Johns Hopkins University

Date: May 25 2011
Major: Psychology (This Major's Salary over time)
Johns Hopkins stands as one of the most overrated universities. While it is praised and celebrated in the academic community, there is actually not all that much to get excited over. Hopkins is only good in specific departments. The graduate programs are generally better than the undergraduate, and the engineering programs are generally better than the arts&sciences (though there are some exceptions, for instance the writing department is decent). DO NOT APPLY TO HOPKINS UNLESS YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO DO FOR YOUR CAREER AND HOPKINS OFFERS A STRONG PROGRAM IN THAT FIELD. Most of the undergraduate programs are a joke. Generalists will be dissappointed in the lack of good teachers, and the lack of opportunities to explore new subjects at this school. The professors are there to do research, not to teach you. They're stuck teaching you. That's why they are mostly terrible teachers. This is why you should only come here if you already know what you want to do with your life.

Within my field (psychology) i was particularly dissatisfied. Of all my professors, I only remember two that were half decent lecturers, and one of them later left the University because the administration wanted her to be harder on her students, and was pressuring her research in a wierd direction. I was also upset that none of my courses focused on clinical psychology, personality, and behavior, the things that draw most students into psychology. I studies "psychology" for four years and I learned very little actual psychology. None of this stuff can be applied in the real world setting.

I work as a mailman right now, if that gives you any clue as to how well Hopkins prepares you for the real world. Everything is theory, nothing is practice. The career center was also of little use to me in helping me find a direction.

A word on the social scene while we're still here. It sucks. You have to explore Baltimore to find the cultural activities and interesting people the city has to offer. There is nothing to do in Charles Village except for the terrible, smelly, overcrowded and douchebag/bro ridden frat parties, and the three local bars, which are decent (each having their own pros and cons). Since most Hopkins kids don't have the time/means/courage to explore the urban jungle that is Baltimore, they never get to experience all the wonderful and eccentric things this city has to offer. So, for most, the social life is a dull routine.

Also, advice for the men. DO NOT DATE HOPKINS WOMEN. There is a chip missing in their brains. None of them know what they want out of life or their relationships. All of them are manipulators and play head games. Most of them are much less attractive than their general population counterparts. Few of them make for good company or good conversation. You would be surprised how many "smart" girls are incapable of talking politics or philosophy, and are instead only interested in the newest Lady Gaga song. You're better off finding a Baltimore local or a girl from another school. At least she's genuine as a person and you know what you're signing up for.

Women, I'm not sure if the dating scene is as terrible for you guys as it is for us men. But a lot of the girls I have talked to say that it is generally more difficult to find a good man at Hopkins than at other places, unless you're looking for a well-groomed rich boy with no substance. There is also an active gay and lesbian community, even though most of it is hidden from the mainstream social circles.