Johns Hopkins “values quality over quantity when it comes to pre-med clinical, volunteer, or research work.”
Written by Doug Bonderud
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland is one of the most well-known graduate institutions in the United States. Founded by a philanthropist of the same name, it has been featured as the alma mater for leading characters on popular television programs such as House, Gilmore Girls and Grey’s Anatomy. But network TV is one thing—what’s the school really like for prospective grads?
Vital Stats
— The medical school has approximately 500 students enrolled in the medical school. The medical school class of 2018 featured 118 students from 31 different states!
— Johns Hopkins is known for its work in pediatrics, women’s health, and internal medicine. Several medical disciplines including child psychiatry, and cardiac surgery, were pioneered at the school.
— Expect to pay $45,750 per year for tuition; 85 percent of students receive some kind of financial aid.
— Common areas of specialization for grad students include anesthesiology, pediatrics, and neurological surgery.
— Hopkins requires a high-end MCAT score for admission. While the U.S. student average hovers around 30, admission to Johns Hopkins will require a 37 or 38.
Program Culture
According to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine official website, the school values quality over quantity when it comes to clinical, volunteer, or research work. Students are best to pick several opportunities and stick with them, rather than trying to do everything “expected.” In addition, grad students are given advice not to over-commit themselves outside of the classroom, as this can impact study habits. In other words, expect the School of Medicine to be difficult—rewarding, but difficult.
Student Life
The school has an active social life, in large part thanks to the Hopkins Organization for Programming (HOP). In 2001, the Mattin Center arts facility was constructed, along with the O’Conner Recreation Center. Each year in April, the school’s Homewood campus hosts the Johns Hopkins Spring Fair, which attracts 25,000 people and is the largest student-run fair in the United States. For grad students looking for a weekend away, the Johns Hopkins Outdoor Club (JHOC) plans trips away, which include kayaking, mountain biking, and caving.
If getting off campus is your goal, try a drink at PJs, the Charles Village Pub, or Maxie’s. If you’re hoping for a different social experience, try the pubs near Towson or Loyola Universities, or venture down to Inner Harbor and Fell’s Point for a $10 cab ride.
There are several prevalent campus myths, most related to the difficulties suffered by undergraduate students who want to break into the medical program. While the University advises students not to take too many science courses during their first year, it also advises students to retake any early science course in which they receive a “C” grade or lower—and warns that anything less than an “A” isn’t going to cut it the second time around.
The amount of work required to complete a graduate degree at Johns Hopkins is substantial. The school uses its “Genes to Society” curriculum, which combines academics with clinical experience; every few months, special week-long courses are held that help develop advanced skills using simulation techniques. To foster a feeling of community among students, they are divided into four colleges—think the houses from Harry Potter—each named for a person of significance in Hopkins’ history: Nathans, Sabin, Taussig, and Thomas. Every year, the colleges host a College Bowl, which includes lighthearted sports competitions.
Heading to Baltimore
Baltimore is the biggest city in Maryland, and only an hour’s train ride from Washington, D.C. Often called “Charm City,” Baltimore has been an American fixture since 1729. Weather-wise, the city is firmly subtropical; the temperature hits 90 degrees 37 days per year on average and fails to break the freezing mark on only 10.
Many students choose to live on campus—first and second years must, for example—and the University has made efforts to improve their quality of life. Over the last 10 years, Hopkins has purchased much of Charles Village, which is a small area north of the main campus. In 2006, Charles Campus residence opened, which includes suite-style housing, dining facilities, and retail shopping.
Career Counseling
Career services are managed in part by the Johns Hopkins University Career Center, which includes annual career fairs for alumni, along with one-on-one counseling services. In addition, the University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health provides an exclusive jobs database for students and alumni, runs employment education events at least once per month during the school year, and offers a business card service to assist grads in networking with potential employers.
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is a school with a big reputation, and even bigger expectations from grad students. Expect a long, hard road with a valuable degree payoff at the finish line.
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