Hello! For those who applied to Johns Hopkins, can you provide some insight into what they're looking for in applicants? Specifically, do they weigh SAT scores heavily, or are they more focused on other parts of the application? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Johns Hopkins University is one of the highly selective institutions in the nation. While they use a holistic review process that takes into account all parts of your application, standardized test scores, rigor of curriculum, and grades are all significant factors.
The university has remained test-optional for the 2024-2025 application cycle, meaning they do not require SAT or ACT scores from applicants. They've adopted this policy to ensure that any student who wishes to apply can do so, whether or not they have had the opportunity or feel comfortable taking a standardized test, given the ongoing pandemic.
However, if you have taken the SAT and feel that your scores reflect your academic aptitude, you have the option to submit them. If you decide to submit your scores, keep in mind that the mid-50% score range for admitted Johns Hopkins students is typically quite high.
What's more important than test scores at JHU is demonstrating that you've pursued a rigorous academic curriculum and have excelled in it, that you've made an impact in your activities outside of class (based on those 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars), and that your essays are thoughtful and reveal something distinctive about you.
Also, remember to have a recommendation letter that brings out your strengths, an impactful personal statement, and meaningful extracurricular activities.
Hope this helps and best of luck with your application!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.