Johns Hopkins University
The first research university in the United States (1876). Johns Hopkins medicine is ranked among the best in the world. The $1.8 billion Bloomberg gift made admission permanently need-blind for Americans. It covers 100 percent of demonstrated need for all admitted students, including international ones.
About Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins University is located in Baltimore, Maryland, 1 hour from Washington DC, 2 hours from Philadelphia, 3 hours from New York. The main Homewood campus (140 hectares, Georgian/Federalist) hosts the undergraduate program. Beyond Homewood, JHU operates the JHMI campus (Medical, 2 km east) and the Peabody Institute downtown (the music school). Founded in 1876 with the $7M gift (enormous at the time) of businessman Johns Hopkins: the first American university conceived explicitly as a research university, on the German model.
JHU has 2 undergraduate schools: Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (~4,500 students, ~60 majors: Public Health, Biology, Neuroscience, Economics etc.) and Whiting School of Engineering (~1,700 students: Biomedical Engineering top in the USA, Computer Science, ChemBE, ECE, MechE). At graduate level: Bloomberg School of Public Health (ranked number 1 in the world), Johns Hopkins Medical School (top 3 in the USA), Carey Business School, SAIS (international relations), Peabody Institute (music).
JHU is the place where most modern medical practices were founded: residency programs, rounds, evidence-based medicine. Johns Hopkins Hospital is among the top 3 hospitals in the USA. In 2018, Michael Bloomberg (a JHU graduate) donated $1.8 billion, the largest single gift ever made to an American university, making JHU permanently need-blind for Americans at the undergraduate level. In July 2024, another $1 billion for the Medical School (graduate): free for students from families with incomes under $300K, plus aid for those with higher incomes. Lacrosse is the traditional sport: JHU holds the most national lacrosse championships in history. Mascot: Blue Jays.
How to apply to Johns Hopkins
Common App, Coalition or QuestBridge
JHU accepts all three platforms. When you submit, you choose Krieger (Arts and Sciences) or Whiting (Engineering) as your first option. Switching after admission is possible: moving from Krieger to Whiting is harder (math requirements).
Deadlines: ED1 Nov 1, ED2 Jan 6, RD Jan 6
JHU uses ED1 and ED2 (both binding), plus RD. There is no EA. ED1 decision Dec 15, ED2 decision Feb 15. ED1 rate Class of 2029: 10.49% (793 admitted / 7,563), ED2 ~10%, RD record low ~4%. For determined Romanians: ED2 offers a second chance in January.
SAT/ACT required (from Class of 2030)
JHU reinstated the required SAT or ACT starting with the 2025-26 cycle (Class of 2030, fall 2026). Admitted profiles Class of 2028: SAT 1530-1560 (median 1550), ACT 34-36. JHU College Board code: 5332.
JHU Supplement: "Why JHU" plus community
In addition to the Common App essay, JHU requires 2 essays: (1) "Why JHU" plus a specific academic field that draws you (300-400 words), (2) an essay about collaboration or community impact (300-400 words). JHU wants to see how you will contribute to "One Hopkins", the campus's collaborative community.
3 recommendations (counselor + 2 teachers)
A counselor recommendation plus 2 teachers from core academic subjects. For Whiting (Engineering): at least one from a math, physics or science teacher is required. JHU reads carefully: it looks for evidence of genuine intellectual curiosity and research initiative.
NO alumni interview (from 2024)
JHU officially stopped alumni interviews starting with the 2024-25 admission cycle. The decision is made solely on the written application. The 2 required teacher recommendations become more important to shape your personality before the committee.
Costs and financial aid
List cost 2024-25
Average cost paid (after aid)
a factor
For international students, financial circumstances are considered at admission. The $1.8B Bloomberg gift made only domestic admission permanently need-blind.
$0 tuition
For those admitted with aid, families under $200,000 income pay no tuition (official JHU). 100 percent of demonstrated need covered with grants, no loans.
~4.5%
The estimated admission rate for international students is ~4.5% (below the overall 5.14%). Competition for international spots is very high.
Do you want to apply to Johns Hopkins?
JHU looks for students with a genuine passion for research, not just good grades. We help you articulate your specific research interest, choose between Krieger and Whiting, and decide between ED1, ED2 or RD. The mentoring session is 100 percent free.
Talk to a mentorFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between JHU, Duke and the Ivies for a Romanian?
Johns Hopkins is the most research-focused non-Ivy university. The main difference: JHU places the strongest emphasis on undergraduate research: more than 80 percent of students take part in research before graduating. For pre-med, Biomedical Engineering, Public Health: JHU is probably the top global choice (Hopkins Hospital plus the Bloomberg School). Duke is more sport-oriented, more pre-professional. Harvard, Yale, Princeton are more generalist. MIT is more tech, less medical. For Romanians oriented toward medicine or biomedical research: JHU is perhaps the best choice in the USA, alongside Stanford and Harvard.
Krieger vs Whiting: how do I choose between the 2 JHU schools?
JHU has 2 undergraduate schools with separate admission. Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (~4,500 students): liberal arts with ~60 majors, Public Health Studies (the most popular), Neuroscience, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Economics, International Studies. Whiting School of Engineering (~1,700 students): Biomedical Engineering (ranked number 1 in the USA), Computer Science, ChemBE, ECE, MechE, Materials Science. Pre-med can be done from either school. Switching after admission: Krieger to Whiting is hard; Whiting to Krieger is easy. Choose Whiting only if you are sure about engineering / CS.
How is JHU for pre-med?
JHU is among the most prestigious universities for pre-med in the world. Advantages: Johns Hopkins Hospital (top 3-5 in the USA for decades) 2 km from campus, direct clinical experience. Public Health Studies major plus Bloomberg School of Public Health (ranked number 1 in the world), unique perspectives. Public Health and Premedical Concentration: a special track for pre-med. The acceptance rate into medical schools for JHU applicants: ~85% (vs the national average ~40%). Rigorous courses: Bio, Chem, Organic Chem, Physics, Calculus. JHU pre-med is very competitive internally, with many students passionate about medicine.
ED1 vs ED2 at JHU: which is better?
JHU is among the few top universities that offer 2 binding ED rounds. ED1: deadline Nov 1, decision Dec 15. Class of 2029 rate: 10.49% (793 / 7,563 applicants). ED2: deadline Jan 6, decision Feb 15. Rate: ~10%. RD: deadline Jan 6, decision late March. Record low rate: ~4%. Strategy for Romanians: ED1 if JHU is clearly your first choice and you know how you will pay. ED2 if you decided in December that you want JHU (after a rejection from ED elsewhere). RD if you want to compare offers. Important: ED1 and ED2 are both binding, acceptance is mandatory.
How does JHU Financial Aid work for Romanians?
Important: JHU is PERMANENTLY need-blind for Americans (thanks to the $1.8B Bloomberg gift from 2018), but need-aware for international students. JHU promises to cover 100 percent of demonstrated need for all admitted students, including international ones, with no loans (all-grant). Families under $200,000 income (with typical assets) pay no tuition. Average packages: ~$60,000/year. Estimated international rate ~4.5% (more competitive than the overall 5.14%). Critical: you must apply for aid at submission, in year 1. If you do not, you can never request it again, even if your circumstances change.
SAT/ACT at JHU: required or optional?
JHU reinstated the required SAT/ACT starting with the 2025-26 cycle (Class of 2030, fall 2026 entry). For current and future applicants: SAT or ACT is required. Admitted profiles Class of 2028: SAT 1530-1560 (median 1550), ACT 34-36 (median 35). For Whiting Engineering, the math score is critical (SAT Math 780+). JHU College Board code: 5332. For Romanians: the score must be sent directly by College Board or ACT. Plus proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo) if English is not your primary language.
Can I study Public Health at undergraduate level at JHU?
Yes. Public Health Studies is the most popular major in the Krieger School (~15% of all undergraduates). The program is developed in partnership with the Bloomberg School of Public Health (ranked number 1 in the world). Students take coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, environmental health, plus a research thesis. Many cross-registration opportunities at the Bloomberg School. Combined BA/MPH: a 5-year program that gives you both a bachelor's and a Master of Public Health at a globally elite level. For Romanians interested in health policy, global health, epidemiology: JHU is the ultimate destination.
What is the $1 billion Bloomberg gift from 2024?
In July 2024, Michael Bloomberg donated another $1 billion to JHU, but earmarked for the Johns Hopkins Medical School (graduate, NOT undergraduate). The gift makes the medical school free for students from families with incomes under $300,000, plus generous aid for those with higher incomes. This is separate from undergraduate. At the undergraduate level the 2018 policy continues to apply (Bloomberg $1.8B): need-blind for Americans, need-aware for internationals, 100 percent need met for all admitted students, under $200K = $0 tuition. For Romanians interested in pre-med at JHU: you apply to undergraduate now, and if you do an MD at JHU graduate, you benefit from the 2024 gift.
Our mentors for the USA
They studied in the USA, at universities like Harvard, MIT and Stanford. They went through the process. Now they guide you.
