I don’t have superior grades or anything…but have a bunch of other appealing things. Grades and scores worry me.
Applying early decision takes app rate from 17% to 35%.
GPA: 3.6
SAT: 1700 (high everything but math)
ACT: 32
Hispanic (Johns Hopkins is 5% Hispanic)
Mixed race (JH is 0% mixed race according to their site [I was rather astonished])
First gen in college, under $40,000 income and parents won’t pay any college.
I am a senior intern for a senator and he is writing me a recommendation.
I work for 3 startups, one of which I partially own.
I present live televised forums on C-SPAN through a major city’s City Club.
I work for the GOP and helped behind the scenes at the first Republican national debate and will do more of that sort of thing later.
I do a lot of volunteer work.
I am a successful congressional debater in speech and debate.
I did three summer programs this year, Northwestern poly sci course in DC on full scholarship, top debate camp in nation on full scholarship, and Girls State.
I really couldn’t say for sure, since I don’t know exactly how lenient Hopkins is on grades for certain students, but you have a lot of things going for you like being a URM (I think Hopkins is more like 9-12% Hispanic, and Hopkins has mixed race people; they’re not the most forthright with their demographic data); being a first-generation student; having low socioeconomic status; etc. And your ECs are very strong. So if you can emphasize through your essays that your academic strengths match your academic interests and generally wow them with the essay, I say you have a good chance.
A word of caution, though: even though it’s true that acceptance rates among ED are higher than RD, keep in mind that ED is also a pool of (generally) stronger and more qualified students who are ready to go in the beginning of senior year and don’t need that second semester of senior grades to demonstrate their achievements. You’re essentially competing in a more rigorous applicant pool. That being said, your GPA is a little low, and we don’t know your course load or grades, but your extracurriculars are looking nice. Make sure to have really strong, passionate essays for both common app and the supplement.
To clarify, Hopkins RD acceptance rate is 12.4%, not the older 17% rate you’re citing. Furthermore, the acceptance rate is probably going to drop another few percentage points since Hopkins is on the “Top 10” list as more people apply. That being said, Hopkins is a reach school for anyone and, as others pointed out, your GPA may be low if you didn’t take Honors/AP/IB coursework. At this point though, you can’t change the past. Keep those senior year grades high so if you are put on a waitlist you can make a strong case for yourself. I would also recommend that you encourage letter writers to compare you to past students/interns in their letters and hopefully they will make a strong case that you are exceptional amongst your peers. When I ask for rec letters I type up a list of traits I believe I demonstrated and examples of how I demonstrated them and provide that list to the letter writer. Unfortunately most letters admissions receive are praiseworthy, vague, and aren’t comparative so they often don’t add much to the committee’s opinion in ranking you above other applicants. See if you can contact your letter writers to ensure a strong, detailed and comparative letter is written.
http://hub.jhu.edu/2014/12/12/early-decision-class-of-2019
Most recent Johns Hopkins early decision acceptance rate = 28.9%
Do not apply to JHU with the belief that it is significantly easier for ED. It definitely is easier, but the higher acceptance rate is misleading as many recruited athletes and legacies apply during that round. The acceptance rate will further decrease from 29% this year. I would apply if it’s your top choice, and not to “game” the admissions game. It’s highly likely you won’t get in even with decent stats - keep that in mind when applying. Nothing is likely when more than 70% of applicants (and even more this year) are rejected early.
I have a 4.08 weighted GPA and a 32 ACT and very average not impressive EC’s does this mean I shouldn’t even bother applying to Johns Hopkins. Especially to their bme program which is highly competitive.
A 32 ACT is not going to be competitive for a school like JHU and especially not for the university’s BME program. Hopefully, your grades and course rigor can balance that. @c0llegegirl
7 APs and a 4.08weighted gpa probably doesnt balance that
If the time and cost of applying is not a significant hurdle for you then I don’t see the harm in applying. If there is another school you are also considering for ED and you believe you have better odds, then, of course, apply there. But if never applying to Hopkins is going to be something you regret (remember that 50th percentile metrics mean 50% of those accepted had LOWER stats than that), then what’s the harm? As long as you won’t be torn asunder by the potential rejection and applying to Hopkins ED (or regular) isn’t affecting your chances at other schools you also want to attend where you have better odds (due to cost, time, or the fact you can only apply to one school ED), then what’s the risk?
Is it true that if you apply ED and don’t like your financial package, you can say no?
ED is not a legally-binding document so you can always say no and won’t go to jail; however, I have heard that the school you’ve scorned can blacklist you by contacting other schools that you’ve applied to and can share your transgressions. That being said, it’s advised that you only apply to ED if you are comfortable attending that school regardless of the financial aid outcome. If you qualify for need-based financial aid then Hopkins will most likely meet it (it’s a ranking metric after all so they have a vested interest!), but if you are hoping for merit-based aid it is highly unlikely and I wouldn’t apply ED if that’s what you’re banking on.
If I were you I would contact the financial aid office at Hopkins and let them know of your situation BEFORE you apply ED. Communication is key and letting them know of your situation will save you (and Hopkins) a lot of potential headaches down the road. Most likely Hopkins will accommodate you if your stats are great for ED acceptance and you meet need-based aid. Worse case scenario you don’t get accepted, or worse, you get accepted and get yourself in some type of financial aid-ED nightmare. Be honest with the school and let them know of your situation, beyond that there’s little else you can do until you know your options.
Okay thank you I will be sure to contact the financial aid office.