Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins students have big ideas and want to change the world. From day one, undergrads are given the freedom to chart their own academic paths and the support to follow their interests both in and outside the classroom. That freedom starts with the school’s financial aid philosophy: students who are primed to thrive on a campus where diversity of thought drives its academic culture shouldn’t be limited by their family’s ability to pay. A landmark gift by Michael R. Bloomberg ’64 reflects the university’s mission by supporting need-blind admissions and meeting 100% of demonstrated need with no-loan financial aid packages. With the potential to graduate debt-free, equipped with an education that opens doors, Hopkins students have the freedom to boldly explore ways to apply their knowledge and talents. That could mean pursuing multiple majors, taking on an un-paid internship or research experience, studying abroad, or devoting time to a cause or community. Those opportunities abound on campus, and Hopkins supports its students throughout their time there and after graduation.

Academic freedom

With over 50 majors and 40 minors, and a unique interdisciplinary approach, thousands of different academic paths exist at Hopkins. Their academic philosophy combines research with a liberal arts focus that offers students the freedom to create their own tracks—which is why over 60% of their students have a double major or major and minor, like electrical engineering and romance languages, mathematics and philosophy, or biomedical engineering and business. This creates an undergraduate experience that teaches students how to think, create, and succeed, whatever their academic interests. Practical, hands-on learning adds depth to any course of study, making Hopkins students uniquely equipped for life after graduation. They’re working with companies to solve real problems, testing their hypotheses out in the field, and working alongside professors to put what they learn in the classroom to the test.

Research redefined

As America’s first research university, Johns Hopkins has been tackling difficult questions and finding answers since 1876. Every day, faculty and students work side-by-side in a tireless pursuit of discovery, continuing the university’s founding mission to bring knowledge to the world. The university leads the nation in research spending and offers students the chance to make innovative discoveries as early as their first year. Almost 75 percent of students across all disciplines participate in research, which takes place in labs, museums, and unconventional places throughout campus and the city of Baltimore.

Student life

Johns Hopkins’ undergraduate Homewood campus is a place where students share ideas, get excited about what they’re doing in and outside of the classroom, and find new ways to express themselves. Hopkins students pursue their interests outside the classroom with the same fervor they bring to their academic goals. Every year, undergrads run Spring Fair, the nation's largest student-run college festival, as well as two campus lecture series that bring in speakers like Nelson Mandela, Hasan Minhaj, and Gloria Steinem. They root for the university's nationally ranked lacrosse teams. They're committed to partnering with and being a part of Baltimore. The Center for Social Concern oversees more than 50 student groups focused on community outreach, a summer internship program within Baltimore's nonprofit organizations, and an annual university-wide President's Day of Service.

Campus and surroundings

Homewood has it all—green quads, brick pathways, and “The Beach,” a grassy expanse used for sunbathing, studying, and socializing. And just outside the campus gate awaits the bustling, energetic city of Baltimore, Maryland. A short walk or a free shuttle ride leads to museums, concert halls, shops, historic movie-theaters, restaurants, and professional sports stadiums. Johns Hopkins students have the best of both worlds, enjoying a close-knit campus and big city amenities.

Baltimore is a vibrant city with small-town charm—an entrepreneurial hub with a rapidly growing technology sector and dynamic arts scene. Students enjoy the fast-paced yet accessible nature of a city like Baltimore, which gives them access to coveted internships and careers. It’s the perfect environment for real-world experiences like building professional networks or getting startups off the ground. It’s an incubator for scientists, clinicians, artists, legal experts, venture capitalists, philanthropists—and students who want to change the world.