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How to Write the Johns Hopkins University Essay 2023-2024

Johns Hopkins University has just one supplemental essay, which all applicants are required to respond to. However, while other schools you’re applying to may have more supplements, you want to make sure you dedicate enough time to this essay, as Hopkins is one of the most competitive schools in the country, especially for students interested in medicine.

In this post, we’ll break down how to brainstorm for and actually write your Hopkins essay, as well as common mistakes you want to be sure to avoid.

Read these Johns Hopkins essay examples to inspire your writing.

Johns Hopkins Supplemental Essay Prompt

Tell us about an aspect of your identity (e.g. race, gender, sexuality, religion, community, etc.) or a life experience that has shaped you as an individual and how that influenced what you’d like to pursue in college at hopkins. (this can be a future goal or experience that is either academic, extracurricular, or social). (200-350 words).

Brainstorming Your Topic

This prompt is a version of the common Diversity Essay , with the added layer of explicitly connecting your identity to one of your goals for your time at Hopkins.

The first thing to note is that the way colleges factor race into their admissions processes will be different this year, after the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in June. 

Colleges can still consider race on an individual level, however, so if you would like to respond to this prompt by talking about how your racial background has impacted you, you are welcome to do so.

You are also welcome to write about a wide range of other aspects of your identity. As the prompt itself highlights, an individual is more than just their race, gender, sexuality, and other attributes that typically come to mind when you hear the word “diversity.” We are also shaped by the communities we’re in, the hobbies we enjoy, our interests, and so on. So, if you are having a hard time coming up with a topic for this prompt, shift to that line of thinking. Here are some examples of less traditional topics that could work:

• The people you see every day while walking your dog before school
• A group sea kayaking trip you did one summer
• Your passion for the color purple

The main requirement for your topic is that it has “shaped you as an individual,” per Hopkins’ request. There is one other thing you want to consider, though. Namely, can you connect this aspect of your identity to one of your goals for Hopkins?

Note that this connection doesn’t have to be direct. If your parents immigrated to the United States from Korea, you don’t have to write about wanting to do research on international migration with Professor Erin Chung. You can, of course, if you genuinely are interested in that line of research. But the connection you make can also be more nuanced.

For example, say that some of your relatives still in Korea don’t speak English, but you have developed a relationship with them through visits to museums and famous architectural sites, as you have a shared love of art. These experiences have shown you the unifying power of art, which is a phenomenon you’d like to explore more through Hopkins’ Renaissance Art History study abroad program in Florence.

Although this connection may not be one your reader was expecting, it works, as you explain it in a clear, easy-to-follow way. Plus, this essay is on the longer side for a supplement. You have 350 words at your disposal, so you have plenty of space to draw more sophisticated connections.

Tips for Writing Your Essay

If you have done your brainstorming well, writing the actual essay should be pretty straightforward: you want to describe the aspect of your identity you’re focusing on, and then connect it to the goal you’ve chosen to highlight. As just noted above, you have room to work with, so there’s no need to rush anything.

The only real rule here is that the connection you’re drawing is explained clearly. For a rather extreme example, if you just said “I have family in Korea, which makes me want to study abroad in Florence,” your reader would have no idea what you’re talking about. So, just make sure you’re able to articulate the link you see, so admissions officers understand how we got from A to B.

If you’re having a hard time with that, maybe take a step back from your essay, and come back the next day with a clear head. Sometimes, spending too much time on an essay will bog you down, and make it hard to see where to go next. 

If you’re still having trouble the next day, you might want to return to the brainstorming stage, and either focus on a different aspect of your identity, or connect it to a different goal you have for college. There’s no shame in hitting rewind. Most students do at some point in their essay-writing process, as even topics that seem perfect at first can prove to be not quite right once you start trying to actually write about them.

Finally, like with any college essay, your writing will be stronger if you show, rather than tell. That means you want to rely on specific anecdotes and experiences to support your points, as that will make your essay more engaging. You can compare the two approaches below:

Telling: “I have quite a few family members still in Korea. Most of them live in Seoul, but some of them live in more remote areas.”

Showing: “I press my nose against the car window to get one last look at the glittering skyscrapers of Seoul, before my dad turns onto the winding, tree-lined road which leads to my uncle’s house.”

The information communicated is basically the same, but the showing approach paints us a picture, rather than reading us a list of facts like the telling approach. Because we are immersed in the student’s story, we feel much closer to them, and the whole point of college essays is to get admissions officers to understand who you are.

Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest potential pitfall here is answering the second half of the prompt (the “how that influenced what you’d like to pursue in college at Hopkins” part) in a way that isn’t specific enough to Hopkins. This subset of the prompt is essentially a mini “Why This College?” essay, which means you don’t want to just share a goal you have for college in general, but rather something you hope to achieve at Hopkins specifically.

The examples above show the level of specificity you want to get to. Contrast those examples with vague versions of the same goals: “At Hopkins, I hope to research migration from Asia,” or “At Hopkins, I hope to do a study abroad program that will allow me to pursue my interest in art.” These goals would be fine to share with a family member at Thanksgiving, but for Hopkins admissions officers, they’re too general, as these are things you could do in some form at plenty of other schools around the country. 

By going a level deeper, to a particular professor who does the kind of research you’re interested in, and a particular program that will allow you to study art, you show Hopkins admissions officers that you’ve really done your homework on their school, which gives them confidence you’re ready to hit the ground running when you arrive on campus.

If you’re not sure about how to get to this level of specificity, hop onto Hopkins’ website, and skim their course offerings, faculty directory, study abroad programs, club pages, and so on. Odds are, you’ll see something there that aligns with the general goal you’ve identified for yourself, which will take you from the big picture to the narrower focus you want.

Where to Get Your Johns Hopkins Essay Edited 

Do you want feedback on your Johns Hopkins essay? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

The Admissions Strategist

How to write the johns hopkins supplemental essay 2020-2021 (with examples): the outstanding guide.

Johns Hopkins University has an acceptance rate of 12% and is a world-renowned school that sits prominently on the “dream list” for many high school seniors and college transfer students.

The university takes advantage of the Common App as one way to apply for admissions.

In addition to the regular application on the Common App, Johns Hopkins asks students to provide one writing supplement.

According to their page called, “ Essays That Worked ,” the university believes that “Test scores only tell part of your story. [They] want to know more than just how well you work. [They] want to see how you actually think.”

In fact, the admissions officers believe that the essay is one of the most important parts of your application.

Follow these tips to write a strong Johns Hopkins supplemental essay.

The Johns Hopkins University Writing Supplement:

Write a brief essay (300-400 words) in which you respond to the following question.

Founded in the spirit of exploration and discovery, Johns Hopkins University encourages students to share their perspectives, develop their interests, and pursue new experiences.  Use this essay to share something you’d like the admissions committee to know about you (your interests, your background, your identity, or your community), and how it has shaped what you want to get out of your college experience at Hopkins.

Once again, we get a glimpse at the university’s desire to know more about you than your academic achievements. They want to understand what has influenced your desire to attend Johns Hopkins and what you hope to achieve while there.

Here are some ideas to reflect on:

• How is Johns Hopkins different from other schools? 
• Is there a particular club, major, or opportunity at Johns Hopkins that makes it attractive to you?
• When you were looking at schools, why did you decide to put Johns Hopkins on your list?
• Is there a particular interest of yours that has led you to apply to Johns Hopkins?
• When you think about going to college, is there a particular experience you hope to get out of it? Why?
• What about your past experiences makes you think that Johns Hopkins is the perfect fit for you? Why?

Once you have either a quality about Johns Hopkins or an aspect of yourself to talk about, it’s time to brainstorm an answer to the other half of the question. If you have an element of Johns Hopkins to talk about, then ask yourself the following:

Click above to watch a video on Johns Hopkins Supplemental Essays.

• How is your relationship with that aspect of Johns Hopkins unique?
• Why do you relate to that particular opportunity?
• Is there a story about yourself that will make the connection obvious?

If you have a facet of yourself already selected, it’s time to take a closer look at Johns Hopkins:

• How will Johns Hopkins affect the trait that you’ve selected?
• What about Johns Hopkins makes it a place where you think you will grow and mature?
• What are your goals for university and how will John Hopkins fulfill them?

You and Johns Hopkins: Brainstorming a Connection

When preparing to write the supplemental essay for Johns Hopkins, you have a few choices to make.

First, you need to brainstorm which commonality between you and Johns Hopkins you would like to discuss. The prompt is open to anything from your past experiences , so the goal is to find something meaningful to you that relates to Johns Hopkins.

Even if an idea immediately jumps out to you, consider brainstorming a couple of alternatives. The reason for this is that writing down a list of ideas may help you remember an example that is even stronger than your original choice. You can use the questions provided above to help.

When you are looking at your list, use the following questions to narrow down your choice:

Which of these experiences…

• …could I write the most about?
• …had the greatest impact on my life?
• …is most relevant to my passions and/or personality?
• …is unique?
• …most relates to something Johns Hopkins specializes in?
• …best explains what you’re hoping to receive from a Johns Hopkins education?

After answering these questions, you might still be torn between two different experiences. If this is true, start by outlining or drafting each experience. As you get started, you’ll likely discover that one is easier to write, which usually results in a better essay.

Keep in mind that even if one experience may have had a better outcome, another experience may relate better to Johns Hopkins and what you hope to gain by attending their school. In other words, Johns Hopkins wants to know which experience made the biggest impact on your choice to apply, not had the best outcome. You want to impress the admissions counselor with how you think , not another set of statistics about you. 

If you have two drafts of the essay but are still stuck between ideas, show both to a friend or family member. Outside opinions are the key to success in life, and college essays are no exception.

Describing What You Hope to Learn From Johns Hopkins

While this essay is about you, remember that it is also focused on what you want to get from attending Johns Hopkins.

Thus, it’s important to keep your essay focused. It’s only 300-400 words long, so there isn’t space to try and explain everything about you that relates to something at Johns Hopkins. However, try not to overdo the other side either. Pick one, or at the most two, goals you hope Johns Hopkins will help you achieve. Keeping these two in balance can be tricky, but here are a few tips:

• Tell a single story about yourself. As stated in the prompt, it can be about anything from your past, but don’t let the open-ended question fool you. One clear, concise story about yourself is better than a jumble of thoughts.
• Similarly, having done research on Johns Hopkins before deciding to apply, you may have what feels like hundreds of reasons for wanting to attend. Which one matches best to the story you’re trying to tell? Concentrate on that one.
• At the end of the day, you’re not going to be able to say everything that you want to, either about yourself or Johns Hopkins. That’s okay: neither is anyone else. Your aim should be to pick the best concept to talk about, for both you and Johns Hopkins. The word count for everyone is 300-400 words, and it is important to make the most of it.

Let’s break each of these points down further. When thinking about your story, consider everything that happened during that experience.

• Go through each sense individually.  What are you seeing? Smelling? Tasting? Hearing? Feeling, both on your skin and emotionally?  These types of details are what helps bring a story to life.
• Who else was with you? Is a friend or family member a key element of the story?
• Why were you there? Was it your idea, or someone else’s?
• Did something go wrong? Why? If everything went according to plan, who planned it?

Next, think about how this ties into your future, specifically your future at Johns Hopkins:

• What is the take-away point from the story?  How does it relate to your dreams?
• How will Johns Hopkins help you succeed in those goals?
• hat effect will being at Johns Hopkins have compared to other schools?

As you look over what you have written, it’s time to look at the clarity.

• Have you ensured that the details of your story all point to the same goal or trait?
• Have you clearly delineated why Johns Hopkins could be a key stepping stone to your life?
• Have you tried to squish too many ideas into the essay?

Whatever past experience you’ve written about, your essay needs to be clear on the connection to the opportunities available at Johns Hopkins. 

Examining the Word Count

When you’re happy with the content of the essay, it’s time to address the word limit. Obviously, the essay needs to be between 300-400 words. But is 301 words too short? Is 399 words too long? Both are acceptable based on the instructions, but aiming for the middle is always a safe bet. In this case, somewhere between 330-360 words is probably a happy medium. 

Whether your essay is too long or too short, one of the best things you can do is get someone else to look at it. If you essay is too long, ask your friend or family member the following types of questions:

• Is there any essay content that makes it more confusing?
• What do you think the point of the essay is? 
• Is there anything you find distracting?

If your essay is too short, consider asking questions similar to these:

• Which areas need to be clearer?
• Are there any sentences or ideas that could be further explained?
• Do the descriptions in the essay put you in my shoes?
• What kind of details do you think would make this feel more alive?

Pitfalls to Avoid

There are many common mistakes people make in this kind of essay.  Here are a few suggestions to help you avoid them:

• Don’t write something just because you think that’s what the admissions officer will want to read. Talk about an experience that is meaningful to you .
• The story about your past does not need to be positive. In fact, talking about elements that were challenging makes you appear more mature as mistakes are a natural part of learning and growth.
• If you decide to talk about a moment in time where everything went well, be careful with how you present it. It’s tempting to brag, but it’s much better to present successful experiences in light of what you’ve learned.
• Context and language are important. Don’t just compliment Johns Hopkins. Explain why those qualities or opportunities are important and valuable to your education.
• Regularly review the prompt. This will help you maintain focus, stay on topic, and make every word relevant.

Even if you are beyond excited to be applying to Johns Hopkins, this is not the place to write about it. You want to be able to show the university that you are clear, focused, and specific in your writing.

According to Johns Hopkins: Essays That Worked

One of the richest resources for writing your Johns Hopkins supplement comes from the university itself.

Within their admissions information section, the “ Essays That Worked ” page has numerous examples of essays written by the Class of 2023 that captured the admissions committee’s attention.

• Do yourself a favor and read these essays.
• Not only does the university provide these powerful essays, but if you click the “+” underneath each essay, you will be able to read admissions committee comments that describe exactly what about the essay resonated with them.

While the students’ essays are not related to the prompt you will be writing, reading them is still important. You can analyze the tone, style, and structure of these essays and apply your knowledge to your own writing.

In reading the admissions committee comments, you will notice that the main repeated theme is how the essay enables them to envision the student and how they behave on campus. These are clues to how the admissions committee is reading your essay. Other points to consider include:

• Johns Hopkins clearly values creative and inventive structures in an essay. If you feel comfortable writing in that style, it may be the right avenue to take. As stated above, be sure to include your personality and to highlight your passions in your essay.
• Many of the essays address diversity. Be it a multicultural heritage, broad interests, or being non-judgemental, this is obviously a theme Johns Hopkins is looking for in students.

If you don’t feel comfortable with advanced structures or lack a story about diversity, that’s okay. A simple, well-told story is more effective than a convoluted, badly paced one with a theme stuck on top.

The Gritty Details: Check Your Work

As with any essay, it’s very important that you have meticulously edited your work.

The spell-check tool is a staple, but other tools, like Grammarly , are great resources too. This website has a grammar check feature that can help you to catch common mistakes, like overused words and subject-verb tense. However, as with any tool, you should use your judgment and not blindly accept suggestions unless you understand the reasons behind them.

Many times, students focus on line-item grammar and spelling errors without thinking about their writing holistically. Have a friend or family member read your work for clarity and structure. Ask them:

• Have I represented myself and my interest in Johns Hopkins well?
• Do my thoughts transition smoothly or do my ideas bounce around?
• Am I clear about how my past connects with a future at Johns Hopkins?
• Can you hear my voice through my writing?

This last question sounds tricky, but it is simply asking whether your reader gets a sense of your personality and outlook on life through your writing. Your work should never read like a monotonous robot providing the answers you think Johns Hopkins wants to hear.

Johns Hopkins Supplemental Essay Examples From Previous Years!

In my experience, High School Musical and Mean Girls are spot-on when it comes to teen conversations; during my first three years of high school, most of the discussions my friends and I had revolved around who was dating whom, criticism of the atrocious basketball coach, and spoilers of the latest Stranger Things season. While I still enjoyed these chats, as my entrepreneurial fervor grew, I found myself feeling disjointed from my peers and looking for a community that would nurture my startup fever. When she noticed my budding interest, the head of a local incubator invited me to apply for their accelerator program. I initially felt unsure, but I gave it a shot, and as time went on, I felt as if I were transported to Ancient Athens during every Monday session. As a program meant to help individuals jumpstart and accelerate their businesses, the incubator prompted participants to think Socratically. We questioned and debated every preconceived notion regarding startups: how to conduct proper market research, when and why to shut down, and even whether a humanitarian venture could also be a profitable one. Our oratories were not dull, 10-minute long PowerPoints followed by the occasional golf clap; they were action-packed, 60-second elevator pitches accompanied by a barrage of inquiries and suggestions about statistical logos and story-telling pathos. Through numerous congregations within the polis, I gave a fellow participant the conviction to pursue his business of educating students on the college recruiting process, emphasizing how all of my friends loved athletics and wanted to go D1.  In return, he helped me see that the biggest problem with teens wasn’t always finding opportunities; it was being ready and professional enough to capture it. Despite channeling Alexander the Great’s cutthroat competitiveness at the beginning, our group personified Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates in the end, as we considered each other’s ventures and employed our own ethos to help one another. We didn’t all have to be our own Homers — our Iliad and Odyssey were the cumulative success of all of our companies, forged by the collaborative intertwining of our stories.

Our tenth-grade chemistry teacher decided that the best way for us to learn the chemical bonding unit was through student-led lessons and projects. There were many positions in the structured lessons; I signed up to be leader. As the leader, it was my job to make sure others completed their work, understood the concepts, sought out help if they didn’t, and that we progressed on schedule, altering it as necessary.  My first obstacle and lesson was getting the students, specifically the boys, to listen to me. At that time it was only my second year at my new school and I hadn’t developed closer relationships with many of my peers yet who had known each other since middle school. The boys in the class were the main problem since they did not like being told what to do by a girl, especially one they did not know very well. The only way I could fix that was by being calm in the face of their stubbornness and continuing to direct them politely but firmly. It was an enlightening experience and gave me insight into how women are perceived in the real world. Due to poor circumstances, there were two traveling trips occurring at the same time; athletics and Model United Nations. Athletics only took away two people from our class, and while it was important to make sure they were on track, it was a relatively smooth process. On the other hand, MUN took away at least half the class. That was very difficult because it was a logistical nightmare to keep track of so many people in another country and make sure they were still finishing with their work. Furthermore, because they were very busy as MUN members and didn’t want to worry about chemistry. This obstacle required me to be very organized with many people out of the country, including reorganizing our classwide schedule to accommodate the missing people. Language difference was the third obstacle. As we progressed through the unit and got closer to our final test and project, the language proficiency difference grew more challenging. Many of my classmates were Korean and their first language was not English. As the concepts became more advanced, it was apparent that they needed help with language translation. Even more, some were not able to talk well to others in English due to not having an English-speaking background. I was overwhelmed facing all these unexpected challenges, but I knew it was important that I give my classmates my patience and support. In the end, we did well. All of us passed the test and successfully created and carried out an experiment to determine our mysterious substance. Getting there, though, was a challenge, but not one that I regret. I can proudly say that I grew from that experience, whether it was dealing with students who didn’t pull their weight, being organized so I can work with sudden changes, or learning what’s it like to lead obstinate classmates. Now in twelfth grade, I feel significantly more comfortable taking charge and speaking in front of larger groups of people. It’s even carried over to my clubs and activities where I can confidently put forth my ideas and lead meetings.

Conclusion: The Johns Hopkins Supplemental Essay

As with any college essay, allow your passion and enthusiasm to show through your writing.

You want Johns Hopkins to know that you value the opportunities present on campus, and that they line up with your goals for university. Your essay should reveal that you are thoughtful and reflective about going to college and haven’t selected Johns Hopkins simply because it is a top school. (Though that’s definitely a good reason to consider applying!)

Finally, ask yourself, “Does my essay reveal that I am a student who is aligned with the values of Johns Hopkins?

If the answer is “yes,” you are ready to send your writing supplement on its way. Good luck!

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Explore 231 College Essay Examples

Join the Essays That Worked community and get access to our entire database of 231 essay examples from admitted students.

Here is the full database of college essay examples with expert analysis.

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Rica nu stia sa zica rau, ratusca, ramurica. I stared at the cracked ceiling of my bedroom in Romania, repeating the eight words under my breath. Rica nu stia sa zica rau, ratusca, ramurica. More than anything, I wanted to roll my r's, to speak Roman...

Tell us why you decided to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided please...

The only thing I associated with both Wisconsin the state and Wisconsin the university was cheese. For some irrational reason, I believed our campus tour would include shrines to cheese, statues of cheese, and endless cheese boutiques (is there such...

Chubby fingers outstretched and round cheeks flattened against the window, I leaned further into the plexiglass. Although I could feel a firm hand tugging at my shirt, urging me to sit back in my seat - at ten, I possessed little concept of manners...

Blue blanket in one hand, cookie monster in the other, I stumbled down the steps to fill my sippy cup with coffee. My diplomatic self gulped down his caffeine while admiring his Harry Potter wands. My father and I watched the sunrise through...

People love to ask why. Why do you wear a turban? Why do you have long hair? Why are you playing a guitar with only 3 strings and watching TV at 3 A.M.—where did you get that cat? Why won’t you go back to your country, you terrorist? My answer is…unc...

The three, small, purple seeds sat on the brown soil. Ten feet from me I could see my grandpa with his yunta and donkeys. They were in unison: the two donkeys, the plow, and him. My grandpa commanded; the donkeys obeyed. I began to feel tired. Exhaus...

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Sliding the scottie dog across “Go!” past Boardwalk and Park Place, I immediately exhale. I am safe for another round; far more importantly, though, my younger brothers have not surpassed me.

After passing by the weekend of “GO,” I begin the next lap...

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from...

His eyes stared back at me with contentment. Neither he nor I, the baby girl on his lap, are smiling, but there is a sense of peace, of quiet happiness about us. I hold his wrist in one hand, my other grasping a bottle of ketchup. He holds my tiny le...

Please describe why you are interested in attending Tulane University (optional).

Tulane University has a unique history, deeply established in the city it calls home, New Orleans. After transitioning from a medical school to a full college in in 1847, then undergoing a name change from the University of Louisiana to Tulane in 188...

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

I spent much of my childhood watching movies. I became absolutely engrossed in many different films, TV shows, and animations. From the movie theatres to the TV, I spent my hours enjoying the beauty of visual media. One place that was special to me w...

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Pack Light, But Be Prepared

By pablo D., ’27

Friday night, September the 16th 2022 and I am packing for my pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. It is a tradition at my school that all seniors begin their final year of school by embarking on the “Camino de Santiago” (the Way of St. James). Four days of walking a total of 135 kilometers to reach our destination. We have been told to pack light, a bulky and heavy backpack will hold you back, but to be prepared for: changing weather (lightweight clothes, a jacket, rain poncho) blisters and sore feet (plenty of socks, extra shoes, bandages, antiseptics) and physical exhaustion (dried fruits and nuts, cereal bars, extra water bottles). I look at my compact backpack and I think…it is going to be a long night.

As I settle into the task at hand, carefully packing, unpacking, and readjusting items, trying to make them fit, it occurs to me that we do the very same thing in life. The backpack that we carry on our journey must also be packed light so that it is easy to carry, and it too must be equipped with everything we will need to successfully face the unexpected; to be prepared for anything that comes our way, and this got me thinking, “What do I have in my backpack?”

The first time I consciously chose an item to pack was in first grade. I remember as I listened to my teacher stressing the importance of “good behavior”, my interest was riveted on the transparent yo-yo with flashing lights which would be given to the student who received the most merits at the end of the month. I had a goal and I planned to work diligently towards achieving it, and I did. That feeling of success was so fulfilling, so gratifying that it marked a path that I would follow from there on out.

I was twelve when I made a deliberate switch of items in my backpack. I had been playing soccer forever, we all did, it is the sport of choice here in Spain, so many were surprised when I decided to take up rugby instead. My decision was based on finding a sport that not only matches my physical abilities and potential but more importantly it reflects who I am. In rugby, there are no superstars, both victory and defeat are owned by the team with an intense spirit of camaraderie. I have been playing on a federated level for the past five years and all the values that are embodied in this sport – integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline, commitment, and respect – have found a permanent home in my backpack.

There came a time when I realized that something was missing. I was unable to put a name to it, but I would reach for it in certain situations, and it was not there. My decision to do ninth grade of high school abroad, in New Jersey, led me to discover what it was. I had to learn how to put myself out there for people, outside of my circle, to get to know me. I had to open myself up to making new connections and brace myself for possible rejection by stepping out of my comfort zone. This experience marked a before and after in my life for which I will be eternally grateful.

It is 1.00 a.m. and I have finally finished packing; a tight fit, but I have everything I will need. As for my other backpack, I do a quick mental check: a goal-oriented drive, actions coherent with my character, the ability to open myself up to and learn from new and enriching experiences and other items, carefully tucked in there. Am I prepared for what lies ahead? I believe so, and the best part is, I left room for so much more.

Admissions Committee Comments

In Pablo’s essay, the act of packing for a pilgrimage becomes a metaphor for the way humans accumulate experiences in their life’s journey and what we can learn from them. As we join Pablo through the diverse phases of their life, we gain insights into their character and values. We learn Pablo is determined in the face of challenges and is committed to their own personal growth. Their willingness to embrace change and excitement for the path ahead illuminates their optimism and eagerness for the future. Hopkins students are always up for a challenge and love to embrace new and different things. Through their essay, Pablo paints a vivid portrait of someone who is eager to step out of their comfort zone, making them at home in our community of forward-thinkers.

“After writing this essay, I had a clearer vision of my strengths—personal drive, ability to make coherent and realistic decisions, unafraid to expand my comfort zone to embrace and discover new things about myself—that would make me a viable university candidate. I chose to highlight those strengths in the admissions process.” Pablo D.

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Johns Hopkins University Supplemental Essays 2022-2023

Johns Hopkins Supplemental Essays 2022 – 2023

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to approach each of the Johns Hopkins essays. But before diving into how to write the Johns Hopkins supplemental essays, let’s learn a little about this prestigious university’s history and popularity. 

Founded in 1876, Johns Hopkins University is a private research university located in Baltimore, Maryland. Widely considered the first research university in the United States, Johns Hopkins’ popular majors include public health, biomedical engineering, molecular biology, international relations and affairs, and economics. JHU consistently ranks as one of the best universities to study science, specifically biology and public health . 

This Johns Hopkins essay guide will teach you how to maximize your Johns Hopkins University essays and increase your chances of admission.

Johns Hopkins Essay: Quick Facts

• Johns Hopkins University acceptance rate: 8%— U.S. News ranks Johns Hopkins as a most selective school.
• 1 essay (300-400 words)
• Johns Hopkins application note: Students must submit their applications via the Common App or Apply Coalition on Scoir . Johns Hopkins admissions look at three important aspects when evaluating applicants: academic character, impact and initiative, and personal contributions. 
• Johns Hopkins supplemental essays #1 tip: Applicants who overcome the competitive Johns Hopkins acceptance rate will use their Johns Hopkins supplemental essays to show the admissions committee who they are and how they’ll enrich the Johns Hopkins community. So, try to be creative in your Johns Hopkins supplemental essays. 

Does Johns Hopkins require supplemental essays?

Yes—in addition to the main essay prompts on the Common App or Coalition App , you must complete one Johns Hopkins essay . The Johns Hopkins supplemental essay is a key part of your application. For a complete list of application requirements and access to the Johns Hopkins supplemental essays, visit the Johns Hopkins admissions website .

The Johns Hopkins supplemental essays and the Common/Coalition App essay are extremely important, especially given the low Johns Hopkins acceptance rate. Need help navigating your Common App application? CollegeAdvisor.com’s Common App essay breakdown can demystify the process.

JHU is a popular and competitive university. Over 30,000 students applied to be a part of the 2025 class. The school boasts famous alumni like novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, and film director Wes Craven. So, if you get into Johns Hopkins with a strong Johns Hopkins essay, you’ll be in good company.

Your Johns Hopkins supplemental essays can be a great opportunity to introduce yourself to admissions officers, fill in gaps in your application, and make a case for why you deserve an acceptance letter from Johns Hopkins. So, you should do all you can to highlight your strengths in your Johns Hopkins essay. In this guide, we’ll help you craft engaging Johns Hopkins supplemental essays and maximize your admissions odds.

What are the Johns Hopkins essay prompts?

Students will be required to to submit one Common App or Coalition App essay of their choice from the prompts listed on each site. Additionally, all applicants will respond to the same Johns Hopkins application essay prompt. 

The following is the prompt for applicants’ Johns Hopkins supplemental essays: 

Founded on a spirit of exploration and discovery, Johns Hopkins University encourages students to share their perspectives, develop their interests and pursue new experiences. Use this space to share something you’d like the admissions committee to know about you (your interests, your background, your identity or your community) and how it has shaped what you want to get out of your college experience at Hopkins. (300-400 words) 

Like many essay prompts, the Johns Hopkins supplemental essay prompt focuses on the idea of community. Your Johns Hopkins essay should not only highlight who you are as a person, but also what you would bring to campus life. So, successful Johns Hopkins supplemental essays will need to answer both of these questions. 

Johns Hopkins Essay Prompt: Preparing your response

Applicants only need to write one Johns Hopkins essay, which has a limit of 300-400 words. Since this is the only Johns Hopkins essay prompt, you’ll want to give the Johns Hopkins essay the attention it deserves.

The Johns Hopkins essay prompt aims to learn more about how students envision themselves contributing to the Johns Hopkins community. When writing your Johns Hopkins supplemental essays, keep in mind the ideas of identity and community. These ideas are extremely open-ended, which gives you lots of flexibility in your Johns Hopkins essay. This also gives applicants the opportunity to get creative with their Johns Hopkins supplemental essays.

While that may be overwhelming, remember that it isn’t necessarily what you choose to write about that matters most; it’s how you do so. So, think carefully about how you structure your Johns Hopkins essay. This starts by choosing the right Johns Hopkins essay topic. 

Zoom in on your passions

As you write your Johns Hopkins supplemental essays, focus on your passions. This is one of the most important factors for successful Johns Hopkins University essays. Remember that you will brainstorm, draft, edit, and rewrite your Johns Hopkins supplemental essays many times. So, you’ll want to choose a Johns Hopkins essay topic that you won’t get tired of looking at. 

It’s also okay if writing college essays doesn’t come naturally to you. Give yourself ample time prior to the Johns Hopkins application deadline to choose a topic and understand how to write a college essay . Then, you can dig into writing your Johns Hopkins essay. 

How do I write the Johns Hopkins essay?

We mentioned before that the Johns Hopkins essay prompt is similar to many other universities’ supplemental essays. Like other prompts, the Johns Hopkins essay prompt gives students the opportunity to share more about their interests , backgrounds, identities, or community. Essentially, Johns Hopkins supplemental essay prompt asks how your experiences have impacted you. It also asks what you want from your Johns Hopkins experience. 

Before we get into how to write successful Johns Hopkins supplemental essays, applicants may want to look to other similar prompts from other universities for inspiration on how to get started. Check out our essay guides from Rice University and Caltech , which both have similar prompts.  

Research institution

As you approach the Johns Hopkins supplemental essays, remember that Johns Hopkins University is a research institution. Like any university, they want to build a diverse academic community of intellectually curious individuals— inside and outside of the classroom.

This Johns Hopkins essay invites you to share what makes you, you. Then, the Johns Hopkins essay prompt asks how this aspect of your identity will guide your time at Johns Hopkins and beyond. So, strong Johns Hopkins essays will invite the reader into the world of the applicant.

Successful Johns Hopkins University essays will use descriptive, dynamic language. In your Johns Hopkins supplemental essays, focus on setting a scene rather than trying to dazzle readers with SAT vocabulary words. After all, the best Johns Hopkins University essays will be the most authentic.

Ready to craft an impressive Johns Hopkins application essay? Let’s get started. 

Organize your thoughts

Begin drafting this Johns Hopkins supplemental essay by thinking about who you are. First, write a list of your key qualities. Then, categorize each item using the criteria in the Johns Hopkins essay prompt: your interests, background, identity, and community.

Distinguish each category—interests, background, identity, and community—as carefully as possible as you start to tackle this Johns Hopkins essay prompt. Begin with your interests. For example, if you devour every article and book you can find on quantum mechanics, that’s an interest you could write about in the Johns Hopkins supplemental essays. 

Avoid listing non-intellectual interests like an obsession with learning new TikTok dances. Of course, students who plan to major in dance or sociology may be able to connect these activities to what they hope to experience at Hopkins in order to craft successful Johns Hopkins University essays. However, your Johns Hopkins supplemental essays should showcase you in the best possible light. Think of yourself as a student and community member. Then, use that to guide your Johns Hopkins supplemental essay topic.

Next, shift to your background. Think about where you come from and how these places and experiences have made you who you are. In your Johns Hopkins essay, you’ll want to avoid cliché, overly sentimental aspects of your background. For example, having a parent who attended Johns Hopkins may have shaped why you want to attend. However, this doesn’t tell admissions officers anything interesting about you or what you hope to learn at Johns Hopkins. So, these types of topics won’t lend to crafting impressive Johns Hopkins supplemental essays. 

Instead, look for experiences that sparked intellectual curiosity. Are you a softball player that spent a season perfecting your pitch but, in the process, began learning about physics ? That could be a great topic for your Johns Hopkins essay.

After exploring your background, move to identity. When categorizing identity in this Johns Hopkins essay, you may automatically default to the classic definitions: ethnicity, gender, age, religious beliefs, first-generation college student , etc. While there’s nothing wrong with starting here, think outside of the box for this Johns Hopkins essay prompt. Are you a contrarian? An activist? A pessimist? Thinking about the less obvious ways that you self-identify can help you write an interesting Johns Hopkins essay. 

Finally, shift to your community. Jot down some of the communities you belong to. Whether it’s a religious community, your neighborhood, or even the building where you live, list the spaces you inhabit. 

Again, this Johns Hopkins supplemental essay rewards those who think outside the box. Are you an active member of an online community of gamers? Do you spend time with fellow gardeners sharing tips on how to care for plants? Community manifests in a wide variety of ways. So, as you brainstorm for the Johns Hopkins essay prompt, make sure to cover all important ways you live and work with others.

After jotting down experiences, interests, identities, etc., sit with your list for a day or two. Do any items stick out as a perfect response to this Johns Hopkins essay prompt?

If not, don’t worry. Try our reflection exercises to help you get started. Set a timer and spend 30 minutes or so expanding on a few of your topics. Limit yourself to 10 minutes per topic. Were there any topics that you couldn’t stop writing on? If so, you’ve found the subject for your Johns Hopkins supplemental essay!

Tell the Story

In this Johns Hopkins essay prompt, you only have 300-400 words. Use them wisely to maximize the impact your Johns Hopkins essay can have in admissions.

This word count creates the key challenge of the Johns Hopkins essay: namely, you’ll want to balance a concise structure with descriptive language. Your language should draw the reader into the interest, background, identity, or community your Johns Hopkins essay addresses. At the same time, strong Johns Hopkins supplemental essays will avoid excessive wordiness.

How do I write the Johns Hopkins Essay?- An exercise to get you started

Let’s try an exercise to help you make your Johns Hopkins essay shine. Which of the descriptions below seems more engaging?

Example 1: Since the age of five, I’ve belonged to my local church.

Example 2: There is a pew in the center of my church. If you look closely, you’ll see where I scratched my initials into the wood at age five.

See the difference? Both sentences communicate the same information (church attendance from a very young age). However, the second example provides details that invite the reader into your story. This type of enticing and descriptive writing will often lead to successful Johns Hopkins University essays. 

Read over your Johns Hopkins essay carefully. Then, think about how every word serves your essay’s overall narrative. Your Johns Hopkins essay should use as few words to make as significant an impact as possible.

Make Johns Hopkins Connections

This Johns Hopkins supplemental essay isn’t a “Why Johns Hopkins” prompt in the classic sense. However, the Johns Hopkins essay still asks how your identity, background, interests, and community have shaped what you will bring to Hopkins. Johns Hopkins supplemental essays that answer this part of the prompt will be the most impressive.

Maybe you know what you want to major in and can draw a clear connection between your background/identity/community and that intended major. If so, use this Johns Hopkins essay to emphasize that connection. Successful Johns Hopkins supplemental essays will reveal both who an applicant is and why they belong at Johns Hopkins.

Let’s revisit the “gamer community” example.

I have learned so much from organizing coding events in my online gaming forum. My friends from all over the world have shown me that even if we don’t speak the same language, our passion for coding and games is universal. I’m looking forward to taking classes in the JHU video game design lab and building a bridge between my online community and the in-person one I’ll find at JHU.

This example clearly shows us how this student’s gaming interest has prepared them to take full advantage of this JHU-specific program. Successful Johns Hopkins University essays will show, or even hint at, how you would thrive on campus. 

If you haven’t chosen your major yet, you can still answer this portion of the Johns Hopkins essay. To do this, you’ll want to make the focus of your Johns Hopkins essay more abstract. For example, let’s say you choose to write about your community, specifically the apartment building you live in.

The hot Houston sun draws the people from my building by late afternoon. Grannies of every race and culture line the long bench in front of the building and watch the younger children play. The other families in building 3318 are like my extended family. I’m reminded of this when I knock on Mr. Johnson’s door to borrow an extra onion for my mom’s soup or when I’m invited to a birthday party for one of the Gonzalez cousins. Family is where you find it, and location makes all the difference. At Johns Hopkins, I’m hoping to build a community like the one that my family and I have found in building 3318.

This example shows how community can be found in many different ways. Successful Johns Hopkins supplemental essays can creatively show how your lived experiences will enhance your time on campus. They will also highlight how you will enrich the lives of those around you at JHU. 

Johns Hopkins Essay Reflection Questions:

When you’ve finished your Johns Hopkins essay prompt draft, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I clearly identify an interest, part of my background, identity, or community?
• Am I writing about my topic using descriptive, dynamic language that draws the reader in?
• Does my Johns Hopkins essay draft show evidence of how this interest, background, identity, etc. has shaped me?
• Is there a connection between my topic and what I hope to learn/experience at Johns Hopkins?

Johns Hopkins supplemental essays & their admissions process

The best Johns Hopkins supplemental essays will be genuine and vulnerable. Johns Hopkins University essays should also showcase traits that would make you a valuable addition to the Johns Hopkins community. 

Strong Johns Hopkins supplemental essays should reveal who you are beyond your scores and transcript. This allows the admissions committee to view you as a person rather than a statistic.

Read successful past essays

Every year, the university publishes several successful Johns Hopkins supplemental essays. Read over these Johns Hopkins University essays that worked to get an idea of what impresses admissions. Notice in these Johns Hopkins supplemental essays that each student has a concrete sense of self. 

For example, in the Johns Hopkins essay “Red Over Black” by Elizabeth, she discusses how playing solitaire with her grandmother allowed her to learn the value of hard work and self-motivation. Elizabeth shares how that learning shapes every aspect of her life: academics, athletics, and even family life. 

Similarly, the Johns Hopkins application essay “Lifelong Learning” by Rozanne explores how her search for passion has allowed her to have and learn from many new experiences. This Johns Hopkins essay is a great example of how applicants don’t have to have a clear career path or even major when applying. Rozanne shows that while she is still discovering her passions, she will be an active participant in the Johns Hopkins community.

Highlight your creativity

You’ll also notice that many of the successful Johns Hopkins supplemental essays are written creatively. Rozanne and Elizabeth both use descriptive language to make us feel like we are right there crocheting and playing solitaire, respectively. 

In fact, all of the Johns Hopkins supplemental essays that worked listed on the site are unique. Successful Johns Hopkins University essays are often creative. So, don’t be afraid to start your essay with an exciting and intriguing description to set the scene. 

By including these types of Johns Hopkins supplemental essays, the university encourages you to be creative. So, you can structure your response to the Johns Hopkins essay prompt in any number of interesting ways. Think about how you can highlight your creativity in your Johns Hopkins supplemental essays.

Remember the prompt

Make sure your Johns Hopkins essay structure serves the prompt. While creativity is good, you don’t want your Johns Hopkins supplemental essay to look and read like a gimmick. Above all, tell your story in the way most authentic to you.

You’ll notice one successful essay “Stepping Out of my Comfort Zone” by Samuel was more traditional than the others mentioned. However, it’s still listed as one of the top Johns Hopkins University essays submitted. So, don’t feel pressured to write in a way that isn’t true to you. Use your own writing style and voice to best respond to the Johns Hopkins essay prompt. 

Finally, and it should go without saying, these Johns Hopkins supplemental essays are examples . So, don’t think of them as a blueprint of how you must structure your own Johns Hopkins supplemental essays. You also shouldn’t compare the experiences shared in these Johns Hopkins supplemental essays with your own.

Finally, the Johns Hopkins supplemental essays are personal statements. Every person is unique—every Johns Hopkins essay will be, too. Strong Johns Hopkins University essays will be inherently individual, so don’t worry if yours doesn’t look like the examples.

Does the Johns Hopkins essay matter?

Every aspect of the Johns Hopkins application is important, from your mid-year report to the Johns Hopkins essay. When applying to JHU , treat each item on the application as crucial to creating a compelling candidate profile.

It will take far more than just meeting the Johns Hopkins application deadline and requirements in order to secure your spot. Make sure to allow yourself enough time to craft compelling Johns Hopkins supplemental essays that will bolster your college application narrative. 

With more selective schools like Johns Hopkins, most candidates have high test scores and GPAs. The Johns Hopkins essay, then, becomes a chance for you to truly stand out from other applicants. Since Johns Hopkins has extended their test-optional policy through to the 2025-2026 application year, essays are now more important than ever when trying to stand out among a large pool of qualified candidates. So, strong Johns Hopkins supplemental essays can make a major difference in admissions.

Additionally, applicants may want to submit other supplemental materials to support their Johns Hopkins application essay and overall application narrative. For example, you may want to add a college application letter or an art portfolio. While JHU accepts supplemental materials, they encourage applicants to only submit extra materials if they will genuinely add to their application. 

Other Johns Hopkins Resources from CollegeAdvisor

Ranking as #7 on U.S. News Best National Colleges list, it’s no surprise that the Johns Hopkins acceptance rate is so low. As one of the best colleges in the nation, applicants will want to do all they can in order to stand out. An integral deciding factor in the application process are the Johns Hopkins supplemental essays; however, there are other important factors such as applicants’ GPAs and recommendation letters . 

While we’ve outlined how to write successful Johns Hopkins supplemental essays in this guide, it’s also important to understand the whole application process. Remember that the Johns Hopkins admissions committee will look for applicants who show academic excellence and community involvement. So. make sure that you have a well-rounded application. Strong Johns Hopkins supplemental essays will add important value to your application narrative by filling in any gaps or adding information not mentioned elsewhere. 

Additionally, if you’re seriously considering how to get into Johns Hopkins, then you should first look at our guide . 

How to Get Into Johns Hopkins Guide

Read Johns Hopkins essay examples

As previously mentioned, the Johns Hopkins admissions site shows some examples of Johns Hopkins University essays that worked. These can give you some inspiration as you craft your own Johns Hopkins essay. 

We’ve also chosen some of our favorite successful Johns Hopkins supplemental essays. In this guide , we show some examples of strong Johns Hopkins supplemental essays and explain why they work. While you shouldn’t try to mimic any of these examples, understanding important qualities in successful Johns Hopkins supplemental essays will help you to write your best Johns Hopkins essay. You may also want to look at other successful college essay examples in order to get you motivated and inspired to start writing your Johns Hopkins essay. 

Johns Hopkins Essays that Worked

Another resource that hopeful Johns Hopkins applicants should take advantage of is our Johns Hopkins admissions article . While it’s important to write the best Johns Hopkins supplemental essays possible, it’s impossible to do so without truly understanding what the admissions committee looks for. In this article, we break down acceptance rates and look at the average GPA and standardized test scores for recently admitted JHU students. We also explain how to visit JHU in person or virtually. 

Find your fit

Finally, remember to focus on your college fit. The more you know that JHU is the place for you, the stronger your Johns Hopkins essay will be. Your essays, grades, and other application requirements are important, but students should remember that you need to make sure the school is a good fit for you . While JHU is a renowned university, you won’t actually know how you feel on campus until you’re there. Try to visit the school before making important college enrollment decisions down the road. And, lucky for you, if that’s not possible, then there are virtual tours that could show you how you may feel on campus. 

Finding Your College Fit

Another great way to learn about Johns Hopkins is by speaking with current students or alumni. You’ll be able to hear about their first-hand experiences of applying to and studying at this prestigious institution. Watch this recent webinar where two alums answer some common questions about what it takes to apply to and attend JHU. 

Johns Hopkins University Panel

Once you’ve done some research, you’ll be in an even better position as you approach the Johns Hopkins essay. 

Research scholarship opportunities

Scholarships are also an important part of the college application process. With the cost of college so high, it only makes sense to apply to all the scholarships possible in order to lower your education costs. Check out our webinar which gives you tips on making your scholarship and college applications stand out. 

Johns Hopkins is committed to admitting the “brightest minds” no matter their socioeconomic status. You can use their college cost calculator to get an estimate of your potential tuition costs. Keep in mind that most schools will give students the opportunity to estimate their tuition cost which may be an important factor when choosing colleges. When considering college costs, use all the resources available. This includes our article which outlines how to pay for college . 

Johns Hopkins Essay – Final Thoughts

Completing the Johns Hopkins application essay can seem daunting. Try to view this Johns Hopkins supplemental essay as an opportunity to introduce yourself to the admissions team. Use the Johns Hopkins supplemental essays provided on the JHU site and in our “Johns Hopkins Essays That Worked” article for inspiration. Remember that you have plenty of personal experiences to draw from for this Johns Hopkins application essay—you just have to think critically and creatively about them. 

Remember that the Johns Hopkins application essay matters—a lot! Maybe you’re applying with fewer extracurricular activities than you would like or perhaps a lower SAT/ACT score than normally accepted. A well-written Johns Hopkins essay can be the difference. Use this guide to help you approach the Johns Hopkins supplemental essay with a solid strategy and a clear timeline. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to perfect your Johns Hopkins essay before the Johns Hopkins application deadline. Good luck—you’ve got this!

This article was written by Sarah Kaminski. Looking for more admissions support? Click  here  to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how  CollegeAdvisor.com  can support you in the college application process.

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How to Write the Johns Hopkins University Supplemental Essay

Reviewed by:

Rohan Jotwani

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 1/8/24

Interested in attending Johns Hopkins? Below, we’ll explain how to write a winning supplemental essay to help your application shine!

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is a top-tier institution known for its high commitment to excellence in research and education. Hopeful students must demonstrate their academic potential, values, and unique characteristics.

Your supplemental essay is an excellent opportunity to tell the admission committee about your experiences, aspirations, and enthusiasm for Johns Hopkins. You can also use them to explain how your values align with the school’s mission and highlight your potential to contribute to the university.

In this article, we will go through the process of crafting a compelling Johns Hopkins supplemental essay and provide valuable insights into approaching your response so you can increase your chances of admission.

Johns Hopkins University Supplemental Essay Prompts 2023-2024

On Common App, students are required to respond to just one supplemental essay prompt for their Johns Hopkins application: 

“ Tell us about an aspect of your identity (e.g., race, gender, sexuality, religion, community, etc.) or a life experience that has shaped you and how that influenced what you’d like to pursue in college at Hopkins. This can be a future goal or experience that is either academic, extracurricular, or social. (200-350 words)”

How to Write the Essay Prompt for Johns Hopkins University

Not sure how to respond to this year’s prompt? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered! This section will give you key tips to help you focus your approach. 

How to Write the Johns Hopkins University Supplemental Essay #1 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of Prompt : The university makes this question open-ended to its applicants so they can write about their culture and identity, which has shaped their values and aspirations. The prompt is a good example of a diversity essay in which the applicant will discuss the link between their identity and goals at JHU. This means the admission committee wants to know how your life experiences will impact what you want to achieve in the institution.

Below are some tips to take note of when writing the JHU supplemental essays:

• Start With Self-Reflection : Reflect on various aspects of your identity or life experiences, and select one that has significantly shaped your perspective or values.
• Highlight Personal Connection : Detail a specific event, realization, or experience that intimately connects this aspect to your identity. Express why this facet holds personal significance, revealing the emotions or values it embodies. 
• Link to Future Goals : Clearly connect this aspect of your identity or experience to your future goals, explaining how it has inspired your academic, extracurricular, or social aspirations.
• Do Your Research : Show that you've researched specific programs, opportunities, or values at Johns Hopkins, and demonstrate how your chosen aspect aligns with what Hopkins offers.
• Express Enthusiasm : Convey genuine enthusiasm for joining the Johns Hopkins community, letting your passion for your chosen aspect and future pursuits shine through.

Example of Johns Hopkins University Supplemental Essays That Worked

In this section, we’ll provide essay examples written by successful JHU applicants. We’ll also discuss why each of these responses worked to help you make sure your own essays are impactful and impress the admissions committee.

Sample Essay #1

Prompt : “Use this space to share something you’d like the admissions committee to know about you (your interests, your background, your identity, or your community), and how it has shaped what you want to get out of your college experience at Hopkins. (300-400 words).”

“I stood in the dying light of the sun and a large campfire, facing out at the [NAME OF TRAINING PROGRAM]. The rest of the staff I had been working with joined arm around shoulder. I was a Troop Guide, the outward face of the course. I led presentations, guided participant activities, and most importantly, was responsible for a patrol of six 12-13 year olds. By the last day, I saw them solve their own internal conflicts and lead themselves using skills I had presented on, modeled, and coached them on. At the final campfire, I reflected on my time in Scouting and the people who had impacted me. I looked back at those kids, waving goodbye in the light of sunset, all teary-eyed, and the lead scoutmaster leaned towards me and whispered, “They won’t forget this.” With that simple phrase, I learned that I can make an impact. That I can change a small, but important, part of this world. 

My experience with young adults and supporting their mental wellness and leadership as a Troop Guide has cemented my interest in mentorship as well as a desire to become a Director of an in-patient psychiatric unit. I plan to pursue a major in Psychology or Cognitive Science, focusing on children and teens. Starting in high school, I found my passion for the mind and mental health. I myself have had previous experience with depression and anxiety, and have served as a close friend and confidante for many suffering with more severe issues. Being able to help these friends and others brings me great comfort, and I realized that I could turn this into a career that stimulates both my intellectual interests and my calling to help others. My focus on young people derives from the idea that helping at a young age provides them the best possible future. 

Johns Hopkins provides many opportunities to explore these interests. The highly-regarded Psychology department at Johns Hopkins would make this possible, with a variety of focuses among professors, from cognitive science to personality development that stokes my interest in interdisciplinary coursework. I would also pursue research into early diagnosis of mental illnesses like depression and schizophrenia. Additionally, the many extracurriculars including the A Place to Talk, The Center for Diversity and Inclusion, and the Center for Social Concern would allow me to continue to aid my communities.”

Why Essay #1 Worked

In their response, the student seamlessly connected their role as a Troop Guide, mentoring and coaching young individuals, to their genuine passion for understanding and supporting the mental well-being of young people. 

This not only illustrated their ability to lead and make a difference but also laid the foundation for their desire to major in Psychology or Cognitive Science at Johns Hopkins. 

By establishing a thoughtful link between hands-on experience and academic aspirations, the student showcased personal growth and underscored a commitment to contribute meaningfully to the university's community, leveraging its resources for a deeper understanding of mental health and mentorship.

Sample Essay #2

Prompt : “Founded in the spirit of exploration and discovery, Johns Hopkins University encourages students to share their perspectives, develop their interests, and pursue new experiences. Use this space to share something you’d like the admissions committee to know about you (your interests, your background, your identity, or your community), and how it has shaped what you want to get out of your college experience at Hopkins. (300-400 words)”

Let’s take a look at how a JHU student responded to this prompt: 

“O genki desu ka?” (“How are you?”)

“Hai, genki desu.” (“I’m well.”)

That’s the standard greeting my mom and I have with our Japanese sensei. It’s a light, idiomatic way to start the lesson and gets me ready to master the day’s grammar and vocabulary that, though confusing at first, eventually reveal their simplicity and clear logic the more I study them. But in my 8 years of studying Japanese, I always perk up when [NAME]-sensei mentions the ramen museum in her hometown of [CITY] or the life-size ice castles built at the annual [NAME OF FESTIVAL]. Learning about the different cultural elements that make Japanese society unique is what excites me about learning Japanese. But I realized that many of my other [ETHNICITY] friends did not have the same exposure I did to Japanese culture. Soon, I wanted to share that special uniqueness with people who may not have been exposed to Japanese culture before.

One summer, I got the opportunity to teach Japanese to other [ETHNICITY] children in my local community. While I made it a point to prioritize learning the necessary grammar and vocabulary, just like in the lessons I took, I made sure that we started each class with a “Question of the Day”, an introduction to the lesson designed to get my students’ thoughts on a particular Japanese cultural practice. I’d ask their opinion about a particular aspect of Japanese culture that differed from American or even Indian norms, such as the taboo of speaking on the phone on a Japanese train, or the godlike status of the Japanese emperor. 

When they’d say, “I actually think it's a good idea to not talk on the phone on the train” or “I admire the culture of not littering that they have in Japan”, I felt joy in seeing that they were not only engaged in the lesson, but that they had also grown comfortable teaching me the reasoning behind their views, even if it wasn’t popular or easy to explain. What started as an experiment of sharing my fascination toward the Japanese language and culture with a younger generation has morphed into a mutual exchange in perspective, a philosophy embraced at Johns Hopkins that will serve me well in my future endeavors.

Why Essay #2 Worked

This essay stands out because it seamlessly shares the student's journey with Japanese language and culture in a down-to-earth yet informative way. The use of casual Japanese dialogue at the start adds a personal touch, which instantly grabs the reader’s attention.

As the essay unfolds, it transitions from the student's love for Japanese culture to their hands-on initiative of teaching it to others. The essay reflects the student's dedication to spreading cultural awareness within their community. By incorporating a fun "Question of the Day" in their language classes, the student not only showcases their creative teaching style but also aligns themselves with Johns Hopkins' ethos of encouraging exploration and unique experiences. 

In essence, the essay artfully tells a story that resonates with the spirit of Johns Hopkins while emphasizing the student's commitment to sharing diverse perspectives and fostering community connections.

Sample Essay #3

I wish everyone here were more interested in maps and royal lineages like I am. That way, I could more easily connect with people”, I thought to myself.

I was nearing the end of my freshman year at a new high school. For me, it was a completely different environment. When once, school had been 5, 10, or even 30 minutes away, [NAME OF SCHOOL] was a full hour from my house. That 1-hour drive teleported me into a world of large mansions, fancy cars, and intricately manicured front lawns that I wasn’t used to in my hometown. Needless to say, I felt a little isolated in this new setting, and found myself wishing that I could just find something in common with any of my other peers.

It was only when I heard that my classmate [NAME] had started his own podcast at the start of the summer that I was struck with an idea. What if I made a podcast about any topic, and invited classmates who were interested in that topic to talk about its history? It was perfect: I could express my love of history while connecting with my friends at school.

I hit the ground running. From talking about the struggles African Americans faced under slavery and Jim Crow to discussing the influence of the sitar on modern pop music, I was fascinated by the depth of my friends’ knowledge and the passion portrayed on a plethora of different topics. Even after we’d finished recording an episode on a given topic, my friends and I would continue to sit and discuss that topic’s repercussions and ramifications on societies from the past up until today, such as those of “redlining” in Long Island, which are clearly visible on a map of the area and even more clearly visible upon a drive through the area. 

Soon, my confidence in myself grew as I discovered that, though pure history may not fascinate everyone like it does for me, learning from my peers helped me grow closer to them than a shared interest ever could. Now, whether I’m learning life lessons from professors over dinner or hearing the perspective of my fellow students on an aspect of Japanese culture, Johns Hopkins catalyzes countless opportunities for me to dive much more deeply into any topic while forming the lifelong, meaningful friendships that have always been so invaluable to me in the process.

Why Essay #3 Worked

This student details their journey of feeling isolated in a new high school and then seizing the opportunity to bridge the gap through a podcast. The narrative explores diverse topics relating to their identity and interests, showcasing the depth of the student's friendships and the meaningful conversations that they inspired. 

The essay reflects on the transformative power of shared learning experiences and how this growth aligns with the student's aspirations for Johns Hopkins. It effectively communicates a personal story of overcoming isolation and finding connection through exploration and shared interests.

Get More Sample Essays Here!

Take a look at our College Essay Example Database to read other Johns Hopkins essays that impressed the admissions committee.

FAQs: How to Write the Johns Hopkins University Supplemental Essays

Below are some of the frequently asked questions and answers about JHU supplemental essays:

1. Does Johns Hopkins University Require Essays?

Yes, Johns Hopkins University has just one essay to which all the applicants are supposed to respond.

2. What Is the Recommended Length for an Essay at Johns Hopkins University?

Your Johns Hopkins essays should be no longer than 350 words .

3. How Should I Respond to the Johns Hopkins’ Supplemental Essay Prompt?

Make the response personal. It is important to note that the school is looking for how an aspect of your background has contributed to your story, which includes your character, values, and aspirations. Also, consider how your culture or identity will affect your stay at JHU.

Final Thoughts

The Johns Hopkins essay is an opportunity to show the qualities that set you apart from other applicants. Your essay should be well crafted and engaging while perfectly demonstrating your values and aspirations. With a good essay, you can confidently secure space for yourself at Johns Hopkins University.

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Credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins graduate programs again ranked among nation's best

'u.s. news & world report' includes 38 jhu programs among the top 10 in the u.s. in its annual rankings, including no. 1 ranked programs in nursing and public health.

By Hub staff report

Johns Hopkins University has 38 graduate schools, academic programs, and specialties ranked among the top 10 in the nation, including nine with No. 1 rankings, according to the latest edition of "Best Graduate Schools" from U.S. News & World Report , published earlier today.

Two schools at Hopkins—the Bloomberg School of Public Health and the School of Nursing —earned No. 1 rankings overall, and the School of Education entered the top 10, according to U.S. News & World Report .

Portions of the publication's annual list were released today but rankings for schools of medicine and engineering were delayed and will be released at a later date.

Among the new rankings released today:

The School of Nursing's DNP program ranked No. 1 for the third year in a row. Its master's degree programs tied at No. 1, up from No. 2 last year. In gerontology, the school moved up two spots to No. 1 for primary care, and up one spot to No. 2 for acute care. In other specialty areas, the School of Nursing's doctoral programs ranked:

• Psychiatric/mental health: No. 1
• Family: No. 3 (tied)
• Leadership: No. 4 (tied)
• Nursing Anesthesia: No. 36 (tie)

Public Health

The Bloomberg School retained its longtime No. 1 overall ranking among public health programs—it has held the top spot since 1994, the year the rankings began. In specialty areas, the Bloomberg School ranked:

• Environmental Health Sciences: No. 1
• Epidemiology: No. 1
• Health Policy and Management (Public Health): No. 1
• Social and Behavioral Sciences: No. 1
• Biostatistics: No. 2

Johns Hopkins tied at No. 8 in the Education category, up from No. 13 last year. The school also tied at No. 23 in higher education administration programs.

Public Affairs

Overall, Johns Hopkins programs in public affairs tied at No. 39. In subcategories, Johns Hopkins tied at No. 6 in Health Policy and Management (Public Affairs), No. 11 in International/Global Policy and Administration, and tied at No. 35 in Public Policy Analysis.

U.S. News & World Report updates some of its rankings each year and republishes the most recent rankings in other areas. Among the republished rankings for Hopkins, which are still current:

Biological Sciences

Hopkins is tied for No. 6 overall with six top 10 specialty rankings:

• Molecular biology: No. 3 (tie)
• Cell biology: No. 4
• Neuroscience: No. 4 (tie)
• Immunology: No. 5
• Genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics: No. 6 (tie)
• Biochemistry, biophysics, and structural biology: No. 8

Biostatistics

Hopkins is ranked No. 1 (tie) for Biostatistics at the doctoral level. (Note: U.S. News & World Report also ranks biostatistics as a sub-category of public health, where Hopkins is No. 2.)

The university is tied at No. 20 in Chemistry and ranks No. 9 in the Biochemistry subcategory.

Computer Science

The university is tied for No. 24 overall and tied at No. 21 in the specialty of Artificial Intelligence.

Earth Sciences

The university is tied at No. 30 in Earth Sciences.

Johns Hopkins' program in economics is tied at No. 22.

English tied at No. 13 overall with the following specialty rankings:

• Literary criticism and theory: No. 3
• British literature: No. 10 (tie)
• American literature after 1865: No. 17

Health Care Management

The university is No. 7.

Johns Hopkins ranks No. 10 overall, with the following specialty rankings:

• African-American history: No. 3 (tie)
• Cultural history: No. 4 (tie)
• U.S. Colonial history: No. 5 (tie)
• Women's history: No. 6 (tie)
• African history: No. 7 (tie)
• European history: No. 7 (tie)
• Modern U.S. history: No. 16 (tie)

Mathematics

Johns Hopkins is tied at No. 20 in Mathematics with the following specialty rankings: + Analysis: No. 18 (tie) + Algebra: No. 23 (tie) + Applied Math: No. 25

Overall, the university is tied at No. 13 with the following specialty rankings: + Living Systems: No. 5 (tie) + Cosmology: No. 7 + Condensed Matter: No. 13 (tie)

Political science

Overall, political science is tied at No. 41. In sub-categories, Johns Hopkins ranked: + Political theory: No. 8 (tie) + International politics: No. 24 (tie)

The university's graduate program in psychology is tied at No. 12 overall and tied at No. 5 in the subcategory of behavioral neuroscience.

Overall, sociology is tied at No. 29. The sub-category of sociology of population is tied at No. 17.

Posted in University News

Tagged u.s. news and world report , university rankings

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