<p>I had originally written an EXTREMELY long reply to your question, but will sum it up like this:</p>
<p>1) You asked that question on a UofChicago board. Of course, the school is great, but on any respective school’s board, you will hear nothing but great and often exaggerated things about it.</p>
<p>2) For graduate neuroscience: [Neuroscience</a> / Neurobiology - Biological Sciences - Graduate Schools - Education - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-biological-sciences-programs/neurosciences]Neuroscience”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-biological-sciences-programs/neurosciences), Hopkins is ranked as #3 while Uchicago is nowhere in sight. In terms of Undergrad, Hopkins would be top 2-5 along with Brown. Hopkins only trails Harvard and Stanford for Neuroscience at the graduate level, meaning since those schools don’t offer a program in undergrad neuroscience (that I know of), Hopkins is likely the top program of its kind for neuroscience undergrad.</p>
<p>3) Hopkins fits all of your criteria, now that you mention Neuroscience and enjoying the model of rigor of Uchicago because:</p>
<p>a) hopkins was the original model research university in America off of which Uchicago itself is largely based.
b) Hopkins has one of the most intellectually stimulating and rigorous courseloads in the country, not unlike Uchicago.
c) It has more research opportunities for undergrads than Uchicago. Hopkins has been the #1 research university in terms of research dollars are 19 years now. Around $1.55-1.6 BILLION in ANNUAL federally funded research. I think that’s around 3 times the amount Chicago gets.
d) It is located NEAR VIRGINIA. AS IN You could drive there in 2 hours.
e) It actually HAS a top-reputable undergraduate neuroscience program
f) it actually HAS engineering and a good program at that
g) financial aid is very similar at both schools. BOTH are good. If your parents don’t make more than, say, 40-50k, I would say that admission to either school means you are going for free.
h) overall prestige is very similar, though Hopkins enjoys more name and brand recognition in the northeast.
i) they will both get you similar inroads at companies and schools across the country and world…but Hopkins actually fulfills all your requirements.</p>
<p>conclusion: apply Hopkins! :)</p>