REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
Johns Hopkins
As America’s first research university, Johns Hopkins has consistently been at the forefront of innovation, particularly in the fields of medicine, public health, and engineering. Johns Hopkins University ranks number one in research and development spending in the U.S. for the past 42 years. Every member of JHU’s renowned faculty is actively engaged in original investigations, and although it is not a strict Johns Hopkins University requirement, students are encouraged to do the same. The vibrant campus life, coupled with the rich cultural and historical backdrop of Baltimore, offers a dynamic and enriching experience for students from all walks of life. If this interests you, keep reading to find out everything else you need to know about Johns Hopkins!
REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
Johns Hopkins
As America’s first research university, Johns Hopkins has consistently been at the forefront of innovation, particularly in the fields of medicine, public health, and engineering. Johns Hopkins University ranks number one in research and development spending in the U.S. for the past 42 years. Every member of JHU’s renowned faculty is actively engaged in original investigations, and although it is not a strict Johns Hopkins University requirement, students are encouraged to do the same. The vibrant campus life, coupled with the rich cultural and historical backdrop of Baltimore, offers a dynamic and enriching experience for students from all walks of life. If this interests you, keep reading to find out everything else you need to know about Johns Hopkins!
REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
Johns Hopkins
As America’s first research university, Johns Hopkins has consistently been at the forefront of innovation, particularly in the fields of medicine, public health, and engineering. Johns Hopkins University ranks number one in research and development spending in the U.S. for the past 42 years. Every member of JHU’s renowned faculty is actively engaged in original investigations, and although it is not a strict Johns Hopkins University requirement, students are encouraged to do the same. The vibrant campus life, coupled with the rich cultural and historical backdrop of Baltimore, offers a dynamic and enriching experience for students from all walks of life. If this interests you, keep reading to find out everything else you need to know about Johns Hopkins!
School Location:
BALTIMORE, MD
School Type:
PRIVATE RESEARCH UNIVERSITY
Admissions Rates:
ADMITTED: 7.56%
GENERAL INFO
SAT/ACT Scores:
Test Optional for 2024-2025
Admission Cycle
Class of 2026 Test Scores
Middle 50% SAT:
1530-1560
Middle 50% ACT:
34-35
Dates/Deadlines:
Early Decision:
November 1
Early Decision II:
January 1
Priority/Rolling/Regular Decision:
January 2
School Information:
Undergraduate population:
5,600
Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Most Important Factor for Admissions Decisions:
TBD
Interviews Considered: No
JOHNS HOPKINS TIPS & GUIDE
How difficult is it to get into JHU?
Johns Hopkins University is an extremely selective school, with an acceptance rate of 7.5%. Every accepted student was in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school, and over 62% had a 4.0 GPA. Additionally, the median SAT Composite score was 1550, while the median ACT Composite score was 35. Students seeking admission should aim for highly competitive stats to increase their chances of joining the Blue Jay community.
What is the campus like at JHU?
Johns Hopkins University is located in Baltimore, Maryland, a bustling city with landmarks such as the National Aquarium, the Edgar Allan Poe House, and Fort McHenry (the birthplace of “The Star Spangled Banner”). Every season brings different festivals; there’s the Maryland Film Festival in the spring, a book festival and Comic-Con each fall, and Artscape in the summer. Although not a JHU requirement, many students engage in the Baltimore community by volunteering through the Center for Social Concern.
Between the Krieger and Whiting Schools, there are about 5,600 undergraduate students total at JHU, and 53% live on campus, though 92% of first-year students live on campus. In addition to students, the Homewood campus is home to dozens of research labs, two libraries, and athletic and recreation centers. On-campus housing is guaranteed and required for first- and second-year students. Freshmen live in one of four freshman housing options, including suites, singles, and doubles. After sophomore year, most students live nearby in the Charles Village neighborhood, which ensures a lasting sense of community for all four years.
JHU’s campus is spacious and wooded. At an area students fondly call “The Beach” (which is, unfortunately, not an actual beach) students hang out with friends, read, or people watch on the grass. JHU offers several dining options serving up various cuisines. There are also 430+ student-run organizations, and 83% of students participate in at least one of them. Students who enjoy giving back to local communities can choose from over 50 service-oriented organizations.
What is JHU known for?
Johns Hopkins University is known for excellence in medicine, research and music. It’s the nation’s first research university, and it has maintained a 148-year legacy of innovation with the goal of making life safer, healthier and more enjoyable for humankind. Since 1979, it has led the nation in federal research and development funding and maintained an admirable philosophy prioritizing the deliberate pursuit of discovery and the constant dissemination of knowledge. Notable alumni include President Woodrow Wilson, business magnate Mike Bloomberg, director Caleb Deschanel, and journalist Wolf Blitzer. Its status as the premier college of historic Baltimore also gives it a unique cachet in one of the nation’s oldest cities. JHU has a vibrant relationship with the city, strengthened by both a rich history and contemporary legacy of employing its resources to help the local community through various initiatives and partnerships.
How diverse is JHU?
Johns Hopkins University states that they are “deeply committed to the dignity and equality of all persons—inclusive of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and veteran status.” In their undergraduate snapshot, JHU reports that their population is 53% female and 47% male, and 19% are first-generation college students. The Race/ethnicity breakdown for the class of 2025 is as follows: Asian: 29%, White/Caucasian: 20%, Hispanic/Latine: 20%, African American/Black: 14%, International: 14% Native American/Pacific Islander: 3%, and unknown: 2%. Johns Hopkins’ undergraduate student body is 45% male and 55% female.
How do I apply to JHU?
The ED I deadline is November 1, ED II is January 2, and the RD deadline is January 2. Keep in mind that students should only apply to JHU Early Decision if they are 100% certain that they would attend if admitted.
JHU accepts the Coalition for College Application and the Common Application for first-year candidates. In addition to one of these applications, you’ll be required to submit a short JHU supplemental essay, SAT or ACT score (optional for applicants in the fall 2024 application cycle), two teacher evaluations, a secondary school report (school counselor recommendation, transcript, and high school profile), and a mid-year report of your grades.
Johns Hopkins also has an incredible application resource in its admitted students’ “Essays That Worked.” Prospective students who would like to read strong examples of the caliber of writing that earns acceptance letters from JHU should take time to read through a few essays.
Does JHU have a good athletic department?
John Hopkins University has 22 athletic teams that compete in the NCAA Division III and 2 that compete in the NCAA Division I, men’s and women’s lacrosse. One of its major rivals is the University of Maryland, and the in-state lacrosse rivalry between the Blue Jays and the Terps has persisted since 1895. Given the location in one of the national epicenters of lacrosse, the sport is one of the most popular at the school. Outside of varsity athletics, JHU also offers Intramurals, Club Sports and Lawn Games.
What are JHU’s core curriculum and programs?
Johns Hopkins University consists of two undergraduate schools, the Whiting School of Engineering and the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences. Between the Krieger School and the Whiting School, JHU offers 52 academic majors and 48 minors. There is no core curriculum, meaning students have the freedom to explore and combine their academic interests without having to fulfill general education or distributive requirements.
The university also houses the Peabody Institute, a conservatory offering Bachelors of Music, Bachelors of Fine Arts, and double-degree programs which combine a B.M. degree with either a B.A. or B.S. from the Krieger or Whiting School. They also offer the Performer’s Certificate, which is designed for undergraduate students with outstanding musical and performance ability who do not wish to include the academic component of the B.M. curriculum and the Artist Diploma, a non-degree program for experienced performers intending to embark on a professional career.
Can I afford JHU?
The total cost for a freshman living on campus, including tuition, course materials, transportation, room and board, and more, is $88,976. Numerous types of financial aid are available, including the Hopkins Scholarship and State Aid. These grants include both need-based awards (grants based on your parents’ financial portfolios) and merit-based scholarships (grants based on your academic performance). The average amount of need-based scholarship aid granted to first-year students is $64,240. Loans and student employment are also options for funding a Hopkins education. Students can estimate their cost for JHU using the financial aid calculator.
What is the School of Engineering Like?
The Whiting School of Engineering is home to over 230 interdisciplinary centers, institutes and labs, and $193 million annual research expenditures. JHU has plenty of amazing resources on campus, but the university understands that many students want to broaden their horizons while in college. While engineering students at other universities may struggle to find time to study abroad, JHU engineering students can do a semester or full academic year abroad through one of four exchange programs with partner universities in Israel, Mumbai, Singapore, and Switzerland. With the support of Fastforward, JHU’s technology accelerator, students have the chance to grow an idea into a startup and eventually take it to the marketplace.
The Whiting School offers over 20 degree programs, ranging from Biomedical Engineering to Applied Mathematics and Statistics, and everything in between! One course in particular offers an exciting opportunity for aspiring engineers. In JHU’s Multidisciplinary Design course, teams of students from different engineering backgrounds come together to tackle design challenges for a real-world company.
What is the School of Arts and Sciences like?
The Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences is the core institution of Johns Hopkins University’s Homewood campus. Comprising 22 departments and 33 centers, programs, and institutes, the Krieger School is home to students interested in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. There are over 60 majors and minors available for students. Can’t settle on a single subject to study? Not to worry! JHU also offers an Interdisciplinary Studies major, which allows students to combine any disciplines in the Krieger School to develop their knowledge in areas they are passionate and curious about.
What special opportunities does JHU offer?
JHU is a research university, so it is devoted to innovation as much as it is to learning. As a result, Johns Hopkins has many well-funded research opportunities for students. Whiting has programs like Fastforward and Multidisciplinary Design, and even Krieger has a number of well-funded research opportunities for students interested in humanities, and social or natural sciences. Students can receive funding for just about anything, whether that’s producing a film, attending a writing retreat, or participating in research at a lab in a foreign country.
Johns Hopkins encourages students to see themselves as citizens of the world, and consequently hundreds of Hopkins undergrads study abroad in Paris, Tokyo, Barcelona, Nanjing or dozens of other destinations around the globe. Students can participate in semester and year abroad programs, summer abroad programs, or even intersession abroad programs so that students can spend their summers interning and their semesters studying at their home university. JHU provides scholarships ranging from $500 to $3,000 for study abroad programs.
