Why Hopkins: Let's Hear from the Students

Earlier this week was our third and final Admitted Student Open House and thankfully Mother Nature finally delivered some nice weather. During the first Open House on April 7th we dealt with 40 mph winds and 40 degree weather -- actual snowflakes were seen in the afternoon. Then for the second Open House on April 14 we experienced torrential rain, high winds, and once again temperatures in the 40s. Thankfully we did not complete a trifecta of horrid weather days on April 21, as we had mostly sunny skies, and high 60 degree weather for the final Open House. In total for the three programs, we had record crowds, and almost universally positive praise for how the programs when (despite the weather and the crowds).

With the Open Houses done, and the end to our re-visit programs for admitted students, there is now a countdown until the May 1 decision deadline. As it stands now many of the admits have made their decision -- great decision for those choosing to be part of the JHU Class of 2013. However, some of you still have decisions to make. With just one week left, I thought I would continue the WHY HOPKINS theme. I have two final posts in mind, this one where you get to hear from current students, and one final entry where I provide some last minute advice (expect that entry later this weekend).

During the month of April, I am a huge advocate in connecting the newly admitted students with current JHU students. I am a firm believer that to decide whether Hopkins is right for you, learning about it directly from your peers is the best way to make a decision. Earlier this month I actually asked all the Hopkins Interactive students to dedicate one of their blogs to the admitted students of the Class of 2013, and respond in general to the WHY HOPKINS question.

So, for those of you still on the fence ... read these entries and hopefully it helps make the big decision a bit easier. And for those of you who have already chosen to become a blue jay, I suggest reading the entries too as it will just make you even more excited for Orientation and Move-In at the end of August.

[The titles of the blogs link to the entry, and the student's name links to their profile page.]
{The pictures throughout the entry were taken during the final Open House.}

3 Huge Things JHU has Done for me: Andrew
"I came into Hopkins thinking I was going to major in one thing and left with a completely different passion and a serious sense of direction. If I hadn't taken that leap and tried classes in unfamiliar departments, I never would have found direction. "

Congrats, Class of 2013: Brian
"No matter what, you owe it to yourself to at least come and check us out! You did all that work on your application, your teachers wrote your recommendations, and because you're awesome, the Admissions team decided to admit you!"

Whoo 2013!: Dominique
"Anywho, congrats! You're the lucky ones out of 16,016 applicants that were admitted...I'd feel very happy if I were you. I know the process of choosing a college is hard, but here are some things to remember in the process..."

Congrats and My Story: Esther
"For many of you there will be a variety of institutions that have offered their services as well and now is the time to choose. Now it is time for you to admit a college into your life. The tables have been reversed and it is your turn to choose."

Decisions, Decisions: Jackie
"Of course my favorite part of Hopkins is the people I have met while going to school.  I really have had a great time and can't believe I am almost a senior.  College goes by so fast, I really am not exaggerating."

An Ode to Hopkins: Jessica
"Looking back, Hopkins has gone beyond any path that I thought it would help me path. I cannot tell you what it would be like for you to attend another school, but I can tell you what Hopkins had done for me that has gone beyond my expectations."

Lucky Ones: Josh
"So I've turned this blog into more of a how-to/advice column the past few weeks.  Why stop now?  But here I'm going to help those of you out there who were recently given the good (and/or bad) news about college."

Looking Back, Would I Pick Hopkins Again?: Julia
"I guess there's two ways to think about this.  Am I looking at this from the perspective that there are schools to which I did not apply that I would have applied to if I could do this again?  Or am I looking at this as if I have to choose between the same schools I got into four years ago? "

Don't Worry: Kate
"Do whatever you need to do to arrive at a decision by the end of the month regarding your college selection. However, you don't need to fret about the outcome. You'll be fine in the end."

Congratulations to all the Accepted Students: Laura
"I remember getting my Admissions letter in the mail; lets just say it was a great day; It was sunny, I was driving home Saturday afternoon after going shopping with my mom and getting new shoes, Hopkins was the ONLY school I hadn't heard back from (and at that point probably my first choice), opening the mailbox and having a big package from Hopkins waiting for me. I screamed. It was wonderful."

I heart Hopkins: Lauren B
"It made me think about my decision to come here. I think the most important thing is to just do whatever it is that will make you happy, and go to whatever school that may be. Concerned friends, parents, siblings, boyfriends, girlfriends, etc. are all very well and good, but at the end of the day, they won't be the ones to attend Hopkins, you will (hopefully!)."

Remembering What Matters: Lauren C
"Choosing which college you attend is a big decision and this may sound cliche, but as long as you make sure you're following your heart {and your budget!}, you will do fine."

congrats to the class of 2013: Mandy
"I guess a good place to start would be why I first chose Johns Hopkins University.  After all, I am from North Carolina and there are many fine institutions close to home.  Part of it was that I wanted to get away from home.  Just a little bit.  A six-hour drive/one-hour flight is perfect for me.  I loved Baltimore.  And the Orioles."

"Don't worry, you were always out, Looking towards the future": Peter
"Ok, well, I'm off to go enjoy the warm weather outside. I hope everyone enjoys themselves, and remember: Wherever you choose to attend, enjoy your time there. College is a life-changing thing (cliché, I know), so make the best out of your time at school, even if it wasn't your dream school."

So What Now?: Rohit
"Visiting college campuses sealed the deal, and so if you have the time, I would definitely recommend coming to visit now that you're in. If you're going to pledge yourself somewhere for the next 4 years, shouldn't you visit first?"

Oh Hopkins, My Hopkins . . .: Roxi
"And it is from that perspective that I'm going to write. Not as someone who was super sure and hell bent on going to Hopkins, but as someone who had to discover for herself why Hopkins was ultimately the right choice and what it has afforded me."

As We Go On . . .: Saznin
"I could enumerate all of the great things about Hopkins, but nothing is more convincing than coming here and experiencing it for yourself. I can only hope that it will make as strong of a good impression on you as it did on me."

Where to Now?- Tanmay
"Right now, many of you all are in the same situation that I am in, trying to decided where to spend the next four (or in my case, at least 7) years of our lives. I was in the same situation as well four years ago, trying to decided what college I thought would be my best choice. "

Hopkins Galore - Wafa
"One of the most difficult decisions you will ever make is where you choose to attend college, but it also one of the most exciting. Choosing where you go to college is not just deciding where you want to study and learn, but live, grow, thrive and become the person that you want to be."

In addition to these blog entries, I recommend the following message board threads from the Hopkins Forums:

Why I chose to attend Hopkins? Top five reasons

A Letter to Yourself - Before Coming to Hopkins, Looking back,what advice would you give?

Of All The Things You've Learned ...

Comments

[JHU_Dominique]

Man that picture doesn't do Jameel's sail boat pants justice!!

[Jackie]

I'm sad I wasnt able to be there. Looks like you guys had great weather!