Johns Hopkins vs. Cornell

NixonDenier
Thu, 07 Apr 2016 21:07:49 +0000

1. To address some of the same JHU stereotypes that come up again and again: Yes, we have social lives. I had a social life at JHU, my friends had social lives...people have social lives. We're human beings who by nature form societies and socialize. No, the nightlife directly around the campus is not as great as Ithaca's, but Baltimore is a major metropolitan center with over 600,000 people and the downtown is less than 3 miles from the Homewood campus. There is a growing Hipster influence in close proximity to the campus (which has since added countless brunch locations, "Communist" bookstores and coffee shops) and a large underground music and art scene, especially around Fells Point, Fed Hill and Mount Vernon. I had plenty of fun with friends eating at great restaurants, singing karaoke, going to bars and 18+ / 21+ clubs, salsa dancing in the Latin Palace, exploring the odd shops in Hampden, going to museums, etc. The Hopkins students who complain they couldn't find anything were the ones who wouldn't venture more than three blocks to explore. I assure you, in a city that big, when there's a will (like taking a 10-minute free school-operated bus ride) there's a way. Plus, with the city circulator extending its routes to the Homewood Campus you can go just about anywhere in the downtown for free (previously we would have to take multiple buses, taxi, or walk). What I also didn't know at the time I applied was just how many other colleges are in the Baltimore area (12!) so there are many other young people roaming Baltimore's nightlife if you know where to go. More importantly, Hopkins is continuing to improve the infrastructure around the campus to invite more businesses (shops, restaurants, boutiques) to the Charles Village neighborhood, so things are always improving. All in all, don't base such an important decision on this "no social life" rubbish, it's not true, and honestly, if your intentions are to go to a competitive school to earn a stellar education, you're not going out every night to party anyway. As a side note, I'm a guy, so my experiences walking around the city at night with friends might be different than a 110 lb female's experience.

I’ve posted on safety in general at Hopkins/Baltimore before which should put your mind (and normally its your parents’ minds) at ease: