Wake Forest University (WFU) vs Johns Hopkins

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the primary academic strengths of Wake Forest University and Johns Hopkins University?

  Wake Forest excels in undergraduate liberal arts education, offering a strong foundation across disciplines with a focus on close faculty-student interaction. Johns Hopkins is renowned for its research-intensive environment, particularly in medicine, public health, and international studies, attracting students eager to engage in cutting-edge research.

• How do the campus environments and student life differ between Wake Forest and Johns Hopkins?

  Wake Forest offers a more traditional, close-knit campus community in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, emphasizing a strong sense of belonging and school spirit. Johns Hopkins, located in Baltimore, Maryland, provides a more urban and diverse environment, with access to a wider range of cultural and professional opportunities.

• What is the typical class size and student-to-faculty ratio at each university?

  Wake Forest prides itself on small class sizes, with a student-to-faculty ratio of around 11:1, fostering personalized attention. Johns Hopkins also maintains a relatively low student-to-faculty ratio of about 7:1, but class sizes can vary, especially in introductory courses.

• How do the research opportunities compare between Wake Forest and Johns Hopkins?

  While Wake Forest offers research opportunities for undergraduates, Johns Hopkins is a research powerhouse, providing extensive opportunities for students to participate in groundbreaking research across various fields, especially in medicine and public health. Johns Hopkins has significantly more funding and dedicated research facilities.

• What are the key differences in the undergraduate academic focus of each university?

  Wake Forest emphasizes a broad liberal arts education, encouraging students to explore diverse subjects. Johns Hopkins, while also offering a strong liberal arts foundation, is more geared towards students with specific research interests, particularly in STEM fields and international studies. Johns Hopkins also has a stronger pre-med focus.

• How do the career services and alumni networks compare?

  Both universities offer robust career services and have strong alumni networks. Johns Hopkins' network is particularly strong in medicine, public health, and international affairs, while Wake Forest's network is well-established in business, law, and the liberal arts, especially in the Southeast.

• What is the cost of attendance and financial aid situation at Wake Forest and Johns Hopkins?

  Both Wake Forest and Johns Hopkins have similar high costs of attendance. Both institutions offer need-based and merit-based financial aid. It's best to check each university's financial aid website for the most up-to-date information and to use their net price calculators to estimate your individual cost.

• How do the admission rates and selectivity compare between Wake Forest and Johns Hopkins?

  Johns Hopkins is significantly more selective than Wake Forest. Johns Hopkins typically has a much lower acceptance rate, reflecting its status as a top-tier research university. Wake Forest is also highly selective, but its acceptance rate is generally higher than that of Johns Hopkins.

• What are some popular majors at Wake Forest and Johns Hopkins?

  At Wake Forest, popular majors include business, economics, political science, communication, and biology. At Johns Hopkins, popular majors include biomedical engineering, public health, international studies, computer science, and neuroscience.

• How does the location of each university impact the student experience?

  Wake Forest's location in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, offers a more traditional college town experience with a strong sense of community. Johns Hopkins' location in Baltimore, Maryland, provides access to a major city with diverse cultural attractions, professional opportunities, and a more urban lifestyle.

• What are the athletic programs like at Wake Forest and Johns Hopkins?

  Wake Forest is a Division I school in the ACC, with a strong emphasis on competitive athletics, particularly in basketball and baseball. Johns Hopkins is a Division III school, with a strong tradition in lacrosse and other sports, but with less emphasis on big-time college athletics.

• Which university is better for students interested in pre-med?

  While both universities offer strong pre-med programs, Johns Hopkins is generally considered to be a stronger choice for students specifically interested in pursuing a career in medicine due to its proximity to the Johns Hopkins Hospital, its renowned medical school, and extensive research opportunities in the medical field.