This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Elise is a sophomore mechanical engineering major at Hopkins. Both of us were First-Year Mentors last semester and met during the training period.
Navya: Hi Elise, starting off, could you tell our readers how we met?
Elise: We met at the beginning of this school year, at First-Year Mentor Training (FYM), probably sitting at a table and discussing our summers or something like that.
Navya: Yup, it was great meeting a lot of new people during FYM training. So, let’s take it from the very beginning of your Hopkins journey: why did you apply to Hopkins?
Elise: I actually applied to Hopkins kind of on a whim during senior year. I didn’t really know what I was looking for in a college; I applied to all different kinds of schools from small liberal arts colleges to research universities, larger schools, etc. Choosing to come to Hopkins was probably more interesting…I remember opening my admissions letter and being so excited seeing the confetti and everything.
And then I went to Blue Jay Day (an admitted student event) and loved it! I enjoyed the campus, connected with the community I met, and couldn’t get it out of my head when it came down to deciding. So, here I am, no regrets! Very happy to be here.
Navya: I actually have a very similar story. I applied Regular Decision to Hopkins and it definitely all worked out for the best. The sense of community and involvement is great here, and my major was the first place where I felt like I really belonged.
Could you share with the readers what your major is and how you chose it?
Elise: I am a mechanical engineering major. I actually came in first year as an undecided engineering major. Then, I took some exploratory classes and talked to other students and some professors and decided to declare mechanical engineering (Mech-E) at the end of my first semester.
Navya: Awesome, I love the freedom that we get to explore different subjects and passions at Hopkins. What’s your favorite thing about your major and department?
Elise: Something I like about the Mech-E department is definitely how hands-on it is. I think the freshman design projects are a really cool experience to get so early. To just get a feel for what mechanical engineering is, getting to know a lot of people in your class, and getting a lot of skills. For example, I didn’t know anything about electronics coming into Hopkins, so it was really cool to learn that and apply it to a complex project and really just see the whole engineering design process from beginning to end.
In general, Hopkins engineering does emphasize hands-on work in addition to the rigorous course work.
Navya: Wow, yeah, I definitely think projects are what makes the Hopkins Engineering experience so worthwhile. Did you do any projects or internships over the summer?
Elise: This past summer I had such an amazing opportunity and experience working as a NASA Europa ICONS Intern at the Southwest Research Institution in Boulder, Colorado. It wasn’t mechanical engineering-related but I really enjoyed it because I was able to explore another field that interested me, which is space. I feel like I learned many new skills that will help me with mechanical engineering as well. I learned a lot about planetary science, machine learning, and coding. It was great to meet new people, attend different meetings and a conference at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab at the end of the summer where I was able to present my work. All in all, it was a really cool opportunity and I’m really grateful for that.
Navya: That’s amazing! Outside of classes and academics, what are you involved in on campus?
Elise: I am involved in just a few things. I have an on-campus job where I tutor fifth-grade math at a local elementary school called Hopkins-Henderson, and I really enjoy working with the kids. I feel like it has been a great way to get to know Baltimore, feel more connected and make a difference in an area I care about: education. Another thing I am really involved in and have some leadership in is InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. That has a lot of different events that we plan, and I have found great friends and community in Christ there. I am also on the Mars Rover Team, which is an engineering club on campus, and I started that this year.
Navya: That’s amazing and quite a lovely array of different missions. Speaking of places where you’ve felt like you belonged, what is your favorite part of Hopkins and living in Baltimore?
Elise: My favorite thing about Hopkins has been the people and the community that I have found. I think that’s what makes a place feel like home in a way. It’s also just been so encouraging to be in an environment where everyone cares about learning so much. The amount of drive, dedication, and involvement of everyone I’ve met is really, really inspiring. I hadn’t had that before to the same degree. Also, it’s been cool to explore the community in Baltimore. It has been interesting to explore a city that I hadn’t explored before. Going around with friends, discovering new places—I love our off-campus adventures.
