<p>As promised in a former thread, I am writing to share the new Johns Hopkins essay questions for the 2007-2008 application cycle. The office just received copies of the new application and once we receive the new viewbooks we will begin mailing application packets to those prospective students who completed an request for information (probably by the end of August). </p>
<li><p>Respond to the following using whatever space and medium you like.
Communities define our lives. Those you are born into, those you make yourself, and those you fall into by accident – communities of all types influence us and help shape us. Describe a defining community in your life and what it means to you.</p></li>
<li><p>Write a brief essay in which you respond to the following question.
Johns Hopkins offers 49 majors across the schools of Arts and Sciences and Engineering. On Part I of this application, we asked you to identify one of two that you might like to pursue here. Why did you choose the way you did? If you are undecided, why didn’t you choose? (If any past courses or academic experiences influenced your decision, you may include them in your essay.)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>With the new essays also comes a new essay policy. As we prepare to release the 2007-08 freshman application materials, I wanted to explain fully the new essay policy. Things have changed again this year so please review the new policy carefully. </p>
<p>FRESHMAN APPLICANT APPLYING WITH JOHNS HOPKINS PAPER APPLICATION
* Must complete both required essays ... essay #1 (the communities essay) and essay #2 (the majors essay). </p>
<p>FRESHMAN APPLICANT APPLYING WITH JOHNS HOPKINS ONLINE APPLICATION
* Must complete both required essays ... essay #1 (the communities essay) and essay #2 (the majors essay). </p>
<p>FRESHMAN APPLICANT APPLYING WITH COMMON APPLICATION & JHU SUPPLEMENT
* Required to complete essay #2 (the majors essay) included with the JHU supplement.
* Required to complete either one of the Common Application essays OR the JHU supplement essay #1 (the communities essay). </p>
<p>FRESHMAN APPLICANT APPLYING WITH UNIVERSAL APPLICATION & JHU SUPPLEMENT
* Required to complete essay #2 (the majors essay) included with the JHU supplement.
* Required to complete either one of the Universal Application essays OR the JHU supplement essay #1 (the communities essay). </p>
<hr>
<p>So basically if you do one of the JHU applications then you must do both JHU essays. If you choose to do the Common Application or the Universal Application, you must do essay #2 (the majors essay) on the JHU supplement and then either JHU supplemental essay #1 (the communities essay) or one of the Common/Universal application essays. </p>
<p>Hopefully that makes sense.</p>
<p>One final comment: As I said last year, the essay(s) are quite important in the review process. We prefer 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>Ingenuity, originality, and creativity -- that is what we are looking for with the "communities" essay and the "use of any medium" option WE HOPE will lead to some unique/cool responses.</p>
<p>anyone have any ideas of something unique to do for the first topic, besides a standard essay... im just completely lost as to what i can do... pictures dont seem enough</p>
<p>There is absolutely nothing wrong with a written essay -- you have the option to write an essay (which 90% of applicants will do) or present your application in another medium if you choose.</p>
<p>As for advice for doing something unique ... well that defeats the purpose of showing YOUR originality and YOUR creativity.</p>
<p>As is our traditional policy we do not set word limits for the JHU essays. Additionally, we do not set suggested lengths. There are no official word limits or word count suggestions. </p>
<p>I'd say that the first creative essay ("communities essay") will traditionally be between 750 - 1000 words when written. Remember you can present this essay in any format, using any medium, you want. </p>
<p>The second academic essay ("majors essay") is expected to be shorter and probably will run between 250-500 words. But as with the first essay, it is your choice how long / how short you want your essays to be.</p>
<p>Just to be sure, when you refer to "one of the Universal Application essays," do you mean the Personal Statement on page 5 of the app, which says, "Please write an essay (500 words or fewer) that demonstrates your ability to develop and communicate your thoughts. Some ideas include: a person you admire; a life-changing experience; or your viewpoint on a particular current event."</p>
<p>Ooooh I like these topics (especially #1), but just one question-
When it says any medium, does that also mean that you can use more than one medium?</p>
<p>SodiumFree:
Yes that is the essay I refer to for the Universal Application. I have actually not seen a copy of the Universal App. so I wasn't sure how they would be doing their essay -- like the Common App. where you have choices, or just one main personal statement. I guess they went the route of the one main personal statement. </p>
<p>Johnson181:
Yes you can use multiple mediums.</p>
<p>If I apply through commonapp.org I'll have to send the Common App essay to all schools on my list, right?
So what should I do if I want JHU to consider the communities essay? Just submit everything and ask you to ignore the Common App essay, which was written for the other schools?</p>
<p>For applicants applying to Johns Hopkins using the Common Application, you have the choice of submitting one of the Common Application essays OR the JHU "Communities" Essay which is essay topic #1 of the JHU Supplement. </p>
<p>Applicants may send in both their Common Application essay as well as the JHU "Communities" Essay. In such cases, the Admissions Committee will focus the review on the JHU essay, and consider the common app. essay as supplemental information. This is a choice each applicant can make on their own ... we have no preference ... and it won't impact your app. review positively or negatively. </p>
<p>As for when you apply online through the Common Application, I am not actually sure who the system works re: essays. I am not sure if when you submit your application it is the same for each school, or if you can make changes like submitting your essay to one school but not the other. I think you can do that, but since I have never completed an online Common App. I am not 100% sure. You should review the instructions on the Common App. web site, and/or contact them directly.</p>