Lavaplatos

I just got off Duke's waitlist today and now I have to pick between the same schools-- this is a very difficult decision. Both are essentially equal academically, but they offer very different social scenes and are in very different locations. Duke has basketball, but I wouldn't be able to compete on the track team, whereas at JHU I'd be a strong contributor. However, track isn't a huge deal to me.

What would JHU offer that Duke wouldn't?

Thanks.

bonanza

As they say in real estate--location, location, location.

Duke is in Durham. Have you walked around downtown Durham? Not much there. But there is a lot of anger. Town-Gown relations between Duke and Durham are probably the worst anywhere. That's largely what caused the lacrosse team scandal last year. Duke has a wonderful campus (actually two) but, after a while, you want to go off campus.

Baltimore has its problems--but it is a large city with much much more to offer than Durham. It is also less than an hour from DC, less than 2 hours from Philly, and a little more than 3 hours from the Big Apple. When you get itchy to leave campus, there is someplace to go. Hopkins has town-gown problems too--but mostly in East Baltimore (the medical campus) where Hopkins is building a bio-tech park. At Homewood, relations with the Charles Village community is mostly good.

YanksDolphins

What are you into academically?

Lavaplatos

I'm interested in majoring in Pyschology, Neuroscience or Cognitive Science (which seems to be a nice combination of humanities and sciences). It's possible I'll go to medical school but it's also quite possible I'll end up pursuing a graduate degree in one of these brain sciences (or another area entirely for all I know).

So essentially strong sciences with healthy access to humanities.

Kyuu

...wait what.

I have the Duke WL letter in front of me. It says: "After about May 15, when we have been able to process all responses to our offer of admission, we determine how many, if any, spaces are left in our entering class." And later in the letter it still specifically says AFTER May 15th.

...um, my calendar still says April 30th.

ecco1mi

i'm a cogsci major at jhu. i think it's a pretty great major.

Lavaplatos

I received a call from my regional admissions rep saying I'd receive an admit packet in a few days.

Yeah I talked to one of the cognitive science professors when I visited JHU and it sounded awesome. I don't think Duke has an exact correlate program; it seems I'd have to work with the university to tweak the existing psychology major.

goblue10nis

Duke has awesome neuroscience and research opportunities for undergrads. Granted, I am biased since I also just got off their waitlist as well, but it has the reputation of being less cut-throat for premed than Hopkins (I know I'm going to get ripped for saying this on this board, but its just what I've heard). The campuses are pretty different so go where you feel comfortable. Personally, I like Duke more but I think being able to run track for Hopkins would be pretty cool. Since they are both very good schools I guess you can't really go long.

bluedog

@Lavaplatos.

Duke's neuroscience program is very strong and a know many people in that field. In fact, Duke recently renamed the Psychology department to "Psychology and Neuroscience" to show its emphasis shift. It's easy to do research in cog psych labs and the program is well-respected. I'm sure JHU's program is also strong. It really comes down to personal preference and social life. I thought I'd fit in better at Duke from a social and academic standpoint at Duke, so I chose Duke. Others might feel differently. Also, Durham is not as bad as people say and the town-gown strained relations are overblown. No, I don't really have Durhamites who are friends, but I don't see them at all, so it doesn't really affect me. There's not an outward dislike that I have detected in my four years at all. Honestly, do most people become super friendly with Baltimore residents at JHU? Unlikely. Most people stay on campus and are friends with other students. Obviously, if you do some community outreach program then you become friendly. I just got a much better vibe from Duke and thought I'd be happier, but that is a judgment call you are going to have to make for yourself, obviously.

WealthOfInformation

After reading your thread, Hopkins, Hopkins, Hopkins.

1) They wanted you right out (duke doesn't deserve you).
2) The departmental rep is better, and students are brilliant and fun. Major, major research options and so much money for it too.
3) You get to be in the city on the east coast so getting anywhere is very easy.
4) Baltimore & JHU get along very nicely.

Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus

Phead128

Neuroscience is one of the most popular majors here. It is probably the second or third most popular after BME and Public Health. In fact, I have a friend who specifically applied here to Hopkins early decision because of the neuroscience program. I have another friend who was indecisive between Stanford and Hopkins for neuroscience and choose Hopkins since he wanted to go to medical school, wanted to do research, and wanted to be in a large city.

YanksDolphins

Although I have not seen Duke and I assume it is quite nice, being at Hopkins is like being in the middle of a park. Perfect grass, trees and flowers everywhere, a very warm atmosphere.

alonzojhu

get your facts straight Phead, BME is one of the smaller majors

coolguyusa123

Alonzo, are you serious? BME is THE LARGEST major out of AS/ENG. Look it up on the registrar. BME enrolls a whopping 438 students.

http://www.jhu.edu/registrar/reports...sundergrad.pdf

alonzojhu

don't let facts cloud this argument