How to Get Into Johns Hopkins: Strategies and Essays That Worked
/Learn the Johns Hopkins University acceptance rate and admissions strategies, plus a Johns Hopkins essay that worked
LEARN HOW TO GET INTO JOHNS HOPKINS
----
Part 1: Introduction
If your child excels in high school, particularly in the sciences or economics, they might have Johns Hopkins University on their radar. The university is the alma mater of world-renowned scientists, businesspeople, and even a former U.S. president, and it should be considered by any high-performing student.
Johns Hopkins is probably most famous for its elite premed education. The university’s steadfast dedication to health dates back to the institution’s founding; Johns Hopkins University’s eponymous founder was a philanthropist passionate about improving public health and public education. Each year, Johns Hopkins students are accepted to medical school at a far higher rate than the national average—premed graduates today enjoy an 80 percent med school acceptance rate.
While Johns Hopkins is renowned for its reputation in medicine, its other programs should not go overlooked. The Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts & Sciences houses one of the nation’s earliest creative writing programs as well as a host of interdisciplinary programs from Film & Media Studies to Music. Alumni of the Whiting School of Engineering often go on to work at companies like Amazon, Google, or Accenture, or receive prestigious fellowships like Fulbright. Students with an entrepreneurial spirit benefit from Johns Hopkins’ FastForward program, which, through the Pava Center provides funding from $100 up to $100,000 to students working on their own startup.
On that note, if a Johns Hopkins alum says that they are working on a startup, they should be taken seriously. In 2014, Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures was founded to help translate research done within the Johns Hopkins’ ecosystem into the market. Since then, their portfolio has come to include over 130 companies that have collectively raised over $3 billion in venture funding.
No matter what course of study your child pursues, Johns Hopkins is likely a strong choice. According to the Johns Hopkins website, only 9 percent of the most recent class was unemployed or not enrolled in graduate school six months after graduation. Over half the class had joined the workforce, one-third had enrolled directly in grad school, and 5 percent were pursuing nontraditional employment, such as enlisting in the military or entrepreneurship.
As an “Ivy Plus” university with a student-faculty ratio of just 6:1, Johns Hopkins is understandably selective. Read the guide below to learn more about the university and how to be considered a competitive applicant.
Johns Hopkins University rankings
Forbes: 8
Niche: 24
U.S. News & World Report: 6 (tie)
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education: 10 (US) 16 (worldwide)
Where is Johns Hopkins?
Johns Hopkins is located in Baltimore, Maryland. The entire university is spread across four campuses throughout the city, with undergraduates studying in North Baltimore on the Homewood campus. Because they are separated from graduate students and have a campus to call their own, undergraduate students may feel a close-knit sense of community and belonging even amidst a large research institution.
Johns Hopkins student population
Undergraduates: 5,600
Graduate students: 24,273 (Fall 2023)
Johns Hopkins acceptance rate
Let’s review the admissions statistics for Johns Hopkins’ class of 2028:
Applications: 45,134
Acceptances: 2,558
Early Decision: 809
Regular Decision: 1,749
Matriculants: 1,288
Acceptance rate: 6.2%
Here’s what we know so far about the class of 2029:
Applications: 41,549 (during the regular decision round)
Acceptances: 2,525
Early Decision: 793
Regular Decision: 1,732
Acceptance rate: 4%
Johns Hopkins tuition and scholarships
Johns Hopkins’ 2025–2026 cost of attendance (i.e., tuition, room, board, and fees) is $91,830.
The university vows to meet 100 percent of demonstrated need, and financial aid packages do not include student loans. 54 percent of first-year students receive financial aid. The average grant for first-year students is $60,000.
Who gets into Johns Hopkins?
Each year, Johns Hopkins receives tens of thousands of applications from prospective undergraduates. What can we learn from those who were admitted? Here are some statistics for the class of 2028:
99% of admitted students ranked in the top 10% of their class
Average GPA: 3.95
Average SAT score:
25th percentile: 1530
75th percentile: 1570
Average ACT score:
25th percentile: 34
75th percentile: 36
First-generation college students: 20%
International students: 15%
46% are Asian American, 34.1% are white, 10.7% are Hispanic or Latino, 5.7% are African American or Black, and 0.6% are Native American/Pacific Islander.
----
Part 2: Johns Hopkins admissions requirements
Johns Hopkins academic requirements
Johns Hopkins doesn’t list any specific coursework that’s required of prospective applicants. However, they do note that they look for qualities such as academic character, initiative, and personal contributions when reviewing applications (we’ll dig into these qualities further in the next section). They want to see students who are passionate about learning and who will enthusiastically participate and make an impact on JHU and the local Baltimore community.
The university also reports that 98% of incoming students enter with pre-professional experiences. It’s hard to read into this too much, but you might interpret this statistic as an indication that Johns Hopkins is interested in students who apply their education to the real world. If your child is interested in attending Johns Hopkins, encourage them to find a way to put their interests into action, whether by researching in a lab, shadowing a doctor, or immersing in a local business or nonprofit.
Johns Hopkins application requirements
Common Application or the Coalition Application
Johns Hopkins supplemental essay
Required in 2025–2026: SAT or ACT scores
Two teacher letters of recommendation
Secondary school report including school counselor recommendation, transcript, and high school profile
Midyear report including updated transcript (due in mid-February)
Need inspiration for your Common App personal statement? Click below for instant access to 25 full-length example essays including advanced breakdowns of why they resonate with admissions committees.
Gain instant access to 25 exclusive full-length examples covering all seven prompts, plus comprehensive analyses for each to help you craft stellar essays.
Johns Hopkins’ special programs
When submitting their regular application, your child will also have the opportunity to apply for one of three special programs:
Direct Matriculation Programs
Qualified students can apply to one of two Johns Hopkins Master’s programs (Global Health or International Studies)
Through this program, students can earn both a Bachelor of Music from the Peabody Institute and a B.A or B.S. from Johns Hopkins.
Woodrow Wilson Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program
This fellowship provides up to $12,000 in funding to B.A. students completing independent research.
----
Part 3: Applying to Johns Hopkins early decision vs. regular decision
Johns Hopkins has an early decision program which requires your child to submit their application materials by either:
November 1st (to receive a decision by December 12th)
January 2nd (to receive a decision by February 13th)
This program is binding, which means your child cannot apply to any other early decision program. Furthermore, you, your child, and your child’s counselor must sign a contract, agreeing for your child to attend Johns Hopkins should they be admitted.
Your child can also apply regular decision by January 2nd to receive a decision by March 18th.
How do you know if your child should apply to Johns Hopkins early?
Your child should only apply to Johns Hopkins early decision if they are absolutely sure the university is their first choice. If that’s the case, they may be a good early decision candidate if they have strong test scores and grades by the end of junior year.
In recent years, Johns Hopkins has accepted early decision applicants at a rate about three times higher than the university’s overall acceptance rate. However, it’s difficult to truly compare those two rates because students who apply early decision tend to be of the highest caliber; for example, they do not need an additional semester to raise their GPA or retake the SAT.
(Suggested reading: Early Action vs. Early Decision: Pros and Cons and What Your Child Should Do)
----
Part 4: Getting into Johns Hopkins as a transfer student
If your child dreams of joining the Hopkins community but started their undergraduate journey somewhere else or didn't gain admission directly from high school, transfer admission offers another pathway into one of America's most respected universities.
The transfer landscape at Johns Hopkins
While Johns Hopkins doesn't publish much in the way of transfer acceptance rates, we can infer it’s just as competitive as the traditional application process. Your child should assume a roughly 4 to 6 percent acceptance rate. Successful transfer applicants typically maintain GPAs at or above 3.9, much like their regular admission peers.
Beyond raw academic performance, the admissions committee wants to see evidence of your child’s intellectual growth and interests. For example, your child might highlight their journey from foundational courses to more specialized study or conducting independent research.
If they’ve been offered any opportunities beyond traditional coursework, such as undergraduate research experiences or internships, these would certainly help them stand out on their Johns Hopkins transfer application.
The transfer application process at Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins accepts transfer applications through the Common Application, with a March 1st deadline for fall admission. They do not accept applications for admission in the spring semester.
Your child will also need to submit official high school and college transcripts, along with a letter of recommendation from a current instructor that speaks to their academic abilities and personal qualities.
Crafting a compelling transfer narrative for Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins’ personal essay prompt for transfer applicants is the same one they give to traditional applicants. However, as a transfer applicant, your child will have the added task of communicating clear reasons for wanting to transfer to Hopkins while also demonstrating their fit with Hopkins’ culture and programs.
For your child to stand out, they’ll need to craft a narrative of their educational path that relays why Johns Hopkins is the next logical step. Any generic statements like wanting a “better education” or a degree with “more prestige” simply won’t cut it.
Your child will need to get down to the specifics of why Hopkins is the place for them. What distinctive offerings does Hopkins have that appeal to them? Are there research opportunities that your child can’t take advantage of anywhere else? Are there faculty members whose work particularly excites your child? Perhaps they could discuss a laboratory they’d love to conduct research in or an interdisciplinary program only at Hopkins, where they can shine.
This is all to say that the most effective essays show genuine familiarity with what Hopkins offers. While your child may want to discuss their reasons for wanting to leave their current institution, they should ensure the focus of that discussion is on growth rather than just criticism of their current school. For example, what about their college experience so far has helped them clarify their interests or career goals? Has your child discovered any new passions that can only be explored at Johns Hopkins?
----
Part 5: 2025–2026 Johns Hopkins supplemental essay (examples included)
The good news is that Johns Hopkins requires just one supplemental essay. The slightly less good news: the Johns Hopkins supplemental essay is longer than most. So, let’s explore what the university is looking for and how to write a winning essay.
Before we get into the nitty gritty of the essay, it’s important to first understand what qualities Johns Hopkins seeks in its applicants. Again, here are the three things Johns Hopkins is looking for in prospective students:
Academic character: This will be primarily demonstrated through your child’s transcript and test scores. That said, evaluations from teachers can shine light on what the university refers to as “the academic spirit” of your child.
Impact and initiative: The application includes room for your child to list their extracurricular activities, but the essay is another avenue through which your child can demonstrate their resourcefulness and drive.
Personal contributions: Johns Hopkins recognizes that a vital part of the college experience is the network of peers and teachers and mentors that come together to inform your child’s individual experience. They want people who excel individually and those that want to be part of something bigger. Your child gets to really show this off in this year’s supplementary essay.
With that in mind, here’s the Johns Hopkins supplemental essay prompt:
Over the past 150 years, every monumental discovery at Hopkins has started with a first step: The first draft by a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. A prototype that led to a life-changing medical invention. The first pitch that launched a new startup venture. As we commemorate the university’s sesquicentennial—150 years since its founding—we continue to celebrate first steps just as much as final achievements. Tell us about an important first in your life—big or small—that has shaped you (350-word limit).
This is a relatively open-ended prompt that celebrates Johns Hopkins' sesquicentennial while inviting your child to share a meaningful "first step" in their life. Your child can approach writing this essay in a variety of ways, focusing on how a particular beginning or initial experience has shaped their personal development.
They might choose to discuss an aspect of themselves that is not well represented elsewhere in their application materials. On the flip side, they could use the essay to add further nuance and depth to an interest, identity, background, or community that they've already mentioned.
Take note that the prompt is asking for your child to share a personal rather than academic aspect of themselves. This isn't to say that your child shouldn't discuss academic experiences or intellectual pursuits, but they should do so in the context of what the experience means to them personally and how it shaped their character. Since the admissions committee will have access to plenty of materials that document your child's accomplishments, the point of this essay is for them to get to know your child better as a person through the lens of a formative "first."
Your child can also view this prompt as a variation on the "Why us?" essay that we discuss in our supplemental essays guide. The connection between their chosen "first step" and Johns Hopkins should feel organic rather than forced. Whatever topic they choose to write about—whether it's the first time they stood up for something they believed in, their first creative project, their first leadership role, or their first encounter with failure—the key is to demonstrate how this experience reflects the same spirit of discovery and innovation that drives Hopkins' research culture.
Gain instant access to essay examples for every supplemental essay prompt from the top universities and BS/MD programs in the United States. Subscribe today to lock in the current investments, which will be increasing in the future for new subscribers.
If your child wants more help with their essay, Johns Hopkins hosts free online workshops to discuss the purpose and impact of the supplementary essay. They also make available essays from past successful applicants.
----
Part 6: Frequently asked questions
Is it hard to get into Johns Hopkins?
With a roughly 4% acceptance rate, it’s hard to get into Johns Hopkins. This number puts their selectivity as around that of Columbia and on par with other Ivy League institutions. Hopkins is one of the most selective institutions nationally, meaning your child will need stellar grades and extracurriculars to stand out.
What does Johns Hopkins look for in an applicant?
Johns Hopkins looks for intellectually curious individuals with outstanding academic records who will also be a good fit for their programs. With more than 40,000 applicants in each of the last two years, your child will need to demonstrate their fit with the Johns Hopkins campus community and clearly communicate why they want to attend Johns Hopkins.
If your child has a GPA close to or above 3.9, a high SAT or ACT score, and has taken challenging courses in high school (such as IB or AP courses) they stand a good chance of acceptance on paper. However, they will need to showcase their other talents outside of the classroom through activities like participating in clubs or volunteering in a community organization. If these activities allow them to speak to their leadership abilities in their supplemental essays, all the better.
Your child will also need strong letters of recommendation from teachers, and to be sure to spend adequate time writing and revising their essays. They should make sure the essays they submit to Johns Hopkins not only speak to their best qualities, but specific aspects of Hopkins that excite them, as well as what your child will add to the Hopkins community.
Is Johns Hopkins as good as an Ivy?
Johns Hopkins is often considered as good as an Ivy. In fact, it’s usually grouped as one of the Ivy+ schools. This is in part because its standards for academic rigor, world-renowned faculty, small class sizes, research opportunities, and overall prestige put it near the top of many college rankings lists.
Not to mention most graduates have excellent career prospects with a baccalaureate. Furthermore, many go on to exciting careers in fields such as medicine or law.
Whether Hopkins is “as good as an Ivy” is ultimately subjective. However, what’s true is that Ivy or not, at Hopkins, your child will get an exceptional education rivaled by few institutions around the world.
Final thoughts
Johns Hopkins wants to continue to cultivate a campus community that is greater than the sum of its parts. So make sure your child is thinking about their own intellectual passions and how they all fit into a thriving campus community.
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on college admissions. For over 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into top programs like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT using his exclusive approach.
THERE'S NO REASON TO STRUGGLE THROUGH THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS ALONE, ESPECIALLY WITH SO MUCH ON THE LINE. SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION TO ENSURE YOU LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE.