Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is considered one of the top fifteen best schools in the country. The private institution was founded in 1876, and currently has four campuses around Baltimore, Maryland. The urban setting of about 140 acres also allows students to take advantage of off-campus research opportunities. The main undergraduate campus is the Homewood Campus, near Charles Village; freshman and sophomores are required to live in residential housing.

With over 6,000 undergraduates, Johns Hopkins University has been voted number one among universities in science, medical, and engineering research and development for more than 30 years (according to the National Science Foundation.) On the main Homewood Campus, there are three schools: the Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, the GWC Whiting School of Engineering, and the School of Education. The university offers 53 majors, and the Whiting School has 14 engineering programs. The most popular majors at Johns Hopkins include public health, international relations, bioengineering and biomedical engineering, and economics. Also, the university is affiliated with Johns Hopkins Hospital, which is considered by many to be the number one hospital in all the United States.

Despite the importance placed on demanding curriculum, Johns Hopkins University also has a thriving social atmosphere. About 17% of the undergraduate students belong to one of the 26 recognized fraternities and sororities on campus. They also have one of the longest running weekly college newspapers in the country. Founded in 1896, “The Johns Hopkins News-Letter,” has won multiple awards for student journalism. Another popular on-campus activity is the Johns Hopkins Outdoors Club (JHOC), which was established in 1972. Students can escape the urban Baltimore setting and take weekend trips that involve canoeing, mountain biking, and camping. Johns Hopkins also has a substantial athletic program. They compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Centennial Conference, and their men’s lacrosse team participates at the NCAA Division I level in the B1G Conference.

Johns Hopkins has established multiple libraries that have helped students implement study habits in line with the 21^st century. The University Library currently holds more than 3.7 million volumes and includes ten main divisions. The Sheridan Libraries’ Brody Learning Commons opened in 2012, and includes group study spaces, seminar rooms, and laboratories. Students are able to take advantage of the electronic and paper resources available in the large, four-story building. The library is also an ideal place for studying because it is open around the clock.

Students interested in being a part of a leading research institution should investigate all the academic opportunities Johns Hopkins has to offer. With an impressive roster of alumni (including Nobel Laureates and President Woodrow Wilson), the university has vigorous academic programs and a multitude of on-campus activities. Small classroom sizes and dedicated professors only add to the inspiring aspects of Johns Hopkins University.