be surprised by how far you can go without one. Lastly, our campus has a few zipcars on campus which cost $35 to register for and then after that $9 per hour. The great thing about this is you don't have to be 21 to use one of these cars and gas is paid for. Although it may sound expensive now, it's cheaper than parking.
12. Do BMEs have lives?
Yup...I'm not BME, but I've been able to socialize with quite a few. You'll learn quickly that the people who are selected for the BME program are remarkably human, well and remarkably intelligent too. Please read Tanmay's and Liny's student profiles and feel free to ask them any questions about this: http://apply.jhu.edu/hi/profiles/profiles.html.
13. What myth do you want to bust about Hopkins?
I hate this idea that there is only one type of kid at Hopkins. Maybe it was like that at one time, but we can thank the current admissions body for forming a diverse student body, in every type of way, year after year. We have top and unique programs that you may not even know about. You'll be surprised by how few pre-meds you'll find on campus and how many writing seminars majors you'll find instead. There really is no Hopkins type; I don't care what your viewbooks tell you. Once you get on campus you'll look around and see that it would be hard to find person that would not be able to fit in on this campus. I wanted a school that would allow me to be who I am without peer pressure and I have found that at this campus. On a side note, I just want to mention that my suite in Building A consists of four different people of different ethnicities, from different states, and with different majors...and that is why I love Hopkins!
14. Do you feel safe on campus?
Yes! First check out this to see why Reader's Digest rated Hopkins number 1 security: http://www.rd.com/family/parenting/parenting-and-education/is-your-college-student-safe-at-school/article53695.html.
I live in Building A which is on the freshmen quad, so even though I'm on a city campus I don't have to cross any streets to get back to my room. It's amaing how lit-up campus is at night. There are always people on campus on guard. Even with our motion-detecting cameras and blue lights, it's important to have your cell phone, to make sure someone knows where you are, and to have the Hopkins police number in your phone.
15. How large are the typical Public Health classes?
There are only four main classes that all public health majors have to take: Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management, and Environment and Your Health. All four of these classes are lecture courses with around 100 people in them. However, both Biostatistics and Health Policy and Management are broken up into sections, so the size is not overwhelming.
16. I still don't know where to go...what should I do?
This is definitely not my decision! But pro/con lists wouldn't hurt. Pick the place where you feel like you'll fit-in and be happy. Just remember that a lot of people think they know what they want to be in high school and then find another interest in college. Hopkins doesn't have a core curriculum and your advisers will encourage you to explore classes. We will have 50 majors next year (I think we're adding archeology)...that gives you a lot of choices if you decide to switch your intended path. We only have two schools (Arts & Sciences and Engineering) and you are free to move between these schools without applying. Also, people change in college. As I said above, Hopkins also has diversity, you'll be able to find a group of friends for you in a student body that isn't too small that you know everyone, but that isn't too big that you feel like nothing.
Lastly, best of luck in making your decision and feel free to ask me any more questions on my personal thread.
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