Johns Hopkins University

If you think of Johns Hopkins University simply as a school for pre-med students, you might have a slightly incorrect perception. While there are many pre-med students and the pre-med program itself is excellent, Johns Hopkins also has outstanding programs in international studies, humanities, and social sciences. The campus is relatively small, with about 7,600 students, of which 5,400 are undergraduates. Like other top-tier universities, Johns Hopkins is making significant efforts to enhance the diversity of its student body.

Unlike most American universities, Johns Hopkins was originally established as a graduate school. It is known for its exceptional faculty, extensive resources for students, and abundant research opportunities.

Johns Hopkins University is most famous for its medical school. Additionally, it is well-known for having a large number of pre-med students. (As with most universities, there is no dedicated undergraduate medical program. Refer to the article below for more details.)

However, the university actively strives to accommodate students in non-medical and non-science fields, and these efforts have been quite successful.

The school is known for its rigorous academic environment, and students do tend to study a lot.

The architecture of the campus predominantly features Georgian redbrick buildings, though there are some modern structures as well.

Malone Hall

Malone Hall houses multiple research institutes.

Johns Hopkins has recently developed a mixed-use building that includes 157 student apartments and commercial spaces.

3200 St. Paul

Johns Hopkins emphasizes interdisciplinary studies. In this regard, it is somewhat similar to the University of Pennsylvania. However, unlike research universities such as Columbia University, the University of Chicago, and Northwestern University, there are very few required courses for all students. The only requirement is a four-course writing curriculum.

Instead, each major has its own set of general education requirements. Like many top-tier universities, Johns Hopkins offers first-year seminars.

First-year students are assigned a pre-major advisor before they declare a major. Students in arts and sciences are encouraged to decide on their major by their sophomore year.

Until 1971, like Caltech and MIT, the university graded first-semester freshmen on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis rather than assigning letter grades (A, B, C, D, F). However, this is no longer the case, and students must keep up with the coursework and work hard for their grades from the beginning.

Notable alumni

Despite its academic rigor, the university has several policies in place to ease student stress. In January, students can participate in a "January Intersession," where they can take courses or earn 1-2 credits through independent study.

"Intersession is one of the best times of the year. The classes are pass/fail and so much fun: everything from profiling mass murderers to a Harry Potter literature class to a chocolate lab."

An International Studies major at Johns Hopkins

---

Although some students may disagree, pre-med students are the most visible on campus. Following them, popular majors include public health studies, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, and international studies.

A senior wrote in the Johns Hopkins Newsletter: "It may be tough to hear 98% of your friends say they want to go to Harvard Medical School, but there are many other career paths available after graduation."

Unfortunately, when people hear about Johns Hopkins, other valuable undergraduate programs tend to be overshadowed by Johns Hopkins Hospital and the medical school. However, the university offers numerous interdisciplinary learning opportunities.

The university provides strong programs in mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. At the same time, the creative writing program is also highly regarded, offering students the rare opportunity to study with acclaimed authors and poets such as Alice McDermott and Andrew Motion.

Alice McDermott | Andrew Motion

Music students can also pursue a dual degree, earning one degree from Peabody Conservatory while completing another major at Johns Hopkins.

Additionally, students can opt for broader majors known as "area majors," such as natural sciences or Romance languages. They can even design their own interdisciplinary programs by combining related fields.

As is the case at many top-tier universities, most classes are small. About 74% of undergraduate courses have fewer than 20 students.

"The professors here are awesome. I feel like I'm part of a conversation engaged, and enjoying my time in class."

A Neuroscience and Music Double Major at Johns Hopkins

---

Johns Hopkins' well-developed graduate programs also benefit undergraduates. For example, international studies students have opportunities to study at the Bologna Center in Italy, the Nanjing Center in China, or the Nitze School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C.

"Without any prior experience, any student can get a meaningful research job. I was able to secure a research position within my first month as a freshman at JHU."

A Political Science major at Johns Hopkins

---

As is common at many elite universities, the student body leans politically left. Most students come from the New England or Mid-Atlantic regions.

27% of students are Asian (a relatively high percentage), 6% are Black, 14% are Hispanic, and 5% are multiracial.

The university has an endowment of $3.8 billion, ranking among the top 25 in the U.S. It has recently implemented a need-blind admissions policy for domestic students, ensuring that financial need does not impact admissions decisions. (However, this does not apply to international students.)

51% of students live in university housing. Compared to other schools, a relatively high percentage of students live off-campus.

Charles Commons

Many juniors and seniors rent apartments near the university, though some choose to live in Charles Commons, six residence halls, or university apartments.

The stereotype of Johns Hopkins students as unsocial "study machines" is gradually changing. While the school does not have a loud party scene like UPenn, there are fraternity parties every weekend, with 19% of men and 30% of women participating in Greek life.

The university's biggest social event is the Spring Fair, where Baltimore-based food vendors and businesses set up stalls on campus, and concerts are held. Spring Fair has been a Johns Hopkins tradition since 1972.

Spring Fair는 1972년에 시작된 존스홉킨스 대학교 전통입니다.

Like other universities, Johns Hopkins hosts lectures and performances on campus, and students also have access to Baltimore's downtown attractions.

With one of the top medical schools in the U.S., strong science programs, and diverse academic opportunities, Johns Hopkins is undoubtedly an "elite" institution. ​

"Hopkins students are incredibly passionate about their unique interests. It is a really contagious culture to be part of, because it inspires you to pursue your passions as well."

A senior at Johns Hopkins

---

Acceptance Rate: 11.5% ​ SAT Math Scores 25th percentile - 740 SAT Math Scores 75th percentile - 800

SAT English Scores 25th percentile - 710 SAT English Scores 75th percentile - 760