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Application Process

Each graduate department or program within the schools of Arts and Sciences and Engineering maintains its own set of admissions requirements. Please consult with an appropriate admissions coordinator for specific admissions information. To help get you started, though, here is a checklist of elements required for application to our graduate programs, followed by some general information about the schools' application policy and process.

General Admissions Checklist

For specific departmental application deadlines, please visit Programs of Study

Application

Our online application is designed for admission to full-time graduate study in the Schools of Arts and Sciences and Engineering only. Students applying to more than one program must submit separate applications to Graduate Admissions. Apply online here.

All application documents must be provided in English (either the original or translations of the original documents). English translation services are available at World Education Services.

Application Policies

Accuracy is expected in all documents provided by applicants to the full-time graduate programs. Applicants for full-time graduate admission must not make inaccurate statements or material omissions on their applications, nor submit any false materials related to or in connection with seeking admission. Violation of this requirement may result in the application being rejected. If a violation is discovered after an applicant has been admitted but prior to matriculation, admission may be rescinded. If a violation is discovered after a full-time graduate student has registered, the case will be reviewed by the Dean of Research and Graduate Education for the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences or the Vice Dean of Academic Affairs for the Whiting School of Engineering, who will determine what action is to be taken, up to and including dismissal from the University. If the discovery occurs after a degree has been awarded, the University may revoke the degree and/or take other appropriate action.

Applications and supporting documents for graduate admissions to The Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and the Whiting School of Engineering become the property of the University. The University does not return documents to applicants, nor does it forward documents to third parties. Applicants who anticipate a need for documents submitted to the University are advised to retain photocopies or to obtain duplicate copies.

Application Fee

A non-refundable fee of $75.00 is required for each application to the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and the Whiting School of Engineering, with the following exceptions: the departments of Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and the Information Security Institute charge a non-refundable $25.00 application fee. Materials Science and Engineering waives the application fee for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Payment may be made online via Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or E-check.

Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose articulates and demonstrates an applicant's specific qualifications for a program of study. Programs are interested in an applicant's intended course of study, why that applicant wishes to pursue that field, what research or academic experience the candidate will bring to Johns Hopkins University and finally, what that applicant's end goal might be once their work is completed.

Writing Seminars M.F.A. Applicants
In lieu of the "Statement of Purpose", M.F.A. applicants should include in their writing sample a two-page introduction and critique of their work. This statement should give admissions faculty an insight into the scope and thoughtfulness of the work submitted and a sense of the student's ability to contribute to the Writing Seminars program.

Before mailing your statement of purpose, please make sure to include your signature.

Transcripts

Applicants must submit official transcripts of all college and university study in sealed envelopes. Students applying to more than one department must submit sealed transcripts with each application. Applicants should also send a list of current courses and any other courses that will be taken before beginning graduate study at Johns Hopkins that do not appear on their transcripts.

As of the 2008-2009 admissions season, we accept electronic transcripts through Scrip-Safe. Please consult with your institution to see if it participates in Scrip-Safe's network.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants should ask faculty members to write letters of recommendation for them and submit them through our online application system. Otherwise, please send recommendations directly to the Graduate Admissions Office.

Letter of Recommendation Form (pdf)

The following departments require TWO letters of recommendation:

Biology
Computer Science (M.S.E.)
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Economics
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Information Security Institute
Materials Science and Engineering
Near Eastern Studies
Philosophy

The following departments require THREE letters of recommendation:

Applied Mathematics and Statistics
Anthropology
Biomedical Engineering (M.S.E.)
Biophysics
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Classics
Cognitive Science
Computer Science (Ph.D.)
English
Geography and Environmental Engineering
German
History
History of Art
History of Science and Technology
Humanities Center
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Physics and Astronomy
Political Science
Public Policy
Psychological and Brain Sciences
Romance Languages and Literatures
Sociology
Writing Seminars

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Applicants are required to request recent GRE scores from ETS and submit them to Johns Hopkins before the application deadline. In order for your application to be reviewed, you must include the university's institution code and appropriate department code in your request to ETS. Johns Hopkins University Schools of Arts & Sciences and Engineering's institution code is 5332. The department codes are listed below.

Arrangements may be made to take the GRE by contacting:
GRE/Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 08540 or the web site at : http://www.gre.org/.

Department Codes

The following codes have been assigned to departments by the Educational Testing Service (ETS):

Anthropology: 1701
Applied Mathematics and Statistics: 0702
Biology: 0203
Biomedical Engineering: 1603
Biophysics: 0222
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering: 1001
Chemistry: 0301
Chemical Biology (CBI): 0399
Civil Engineering: 1102
Classics: 2901
Cognitive Science: 2903
Computer Science: 0402
Earth and Planetary Sciences: 0504
Economics: 1801
Electrical and Computer Engineering: 1203
Engineering Management: 1699
English: 2501
Geography and Environmental Engineering: 1103
German: 2604
History: 2799
History of Art: 2301
History of Science and Technology: 2703
Humanities Center: 2999
Information Security Institute: 0404
Materials Science and Engineering: 1402
Mathematics: 0704
Mechanical Engineering: 1502
Near Eastern Studies: 2607
Philosophy: 2801 (GRE optional)
Physics and Astronomy: 0899
Political Science: 1902
Psychological and Brain Sciences: 2016
Public Policy: 1903
Romance Languages and Literatures - French: 2603
Romance Languages and Literatures - Italian: 2605
Romance Languages and Literatures - Spanish: 2608
Sociology: 2102
Writing Seminars: 2503

GRE Subject Test
The following departments require the subject test:

Physics and Astronomy
Mathematics
Chemistry
English

The following departments recommend taking the subject test:

Writing Seminars
Humanities Center
Computer Science
Applied Mathematics and Statistics
Biology

TOEFL and IELTS

English Proficiency

Johns Hopkins University requires graduate students to have adequate English proficiency for their course of study. Graduate students must be able to read, speak, and write English fluently upon their arrival at the University. Successful study demands the understanding oral lectures and taking comprehensive notes during lectures. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit proof of their proficiency in English before they can be offered admissions and before a visa certificate can be issued. Johns Hopkins prefers a minimum score of 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based), and 100 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and IELTS Academic Band Score equal to 7. Results should be sent directly to the Graduate Affairs and Admissions Office by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) which administers TOEFL or captured by IELTS Global Recognition System.

Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL)

International applicants must submit an original TOEFL score (not a student or photocopy). A TOEFL Bulletin of Information and Registration Form can be obtained in a number of cities outside the United States. The Bulletin is often available at one of the following: American embassies and consulates, U.S. Information Agency (USIA), U.S. educational commissions and foundations, and bi-national centers. In addition, several private organizations distribute TOEFL bulletins, such as: Institute of International Educational (IIE)-l American-Korean Foundation; America-Mideast Educational and Training Services (AMIDEAST), CITO in the Netherlands; Hong Kong Examinations Authority in Kowloon, Hong Kong; Bureau of Educational Research in Allahabad, India; The Language Training and Testing Center in Taipei, Taiwan ROC; China International Examination Coordination Bureau, #35 Da Mu Cang Hu Tong Xi Dan, Beijing, PROC.

Students who cannot obtain a TOEFL bulletin and registration form locally should write well in advance of their intended test date to: TOEFL Services, Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151, U.S.A. Applications for taking the examination must be received in Princeton, New Jersey, at least four weeks prior to the date on which the test is given. For more up-to-date information, please visit the TOEFL Web site at www.ets.org/toefl/

Institution Code: 5332

Department Codes
The following codes have been assigned to the departments by the ETS:

Anthropology: 181
Applied Mathematics and Statistics: 54
Biology: 35
Biomedical Engineering: 45
Biophysics: 36
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering: 64
Chemistry: 62
Civil Engineering: 65
Classics: 13
Cognitive Science: 04
Computer Science: 78
Earth and Planetary Science: 71
Economics: 84
Electrical and Computer Engineering: 66
Engineering Management: 69
English: 14
Geography and Environmental Engineering: 70
German: 17
History: 86
History of Art: 26
History of Science and Technology: 98
Humanities Center: 28
Information Security Institute: 69
Materials Science and Engineering: 73
Mathematics: 72
Mechanical Engineering: 68
Near Eastern Studies: 57
Philosophy: 20
Physics and Astronomy: 76
Political Science: 92
Psychological and Brain Sciences: 08
Public Policy: 94
Romance Languages and Literatures - French: 16
Romance Languages and Literatures - Italian: 23
Romance Languages and Literatures - Spanish: 23
Sociology: 96
Writing Seminars: 80

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

The IELTS examination is offered jointly by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), The British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia. Information about the IELTS, its test centers and times are found at www.ielts.org.

IELTS Global Recognition System Selections

Institution Name: Johns Hopkins University, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Whiting School of Engineering
Country: USA
Bandscore: 7
Course ID Number: 4610 (Graduate Admissions)

Samples of Work

The following departments require each applicant to submit a sample of work, such as a paper, thesis or publication. Please consult the department before submitting any documentation.

Anthropology
Description: The sample of work could be based on: (a) a term paper on a course, (b) a report on fieldwork or (c) a senior thesis.

Classics
Description: A writing sample.

Cognitive Science
Description: This should be a research paper or written project that demonstrates an applicant's analytical thinking. (average 10 - 20 pages)

English
Description: 25 pages or less of an applicant's best critical writing.

German and Romance Languages
Description: The writing sample should be something like a term paper, something the student has published, a chapter of a dissertation. It should not be more than 50-75 pages in total. Prospective students may submit anything they feel best exemplifies their work.

History
Description: Please include a copy of what, in your judgment, is your best research paper. No specific page limit.

History of Art
Description: A paper of significant length that demonstrates the student's ability to describe and analyze preferably on the subject of art or art history.

History of Science, Medicine and Technology
Description: A writing sample.

Near Eastern Studies
Description: The sample of written work should be related to the field or their area of concentration. It should be about 12 - 15 pages in length.

Philosophy
Description: The sample of written work should reflect the applicant's area of interest, and generally does not have to be more than 20 pages in length.

Political Science
Description: The sample of work could be based on a term paper on a course, a report on fieldwork or a senior thesis.

Psychological and Brain Sciences
Description: A sample of an applicant's most professional writing. A published work is acceptable, but not required.

Sociology
Description: A writing sample.

Writing Seminars
Description:

Fiction - 2 to 3 short stories or a self-contained section of a novel (40 page maximum, double spaced).

Poetry - 10 poems (25 page maximum).

Science Writing - A feature article, or a collection of shorter pieces about science written for the general reader (15 pages maximum, double spaced).

Financial Assistance

Applicants need to indicate a need for financial assistance on the electronic application for admission. Federal loans and work study are available on the basis of financial need to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Interested students should contact the Student Financial Services, 146 Garland Hall, Baltimore, MD 21218, 410-516-8028.

Applied Mathematics Supplementary Application Form

Download the form here.

Chemical Biology: Chemistry-Biology Interface Program Supplementary Application Form

Download the form here.

Mailing Instructions

Supporting documentation should be mailed, in one envelope, to the following address:

Johns Hopkins University
Full-time Studies in Arts, Sciences and Engineering
Graduate Admissions Office
Whitehead Hall 101
3400 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218

For all materials, we require the use of our Mailing Label and Cover Sheet.
Please note: The Graduate Admissions Office will only accept regular mail, Certified Mail, UPS, DHL and Fed Ex deliveries.

If applying to more than one department, please mail a complete application packet for each department to the Graduate Admissions Office.

All application documents must be provided in English (either the original or translations of the original documents). If you are unable to secure translations to English, we recommend that you contact World Education Services.

Admission Decisions

Applicant files are maintained by the academic departments, and admission decisions are made by departmental faculty committees. Each department, therefore, will notify applicants when decisions are made. Inquiries regarding the status of an application should be directed to the appropriate department.

 

 

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