Janowitz was born in a
Jewish household to Rose and Sam Janowitz on March 13, 1915, in
Paterson, New Jersey. The sociologist
Morris Janowitz was his younger brother. After graduating from
Eastside High School at the age of 16, Janowitz entered
Columbia College from which he graduated with honors and a membership into
Phi Beta Kappa. His major there was
biology but his undergraduate was history of philosophy. Because he was uncertain whether to pursue
medicine or philosophy, he sought an advice from his mentor and professor, Dr.
Irwin Edman. Edman suggested to him to become a
physician, and so he did. After graduating from
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1939 with
Alpha Omega Alpha honor, Janowitz did a two-year fellowship in
clinical pathology. ==War==