Name: Brandon Lawrence
Year: Class of 2008
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Current Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Majors: Philosophy major; minor in Film and Media Studies
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Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening. Whatever time you are reading this blog is the perfect time because I am here to give you the insider information as you apply to Johns Hopkins. First of all, my name is Brandon and I am from sunny Los Angeles, CA; I was a Philosophy major with a minor in Film and Media Studies and I was a member of Spring Fair, started a stand-up comedy club on campus (let’s hope it’s still going strong), and was a very dedicated worker bee in the Undergraduate Admissions office.
Before I begin, I want to congratulate you on making it through high school. And if you’re not a high school senior and you’re still reading this, don’t worry because
everyone is welcome to read my blog. While high school is tons of fun, nothing compares to the experience of going to college. Yes, there are numerous resources and opportunities ranging from studying abroad, internships, alumni connections, excellent professors, and even parties; but the best part about college is proving to your parents that you can indeed survive on your own for four crazy years. And I am here to help you as you get ready to (hopefully) come to Johns Hopkins.
If you’re an early decision admit, congratulations. Now you can sit back and watch your friends pull out their hair, chew up their pencils, and constantly check their mailboxes while you can kick back and relax until September. If you did not apply early decision, do not worry. Take it one day at a time and eventually the acceptances will start rolling in. Now, you might be wondering why I went to Hopkins when everyone is pre-med. WRONG!
Everyone is not pre-med and you don’t have to worry if you do not want to jump on the medical school bandwagon. Actually, I wanted to be a doctor but after a year and a half, I decided to change from being a Neuroscience major to a Philosophy major. So, if you visit Hopkins and hear an admissions counselor talk about how someone changed from being a pre-med Neuroscience major to a pre-law Philosophy major, you can tell him/her that you read the blog of that person. While medical school is no longer in my future, I am happy working as a paralegal in Los Angeles at a firm so crowded that there’s a wait for the elevator while I wait to attend law school in September of 2009.
Enough about me. I could give you stories of how glamorous the working world is with morning rush hour, spilled coffee, broken fax machines, and donuts every morning but this is all about you. I am here to help you as you consider attending Hopkins. Even if you are on the fence or will never attend Hopkins even if the president paid you a million dollars to do so, please keep reading. This is meant to help all (even though most of the information will be mostly related to Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, and Johns Hopkins).
First, college will be nothing like high school! If you are the type of person who can
study the night before your AP Calculus exam and still get the h
ighest grade in the class, it is best to break that habit right now. Do not come to college—especially Johns Hopkins—expecting to study for your Physics final for one night and think you will get an A+. Professors will not hesitate to assign you 500 pages of reading to do in two days. Second, college is better than high school! Whether you’re the most popular person in school or if your best friends include the Bronte sisters, college is going to be the best four years of your life. There is something for everyone and if you love playing Wii Music and no one else in your school does, there will definitely be someone in college who loves playing Wii Music as well. Take my word for it: no matter who you are, what you love, or where you’re from, college is going to knock your socks off. So, let’s kick off my mini-guide to Hopkins.

The best place to talk with friends: Café Q in the Library. While it might sound
dorky, this little coffee shop is the best place to discuss Tolstoy, the most recent episode of Gossip Girl, why you think your TA is hot, or even plan next weekend’s fun-tivities. Trust me on this one. People pass through Café Q all day and I can guarantee you will see someone you know and become totally distracted.
The best place to catch a nap: the desks in the library. While it might seem like it would be uncomfortable, when you’ve been up all night writing a 10-page essay on euthanasia, this little wooden desk will seem like a cloud. Just don’t snore, ok?
The best place to eat the worst possible thing for your body: University Mini Mart (or as all students lovingly call it: Uni-Mini). The best thing about this place is that it is open 24 hours. The bad thing: everything else. With food from chicken parmesan sandwiches, French fries, milkshakes, snack cakes, and anything you order can be drowned in ketchup or deep-fried, this place is the worst if you want to avoid the Freshman 15. But it’s so so so so so good. You are made of stone if you never go to Uni-Mini while at Hopkins.
The best place to get a tan, play Frisbee, get free food, or to relax after a
brutal exam: the Beach. Now, while it doesn’t have water, sand, surfers, lifeguards, or fish, this large stretch of grass is hard to miss. Many people, including myself, have gone to the beach to blow off some steam, to hang with friends, or even play volleyball and why shouldn’t you? Also, it’s wireless, so whenever the weather is nice, feel free to go out and sit on the grass and do some homework, register for classes, check facebook, download music, or buy concert tickets.
The best thing to do on campus: Spring Fair. I have been a member on the Spring Fair staff for 3 years and I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t make a shameless plug for Spring Fair. Every April, for one weekend, tons of vendors selling jewelry, purses, clothing, numerous baubles, and food come out to support the Fair, which happens every April. There are also carnival rides and games and even deep fried Oreos.
Now, I am sure your parents are worried about your survival when you go off to college and here is a survival kit that you MUST bring to Hopkins on your first day. It is a very simple list so it is easy to remember:
1. Snacks: you will get very hungry late at night. So whether your favorite snack is
granola bars, Swedish fish, popcorn balls, or SoyJoy, it is best to buy it in bulk to keep under your bed to chow down on as you’re reading, talking with your roommate, or even if you missed breakfast as you’re running to class because your alarm clock didn’t go off.
2. Favorite TV programs/movies on DVD. My personal favorites include “30 Rock,” “Legally Blonde,” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” This is crucial because if you’re sick, tired from writing a paper or taking an exam, or hanging out with friends, it is good to have a go-to DVD collection when nothing is good on television or
because you don’t feel like going out.
3. Instant Noodles. Not everyone can be Rachael Ray so if you don’t trust your culinary instincts, it is next to impossible to screw up instant noodles. Buy these in bulk too.
4. Vitamins and medicine. Mom and dad aren’t here anymore. While that sounds like paradise, it also means more responsibilities on your behalf—so take care of yourself! You have to stay as healthy as possible when you’re on your own. Classes still are in session when you’re sick so be sure to always take preventative measures so you can always be at the top of your game.
5. A good attitude. This is the final thing on your survival list. Life is full of setbacks and mishaps, but as long as you have a good attitude, you can and will go far. Also, a good attitude will help you develop the friendships and relationships you will remember for the rest of your life.
So, I hope this mini survival guide has helped you in your decision to apply to Hopkins. Good luck! You made it this far so don’t give up now.
***If you enjoyed this alumni blog entry then we recommend you check out Brandon's Guest Blog entry from March 2008 - Explorin' the Town.
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