Overview
Johns Hopkins University is a extremely selective private four-year institution in Baltimore, Maryland. The school accepts 7.3% of applicants and enrolls 5,617 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 7.3%
- Average SAT
- 1,545
- SAT Range (25th–75th)
- 1,520–1,570
- ACT Composite (avg)
- 35
- Total Enrollment
- 5,617
Your Chances by SAT Score
Your score is above the 75th percentile. You are a competitive applicant.
Your score falls within the middle 50% of admitted students.
Your score is below the 25th percentile. Other parts of your application will need to stand out.
Admission Guide
Hopkins admissions officers care deeply about your intellectual independence and willingness to pursue research that might fail. Your essays should showcase moments when you asked questions that professors couldn't answer or when you designed experiments outside of class requirements. The school wants students who will push boundaries in their labs, not just follow protocols.
Unlike peer institutions that emphasize broad liberal arts exploration, Hopkins expects you to arrive with a clear academic direction. Your application should demonstrate sustained commitment to your intended field through research experiences, independent projects, or internships. Pre-med students need more than hospital volunteering - they need research publications or significant lab work that shows scientific thinking.
Reference specific Hopkins traditions like the Butterfly Effect speaker series or the intersession program in your supplemental essays. Mention professors whose work aligns with your research interests, but avoid generic statements about wanting to "learn from well-known faculty." Instead, explain how Dr. Smith's work on protein folding connects to your own synthetic biology project.
Don't assume Hopkins only cares about STEM. The Writing Seminars program rivals any Ivy League creative writing department, and the International Studies program has unique access to the nearby School of Advanced International Studies. If you're applying for humanities, emphasize your analytical rigor and research methodology.
Hopkins uses a single application for all undergraduate programs, but medical school intentions significantly influence admissions decisions. Your application will be evaluated partly on whether you'll contribute meaningfully to campus research culture before heading to medical school. Show commitment to discovery beyond career preparation.
The supplemental essay asking "what will you contribute to campus" requires specificity about Hopkins resources. Generic answers about diversity or leadership fall flat. Instead, discuss how you'll use the Mattin Center's maker spaces or contribute to undergraduate research symposiums. Admissions officers can spot applicants who haven't researched the school's distinctive culture of undergraduate research participation.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $18,161/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $63,340
- Students Receiving Aid
- 20%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 94.6%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $87,555/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 97.9%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Johns Hopkins University require SAT or ACT scores for admission?
Johns Hopkins has a test-optional policy, meaning students can choose whether to submit standardized test scores. Students who feel their scores strengthen their application should submit them.
Does Johns Hopkins University offer Early Decision or Early Action?
Johns Hopkins offers Early Decision I (deadline November 1) and Early Decision II (deadline January 3). Both are binding programs, meaning accepted students must enroll.
Can you transfer to Johns Hopkins University as a sophomore or junior?
Johns Hopkins accepts transfer students for fall and spring semesters. Transfer applicants must have completed at least one semester of college coursework and submit college transcripts along with their application.
What is the application deadline for Johns Hopkins University?
Regular Decision applications are due January 3. Early Decision I is due November 1, and Early Decision II is due January 3.