what is hopkins like?

coolguyusa123
Sat, 26 May 2007 00:56:50 +0000

To reply to the initial questions: After my freshman year, I have found the professors (those with whom I’ve spoke and those whose classes I’ve taken) to be excellent–for the most part they are very well known in their fields and hae done some interesting research–like my physics professor, for example (I was rather impressed with his research and achievements). Classes for introductory sciences, general history and low level (100-200) math, social sciences, can be large–i.e. 50+. In the sciences, this is a definite. In the social sciences and humanities, some of the intro classes can be smaller. My formal logic class was about 50 or 60 students. As you take higher level or graduate level classes and seminars, the numbers will fall. Some seminars have no more than 6 students and a professor.

The TAs are used primarily for intro level classes’ sections (recitations). While the reliance on TAs is not as great as some other schools, I would go to a TA first before asking questions. Professors may not appreciate random questions from a student in a huge class. However, I have been able to talk to all my professors face to face (if I wanted to) and have on some occasions. TAs aren’t presented as the only means of information and discussion. Also, some professors really like undergrads who go to office hours, as I’ve found.

Overall, I liked all my professors, found them knowledgeable and (mostly) open. 4/5 of my TAs my freshman year (only 5 of my 10 classes freshman year had TAs) were great. And the classes may be big to begin, bu rest assured, by junior, senior or even possibly sophomore (for some majors) classes dip into the 20s or even lower.