Johns Hopkins University Top Questions

Don't apply to too many schools; take advantage of open house and visit prospective schools early. Once you've narrowed down your choices, apply early and never look back. Good luck!

You would be surprised where you would fit in during your four years away from home. Sure, do some research about the college, find out about the area, the professors, and the lifestyle. But all that can only give you so much before getting there. Many times the buzz around a college is a world away from reality. Remember, the thousands of other students choosing any particular college have many of the same fears and hopes as you do. It is the collective effort of how each student deals with those fears and realizes those hopes that make the college experience the one that everyone wants. Talk to actual students from the college and get their perspective on how they would rate their experience. And after that, take a leap of faith and show up to your first day with the best you have to offer.

When choosing the right college, I suggest students visit each school and stay overnight with a current student to get a better feel for the school. Attend a class, eat on campus, walk around campus, and possibly talk to other students/professors. It seems like a lot of work, but compared to the four years a student will spend at the school, this is a smart way. Also, keep in mind that the ranking of the school, however important, should not be the deciding factor. I chose Hopkins over a full ride scholarship to my state school. I certainly don't regret the decision, but certain things would have been different if I chose my state school. I would have the funds to study abroad, and would most certainly take four years to get my degree (I rushed through it in three). But at Hopkins, I studied with very distinguished professors, researched in one of the best medical schools in the country, and I do believe the students I was surrounded with motivated me to reach higher. Everything is give or take, the most important thing is to be active and search for activities at school to get involved in!

Explore all possibilities - research, compare, set up interviews, don't rule out private colleges due to finances, visit a possible choice mutiple times, and get involved with sports, clubs, etc.

Definitely visit the campus prior to choosing the school you want to attend. Don't just take a walking tour. Try and do an overnight program that involves interacting with students who already go to the school so you can get an idea about the social atmosphere. Also, ask current students what they think about the academic side of their campus. Obviously, don't make your decision solely based on their opinions, but you'll at least have a better idea about what really goes on behind the classroom doors besides the facts and figures given on the college's website. Clearly, to make the most of your college experience, you should take classes you enjoy and join clubs to meet people who are into the same things as you.

When selecting a college, it's worth considering what your career ambitions are. If you are pre-professional of any kind, try your best to get into a top-tier university. If you are not sure what is you want to do, or are more concerned with things apart from receiving an education--such as building relationships and having fun--then just about any school will do. It's all about priorities when it comes to quality of life. You can spend your days in the library , or you can party your ass off. It's four years of your life, and you should be honest with yourself regarding your lifetime expectations. College may not determine everything, but it sure determines a lot. Good luck to you.

Don't get duped into what the administration tells you about their school. They spend a lot of money to make it look like a great place to be. Do what you want, don't let anybody tell you where you belong. Anywhere you go there will be plenty of stuff for you. Just remember, college is great and horrible at the same time. Much like life.

Visiting is very important, but it might be a good idea to actually attend a class or two with a current student, to get a gauge of the work load and atmosphere of the school; the feel of a school can often make or break the experience.

Be yourself. Find somewhere that you feel comfortable.

Make sure the college has all the needs that your child values. Make sure the school is easily adaptable and there are resources to help your child if they are struggling.