Hi all. Johns Hopkins is one of my top choices. I know it is a reach school for pretty much everyone, but i was wondering it was even worth my time applying. Ideally, I am looking to double major in Piano Performance and engineering. If I am not accepted as a music major, I would still love to go as an engineer.
My stats are a little different as I home schooled for junior and senior year, taking classes at NC State university. Because of this my GPA does not really matter (you may say it is a little low). I have super strong EC and a decent ACT score.
uwGPA: 3.7
ACT composite: 32
Senior classes:
Calc 2 (NCSU)
Calc 3 (NCSU)
Physics–mechanics (NCSU)
Accounting (NCSU)
AP Macroeconomics (self study)
Business writing (my own curriculum)
Spanish Immersion (self study)
By graduation I will have 32 college credit (transferable). I took a very competitive course load at the high school I attended as well. I write pretty “fire” essays and believe my CommonApp essay and supplemental will strongly help.
EC:
-Founded/captained two FIRST robotics teams-both achieving the highest level, going to World Championships in St. Louis. I have been reconized for my work with STEM in the community by the local Towne Council. Raised over $40,000 for STEM education.
-Competitive soccer-multitude of awards including best in NC
-Founder of Community Tech Drive–collect unused technology in my community tor underprivileged students. Recognized by NC House Representative Tom Murray.
-Piano–multitude of awards, including multiple 1st place in top competitions.
-Honor role at the high school i attended.
-1st in state in CYBERPATRIOTS hacking competition
-Participated on high school ethics team-national runner-ups
-Founded a business: Not Ur Mothers TieDye (tiedyed socks)
What do you guys think my chances might be?
Thanks a bunch
Fist off, it’s tough to chance anyone applying to Hopkins with any confidence these past few years since their average stats have been rising so quickly. Unless you have test scores and GPA well above the 50th percentile it’s hard to say you have a good chance. That being said, you’re an interesting case that makes it even more difficult.
Your GPA matters a lot, regardless of where you took classes. The committee needs to make sure that you can perform well in a classroom setting with all the competing assignments, multiple tests, etc. that come with the rigorous Hopkins course load. Even College Board continues to state that standardized test scores alone are not good predictors of freshman year success, and that high school GPA must be considered as well. Since your GPA comprises of (currently) one year of college-level coursework, a lot of it comes down to the committee’s familiarity and opinion of NC state university, the classes you took and your performance there so far. Since it’s only a year’s worth of grades your application will probably rely heavily on standardized tests. You undoubtedly have great ECs, especially when it comes to engineering-related endeavors, which is great for your application and shows you have aptitude for the sciences, but I think that has its limits in determining your success in the classroom (plenty of great scientists, etc. have been horrible students).
I’m guessing you haven’t taken any AP or SAT II tests? Your ACT is at the 25th percentile for JHU, so it’s not the most competitive score. I would consider taking November subject tests if at all possible since you need to help the committee compare you horizontally with other applicants, and high subject tests (in math and sciences especially) would surely add more confidence to anyone assessing your academic abilities. Something to consider.
Remember that JHU is coming from a position of strength and has every reason to be risk-adverse. They have had record-breaking applicant pools consistently for at least the last eight years with an increasing number of competitive applicants (and applicants overall) and a steadily increasing matriculation rate. You need to prove that you’re not a risk, but an asset.
Overall, I would still apply to Hopkins since they love research, innovation and go-getters, which your ECs have clearly demonstrated (then again, which school doesn’t?). They value diversity and you offer a unique perspective with your experiences. Consider taking subject tests for math and sciences. You need to demonstrate that you have what it takes since the ACT score will probably not address concerns on the committee, which only has a year’s worth of grades to look at (assuming you’re applying ED, otherwise they’ll have an extra semester’s worth so make sure you get that GPA up).
Thanks so much for the input! I appreciate your thorough consideration. Standardized testing has never been my forte. I took chemistry and math II subject tests, doing okay on both. I am retaking them (trying to get a 750) and will be retaking my ACT. I feel at JHU will be a reach for pretty much any student now, so I am certainly leveraging my ECs.
Just don’t spread yourself too thin. GPA is just as important, and first semester senior grades play a major role in RD. Make sure and think big picture, don’t get carried away focusing your efforts on ED at Hopkins and ignoring senior grades (which don’t matter for the ED cycle), but will matter for every school you apply to RD.
You might be shell shocked by this, but I have a few questions: What do you value more, engineering or piano? What do you want to do in the future, go into engineering or become a pianist? Are you planning on medical school?
I’m asking this because I was in your shoes last year, applying for Hopkins Biology (yes, a little different from engineering) and Peabody Piano Performance. Either one is hard in itself, so when I received my acceptance for the Double Degree Program, I made the hard decision to forgo the piano, and looking back, it was the right decision. One friend of mine is taking 27 credits while doing JHU/Jazz Saxophone and he has only 10 minutes of free time. Are you up for this?
What piano repertoire do you play? What competitions have you won? Peabody looks deeply into those who placed and won competitions.
Should I mention that your ACT score of 32 is not that good? I think you should take some SAT II’s, but unfortunately you have not, so I don’t think you are as competitive as you think you are.