Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2014 - (Page 44)

students review The Students Review series is intended to aid prospective college students in their search by offering insiders' views of selected colleges and universities, as expressed by current undergraduates or recent graduates who have high academic ability. Note that the number of reviewers is small. Consider their personal perspectives as only one factor as you gather information and impressions from many sources. Our reviewers include 22 individuals, who major(ed) in: anthropology (1), biology (3), business (2), chemical engineering (1), chemistry (2), comparative literature (1), computer engineering (1), computer science (1), economics (1), electrical engineering (2), French (1), healthcare management (1), international business (1), international studies (1), math (3), mechanical engineering (1), philosophy-neuroscience-psychology (1), physics (3), psychology (1), Spanish (1), systems engineering (2), and systems science (1). (The number of majors exceeds 22 because some reviewers had double majors.) Reviewers' comments appear within quotation marks. Quality of Academic Instruction for Undergraduates Despite its name, Washington University (or "Wash U") is not in Washington (DC or state); it's in St. Louis, Missouri. For top students, Wash U is an attractive choice not only for its academic excellence but also for its many merit-based scholarships. Undergraduates enroll in one of five schools-Architecture, Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, or Fine Arts-and may take courses in any of the schools. All reviewers praised the quality of education and the accessibility of professors at Wash U. me, Wash U's most appealing aspect "For was its overall academic strength. I looked at many universities and found that, in nearly every academic area, Wash U measured up to other schools, even Ivy League and renowned technical schools. In addition, I found all my professors to be very approachable." quality of undergraduate instruction "The is definitely top-notch. Aside from of a handful 44 imagine Washington University very least completing a major and a minor. Because different schools have different core requirements, it is more difficult to complete degrees at two different schools, but a number of students do." huge strength is the enormous oppor"A tunity for research. Wash U has many research groups, and you can usually find somebody doing something that you're interested in. Wash U's School of Medicine, only about 15 minutes away, is an excellent resource for students interested in research in medicine, biology, or biomedical engineering, and has many research groups that welcome undergraduates." Social Life of introductory courses, most classes have 40 or fewer students, which allows in-class interaction with the professor. Professors, not graduate students, teach the overwhelming majority of classes." academic atmosphere at Wash U "The is incredibly friendly and supportive. Undergraduates are given both peer advisors and academic advisors. Class sizes are such that, in a majority of them, professors are able to provide individual attention to students. The professors definitely want to help you do well, but they don't make it an easy ride. They make you work, to really learn what you set out to learn. Students are also encouraged to work together on homework, and most are more than willing to help one other." distribution requirements in each of "The the five schools differ, but the purpose is the same: to make sure that you have a balanced and flexible education, whether you become an artist, educator, or an engineer. Most distribution classes I took were well worth taking." "Wash U is flexible and makes it easy to pursue diverse interests. Many people I know ended up double majoring, or at the Reviewers enjoyed the comfortable size of the student body and the lovely campus, located in a suburban area of St. Louis near a large park. "With 6,000 undergraduates, the size of Wash U was just right for me-small enough for me to know a reasonable percentage of my fellow students while never feeling lost in a sea of students. The students are, in general, friendly and very intelligent. The pace in the school and the city is easy-going, and the environment is very fun. Living in the residential housing area, students are integrated into a close-knit community. Off-campus housing is conveniently located near campus and transportation to and from the main campus is made simple by a Wash U Shuttle Service." campus is in an attractive, safe "The area of St. Louis. Both the campus and the surrounding area are beautiful, with a huge park located nearby-a haven for runners, roller-bladers, golfers, and dog-walkers. Dorms are all in the same part of the campus (known as 'the South 40'), which helps in meeting people. There is a considerable Greek system, but most campus parties are open and free. While intercollegiate sports generate little enthusiasm, intramural and club sports are very popular and are a fun way to stay active." Mar/Apr 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2014

In My Own Words
Chemistry Is…
Master of Reactions
Fascinated by Photochemistry
What About Labs?
Buckyballs and Nanocrystals
Small Is Big
Chemistry Among the Stars
Making Chemicals Safer, 21st Century Style
Selected Opportunities & Resources
Empowered to Change the World
The Buzz About History
Off the Shelf
Word Wise
Exploring Career Options
One Step Ahead
Planning Ahead for College
Students Review
Mark Your Calendar
Knossos Games

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2014