Today ends the Hopkins Interactive “Get to Know the bloggers and why they chose Hopkins” series (bad title, huh? Oh well I tried). Through these, you’ll get to know the HI bloggers, and learn a little bit more about our Hopkins experience and why we chose Hopkins. Hope you enjoy! WHOO!
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Ok, weird title. My name is actually spelled DOMInique but my nickname is “Domo” and half the people on campus call me this so that’s why I did that. But you can call me whichever you like. Hmm I used a lot of pronouns there sorry. Anyways…
random pic my friend here drew of me when she was abroad :P
1. Birthplace and current hometown: Birthplace was Brooklyn, NY. Current hometown (10 years and counting) is Baltimore, MD.
2. Major(s)/Minor(s): Public Health Studies Major, Africana Studies minor (just declared yesterday!)
3. When I grow up I want to…not be working at a desk, be moving around and traveling and speaking to large groups of people. I have no idea what I want to do. Maybe teach.
4. Favorite place to eat in Baltimore: Hmmmmm… Cafe Hon in Hampden is pretty good.
5. Favorite spot on the Homewood campus: Gilman’s cool
6. Favorite TV show: Pretty Little Liars! (don’t judge me ! )
7. Favorite color: Not sure… think it’s pink but it could be red or orange.
8. Favorite sports team: SAN ANTONIO SPURS!!!!! :)
My Hopkins Experience:
1. When did you know Hopkins was right for you? When I first visited I was not impressed…I think because I lived so close and had heard so much about Hopkins, I was like blah, where’s the fun and newness? But further exploration led me to believe that JHU was right for me because of the programs of studies it offered (I had never heard of a Public Health major and it sounded like a perfect mix of science and social science!–I was correct) and I felt like I’d fit in with the student body because I cared a lot about academics. Even after I enrolled, I had reservations about the social life and the types of students here, and I allowed myself to become psyched out by misconceptions and myths. However, I am happy I came because this is definitely the right place for me. And being here has made me grow as a student and as a person.
2. What is one thing that would surprise your friends/family about Hopkins? There is diversity here! :)
nyc trip with 1 dolla pizza yumm
3. If you were the University President, what is the first thing you would do or change? I would definitely make a lot of freshman seminars not only for freshmen because the topics are always so interesting. I also wouldn’t make meal plans mandatory, especially if there are people with food allergy problems or financial issues. And, like everyone else, I’d like a student union place with a tv, game stations, and tables to just chillax. We have those things, just not in a centralized location.
4. If you could go back and choose your college again, would you pick Hopkins? Why? Yes, I would–I believe that anywhere I went would have worked out, but I definitely couldn’t see myself anywhere else. I love my friends and the people here, and my major and the opportunities Hopkins has for us in terms of community service, clubs, and connections with its other schools. I would have chosen Hopkins because of the Public Health major and opportunities.
5. What was your perception about Hopkins before enrolling and how has it changed since then? I didn’t know much about Hopkins until my jr. yr of HS, then I started hearing too much about it. I don’t even really remember much except that I heard it was a place for people who couldn’t socialize and that it wasn’t fun and that’s when I started panicking. I never thought much about the cutthroat thing (although I did hear it) because I was a closet grade grubber in high school HAHA. But now, I will say that the school is competitive because everyone wants to do well and everyone studies to do well. But that’s normal and I don’t think I’d want to go to a school where students were apathetic.
6. What is/was your favorite class? Social Psychology with Dr. Drigotas was soooooo good. It wasn’t too hard of a course and it was so interesting and applicable. I liked learning that there were actual names and theories that described things that we humans do everyday, like groupthink and conditional responses. I liked my class African American Poetry and Poetics–taught by a Peabody professor, Dr. Hollis Robbins, who was enthusiastic and just crazy about the subject. I dislike writing poetry and in this class all we had to do was read it and analyze it through paper writing, which I loved. This class was so much fun and very laid back. I still speak to that professor because of that class. I am currently taking The Sociology of Disability with Christian Villenas, a grad student here. He has spina bifida and wanted to teach a course about how disability can be seen not just as a medical issue, but as a social construction. SO good!
7. Describe your funniest memory or experience at Hopkins: FFC midnight breakfast freshman year where my friends and I were just completely wacked out from studying too much….we were just so out of it and I don’t remember what we were saying or doing but we created a poster drawing (they had crayons and paper for us there) of us and it looks so bad. So bad but it’s so good. It’s in my RA friend’s room now.
my first lacrosse game!
8. How would your college experience be different if you hadn’t chosen Hopkins? I wouldn’t know what it was like to have to be a “go getter” because this school gives you all that you need, but it does not hold your hand (for the most part). I wouldn’t have been able to study public health and be able to take grad school level classes at the first school of PH in the world, all included in my major and tuition, I wouldn’t have met so many cool people from all around the world if I had chosen to go to the other schools between which I was choosing…
9. What has your greatest contribution been during your time at Hopkins, or what do you hope to accomplish before graduation? Greatest contribution? That’s weird…um, well that’s hard to answer. I hope when I graduate I will have been able to encourage other students here with my experiences, because there are many rough patches that you can’t always say will end smoothly. But I hope I will have made an impact on how the school is portrayed to prospective students and parents, an impact on diversity awareness on campus, and through being a TA I hope I have made some students’ 1st years here a bit less frightening. And as a RA next yr I hope to make my future residents’ 1st year here fun fun fun! I may not be at the top of my classes, but I’m ok with that– because I’ve learned that just being here and learning– from classes and from people is an accomplishment in itself, and it certainly hasn’t stopped me from getting anything! ;)
10. What advice would you give to a high school senior choosing their college? Don’t listen to what other high school students say, stay OFF College Confidential, speak to current students at the schools in which you are interested, make sure the school has a lot of programs of study in which you are interested because chances are you will change your mind about your major, make sure you can see yourself as a student there each day, think about money and loans if that matters to you, and just pick one! You don’t always have a gut feeling…I sure didn’t. But I couldn’t see myself anywhere else.
I’m so excited for you! And slightly jealous! ;) Congrats 2015!!
Hey there potential Class of 2015! Congratulations on your acceptance to Hopkins!
Over the next few weeks all of the bloggers will be posting on a common theme–”Why Hopkins?” We’ll tell you about ourselves, about our own decision to come here, and what we’ve made of our time at lovely Johns Hopkins. Feel free to ask any questions you may have, peruse the blogs for different perspectives, and good luck making your decision! We all hope to see you on the Homewood Campus this September.
1. Birthplace and current hometown: I was born in London, moved to the States at the end of the 90s, and my family now splits their time between Summit NJ and New York City.
2. Major(s)/Minor(s): Public Health Studies major, minors in Economics and English
3. When I grow up I want to…live in Africa, speak a bunch of languages, travel the world. Career plans still to be decided, but this summer I’m working for a consulting firm, which I’m really excited about!
4. Favorite place to eat in Baltimore: Carmas Café, Mezze or Woodberry Kitchen. Other top contenders include Brewer’s Art, Pazo, Salt, and my apartment on campus.
5. Favorite spot on the Homewood campus: Gilman Hall–completely renovated while I was abroad, Gilman has been a great addition to campus, with the added bonus (for me at least) of having great Gluten Free treats.
6. Favorite TV show: FRIENDS
7. Favorite color: Blue
studying abroad in cape town, south africa
My Hopkins Experience:
1. When did you know Hopkins was right for you? I fell in love with Hopkins slowly. I was fairly indecisive throughout the college process. Even as I turned in my deposit, I wasn’t sure this was the only, or best, place for me. My relationship with Hopkins developed over my freshman year. Only by actually living here, throwing myself into my classes, activities, and friendships, did I really know I had made the right choice. College is what you make of it, and I decided to love Johns Hopkins.
spring arrives at Hopkins!
2. What is one thing that would surprise your friends/family about Hopkins?
Our programs in History of Art and Writing Seminars are ranked in the Top 10 nationally.
3. If you were the University President, what is the first thing you would do or change?
I would love a Student Union. M Level of the library has sort of become this by default recently, which is great if you want to catch up with your friends, but slightly frustrating for actual homework. It’d be great to have somewhere on campus to catch up with your friends, grab a coffee or a meal.
flashback to freshman year
4. If you could go back and choose your college again, would you pick Hopkins? Why?
Absolutely. Though I was uncertain at the time, in retrospect Hopkins is such an obvious choice for me. I wanted a mid-sized city school on the East Coast, I knew I was interested in medicine but wasn’t sure about being a doctor, I enjoy a challenge, and I wanted something new. Looking back, I can’t believe I didn’t know Hopkins was the perfect fit. Beyond the obvious demographic and academic facts about Hopkins, this place has challenged and surprised me in ways I could never have predicted before I got here.
Hopkins goes abroad!
5. What was your perception about Hopkins before enrolling and how has it changed since then?
I had heard, as many people have, that Hopkins’ single focus, and single strength, was in science. I wasn’t too wary about this, being fairly sure I wanted to pursue a scientific major in some way, but regardless, it couldn’t be more wrong. Hopkins’ students are what drew me to this place, and I’ve never met a more diverse, multitalented, interesting and interested group of people. The academic strengths of the university run the gamut from Engineering to Art, and the students’ interests reflect this variety as well.
The things I’ve been able to do at Hopkins speak to the range of options available to students, and even Freshmen. I’ve studied abroad, interned in so many different places, been able to become really involved in my on-campus activities, volunteered at a high school, gotten a job.
hopkins takes on penn–visiting high school friends!
6. What is/was your favorite class?
I’ve really enjoyed a number of classes, and I think right now it’s tied between American Bibles, and Health, Development and Inequality: A View From Latin America. American Bibles was a great English class I took freshman year, examining the role of religion in American literature. The latter is a class I’m taking now, taught by a visiting Professor from the University of Bogota in Colombia.
homecoming 2010
7. Describe your funniest memory or experience at Hopkins?
My favorite memories here have just been with my friends and roommates, relaxing in our respective rooms and apartments. Big events on campus that have been hilarious include everything from “Snowpocalypse” to a fraternity re-enacting the battle scene from Braveheart on the beach.
8. How would your college experience be different if you hadn’t chosen Hopkins?
I can’t even imagine going anywhere else. Hopkins is a very singular experience, and if you fit here, you’ll love it. Hopkins has made me a more interesting person. The school has an incredible level of diversity, any way you measure it, but the common thread is passion, and intelligence. Being exposed to so many dynamic, talented people on a daily basis inevitably has an impact on you. I know I’ve been inspired to do some of my favorite things here by the people I’ve met—my friend Claire who spends her summers saving the world, and has lived everywhere from rural India and Senegal to Paris, or Sam, who leads every single student group I’m involved with, and who I fully expect to see on the cover of the New York Times one of these days. Knowing and learning with these people has been a privilege, and I can’t imagine having gone to college anywhere else.
reunited with my roommate after studying abroad
9. What has your greatest contribution been during your time at Hopkins, or what do you hope to accomplish before graduation?
I’m religious about list-making, and my “bucket list” before graduation in growing. At this point I’ve crossed off the big things, and it’s becoming more about experiences and challenges, doing something new or something I’ve always meant to do.
10. What advice would you give to a high school senior choosing their college?
Visit! Colleges blur together into an endless blob of shiny brochures and fun facts if you don’t actually step foot on campus. Meet some students, eat in the cafeteria, find out where the best coffee is, walk through the library. This could be your home for the next four years, take a closer look!
my roommate and I, after running the baltimore half marathon
Hope this helps you make your own college decision. I couldn’t be happier that I’ve spent the last three years at Hopkins, and I only hope you find wherever it is that makes you feel the same.
First off, congratulations to the most recent Hopkins admits! The 3,550 Class of 2015 admits represent all 50 states plus 67 countries and come from a pool of 19,338 applications. Simply put, you guys must be awesome and I hope that some of you are reading this. During the past few and upcoming days each blogger will be sharing his or her thoughts on these questions, here’s my version:
Get to Know JHU_Jessica:
1. Birthplace and current hometown:
Ten Swamps, Armpit of America
(Tenafly, New Jersey and proud of it)
2. Major/Minor
Public Health Studies/
Environmental Studies
3. When I grow up I want to…
…stay happy, work for an intergovernmental organization, teach, and raise a family. How I get there? I’m unsure but it looks like I’m starting with working in Hanoi, Vietnam next year.
4. Favorite place to eat in Baltimore…
Because eating is all about the company you are with, I’m going to have to say CVP simply because it means that I’m eating with friends.
5. Favorite TV show:
Futurama
6. Favorite spot on the Homewood campus:
I refuse to have to pick a favorite place within one of my favorite places in the world.
7. Favorite color:
Blue and red, so I guess that makes violet?
8. Favorite sports team:
THE New York Yankees
My Hopkins Experience:
When did you know Hopkins was right for you? Well, I can tell you that it was certainly not on my tour when a Hopkins student ran passed us and said, “I haven’t eaten or slept in days… I LOVE Hopkins.” Hopkins had been on my mind for a quite a time. I visited as a junior and from then on the school as an institution stayed on my mind. However, even after a student interview and tour, I still had reservations about the student body. I mean, seriously, had that student really not eaten for days? Fortunately, I stayed overnight the fall of my senior year and it was then that I realized this would be a place I would enjoy. After that night, I called my mom to tell her that Hopkins would be my early decision pick.
Me with my lucky Hopkins sweatshirt during the fall of my senior year.
What is one thing that would surprise your friends/family about Hopkins? My friends at home are always surprised to hear about the major composition; that 1/3 of the undergraduates are engineers and that public health is the largest major.
If you were the University President, what is the first thing you would do or change? My answer actually changed this week. It used to be to have more research grant opportunities. Luckily for you guys, this week Dean Newman, Dean of the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, announced that starting in the fall of 2011, Arts & Sciences students will be able to compete for grants in the range of $500-$3000 to support either their senior thesis research or to work as research assistants for faculty for an average of 25 students a year for at least the next 2-3 years. This is super exciting. Now that that’s taken care of, I think I would change the major requirements to require, or at least make it easier, for students to have a study abroad or applied experience within their curriculum.
A picture from my trip to Venice during my study abroad semester.
If you could go back and choose your college again, would you pick Hopkins? Why? Yes. Why? The people. Why? Come graduation it is the student body that will keep me connected to this school. But it’s not just the student body – it’s the dean who opens her door to dinner, the professor who drives students for her photography class, it’s the security lady who calls me “baby” in the library, it’s the Hop Cop that drives me to my apartment late at night from the library, it’s the graduate-school professor who brings even his undergraduate students to a movie, it’s the world-renowned AIDS physician who gave me tape today, it’s my old supervisor who treats me like a daughter, it’s my thesis advisor who has been here for forty years yet still is as dedicated as ever, it’s my academic advisor who both physically and mentally pats me on the back (and plays Jeopardy with me at a student event), and it’s the administration who cares enough to give me a senior exit interview and hear about my time at Hopkins.
Me at my high school graduation.
What was your perception about Hopkins before enrolling and how has it changed since then? I remember when I was a junior my friend Matthew called me and was asking for advice; he was choosing to apply early decision to either Hopkins or Tufts. I hadn’t visited Hopkins yet and told him that I thought of Hopkins as a place for medicine so it might not be the best pick for him. Looking back, I am horrified that I ever uttered those words. I’m happy to say that Matthew didn’t take my advice and went with Hopkins. How has that perception changed? Well, let’s just say none of my closest friends in my class plan to attend medical school next year.
What is/was your favorite class? That’s a tough one. Favorite non-public health class has got to be Basic Black and White Film: Wet Darkroom. I always wanted to take a photography class but I never thought that it would be at Hopkins. I can only describe the process of film photograph, from taking a picture to the developing and processing of the film, as magical. Sadly, the course is not offered anymore. Favorite public health course (that is still offered): Global Public Health Since WWII. Simply put, I would not have the mindset about international development nor have learned the acronyms of the actors within the field if it wasn’t for this course.
Describe your funniest memory or experience at Hopkins: That’s an even tougher one. It was probably the time that my friend Michael made me so embarrassed that I ended up under an M-Level table in the library. Or the time that my friend Mohammad made me a birthday crown.
Mohammad wearing the birthday crown he made me.
How would your college experience be different if you hadn’t chosen Hopkins?
I think about this more and more as the graduation date becomes closer and I begin to think about paying back loans. Simply put, if I hadn’t chosen Hopkins, I don’t think I would have been a public health major; I don’t think that I would be biking across country this summer; I don’t think that come next year I could say that I did public health research in four continents in four years; and I don’t think I would have those people in my life that I discussed in question four. This school has driven me in the same way that it has driven the alums in the past – including, my personal favorite, Rachel Carson – and I am so fortunate for that.
Me at the World Health Organization during the World Health Assembly last May.
What has your greatest contribution been during your time at Hopkins, or what do you hope to accomplish before graduation? I have one contribution for each of my largest student activities. First, is probably having helped plan the first undergraduate conference in public health with Public Health Student Forum. Now in its second year, the conference next week will include a UNAIDS keynote address, an alumni and career panel, the attendance of Dean Newman and other faculty, as well as several dozen students that have done research. Secondly, I spend a lot of time giving back to Hopkins by volunteering with admissions, which has definitely been rewarding. I’m happy to say that I was the impetus behind the Academics Blog (http://blogs.hopkins-interactive.com/academics/). I am glad that the members of Student Admissions Advisory Board were able to develop and maintain this blog and surprise Admissions_Daniel with its success. I hope that this blog provides the evidence that prospective and admitted students from around the world need to change their mindset that Hopkins is simply a premed school.
The four senior SAAB members in the fall of 2009 after having presented at an admissions conference.
What advice would you give to a high school senior choosing their college? It’s really interesting being back in the same shoes as many seniors in high school are currently in and having to plan their next major move in life. I was fortunate know early on that Hopkins was the school that I wanted to be at; to have that feeling of certainty that many of us at this school had and still have. If you can, visit Hopkinsand see if you get that feeling. But as I plan my next move, I realize that one doesn’t always have that feeling of certainty when planning their next step. I certainly don’t right now. Instead I have had to step back, realize how wonderful it is that I have the opportunity to make the decision that I am making, and adjust my mindset because of that realization. So if you don’t have that feeling of certainty, step back and realize that you are so fortunate to have the opportunity to decide whether to attend Johns Hopkins or not, and that no matter where you choose to attend its oftentimes what you make of the opportunities available rather than the institution itself.
For the next couple of weeks, all of the Hopkins Interactive bloggers will be writing on a common theme: our thoughts and reflections on the college application process. We’ve all been exactly where you are now and hope that sharing our experiences will help you through this momentous (but challenging!) time in your life.
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My Facebook profile picture on December 15th, 2006. Yup, I was crazy.
You, the prospective student, are thinking, “That old senior is going to blog about the application process?! I wonder if she even had to submit an application to Johns Hopkins when she applied.”
I’m thinking, “I can’t believe it’s been over four years since I was trying desperately to find ways to not be viewed as yet another applicant from New Jersey.”
You’re thinking, “But she is just another applicant from New Jersey who had an easy ride: knew Hopkins was the school for her, applied early decision, got in.”
I’m thinking, “No admissions story can truly be picture perfect. I’m so glad I’m over those dozens of college visits, financial discussions with my parents over tuition, pro-con lists to prove to others that I wasn’t just trying to follow my boyfriend to Hopkins.”
My Brazilian crew two summers ago. They definitely taught me a different way of life.
Maybe it’s actually because I’m an old hen on the Homewood campus, but I really do sympathize with prospective students. The combination of uncertainty and societal pressure to have a plan quickly turns into an unhealthy environment (and for those in New Jersey, an even unhealthier environment) for anyone planning the next stage of their life. Suddenly people do outlandish things that don’t appear outlandish until down the road in life.
I wish I could say that I was atypical, that four years ago I was completely OK with the idea of not knowing where I would be going to school the following year, that I was OK with the idea that I could pick a school that I didn’t fit into (“because I could always transfer”), that I didn’t bother to read those college ranking books that listed Hopkins boys as more attractive than Hopkins girls because I knew they weren’t worth my time (they meaning college ranking books, not Hopkins boys – whether they are worth my time is still questionable…)
Running off to DC this semester because there's nothing better than visiting a friend (and restoring sanity along the way).
In retrospect, the truth is, when I was a prospective student, I too was crazy. Although I fortunately did not resort to posting on College Confidential as my outlet about the process, I did some outlandish things. I submitted my application by paper rather than electronically because I thought it made me look more committed to the school.
Of course, in reality, this just led to the poor admissions staff having more to open and file, which of course then led to the admissions staff taking a longer time to process, which then of course led to me, the crazy applicant, worrying that my application didn’t get to Baltimore and that my dreams of Johns Hopkins were already shattered because of USPS. The truth is: my application got there and things worked out.
But now, after watching prospective students go through the same stressful cycle year after year, I have that same feeling of uncertainty for next year. Just as you, I ask: Where will I be coming home from for Thanksgiving? Will I be coming home for Thanksgiving? etc. However, unlike I was years ago, I am handling this stressful year a lot better.
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There’s no way to hide that there’s uncertainty for all of us, so instead of detailing my college application process, I’m going to give you my five best ways to control my craziness level:
1. Revert back to your childish ways.
What was I doing when I found out I got into Johns Hopkins? Watching Toy Story 2. Obviously. My idea was that I would start watching it a little before I knew decisions were coming out, I would pause it to check my email, and, if I didn’t get in, well I could always just hit play. So, go ahead, dig out your favorite Disney movie (or that Disney movie you somehow never saw but are scared to admit to your friends) and watch it.
2. Music.
So you think no one can relate to your current stress? I bet some favorite musical artist of yours can. Get out that musical artist and start well, blasting it (even if it means reverting back to your Spice Girls days)…
3. And what if your parent(s) don’t like your blasting music… Run Away.
Don’t take this one too seriously. However, the high school environment is a breeding ground for emotional stress during the fall of senior year. So, please, get away from it. Go for a drive (while blasting your music), go for a walk (while blasting your music), go to a museum (not blasting your music), etc. Just get away.
4. Be productive: Do some type of work
Sometimes for me writing a blog, doing my homework, or just doing errands helps me deal with some of my life stress by making me feel productive and somewhat accomplished.
4. Continue to be productive: Sleep, eat and exercise
There’s a public health campaign at Hopkins called SEE. It stands for “Sleep, Eat, Exercise.” Yes, even Hopkins students must be continuously reminded to do these, what would seem, obvious activities. I, the public health major, often forget how much better I feel with a sit down meal, a workout, and a full night’s sleep. These things shouldn’t be thought of as lazy or unproductive activities because they often bring out our fullest level of productiveness. Try it.
5. Mindset.
Try your best to acquire the right mindset. Maybe it’s because of the time I’ve spent abroad, but I now sometimes think Americans are crazy. Spending time abroad has helped shape the mindset I have right now. I’m fortunate to be where I’m today. I’m fortunate to live in the crazy world that has been created. Things will work out. And, if they don’t, I have supportive family and friend members to lean on.
And, if they’re not there for me, I can always count on Buzz and Woody to be there.
And if all fails, you can just do what I did: take some sociology classes, so that you can blame the environment for your craziness.
For the next couple of weeks, all of the Hopkins Interactive bloggers will be writing on a common theme: our thoughts and reflections on the college application process. We’ve all been exactly where you are now and hope that sharing our experiences will help you through this momentous (but challenging!) time in your life.
The college application process can be off the wall, right?
I know it sounds cliche when I say that I cannot believe that I am a junior at Hopkins, but it’s so true. I swear, I was JUST in your shoes! Worrying about SATs and schools I was going to apply to, getting anxious whenever I spoke to my friends about the schools to which they were applying and why, writing essays, wondering who the best teachers were to ask for letters of rec, trying to get money/waivers for application fees, the treacherous amount of college/Collegeboard mail, etc, etc….point is, I understand. We all understand. Juniors and seniors now are even starting to do the application process again, this time for graduate schools and such, and I can’t help but feel a small burst of nostalgia when I think about the process and going through it for the second time. So, I hope this entry is easy to relate to! ;)
Yes this picture is real...let it relax you before you read this long entry
How Dominique chose to which schools she should apply:
(Forgive my 3rd person speech :P )
1.) My mom and I decided that my not going away to somewhere far was the best thing for us, money wise and stress wise. So, I limited my schools to places on the east coast…the farthest I applied was Boston, and I kept the rest of them in Maryland (I live here) and Pennsylvania and New York.
That may not be for you and that’s fine, of course! But if you think money from travel expenses (think about plane fare, moving expenses, etc) and stress from travel (long plane rides, mailing things long distances, train rides, etc) would be an issue for you, think about that. And again, JHU students who are from faraway places do JUST fine, because they and their parents made sure that they’d be able to deal with distance, if need be.
2.) I chose places that I knew would give me a good amount of money or aid if I got in. I knew that I didn’t want to graduate in debt (and that is unfortunately not the case for the vast majority of students who attend college). This requires work on your part…looking for special programs within schools that may give special scholarships based on merit (GPA and/or SAT scores). Hopkins has this program called “Baltimore Scholars” and it pays 4 yrs of tuition for students who went to city schools. So, do some research! State schools are also generally cheaper than out of state ones, especially if you’re a resident of that state.
How Dominique went about applying to said schools:
3.) Besides having a mother with a Type A personality when it comes to these types of things, I found it helpful to have folders for each of the schools to which I was applying. In them, I put their respective applications, mail from those schools, information on the majors and activities it offered, scholarship info, etc. I had a small file box in which I placed these folders, so that I could have easy reference to them when needed and so everything stayed in one place.
Some schools had easier applications than others did…so those I tried to knock out over a weekend. Others with longer applications, like Hopkins, took me a while longer. I filled them out on paper first, then I transferred that information to the online version of the application. The online ones are cool too because you can save them then return to them to change things if necessary.
I wrote some essays and had my AP English teacher read them for me several times. Having a different set of eyes is always good because they tend to catch things that your tired eyes can’t.
Then just turn everything in! It’s overwhelming at first but if you’re organized you’ll be fine. :)
How Dominique chose which school to attend:
4.) I got into all but one school, and of the ones to which I was accepted, I chose the top 3 by looking at the programs offered and the money offered. Those 3 offered me 4 year full tuition, so that was a plus. I made a pro/con list for each, based on what they offered in terms of majors, research opportunities, special programs with graduate schools, internship opportunities, diversity of the student body, and more I can’t think of. Think about what’s most important to you and pick a school based on that.
Hopkins gave me a truckload of money, and it has special programs with the Schools of Nursing, Public Health, Education, and Business…so I was basically covered in terms of having graduate school opportunities linked to the undergrad program at JHU. It is the #1 research university in America, so I knew I would have no trouble finding research if I wanted it.
The thing that really solidified my decision to attend JHU was the Public Health Studies undergraduate program…besides the fact that not many other schools have this as an undergraduate major, I found out that compared to other school with this major, JHU had soooooo many resources to help us out because of the Hopkins School of Public Health. We have access to internships and jobs there, and many of the professors there come here to teach us our classes. The Public Health program here really is something special.
Me freshman year...maybe I was excited about Public Health?:P
How Dominique didn’t lose her mind after deciding on JHU:
5.) Seriously. Like going through the process is not hard enough with all of the other work you have to do…when you choose a school, it is hard to not get psyched out by what your other classmates say about your school and comparing it to where they are going. You know the myths about Hopkins…boring, cutthroat, all work and no play, blase blah blah…and I found myself falling into that trap. I was second guessing my choice to attend JHU and found myself constantly defending it…like CONSTANTLY. I didn’t know Hopkins had so many haters! Some of my classmates even found it fit to start a huge FaceBook argument over JHU under one of my pictures (really mature, right? lol.).
But once I started preparing for it during the summer and once I started to get used to the idea, it all went away. So, when you choose a school, DON’T let haters psych you out!!! Enjoy the choice you make!
And I cannot STRESS ENOUGH: CHOOSE A SCHOOL IN A WELL-ROUNDED MANNER. Make sure you like most aspects of the school (I say most because every school is not perfect). You may not get the “OMGEE this school is PERFECT for me! I feel like it was made for me and I can’t see myself not being here!” Many people have those sentiments, but I did not and everyone in the world does not. Just make the best choice that you can, and not just on one factor (ie, many students come to JHU because they want to be doctors…then they may decide pre-med is not for them and then they hate it because they ONLY came here to be pre med. Choose a place that is strong in several different areas in which you take interest! This way, you have options.
Me and friends at a pre college thing for JHU
That was long, sorry! I am not as poetic a writer as other bloggers, I’m more straightforward and factual, so I hope you were able to digest all of that. :P Ask me questions, please!
–Dominique
For the next couple of weeks, all of the Hopkins Interactive bloggers will be writing on a common theme: our thoughts and reflections on the college application process. We’ve all been exactly where you are now and hope that sharing our experiences will help you through this momentous (but challenging!) time in your life.
The college application process can be off the wall, right?
I know it sounds cliche when I say that I cannot believe that I am a junior at Hopkins, but it’s so true. I swear, I was JUST in your shoes! Worrying about SATs and schools I was going to apply to, getting anxious whenever I spoke to my friends about the schools to which they were applying and why, writing essays, wondering who the best teachers were to ask for letters of rec, trying to get money/waivers for application fees, the treacherous amount of college/Collegeboard mail, etc, etc….point is, I understand. We all understand. Juniors and seniors now are even starting to do the application process again, this time for graduate schools and such, and I can’t help but feel a small burst of nostalgia when I think about the process and going through it for the second time. So, I hope this entry is easy to relate to! ;)
How Dominique chose to which schools she should apply:
(Forgive my 3rd person speech :P )
1.) My mom and I decided that my not going away to somewhere far was the best thing for us, money wise and stress wise. So, I limited my schools to places on the east coast…the farthest I applied was Boston, and I kept the rest of them in Maryland (I live here) and Pennsylvania and New York.
That may not be for you and that’s fine, of course! But if you think money from travel expenses (think about plane fare, moving expenses, etc) and stress from travel (long plane rides, mailing things long distances, train rides, etc) would be an issue for you, think about that. And again, JHU students who are from faraway places do JUST fine, because they and their parents made sure that they’d be able to deal with distance, if need be.
2.) I chose places that I knew would give me a good amount of money or aid if I got in. I knew that I didn’t want to graduate in debt (and that is unfortunately not the case for the vast majority of students who attend college). This requires work on your part…looking for special programs within schools that may give special scholarships based on merit (GPA and/or SAT scores). Hopkins has this program called “Baltimore Scholars” and it pays 4 yrs of tuition for students who went to city schools. So, do some research! State schools are also generally cheaper than out of state ones, especially if you’re a resident of that state.
How Dominique went about applying to said schools:
3.) Besides having a mother with a Type A personality when it comes to these types of things, I found it helpful to have folders for each of the schools to which I was applying. In them, I put their respective applications, mail from those schools, information on the majors and activities it offered, scholarship info, etc. I had a small file box in which I placed these folders, so that I could have easy reference to them when needed and so everything stayed in one place.
Some schools had easier applications than others did…so those I tried to knock out over a weekend. Others with longer applications, like Hopkins, took me a while longer. I filled them out on paper first, then I transferred that information to the online version of the application. The online ones are cool too because you can save them then return to them to change things if necessary.
I wrote some essays and had my AP English teacher read them for me several times. Having a different set of eyes is always good because they tend to catch things that your tired eyes can’t.
Then just turn everything in! It’s overwhelming at first but if you’re organized you’ll be fine. :)
How Dominique chose which school to attend:
4.) I got into all but one school, and of the ones to which I was accepted, I chose the top 3 by looking at the programs offered and the money offered. Those 3 offered me 4 year full tuition, so that was a plus. I made a pro/con list for each, based on what they offered in terms of majors, research opportunities, special programs with graduate schools, internship opportunities, diversity of the student body, and more I can’t think of. Think about what’s most important to you and pick a school based on that.
Hopkins gave me a truckload of money, and it has special programs with the Schools of Nursing, Public Health, Education, and Business…so I was basically covered in terms of having graduate school opportunities linked to the undergrad program at JHU. It is the #1 research university in America, so I knew I would have no trouble finding research if I wanted it.
The thing that really solidified my decision to attend JHU was the Public Health Studies undergraduate program…besides the fact that not many other schools have this as an undergraduate major, I found out that compared to other school with this major, JHU had soooooo many resources to help us out because of the Hopkins School of Public Health. We have access to internships and jobs there, and many of the professors there come here to teach us our classes. The Public Health program here really is something special.
How Dominique didn’t lose her mind after deciding on JHU:
Seriously. Like going through the process is not hard enough with all of the other work you have to do…when you choose a school, it is hard to not get psyched out by what your other classmates say about your school and comparing it to where they are going. You know the myths about Hopkins…boring, cutthroat, all work and no play, blase blah blah…and I found myself falling into that trap. I was second guessing my choice to attend JHU and found myself constantly defending it…like CONSTANTLY. I didn’t know Hopkins had so many haters! Some of my classmates even found it fit to start a huge FaceBook argument over JHU under one of my pictures (really mature, right? lol.).
But once I started preparing for it during the summer and once I started to get used to the idea, it all went away. So, when you choose a school, DON’T let haters psych you out!!! Enjoy the choice you make!
And I cannot STRESS ENOUGH: CHOOSE A SCHOOL IN A WELL-ROUNDED MANNER. Make sure you like most aspects of the school (I say most because every school is not perfect). You may not get the “OMGEE this school is PERFECT for me! I feel like it was made for me and I can’t see myself not being here!” Many people have those sentiments, but I did not and everyone in the world does not. Just make the best choice that you can, and not just on one factor (ie, many students come to JHU because they want to be doctors…then they may decide pre-med is not for them and then they hate it because they ONLY came here to be pre med. Choose a place that is strong in several different areas in which you take interest! This way, you have options.
That was long, sorry! I am not as poetic a writer as other bloggers, I’m more straightforward and factual, so I hope you were able to digest all of that. :P Ask me questions, please!
This amazing Jackson 5 song’s title will probably be used many times for blog titles, hence the roman numeral in the parentheses.
anxiousness! Wait...is that a word..
This is my wrap up blog entry! Sounds trite…but I CANNOT BELIEVE I AM GOING TO BE A JUNIOR! This means I have to start looking at master’s programs, career stuff, concentrations within my major, interests…guess it’s time to grow up.
But here we go…enjoy the recapitulation!
9.26.09 Wanna Be Startin’ Something . First blog post of the year, and I talk about my first semester classes. Very basic.
10.12.2009 Enjoy Yourself Here, I talked about my birthday, which is in October, always during school (lucky you to those who have summer birthdays!) But anyway, friends can make it special, even if it is in the middle of the school year. We have fun at Hopkins!!
10.21.2009 Whatever Happens was about what happened when I got sick. There is a hospital right near ( short walking distance) Hopkins, so I talked about how convinient that was and as few other things.
11.1.2009 Got to Be There. It’s really important to take time off for yourself, because too much school will make you mentally and physically sick. Each year I go on a retreat with my Christian fellowship and we go to a nice campsite in Western Maryland. You need time for yourselves, so don’t forget that!!
11.13.2009 Come Together . I love my alma mater (high school) because it enabled me to attend and afford JHU…so I wrote about our annual football game at the Raven’s Stadium against our rival (both my high school and our rival give JHU the most Baltimore Scholars each year! ) and how it is still a part of my JHU life.
11.23.2009 Keep The Faith Each semester, I spotlight-blog one of my non pre med classes, to show what Hopkins has to offer in terms of social science and humanities courses…and these are always my favorite ones. This entry was about a sociology/public health class I took and loved…about education!
12.06.2009 Someone in the Dark Yea…at this point, finals were getting ready to start and I was having trouble in organic chem…my grades were not that great. So I wrote about how EASY it was to talk to my professor about it and the advice he gave. Many times, students are afraid to approach professors…..but don’t be. They are here for you!
this is how i felt. sorry for the stock footage url on the bottom, btw.
12.26.2009 You Can’t Win This is probably my favorite blog to date. Because it is honest yet positive. Orgo didn’t turn out as well as I would have liked it to, and I griped and moaned about how unfair it was and yada yada…bad grades happen, especially at a place like Hopkins where sometimes your best is a C or C-. Check this entry out if you haven’t, I give some advice too!
1.18.2010 Hopkins Christian Fellowship This blog is about my Christian fellowship group…what we do, what we’re here for, etc. It’s not preachy or anything like that, so if you’re interested take a looksie! And welcome to the new year!
2.02.2010 This Time Around I spent all of Intersession at school this time, and I LOVED IT. Read about my classes too…I’d really recommend staying for some of Intersession (three weeks of easy but cool one, 2, and some 3 credit classes before Spring Semester starts).
4.19.2010 I Want You Back My biggest regret freshman year? NOT HAVING ENOUGH FUn. Sounds weird but it happens way too often to way too many people…I’m just cool enough to admit it B)
5.06.2010 Push Me Away Read about my second attempt to take a poetry class here (I HATE poetry classes…not because I don’t appreciate poetry, because I do…but because I can’t write it and I don’t think poems can be fairly graded.)
5.25.2010 Stranger in Moscow Just a teaser entry about the end of the year and my summer internship.
I hope you all enjoyed my blogging for the year…but for now, look for several more summer time entries..and feel free to comment!
Though I didn’t videotape a real cribs video like the freshmen (my room has never been clean enough for such a thing) I’d like to give a quick tour of my lovely suite in Charles Commons…..
stage one
Our room, 1221, which we always refer to by number, is a strange and overly decorated suite of four single bedrooms and two bathrooms. We picked a semi-tragic lottery number, and by some small miracle still ended up in Charles Commons, but on the 11 month lease side. The 12th floor, the penthouse of Commons, has a huge common room on the floor with tables, couches, and a TV just steps from our door, which is why you won’t see one anywhere in our suite
remodeling struggles
Last August, my roommate Laura and I were the first to arrive, as we had signed up to be Peer Ambassadors for the incoming freshmen. Given the fact that we moved in with only a small group of other sophomores, we were able to take some decorating liberties, dragging lots of stuff in and clogging the elevators with many, many trips up and down. You can see the trajectory of our decorating, and it seems to have gotten worse over the course of the year. During intersession, Laura and I once again were the only ones here, and that seemed to cause some problems. Cabin fever worsened during Snow Week and we put up some insane decorations in the common room.
final stage of living room madness
Moving from the AMR’s to Commons last fall was a huge transition, and it’s definitely the biggest jump in terms of housing. I went from a very snug single room sans air conditioning, where I shared a bathroom and shower with about ten other girls on my hallway, to this lovely abode where I have a small kitchen, my own bedroom, and enough space to actually have people over. It’s a great place to live, definitely, and they obviously gave a lot of thought to the layout of the building in terms of community–we have a lot of communal space, all of the suites have pretty big living rooms, all the floors have common rooms, study rooms, or both. We also have a gym, a kitchen, laundry facilities, a cafeteria, and some huge conference rooms that they use to screen movies in and such. You can check it out here http://www.jhu.edu/hds/oncampus/buildings.htm
That’s enough information about the building itself though, so here are a few more pictures of my room!
Our front door, the fridge, and the door to Laura’s room.
My desk, and the kitchen (lots of dishes to do).
The living room, all of our schedules, and my room.
and below, my room and the lovely sign we put up reminding ourselves of where we live.
Just a little decoration in my room and in the hallways.
Howdy! Sorry I’ve been sooooooooo late since my last blog, which was apparently 19 days ago, as Admissions_Daniel has reminded me. Anywho it’s ok. Here I am. I’ve had an amazing, warm, sunny and family/friend filled Easter so I’m in a good mood. Plus, my previously dead iPod is now living again…coinky dink that it came back to life on Easter? :P
Sooooo, I live in Homewood Apartments this year with one of my best friends on campus. Why Homewood? I primarily chose it because I didn’t want a meal plan. If you live in any of the other dorms (besides Bradford Apts), you HAVE to have a meal plan, regardless of year. I had the 19 meal plan last year (now “Unlimited”) and I ate campus food to my heart’s content. So I’m cool with cooking my own food/buying it/using meal swipes that my meal plan having friends waste. It all works out.
Plus compared to the single bedrooms in McCoy, Commons, and Bradford, our rooms are huge. Well, at least mine is. It’s very comfy here and I love it and will be sad to leave it when school ends. Anyway, let’s look around…
The entrance to my suite!
Here’s the door to the apartment. Our names are on dinosaur eggs because our theme is dinosaurs hehe. Just like all of the other dorms, we use a key to get inside, so no fancy door opening contraptions, sorry if that bursts your bubble!
What you see when you first walk inside
Since Homewood is an on campus apartment, it comes fully furnished and it has the same style of furniture and carpeting that the other dorms have. Here’s the long couch and a slanty view of the full kitchen…Homewood and Bradford Apts are the only on campus options that have full ovens in their kitchens, and I’ve been using that like crazy!
Better living room view
Better kitchen view
Lots of room. We should have people over more often but we fail a lot. Mmm, looking at this picture makes me want to go bake some banana bread with the bananas that are rotting on the kitchen ledge….
The bathroom, you can't see it but there's a full bathtub
Here’s our bathroom. I like keeping things clean and tidy, so yes it is always this clean looking. Homewood and Bradford are the only on campus dorms that have bathtubs…not sure if that matters to you but hey it’s cool having one I guess. Off to my room…
dresser
desk
So yea…bed, desk, dresser. The desks are wider here and the dressers are bigger too. Sorry for all of the beauty products; I’m kinda a product junky and I am never satisfied with the results. I should just make my own products! But yea, I’m very comfortable here and I will miss it so much! But I hope you enjoyed! Here’s the corresponding videooooooooooooooooooo:
