2015-2016 Johns Hopkins University Application Thread

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Of course there is. There is hope for the alternate list, too. Unless it's an rejection, there is always hope.

I don't know if I've mentioned this here or not, but I met a fair amount of students who came off the AL during my time in Baltimore. Keep showing interest, updates, and if you're meant to be here, you will be 🙂

Oh no haha I was asking if there is a chance of final round decisions being released early next week instead of on April 1.
 
Haha I'm sitting here hoping for the opposite for once - almost have an update ready to send in.
 
I am so nervous about the upcoming round of decisions. I frantically check their admissions Facebook page everyday hoping that they will give an actual date, because based on previous years/rounds they can be up to a week early or late.
 
Are there any current students who could chime in about living in the 929 apartment complex for those of us who were too lazy (or sleep deprived) to go to the tour of the facility before interview day?
 
Would it even be worthwhile to update them at this point? I guess decisions are next week!
 
@(deleted member)
"Pros:
- Convenience: Internet, utilities, TV, washer and dryer etc. are all set up. There's a small but functional 24/7 gym. Someone at the front desk is always there to take packages and maintenance tends to happen fairly quickly. The free Charm City Circulator bus, which takes you to Fells Point and Harbor East also has a stop right outside
- Comfort: Apartments are modern and well-renovated
- Community: Many of your classmates will also be living in 929, so it's easy to coordinate study groups and social activities
- Security: Hopkins security guards are in the area, but exercising street smarts is still a must

Cons:
- Lack of space: The rooms and apartments are functional but small (the 2BR/2BA bedrooms, for example, can fit a bed, desk, chair and cabinet, but little else). In many ways, 929's apartments resemble an upscale but glorified dorm.
- Cost: 929 is expensive. You are essentially paying for the convenience and perceived security of the building.

I think 929 is a decent option for people not familiar with Baltimore. It'll provide for a relatively hassle-free living experience. The neighborhoods here tend to be 'patchwork' in that the 'bad' and 'good' neighborhoods are interspersed between one another. So, it's sometimes hard to gauge which neighborhoods are safe without knowing the area and physically visiting the property. Having said that, I would say that most people move out of 929 after their first year. You can find huge and gorgeous rowhomes for a fraction of the price.

For people looking for housing outside of 929, definitely do ask current students to see if the area is reasonably safe. Hope this helps!"

Wow, thank you so much for this detailed description!! Definitely helps me understand more about 929 versus other options. I fall in to the "I don't really know much about Baltimore" camp. I would love to live In a larger place for cheaper, but don't really know 100 percent where to look. I will definitely ask first year students about it during second look!!
 
Are we supposed to get our aid packages before Second Look Weekend?

Edit: Just spoke with them, they'll be mailing them out early April so we have them before SLW!
 
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They should be the same, because during fishbowl, an MD/PhD student said that he met his MD roommates at second look.

Does anyone know if they will release the decisions tomorrow?
 
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Decisions online, rejected post-interview 😛

Good luck to everyone hearing back today!
 
🙁

Of course, I'm at least sure that somebody will do great things with the spot I wish I'd been offered today!
 
Accepted this morning via portal! I'm still shaking from the shock.

Can anyone here be more specific about revisit date/times? I'm looking to book plane tickets ASAP and don't want to miss anything!
 
I would also like some information to book my ticket ASAP.
I am laughing like a maniac

Accepted this morning via portal! I'm still shaking from the shock.

Can anyone here be more specific about revisit date/times? I'm looking to book plane tickets ASAP and don't want to miss anything!
 
Accepted this morning via portal! I'm still shaking from the shock.

Can anyone here be more specific about revisit date/times? I'm looking to book plane tickets ASAP and don't want to miss anything!

SLW is April 14th - April 17th. Thursday is optional events until an informal meet and greet later in the evening (7:30 PM). Events throughout the day on Friday that are more medically related. Then Saturday is a tour of BMore. Sunday is the day you leave.
 
Yay! I'm so happy for everyone! Can't wait to meet y'all at SLW.
 
Accepted as well! Can't believe it and can't wait to meet all y'all in a few weeks!!
 
What are people doing for housing at SLW? I don't like staying with student hosts but is doing the 929 this time around the way to go?
 
I am so excited for the SLW. Just booked my flight.

I started my 929 Application but since there is a fee for it, I wanna be sure before submitting it.

If anyone wants to split a furnished 2 Bed 2 Bath in that building, message me please.
 
I am so excited for the SLW. Just booked my flight.

I started my 929 Application but since there is a fee for it, I wanna be sure before submitting it.

If anyone wants to split a furnished 2 Bed 2 Bath in that building, message me please.

Where did you find the application for 929?
 
Hi all, I have been accepted to the 2016-2017 HSI program, and I have hoping to gain some insight on where most students live off-campus. I am aware that the courses for the program are at the Montgomery County Campus. If anyone can provide me with information on where most students live or where they would suggest living to optimize one's experience while in the program, I would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you.
 
When do we hear back about hosts for SLW?

From an email sent yesterday...

Hello Hopkins Second Look Attendees!

Our big weekend is just two weeks away and we've already begun to roll out the thousand-mile-long red carpet to welcome you from all over the world. In response to many of the questions we have received, I wanted to take a moment to lay out some of the pertinent logistics for the weekend. Now that we have accepted our final group of applicants, we can begin finalizing many of the personalized specifics for your SLW.

Hosting for the weekend. For those of you who have requested a student host, you will be receiving an email on Monday the 11th that will connect you with your host ahead of your arrival later that week.

Transportation to campus. For those of you who have requested transportation to campus, you will be receiving a personalized email on Tuesday the 12th that will detail how we plan to get you here for SLW. If you finalize your transportation to Baltimore after Sunday the 10th, we will work with you individually to organize a ride for you before your arrival.

Modules. Thank you for expressing your interest in the various modules on Friday! We will have a list of all the module schedules and participants available for you on Friday the 15thso that you will know where to go. Due to limited space and materials for some of these modules, we ask that you stick with the modules to which you are matched.

Potlucks. Your expressed interest in the potlucks on Saturday night are by no means binding, but please keep in mind that the food prepared at each will be done so according to the number of RSVPs. More details on where each of these are and how to get there will be made available on Saturday.

Other things. A full schedule of the weekend's events, information on Baltimore housing options, information on student groups, and so much more will be provided for you once you get to campus. Look for the people in gold SLW shirts if you have any questions throughout the weekend!

I hope this email addresses some of the questions you may have had, but if you have any other inquiries before you arrive, please feel free to reach out to me and I will be happy to help. If you have not yet returned one of the forms, please fill it out as soon as your schedule allows (links at the bottom of the email). We can't wait for your arrival!
 
From an email sent yesterday...

Hello Hopkins Second Look Attendees!

Our big weekend is just two weeks away and we've already begun to roll out the thousand-mile-long red carpet to welcome you from all over the world. In response to many of the questions we have received, I wanted to take a moment to lay out some of the pertinent logistics for the weekend. Now that we have accepted our final group of applicants, we can begin finalizing many of the personalized specifics for your SLW.

Hosting for the weekend. For those of you who have requested a student host, you will be receiving an email on Monday the 11th that will connect you with your host ahead of your arrival later that week.

Transportation to campus. For those of you who have requested transportation to campus, you will be receiving a personalized email on Tuesday the 12th that will detail how we plan to get you here for SLW. If you finalize your transportation to Baltimore after Sunday the 10th, we will work with you individually to organize a ride for you before your arrival.

Modules. Thank you for expressing your interest in the various modules on Friday! We will have a list of all the module schedules and participants available for you on Friday the 15thso that you will know where to go. Due to limited space and materials for some of these modules, we ask that you stick with the modules to which you are matched.

Potlucks. Your expressed interest in the potlucks on Saturday night are by no means binding, but please keep in mind that the food prepared at each will be done so according to the number of RSVPs. More details on where each of these are and how to get there will be made available on Saturday.

Other things. A full schedule of the weekend's events, information on Baltimore housing options, information on student groups, and so much more will be provided for you once you get to campus. Look for the people in gold SLW shirts if you have any questions throughout the weekend!

I hope this email addresses some of the questions you may have had, but if you have any other inquiries before you arrive, please feel free to reach out to me and I will be happy to help. If you have not yet returned one of the forms, please fill it out as soon as your schedule allows (links at the bottom of the email). We can't wait for your arrival!

Huh I definitely did not receive this email. Or any email about the MD portion of second look for that matter.
 
Just looked up the 929 Apartments in Baltimore and the application was on their site.
Here it is: www.live929.com

Are you interested?

Oh ok thanks. I was worried that they might have sent out an email that I didn't get. I'll wait until SLW to have a better idea of where I'll be staying. Will let you know if I decide to do 929.
 
When is White Coat Ceremony?
Family needs to apply/get visas
 
+1 got the aid letter via email earlier today. Pretty generous!
 
Do you guys mind sharing what aid you got. I'm looking at 30k for the first year in scholarship, but I have no idea if that's good because I have no comparison from other schools yet
 
Do you guys mind sharing what aid you got. I'm looking at 30k for the first year in scholarship, but I have no idea if that's good because I have no comparison from other schools yet

Well if you want to make comparisons, you need to provide your personal/family income level (which understandably, most people do not want to do).
 
Do you guys mind sharing what aid you got. I'm looking at 30k for the first year in scholarship, but I have no idea if that's good because I have no comparison from other schools yet
Well I got more than you but it's because I'm poorer. You can only make comparisons with yourself with packages from other schools. Comparing with random people with different financial situations makes no sense and is not informative.
 
Hopkins was definitely more generous than Vandy and the COA is cheaper overall so that's good! Plus they seem to be more generous in terms of need moving forward as my family's EFC will decrease as I progress in med school.
 
I'll need to have an adjustment on SLW made to my EFC or whatever its called because 1/3 of our income will disappear once I quit my job. I'm pleasantly surprised overall, though.
 
I'll need to have an adjustment on SLW made to my EFC or whatever its called because 1/3 of our income will disappear once I quit my job. I'm pleasantly surprised overall, though.
Just FYI (and so you know before you go in to the meeting) the award typically just changes for the year where the effect happens, i.e. they will be like "since the change will affect next year's FAFSA, we will change your award next year." Because we have to reapply for aid each year, right?

Source: undergrad FinAid process, so it might be a different policy for Hopkins...but the pessimist inside me (which is inevitable through the financial aid process haha) thinks that the change for you next year will just be applied to next year's award.
 
Is the max scholarship Hopkins give $50K? I know some other friends who got into other top med schools and have gotten grants on top of full-tuition scholarship, but I'm not sure if that's the case for Hopkins.
 
Is the max scholarship Hopkins give $50K? I know some other friends who got into other top med schools and have gotten grants on top of full-tuition scholarship, but I'm not sure if that's the case for Hopkins.
JHU calls it "scholarship" but it's actually a financial aid grant already. Not to be confused with merit-based money other schools might dish out. No more money should be coming, as everyone is expected to take out some loans
 
Waitlister with a questionquestion: How was second look weekend?

-questionsquestions
Amazing.
It got really busy some days and I think it's important to take some time away from the activities (it was literally packed Friday and Saturday) to learn more about to city and communities you'll be living in. Like, go take the Metro and visit Lexington Market or go down to Fells and see it with your own eyes rather than being a baby duckling and just following, you know?
The activities were suuuuuper cool, I did a lot of hands on stuff, but I heard the talks were also very informative.
The Financial Aid appt wasn't very helpful, but worthwhile.
The upperclassmen get a huge thumbs for all of their hardwork, it truly paid off.
 
SLW was hectic to the extreme, but we are so glad that you guys enjoyed it! Posting the SLW music video here because my classmates are ridiculously talented:

 
What laptop do most students have? I desperately need a new laptop ....
 
What laptop do most students have? I desperately need a new laptop ....
Saw a lot of MBPs and MB Airs during SLW (currents). I will also be getting a MBP in Aug. JHU doesnt have a strict PC policy, so go check out the thread about New Laptops in the Pre Allo forum there are a lot of great suggestions/analyses of brands.
 
Does Hopkins use any of the preclinical NBME shelfs for examination?
 
Does Hopkins use any of the preclinical NBME shelfs for examination?

Don't know for certain but I think they are incorporated in the Genes to Society course as we progress. We'll be taking our first one for neuro/psych at the end of this semester – so June of MS1 – however it's only worth a small portion of our overall grade so there isn't as much pressure to perform exceptionally on it (in fact, some students with high enough scores on previous exams may elect to skip it altogether).

As always, since y'all are in the midst of decision season, please post any questions or whatnot on the forum! Hope everyone had a lively and enjoyable weekend at SLW (we loved meeting the next gen) and good luck with the decision process.
 
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