Hi,
I am in the JHU post-bac program right now, so I hope that I can be of some help. Overall, its a great program and I'm excited that you're looking into it. Have you already heard that you're accepted?
A couple of things:
1) I would first of all recommend that you make entirely certain that you want to be a physician. The program is really expensive and is a pretty big commitment. In other words, don't move all the way to Baltimore unless you are sure this is something you want to do.
2) The major advantage of a post-bac program vs. simply taking pre-med classes at any university is that your schedule is constructed for you and you have access to some of the best pre-med advising around. Hopkins has done a great job at making this advising available (the program director was dean of admissions at Hopkins Med prior to starting this program). Although JHU is a great school, don't expect the classes to be a thousand times better than at any other school. You could go to a state school and do just fine. BUT, like I said, the key advantage to coming here is the advising, and this is really helpful in ensuring you get into medical school.
3) Keep in mind that the program is somewhat new. This next class will be the third class, so it is still in a little bit of a trial phase. This is sometimes not good, b/c it means there are kinks to be worked out, but it is almost always okay b/c the program director is very good about changing things to make them better. So, in one sense, you get to contribute in making a great program even greater.
4) The other major benefits about this program are the tutorial opportunities, the Topics in Modern Medicine course, and the intersession opportunities. Each student does a tutorial with a doctor at Hopkins Med. Campus, and this usually runs the whole year. It is a great chance to get clinical and research experience, and equals a great recommendation letter at the end of the year. The Topics in Modern Medicine course runs during the fall semester, and was amazing. Each lecture focused on a certain medical specialty and/or controversial topic in that area, and was taught by a Hopkins physician in that specialty. A great class...Also, during the intersession (January), there are great oppportunities to work in a hospital in various settings.
All in all, I love the program. I checked out Scripps, USC, Columbia, and Hopkins. They're all great programs, but ultimately Hopkins was the most personal, and offered the best opportunities. There are certainly things that I don't like (I don't want to sound too peppy), but it is still worth it to be here. Feel free to ask me any more questions....
