Expectation: Everyone and their mom is pre-med.
Reality: Okay, it’s true: a lot of people are pre-med. But not everyone. In fact, you’ll probably come across a lot more engineers than you may have expected. If you’re one of them, that’s great! Hopkins has a great support system for both engineers and pre-meds, like PILOT or the Learning Den. If not, don’t worry. It’ll totally come in handy to know a few engineers while you’re working on your own problem sets.
Expectation: The library is a deep dark dungeon of despair.
Reality: The library will become the center of your social scene. Trust me, during finals week a seat in the library will be very hard to come by. You will see everyone you have ever met scattered throughout the many levels of your library. This includes your friends, your classmates, and that guy who talked to you at that party that one time. It’s a good thing you’re most likely wearing pajamas with your hair in a messy bun on top of your head. But don’t worry about it. The library will become a restaurant, a social scene, and your bedroom all rolled into one. This is the same for the majority of the Hopkins community as well, so you will not be the only one who isn’t exactly dressed to impress.
Expectation: Baltimore is so dangerous that violence will become a part of your everyday life.
Reality: Yes, Baltimore has its seedy areas. But it has its fun, beautiful areas too. The Inner Harbor, Fell’s Point, and Hampden are all great places to visit. It’s really just a matter of being smart. Stumbling drunk around the streets at 2 a.m. waving your phone around? Probably not the best idea. As long as you have your wits about you, you’ll be fine.
Expectation: You’ll have so much work that you’ll never be able to have fun.
Reality: Hopkins is fun! No, really, I swear. No matter what it is you consider a good time, be it frat parties or Friday night movies, there’s always going to be people who want to do the same. So whether you want to go to downtown, to PJs, to a frat, or to a movie night, Hopkins is the place for you.
Expectation: The competition is “cutthroat”
Reality: Everyone thinks it’s just as hard as you do! There’s nothing quite like the feeling of thinking you’re the only one whose lost in class, only to discover that you’re surrounded by 400 other people who feel the same way. And because everyone thinks the classes are hard, everyone needs the help of their classmates. Friends form study groups, help each other with labs, and edit each other’s papers all the time. No one wants to see a friend fail a class, and so everyone tries to help each other whenever they can.
And finally, I’m sorry to say it, but you won’t smoke pot with Johnny Hopkins.
Photo Credits: http://www.aux.tv/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doin… (dog); http://i2.wp.com/www.baltimorefishbowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/ho… (kid in atrium);https://www.dosomething.org/files/styles/blog_landscape/public/pictures/… (car); http://www.reddscups.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/459954_1015118393… (nerds); http://www.timeoutdubai.com/images/content/dubai_school_checklist/innerb… (kid); http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmi8zpZ1Zu1qinxcco1_500.png (step bros)