It specifically will make JHU needblind for internationals and will allow JHU to meet 100% of international aid.
Since Bloomberg said he wanted JHU to invest more in FA-needing students I’m wondering if this will have any effect on FA-needing international students. I don’t think this will change their need-aware international admissions to need-blind (I mean it still says on their website that international admissions is need-aware and I doubt it will change that quickly) but I’m wondering if it will make things bit easier.
Will all of that donation go towards making domestic admissions more affordable, or to both domestic and international admissions? Bc if they’re gonna have larger budget for international FA it would help my chances as an FA-needing international students, since there’s more to spend for similar applicant pool (assuming that similar amount of international students apply for FA as other years).
Also is it more likely that you’ll get through the need aware admissions and get accepted /w FA at JHU or get accepted without requesting FA and qualifying for merit scholarships?
@stevensPR Is there a direct source for that? Are they becoming need-blind for internationals starting fall 2019 entry?
Per bloomberg himself:
“This will make admissions at Hopkins forever need-blind; finances will never again factor into decisions.”
The only time currently finances come into play is for international students specifically.
Admissions is in the process of rebranding the website to state this effectively. And yes, starting next fall, these changes will be in effect. I hope we’re able to welcome you to Hopkins with open arms.
Not sure Blomberg’s quote is based on understanding the finer points of current FA policy. He may very well mean domestic. The proper source will be some college bigwig.
But the bullets raised by @1NJParent show the sorts of decisions we have yet to learn about.
Also, it won’t help anyone’s chances unless the college feels the applicant is a match, with a compelling application.
Why shouldn’t he donate to his alma mater?
Why does anyone judge this based on location?
Sure, you may not want your kid in Baltimore or Detroit, whatever. That’s your application decision. Yours. It’s his decision where to give his 1.8B.
Lookingforward your posts are great, so please don’t take this the wrong way. I don’t think anyone is questioning or judging the donation, just answering the OPs question in a typical CC circuitous manner.
@lookingforward I think it’s a great thing. The gift should make it more affordable for future students.
**MODERATOR’S NOTE:
While one may appreciate the OT comments, I don’t. The question asked was pretty straightforward and did not warrant going down the garden path of crime is Chicago, yield at GTech,etc. 12 posts deleted.
He did give 1.1 B before 2013 , so who’s to say how this donation will come.
I was surprised to learn that Hopkins was not need-blind prior to the Bloomberg donation. This gift will only ensure that it is on par with peer schools. It doesn’t mean that it has surpassed them. The no loans policy is a great touch though. Some peers haven’t made that jump yet.
Also, I don’t think Hopkins is becoming need-blind for international students.
Let’s not forget that schools like Penn/Duke/Cornell have significantly larger endowments and that $1.8 billion is not enough to make up the shortfall.
According to this article,
https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2018/11/19/largest-gift-ever-higher-education-will-make-johns-hopkins-need-blind
JHU practiced need-blind admission but never made it official until the latest Bloomberg gift. It doesn’t sound like JHU will be need-blind for international students, however.
JHU, until this latest gift, does have one of the smaller endowments per student among elite colleges at about $200k per student. For comparisons (with colleges JHU compete with), Cornell/Columbia/Brown are at $300k, Penn at $400k, Duke/Chicago/Northwestern at $500k. CMU, however, is only at $100k.
Not only will JHU be need blind, they will meet full need (eg, NYU is need blind but gives poor aid). There’s no reason they can’t do the same for the internationals they choose to admit.
Except for only a handful of colleges, US colleges are either need aware or not meeting full need for international students. The few that does both for international students tend to have much bigger endowment per student. Will JHU join their ranks? Highly unlikely, judging from the information that’s been released so far.
This donation, which is earmarked 100% for scholarships, is kicking in immediately. Starting January 2019, all federal loans will be replaced by scholarships. Starting in Fall 2019 Johns Hopkins will be a loan free institution (for people who would have needed loans).
The general thinking among current students is that admissions, already extremely competitive, will become even more so.
It’s a very exciting time for the institution and those who go there. Bloomberg should run for president! I’d vote for him in a heartbeat.
@1NJParent Highly unlikely based on what? Most of the competitors that you referenced above do not have over $1 Billion of their endowment slated for undergraduate financial aid. And that is precisely why they are not needblind for internationals. Endowment per student is meaningless considering what the endowments are usually slated for by donors.
FA for internationals is a policy decision, not solely a matter of the bank account balance.
What I suspect this really means for JHU is an increased opportunity to choose students they feel are best of the best, lift the reputation in real terms: maximize productive, engaged students. It’s not just about making college more affordable or who avoids loans, per se. It’s about the gems they can now reach, the net-net to the U, as well.
And that effort takes time to define and implement.
Loans will be available, just not part of the FA package. Many students will still take them to meet expenses, especially if the school thinks a $40k FA package is appropriate but the COA is $75k.
@stevensPR You keep saying JHU will be need-blind and meeting full need for international students, as if it was a done deal. What’s your evidence or source of your information? If JHU is like other private colleges, it will only spend a portion of the EARNINGS/INTERESTS (not the principal) from the donation for financial aid. Besides, we don’t even know if the donation will be one lump sum or paid over many years.