Hopkins vs. UMD

U.S.A. Maryland

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Can anyone here give some insight on the differences between the two programs? If you had to decide between the two schools which would you choose...granted JHU is twice as expensive! Is it worth it? And how much can they really help you financially? Are there any major differences between the two schools in terms of education, personal attention, outside opportunities, clinicals, job search??? I would greatly appreciate any input!

I applied for Fall 05 and they sent me a letter back saying that they won't even look at my application until my Spring grades are in because I don't have enough of my core sciences done. They told me that when my grades are in they will then look at my application IF there is space left...and consider me for scholarships IF there are scholarships left as well. I am so frustrated by their attitude, but don't want to make my decision (IF i get accepted to them and have a decision to make) based on my experience with just the admissions staff if the attitude stops there.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

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Bigmona,

Thanks for your input. It really helps to hear from someone who is there now. Do you find that you are getting a quality education or that you need to teach a lot of the stuff to yourself? Do you feel amply prepared for the NCLEX? Do you know if UMAB gives preferential treatment to their own students for their Masters programs? I heard that quite a few of the classes have a lot of "busy work" involved and not a lot of learning value. Can you let me know what your experience has been?

Thanks!!!

Is there anyone out there at JHU now who can let us know about these things on the JHU side? (and is it really $10 a day to park there????)

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Bigmona,

Thanks for your input. It really helps to hear from someone who is there now. Do you find that you are getting a quality education or that you need to teach a lot of the stuff to yourself? Do you feel amply prepared for the NCLEX? Do you know if UMAB gives preferential treatment to their own students for their Masters programs? I heard that quite a few of the classes have a lot of "busy work" involved and not a lot of learning value. Can you let me know what your experience has been?

Thanks!!!

Is there anyone out there at JHU now who can let us know about these things on the JHU side? (and is it really $10 a day to park there????)

Hi TAMM1

You are asking all of my questions!! Whenever I called UMB, they were pretty rude, or at least not terribly friendly. My experience with the JHU staff has been the exact opposite, extremely nice! UMB does not have rolling admissions, and htat is why we won't be hearing anything until after the 1st of April.

I am interested in UMB CRNA program as well, but a friend recently told me that JHU has a CRNA program, but I don't see it on their WEB site. I guess I'll call them. I have driven by the JHUSON and it is in a TERRIBLE neighborhood. I will be commuting into the city from the Havre de Grace area, and I am concerned about crime, parking, MARC, any info on that would be appreciated.

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Specializes in tele, ICU.

yep, it is $10 a day to park at hopkins, though I don't know if that changes if you're a student. I just have clinical there once a week. the neighborhood isn't the greatest, but you see security patrolling around all the time.

You have a ton of busy work during clinical classes. Your grades come strictly from your exams, and a term paper (if you have to do one for the class). You need to write care plans, reports, evaluations, teaching plans, family assessments, etc etc etc (it seems like it NEVER ENDS) all that do not contribute one iota to your grade. all that matters is that you "pass" with a satisfactory, because clinical is pass/fail.

all the exams are nclex style, but Penny Lane can better attest to whether those exams prepare you adequately for the NCLEX.. she graduated from UMB in December and passed the NCLEX last month, I think.

Not sure about master's programs and whether they give preferrential treatment, though I'm sure it can't hurt to be an alum of the school.

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Specializes in Junior Year of BSN.

Yes you pay for $10 a day when your at Hopkins, they have student parking thats free but its not close like the $10 a day one. Plus the free one is kinda distant and not in a great neighborhood. But theres always light rail, and the subway. Most people just do the park and ride thing and take the light rail, its cheaper and safer and VERY conveinuate (sp). If your a county person, you might want to do that, plus you can STUDY on the light rail/subway. You can't do that when you drive!!! So thats a plus.

There is SIMman at both Hopkins and UMB. Surprised more places don't have that, even CCBC has that. The ARMY has been having SIMman, woman, and child since the 90's!!! (sorry I'm an Army soldier so surprised how military sometimes get's better equipment than the civilian education). I'm going to go back in the Army and go for their CRNA program, the Army's CRNA program is #2 in the NATION!!! It means serving another 4 yrs in the Army but its free, can't beat that.

Honestly I have friends from BOTH JHUSON, and UMB. If you honestly can't afford Hopkins go to UMB, there both top 10 nursing schools/medical schools in the nation. BUT Hopkins and this is from all the ones I've talked to UMB and Hopkins grads, they have the BEST education and BEST recognition when it comes to employment. Like the saying goes you get what you pay for. Education is an investment, think of it as your investing yourself in the BEST thing possible. You as a person should deserve the best, but anyway you go you will be going to great schools, Hopkins is just known to treat its students better.

Plus this is another added bonus, if you will not be going to graduate school in Maryland, and another state you know what a HOPKINS education looks like on an application?? Thats a VERY valuable asset. It's like getting a degree in Harvard when it comes to nursing. EVERYONE knows who HOPKINS is. There internationally known. So think about it if you can afford it, even if it means taking out loans (student loans are great, what other loan you know is at the lowest interest rate right now, and has tax incentives, and don't forget future employers can pay off????) So think about that.

Hope that helps:p

yep, it is $10 a day to park at hopkins, though I don't know if that changes if you're a student. I just have clinical there once a week. the neighborhood isn't the greatest, but you see security patrolling around all the time.

You have a ton of busy work during clinical classes. Your grades come strictly from your exams, and a term paper (if you have to do one for the class). You need to write care plans, reports, evaluations, teaching plans, family assessments, etc etc etc (it seems like it NEVER ENDS) all that do not contribute one iota to your grade. all that matters is that you "pass" with a satisfactory, because clinical is pass/fail.

all the exams are nclex style, but Penny Lane can better attest to whether those exams prepare you adequately for the NCLEX.. she graduated from UMB in December and passed the NCLEX last month, I think.

Not sure about master's programs and whether they give preferrential treatment, though I'm sure it can't hurt to be an alum of the school.

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bigmona and cherish,

thanks sooooooooo much for your input! you have both really helped me a ton! I think that if i get the merit scholarship from jhu then i'll go there--especially since you say that they treat their students so much better and that their education is better! Also, i want to do the crna program at md and i think the jhu bachelors has a special "trauma/critical care" that would really help me for that. do you agree?

did anyone hear from jhu about scholarships yet?

Thanks!

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Yes you pay for $10 a day when your at Hopkins, they have student parking thats free but its not close like the $10 a day one. Plus the free one is kinda distant and not in a great neighborhood. But theres always light rail, and the subway. Most people just do the park and ride thing and take the light rail, its cheaper and safer and VERY conveinuate (sp). If your a county person, you might want to do that, plus you can STUDY on the light rail/subway. You can't do that when you drive!!! So thats a plus.

There is SIMman at both Hopkins and UMB. Surprised more places don't have that, even CCBC has that. The ARMY has been having SIMman, woman, and child since the 90's!!! (sorry I'm an Army soldier so surprised how military sometimes get's better equipment than the civilian education). I'm going to go back in the Army and go for their CRNA program, the Army's CRNA program is #2 in the NATION!!! It means serving another 4 yrs in the Army but its free, can't beat that.

Honestly I have friends from BOTH JHUSON, and UMB. If you honestly can't afford Hopkins go to UMB, there both top 10 nursing schools/medical schools in the nation. BUT Hopkins and this is from all the ones I've talked to UMB and Hopkins grads, they have the BEST education and BEST recognition when it comes to employment. Like the saying goes you get what you pay for. Education is an investment, think of it as your investing yourself in the BEST thing possible. You as a person should deserve the best, but anyway you go you will be going to great schools, Hopkins is just known to treat its students better.

Plus this is another added bonus, if you will not be going to graduate school in Maryland, and another state you know what a HOPKINS education looks like on an application?? Thats a VERY valuable asset. It's like getting a degree in Harvard when it comes to nursing. EVERYONE knows who HOPKINS is. There internationally known. So think about it if you can afford it, even if it means taking out loans (student loans are great, what other loan you know is at the lowest interest rate right now, and has tax incentives, and don't forget future employers can pay off????) So think about that.

Hope that helps:p

Cherish

Thank you for the information. What you say makes a lot of sense. My husband and I want to return to the Seattle area after I graduate. Also, we will be living in the Havre de Grace area, and I had planned to take the rail. It's nice to know that it is safe. I'm sure I will be in debt, but like I said in a previous post it is "good" debt.

I retired from the Coast Guard after 20 years in June 2003, so I can relate to what you say about the military. I was an electronics tech, and the money we spent....If only the tax payers knew. I'd be interested in the Army's CRNA program, but I'm probably too old. Also, once you retire I don't think they let you back in.

Good luck and thanks again for the info, it was very informative.

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Specializes in Junior Year of BSN.

Well in the Army, for Active duty you may be too old its 33-35 for prior service. BUT for the Guard, Reserve there is NO TIME LIMIT. So you can get into the program as a Reservist or Guard. So that means for 3 yrs you will be active duty only for the schooling and clinical (Bethesda MD, and San Antonio TX, they also have clinicals at Walter Reed). You can serve your time in the Reserve, Guard once you get out of the schooling. So you might think about that.

In the Reserves/Guard, they deploy you up to the age of 60. So remember that being a reservist/guard does not make you safe from deployment. I am 22 but was in the military since I was 17 got out at 20 of Active Duty. Now I am IRR but have been activated for OIF so my schooling is on pause for 18-24mths so that sucks. But its ok because atleast I don't have to worry about the whole application process BUT when I come back its like 2 yrs since the last time I would have taken classes:uhoh3: .

You might want to talk to a reserve recruiter if your thinking about the CRNA program you can be in any branch, but the Army CRNA accepts more Army because they have a larger slot for them, then Navy/Marine, Air Force, or Coast Guard. But you'll less likely get deployed in the Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard (do they even deploy lol?).

Cherish

Thank you for the information. What you say makes a lot of sense. My husband and I want to return to the Seattle area after I graduate. Also, we will be living in the Havre de Grace area, and I had planned to take the rail. It's nice to know that it is safe. I'm sure I will be in debt, but like I said in a previous post it is "good" debt.

I retired from the Coast Guard after 20 years in June 2003, so I can relate to what you say about the military. I was an electronics tech, and the money we spent....If only the tax payers knew. I'd be interested in the Army's CRNA program, but I'm probably too old. Also, once you retire I don't think they let you back in.

Good luck and thanks again for the info, it was very informative.

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bigmona and cherish,

thanks sooooooooo much for your input! you have both really helped me a ton! I think that if i get the merit scholarship from jhu then i'll go there--especially since you say that they treat their students so much better and that their education is better! Also, i want to do the crna program at md and i think the jhu bachelors has a special "trauma/critical care" that would really help me for that. do you agree?

did anyone hear from jhu about scholarships yet?

Thanks!

Hi Tamm1,

There are really low student loans you can get: 2.77% for up to $18K which you don't have to pay back until 6 months after you graduate! There are also alternate loans from the banks. JHU has a real nice agreement with Citibank; Citibank loves nursing students from Hopkins because they know they will be employable after graduation. Those alternative loans are 5.00%; it's dependent on the prime. So I wouldn't stress if you do not get a merit scholarship. You can get loans to cover the tuition and living expenses.

The other thing is if you are already at JHU in their bachelor's BSN/RN program and want to apply to the JHU master's program, it's really easy to apply. Since you are already a JHU student, it's pretty easy to get accepted for the master's program.

Smile123

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Specializes in Junior Year of BSN.

If you already have a bachelors degree they also have the direct entry MSN program. That's if your not trying to do the CRNA though since they don't have direct entry CRNA. You get your BSN(accelerated) then do the MSN. BUT if you get your BSN and decide not to do the MSN, you just tell your advisor and the SON administration and you won't have to go to the MSN program. See how nice they are??? LOL. You don't have to worry about it, Hopkins is very lenient and knows that students have obligations and can and will change their mind.

Also, if you don't have a bachelors already, State of MD education has a grant for nurses, its a living grant, that pays for living expenses if your a nurse, and they also have GREAT loans for nurses. State of MD has the greatest financial aid when it comes to nurses they offer SOOOO much. But some come with agreements to work in MD for 2-3 yrs.

If you join the military, military will pay back ALL your loans for you, and sometimes by being in the military you get a deferrment while in to not pay ANYTHING (Remember after 15 yrs of being deferred you do NOT have to pay the loan back EVER). I've met many people that stay in the military as a career and NEVER have to pay back their student loans.

Theirs a lot of options out there. As a nurse, with all these shortages and more to come with the soon to retire baby boom generation, you shouldn't have to worry about paying back loans. Most employers pay back loans for you 50-100% so really don't worry about it.

Hi Tamm1,

There are really low student loans you can get: 2.77% for up to $18K which you don't have to pay back until 6 months after you graduate! There are also alternate loans from the banks. JHU has a real nice agreement with Citibank; Citibank loves nursing students from Hopkins because they know they will be employable after graduation. Those alternative loans are 5.00%; it's dependent on the prime. So I wouldn't stress if you do not get a merit scholarship. You can get loans to cover the tuition and living expenses.

The other thing is if you are already at JHU in their bachelor's BSN/RN program and want to apply to the JHU master's program, it's really easy to apply. Since you are already a JHU student, it's pretty easy to get accepted for the master's program.

Smile123

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Thanks soooo much!!!! Do you know how to go about looking into the loans before I have to make a decision about school? And it even sounds like if i could afford to pay for school it wouldn't make sense to since I would likely get my employer to pay most of it for me when i graduated, correct?

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If you already have a bachelors degree they also have the direct entry MSN program. That's if your not trying to do the CRNA though since they don't have direct entry CRNA. You get your BSN(accelerated) then do the MSN. BUT if you get your BSN and decide not to do the MSN, you just tell your advisor and the SON administration and you won't have to go to the MSN program. See how nice they are??? LOL. You don't have to worry about it, Hopkins is very lenient and knows that students have obligations and can and will change their mind.

Theirs a lot of options out there. As a nurse, with all these shortages and more to come with the soon to retire baby boom generation, you shouldn't have to worry about paying back loans. Most employers pay back loans for you 50-100% so really don't worry about it.

You are exactly right! JHU is very savvy; they are fine if you apply to the accelerated or traditional bachelor's for people who already have bachelor degrees from non-nursing backgrounds, you can apply directly for the Master's program at the same time. However, after you get your BSN/RN, you can defer for a year and work as a RN or go straight through for the master's portion. Then if you work at JHU hospital while you are going to school, they will pay for your tuition. (If you work fulltime at the hospital, they will pay for 100% of your tuition during that semester; if you work part time, they will pay for 25% to 50% of your tuition.) So if you don't mind taking longer to finish, you can work fulltime at JHU hospital and they will pay your master's tuition so you won't have to worry about those loans!

JHU realizes there are lots of lifestyle changes so they are quite flexible. JHU really knows how to cater to their students! :p

Smile123

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