<p>Now that our 2006-07 application is available, I wanted to explain our policy on the application essays. Things have changed a bit from previous years, so please read below. The language is a bit different than what I have posted in the past, therefore a created this new thread. Ok here you go:</p>
<p>FRESHMAN APPLICANTS:
If you choose to apply via a JHU application (online, paper, or downloadable), you are required to complete both JHU essays. The first essay is a creative essay ("money in your pocket") and the second is more academic based ("most influential class"). </p>
<p>If you choose to apply via the Common application (online or paper) you are required to submit one of the six common application essay topics and this will satisfy the JHU essay requirement. As stated in the JHU supplement to the Common Application (which is required), "the Admissions Committee welcomes the chance to read additional essays on questions 1 and 2 below [these are the JHU essays]."</p>
<p>TRANSFER APPLICANTS:
We require you to apply via the Common Application and the JHU Supplement (online or paper). As part of the JHU Supplement there is a third essay option which is for Transfer students only. You are required to answer this question #3. The Common Application essay is not required of transfer applicants. The JHU essays are optional. </p>
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<p>So hopefully this explains our essay requirements more clearly, especially for those applying via the common application and for transfer applicants. I will say as an Admissions counselor, the essay(s) are quite important in the review process. We like our JHU essay topics, we enjoy reading them, and I often let students know that writing our essays provides the Admissions committee a lot of additional, and useful information!!!</p>
<p>Did you read the post? Transfer applicants have to answer question #3 (Please explain in detail why you wish to transfer to Johns Hopkins University) and the other two (listed here</a>) are optional.</p>
<p>thank you tanman -- no matter how hard we try, it seems this batch of new CC people just don't know about searching old threads, reading messages clearly, and searching the JHU web site for info.</p>
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We like our JHU essay topics, we enjoy reading them...
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<p>This sounds like a subtle statement of preference for the JHU application. I was planning on submitting the Common Application. Will I be at a disadvantage if I do so?</p>
<p>Ok, that question has been answered so many times. -_- You can submit the Common App. along with the JHU essay(s). If you do so, then you will not be at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>In short (nothing official - just what I read in those two threads ), there is no explicit advantage to using the Hopkins app over the common app, but the admissions officers like to the Hopkins question because it gives a better idea of who you are (and are usually a lot more enjoyable to read) than the CommonApp essays. </p>
<p>I've seen and heard about some of the things people have submitted as their answer to the $10 question (the question says to answer "using whatever space and medium you like") and if I were an admissions officer, going through those would be a lot more interesting than reading a typical essay.</p>
<p>There is no preference for JHU versus Common app...just as there is no preference for online versus paper. You choose which ever way you want to apply. </p>
<p>As far as the essays when applying with the Common app, yes there is a suggestion (and recommendation) to complete the JHU essays but this is not a requirement. </p>
<p>Students who choose not to write the JHU essays are not at an automatic disadvantage. Just remember, the JHU essays provide the admissions counselors useful information, and therefore you have to make the decision as to whether or not sending the JHU essays is worth it for your individual application.</p>
<p>I noticed this year that the $10 limit changed to "money in your pocket". </p>
<p>Does this mean I can take the money I made from my job ($1000) and put into my pocket, and say, take a buy a plane ticket to a foreign country? I hate to literally interprate an essay question, but I have to know...since this decision greatly affects my essay.</p>
<p>The essay prompt is vague and can be answered in any way you want. If there is $1000 in your pocket and that works with the creativity of your essay that take that direction. There are no official rules.</p>
<p>i have a question Mr. Daniel, If you are a freshman applicant, you can choose between the common application essay or the two Johns Hopkins essays? Or do we have to do both a common application essay and the two johns hopkins essays? </p>
<p>And if we do choose the common appication essay, is only one required? and what is the word limit for common applications? </p>
<p>Also where do we find the 6 common applications essay questions?
and lastly, what is the word limit for the 2 johns hopkins essays?</p>
<p>How exactly does the admissions office "grade" the JHU essay (about money in the pocket) if it is sent in a creative medium? It seems like many people chose to write essays instead of make something.</p>
<p>About 10-15% of applicants choose to submit essay #1 in a creative medium. How do we evaluate them -- the same way we evaluate a written essay. We look for creativity, orginality, and what it tells us about the applicant.</p>