what's it like to be a student at Hopkins?

[lcole]

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I recently received admission into the DrPH program (international health) at Johns Hopkins.

I was wondering if there was anyone out there who's gone through either the MPH or DrPH? Could you tell me about your experience? I've heard mixed reviews.

 

[utph]

I've also been accepted to Hopkins, mph program. I'd be interested to hear the mixed reviews you heard if you don't mind sharing here or through pm. 🙂

 

[lcole]

Mainly what I've heard is that, since Hopkins is a publish or perish environment for the faculty, professors are more focused on research and less accessible to students. Most of that is hearsay though.

The couple of Hopkins students, who I've spoken to directly, have liked it. I was just looking for more opinions.

Similar concerns for Baltimore. I hear a lot of negativity about the city, but have also encountered several positive reviews. Not sure what to believe.

 

[hankea4]

Mainly what I've heard is that, since Hopkins is a publish or perish environment for the faculty, professors are more focused on research and less accessible to students. Most of that is hearsay though.

The couple of Hopkins students, who I've spoken to directly, have liked it. I was just looking for more opinions.

Similar concerns for Baltimore. I hear a lot of negativity about the city, but have also encountered several positive reviews. Not sure what to believe.

Hi - I visited Hopkins last year for their accepted student’s day. I never matriculated - and therefore can't attest what its like to be a student - however I'm happy to share my first impressions of the school if that's any help.

The student body is more mature and experienced than many other Public Health programs. The school has a global feel within its own walls - they have a sizeable population of international students. The professors I met were dynamic and student-centered, and the Hopkins students I spoke with spoke highly of their profs, saying that they were accessible and had an “open door policy.” (Keep in mind, these were MHS students in the Health Policy track, so there may be differences between departments and degree programs.) My overall impression of the school was that it’s really a top notch place.

The elephant in the room, of course, is Baltimore. I think they’re trying to clean it up and gentrify some parts, but it’s still seems very unsafe. The students on the panel kind of laughed when someone in the audience asked if they felt safe walking around at night. (The answer was a definitive no.) Basically, you can’t walk 2 blocks in one direction alone, and you pretty much can’t walk to class from most neighborhoods. One guy said that there’s a prison by campus that he cuts through on his walk to school. This route apparently made him feel “safer” b/c the inmates were locked up, adding more hilarity to the discussion. Fells Point / the Inner Harbor is a nice area (although more pricy). If you are looking to work with at-risk and underserved groups, Baltimore really needs your help.

Basically, my advice to go visit Bloomberg and Baltimore if you have not already done so survey the scene. I’m a fan of reserving judegement/decisions until you've felt things out in person.

 

[INTPThinker]

I can speak on Hopkins. I work there and take classes there. The area is not safe. However, there is security all over campus. You can get police to escort you if you feel unsafe. There are shuttles to get you around the hospitals and in between homewood and jhsph. It actually drops you off at the door of the school so this is good. If you live along the shuttle route, you basically have door to door service. From the full time students I have talked from group activities in classes, most people are paying for the name. The teaching is hit or miss. However, they have awesome lectures and great speakers on campus. I would not set expectations on your actual classes but the networking is great the school. It can't be matched.

 

[utph]

I also hear a lot of contradictory information... I'm going to visitor's day in March and will just decide for myself. If you can't go, I'd be happy to share my observations.

As far as the city, I've never been..but a close friend is from there and she told me it's really not that bad. It has bad neighborhoods like any city. I've been told that the campus is actually extremely safe because Hopkins has spent so much money on security. Of course, I've heard the opposite too, but not from anyone that currently lives there.

Check out the campus security data for Hopkins of recent years:
http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=hopkins&s=all&id=162928

And then check out other schools like Harvard and Columbia:

http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=harvard&s=all&id=166027

http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=columbia&s=all&pg=2&id=190150

 

[INTPThinker]

I also hear a lot of contradictory information... I'm going to visitor's day in March and will just decide for myself. If you can't go, I'd be happy to share my observations.

As far as the city, I've never been..but a close friend is from there and she told me it's really not that bad. It has bad neighborhoods like any city. I've been told that the campus is actually extremely safe because Hopkins has spent so much money on security. Of course, I've heard the opposite too, but not from anyone that currently lives there.

Check out the campus security data for Hopkins of recent years:
http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=hopkins&s=all&id=162928

And then check out other schools like Harvard and Columbia:

http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=harvard&s=all&id=166027

http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=columbia&s=all&pg=2&id=190150

The city does have a few nice spots. I usually hang out on the inner harbor. They have a lot of nice restaurants, bars, clubs, and shopping.

http://baltimore.org/baltimore-neighborhoods/inner-harbor

Fells point and federal hill and mt vernon are some other spots grad students usually hang out at

there is definitely enough stuff to keep you entertained while in school

I think the only thing I do differently is I take cabs a lot more or I will try to stay out the whole night if I go out because it isnt safe to drive around or walk too far at night

 

[utph]

Thanks for the input INTPThinker. What about daytime? In your opinion...if you stick to the Inner Harbour/Fells Point/main areas during the day, do you feel like it's ok for women to walk around alone? Are there any parks that are safe during the daytime to go jogging, etc?

 

[INTPThinker]

Thanks for the input INTPThinker. What about daytime? In your opinion...if you stick to the Inner Harbour/Fells Point/main areas during the day, do you feel like it's ok for women to walk around alone? Are there any parks that are safe during the daytime to go jogging, etc?

The inner harbor has a path you can jog on by nice new expensive condos. This is the only place I would jog in the city. Daytime, I still would not walk too far off campus. The key is to learn where not to go. I would advise anyone moving here to subscribe to crime alerts. It is helpful so you can learn how to protect yourself. Keep your valuables at home and don't leave laptops near windows at home. I have heard of students houses getting broke into because they had their expensive toys visible through the window. It is important to use common sense here. A lot of cities you can be kind of careless and carefree and not have problems. Just stay aware around here of surroundings and you will be fine.