Is Hopkins too intense

[mumpers]

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I'm thinking about taking an offer at HOpkins but I'm a little worried that it will be so intense that I won't get the same experience socially as I might at one of the other schools. Does anyone go there or know people who go there. Does anyone ever tell you they LOVE it ( non science and med school freaks- normal students).

 

[MSHell]

Didn't you post this in pre-allo too?

 

[mumpers]

yep. just trying to get any responses i can. thanks.

 

[Mutt]

Who care where he posts it, the man needs some serious help. This is a good question and exactly what these forums are for....

 

[PiccoloPlaya]

Um...dude...you do realize medical school is hell no matter where you go? Yep, even in the Caribbean. Go to Johns Hopkins. Most people would KILL to go to a top-notch institution like that. I would. I'm already jealous of you getting into Hopkins instead of me, so I'm gonna be pissed 😡 if you don't go. Plus, it can open doors for you. I'd love to go there for residency. It's almost as good as Mayo I hear?

I'm thinking about taking an offer at HOpkins but I'm a little worried that it will be so intense that I won't get the same experience socially as I might at one of the other schools. Does anyone go there or know people who go there. Does anyone ever tell you they LOVE it ( non science and med school freaks- normal students).

 

[ramblinwreckie]

i'm in a similar position as mumpers.

Do any med students here have thoughts on choosing between Duke and Hopkins? I want to pursue a career in academic medicine, and I know the Hopkins name would help. Is the gap in prestige between Duke and Hopkins significant?

 

[sammy.go.to.jhu]

i've heard there are people at hopkins that are "normal"... and maybe even a few who aren't "med school freaks" ... i'm not sure if they are "ivy" material, but i think you'd have a good time. who likes my excessive use of "quotes"??

 

[Mumpu]

I haven't heard good things about Hopkins. It has a reputation for malignant competition between students.

Piccolo, there are various circles of hell. Reading these forums, it appears I've had a MUCH easier 3 years than a lot of people. Same education (if you believe Step 1 scores, etc.) but a lot less malignancy, mean residents, hellish hours, and so on...

Mumpers, what are your other choices?

(I'm not related to mumpers, btw 🙂)

 

[lyragrl]

I haven't heard good things about Hopkins. It has a reputation for malignant competition between students.

Piccolo, there are various circles of hell. Reading these forums, it appears I've had a MUCH easier 3 years than a lot of people. Same education (if you believe Step 1 scores, etc.) but a lot less malignancy, mean residents, hellish hours, and so on...

Mumpers, what are your other choices?

(I'm not related to mumpers, btw 🙂)

Schools have reputations, but be careful what you read on line and cull from the rumor mill. For instance, I'm at Columbia, which has a reputation of having lots of gunners, which is blatantly untrue. So your best bet is to find a few people at the school to talk to, preferably through friends rather than through the admissions office. (Since you'll probably get a broader perspective.) Good luck.

 

[woolie]

I would take JHopkins if they took me. Intense I don't mind. What an awesome education! I think medical school can be intense no matter how you slice it. In 30 years when you look back, what kind of career do you want to see? I think JHop can give you a great foot forward and you can make friends there just as you would at any other school.

 

[justawonderin]

I don't know a whole lot about Hopkins or Duke or any of those places. But my advice to you is not to choose a school based on reputation alone.

Go where you think that you will be comfortable. Go where you got a good vibe at the interview, and sort of hit it off with the faculty. Go some place that has friends/family around for support, and things to do that you like, in a climate/atmosphere that you thrive in.

If you decide on a program based purely on reputation, or number of gunners, or number of faculty publications, or whatever, and not one that seems to fit you, you are likely in for a rough 4 years.

Just my .02

 

[quideam]

Keep in mind that Duke does ALL of their basic sciences in ONE year. In my opinion, that's a little crazy (but that's just me). As for choosing schools, I personally feel that the grading system is what really makes or breaks your experience the first two years. If you can, try to go to a P/F school - it makes your life much easier not having to worry about getting that one extra question right to have a shot at honors. If your top choices aren't P/F, then go with H/P/F - that's what my school has, and it's not great, but it's better than outright H/HP/P/F.

Good luck! Hopkins and Duke are both top schools - in the end, you really can't choose incorrectly (or at least not EXTREMELY incorrectly).

Quid

 

[ramblinwreckie]

Keep in mind that Duke does ALL of their basic sciences in ONE year. In my opinion, that's a little crazy (but that's just me). As for choosing schools, I personally feel that the grading system is what really makes or breaks your experience the first two years. If you can, try to go to a P/F school - it makes your life much easier not having to worry about getting that one extra question right to have a shot at honors. If your top choices aren't P/F, then go with H/P/F - that's what my school has, and it's not great, but it's better than outright H/HP/P/F.

Good luck! Hopkins and Duke are both top schools - in the end, you really can't choose incorrectly (or at least not EXTREMELY incorrectly).

Quid

Thanks, quid. 🙂

Duke's curriculum is one of the reasons why I chose it over other schools before May 15th. I like the idea of getting the preclinical classes over in one year. Those classes will be rough regardless of how long they take to complete. I guess the sooner the better. Unfortunately, neither is P/F.

 

[liger1980]

duke and hopkins are both awesome schools -- and the gap is nonexistent from my point of view; in fact with the hard grading at hopkins, it may even be a bonus to go to duke (though to be honest, i don't know how stingy they are with grading at duke, but it can't be as hard as hopkins). If you are choosing b/w hopkins and another school that is not a top-tier school, there's no doubt in my mind that you should choose hopkins. When you apply for residency from schools like these, it's a whole different outlook on where to apply/how many programs/etc....not necessarily fair, but that's just the reality of medicine. I have more than a few friends at Hopkins, and as long as you won't become horribly depressed by not getting Honors, you'll do just fine and will be able to enjoy a social life.
I'm at another "big-name" east coast school, and having seen our match lists for a few specialties, i know that we loaded up with applicants from both duke and hopkins. They both will be more intense then most schools, but it's certainly not anything that you can't handle if you got in, and i would say that judging from the success they've had with the match that i've seen, it's clear that residencies feel they are excellently trained. You can't go wrong either way.

 

[star1080]

lol is hopkins too intense...
i went to jhu for undergrad, and it convinced me not to even APPLY.
i did research after i graduated, and the first years (that i recognized from my undergrad class) were the FREAKS.
i personally think there is more to life than grades and names, but if that's your thing, go for it. meanwhile, we'll all be MD's and i'll have less gray hair.

just kidding, good luck on the decision, and if you need more info about hopkins med or the baltimore ghetto, let me know.