Does Johns Hopkins Interview Applicants?

If you’re wondering how to get into Johns Hopkins, you might be curious about whether there’s a Johns Hopkins interview. Here’s the deal—there isn’t one.

So, what does the top school do instead of an interview? In this blog, we explore how Johns Hopkins evaluates applications without interviews and what you can do to stand out.

• Does Johns Hopkins Conduct Interviews?
• Johns Hopkins Recommendation Letter
• Johns Hopkins Supplemental Essays
• How Does Johns Hopkins University Evaluate Applications?
• Is It an Advantage That There Is No Johns Hopkins Interview?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Does Johns Hopkins Conduct Interviews?

Interviews can be a great way for schools to get to know applicants on a more personal level. They let you share your story, explain your passions, and make an impression beyond grades and test scores. But since Johns Hopkins no longer offers interviews, you’ll need to focus on other parts of your application to stand out.

What else can you work on?

Your recommendation letters and supplemental essays are now more important than ever.

Think of your essays as a chance to have a conversation with the admissions team. Use them to show your unique perspective, share meaningful experiences, and explain why Johns Hopkins is the perfect fit for you. Be authentic—don’t just tell them what you think they want to hear. Let your personality, values, and goals come through in your writing.

As for your recommendation letters, think of them as a written version of a Johns Hopkins interview—a chance for others to vouch for your character, work ethic, and potential. Choose teachers or mentors who really know you—people who can speak about your growth, contributions, and how you’ll thrive at Johns Hopkins. Make sure they have plenty of time to write thoughtful, detailed letters that add depth to your application.

Without interviews, the admissions team will rely heavily on these elements to get a sense of who you are. Take your time crafting essays that truly represent you, and don’t be afraid to let your voice shine. Combine that with strong recommendation letters, and you’ll paint a complete picture of yourself as a dynamic and engaged student ready to join the Johns Hopkins community.

Johns Hopkins Recommendation Letter

Johns Hopkins requires three recommendation letters: two from your teachers and one from your school counselor.

A strong Johns Hopkins recommendation letter should do more than just say you’re a good student—it should bring your personality, strengths, and potential to life. Admissions officers want to see who you are beyond your grades and test scores, so your recommenders should  focus on qualities that make you stand out.

First, the letter should highlight your academic abilities. Maybe you led a creative project, asked insightful questions that sparked class discussions, or showed grit when the material got tough. These moments help the admissions team see what kind of student you’ll be at Johns Hopkins.

But it’s not all about academics. The recommendation letter should also paint a picture of who you are as a person. Are you the kind of student who supports your peers? Do you bring positive energy to group projects? Have you shown leadership, compassion, or a commitment to making a difference?

Finally, the best recommendation letters come from people who genuinely know you and believe in your potential. Whether it’s a teacher, mentor, or counselor, pick someone who can share specific stories that showcase your strengths and character. It’s not about picking the person with the fanciest title—it’s about choosing someone who can write a letter that feels personal and authentic.

So remember this when requesting for a recommendation letter:

• Showcase academic abilities. The letter should highlight your intellectual curiosity, problem-solving skills, and specific examples of how you excel in the classroom.
• Reveal personal qualities. Think of this as what you would have highlighted in a Johns Hopkins interview—traits like leadership, compassion, teamwork, and how you positively impact those around you are what admissions officers want to see.
• Be specific and genuine. Strong letters include detailed stories or examples that illustrate your strengths, written by someone who truly knows and supports you.
• Complement your application. The recommendation should add depth to your application, helping admissions get a complete picture of who you are and how you’ll thrive at Johns Hopkins.

At the end of the day, a great recommendation letter should serve as a stand-in for a Johns Hopkins interview, making the admissions team feel like they’ve met you, even if they haven’t. It should complement the rest of your application and leave no doubt that you’ll thrive at Johns Hopkins.

Johns Hopkins Supplemental Essays

Choosing what to write about in your college application essays can feel overwhelming. How are you supposed to capture everything about yourself in just a few words?

Here’s the truth: you can’t—and that’s totally fine.

Supplemental essays are unique to each school and are designed to help them figure out if you’re a good fit. Each question (or set of questions) is crafted with the goal of getting to know you better. At Hopkins, they’re looking for students who align with their values but also bring their own experiences and viewpoints to enrich the community.

On top of your personal statement, Johns Hopkins requires one supplemental essay.

Johns Hopkins supplemental essay prompt for Fall 2025

How has your life experience contributed to your personal story—your character, values, perspectives, or skills—and what you want to pursue at Hopkins? (350-word limit)

Imagine yourself in college—what does your community look like? What parts of your identity feel most important for you to nurture and develop during this time?

Start by jotting down some ideas about experiences or aspects of your identity that have shaped who you are. Maybe it’s a hobby you’re passionate about, a cultural tradition you hold close, or a moment when you learned something meaningful about yourself.

Once you’ve got your list, think about how these experiences or traits will carry over into your college life. Choose one to focus on and build out the story around it.

Remember, this essay isn’t about showing off how much you know about Hopkins. Think of it as replacing a Johns Hopkins interview—it’s your chance to highlight how what you hope to pursue at Hopkins connects with who you are and ties back to your growth and identity. Simply listing campus opportunities won’t be enough; instead, show how your goals align with your experiences and the person you’re becoming.

If you’re feeling stuck, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Your school counselor or an English teacher can be a great resource for brainstorming ideas and making sure your essay answers the prompt in a thoughtful and authentic way. Remember this when writing the supplemental essay:

• Focus on personal story. Your college essays are a chance to highlight key experiences, values, and moments that define you, rather than trying to cover every aspect of your life.
• Tie it all together. Essays should connect your personal story to your goals and growth, showing how you’ll contribute to and thrive at Hopkins.
• Answer thoughtfully and authentically, as if you were responding in a Johns Hopkins interview. Rather than simply listing campus opportunities, focus on how your life experiences align with what you want to pursue at Hopkins and how they connect to your identity.
• Seek support if needed. If you’re struggling with ideas or crafting your essay, reach out to school counselors or teachers for guidance and feedback You can also consider essay editing services offered by admissions experts.

How Does Johns Hopkins University Evaluate Applications?

If you’re wondering how Johns Hopkins reviews applications, you’re not alone. Many applicants are curious about what happens between the application deadline and Decision Day. Luckily, Hopkins has shared some insights into their process.

They take a holistic approach to reviewing applications. This means they look at the full picture of who you are—no single factor will make or break your application.

That said, they do focus on three areas:

1. Academic character

Academic character is the top priority. Think of it as one of the key things you’d showcase in a Johns Hopkins interview—your grades and test scores should align with their standards, with a GPA and SAT/ACT scores that reflect strong academic performance. They’re also looking for evidence of challenging coursework and how you’ve excelled in your academic environment.

If you’re aiming for Johns Hopkins University, shooting for a GPA of 3.93 or higher is a smart move. This aligns with the average GPA of admitted students and helps you stay competitive in their highly selective applicant pool.

When it comes to test scores, setting your sights on an SAT score of 1560 or above (the 75th percentile) will put you in a strong position. Try to aim for a 770 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and a perfect 800 in Math to maximize your chances of standing out.

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2. Impact and initiative

Impact and initiative are all about the ways you’ve made a difference in your community and pursued your passions. This is where you show leadership, creativity, and dedication.

For example, if you’re passionate about music therapy and have volunteered playing music in hospitals, that’s a stronger reflection of your narrative than an unrelated activity, like a brief stint on the soccer team. Highlighting meaningful work that ties into your story will help you stand out.

3. Personal contributions

Personal contributions focus on what you bring to the table as an individual. Hopkins admissions asks, “What personal qualities does this student have that will make them a great fit for our campus?”

This is your chance to showcase your interests, values, and how you’d contribute to campus life. Whether it’s through your love of collaboration, cultural experiences, or unique perspectives, let them know how you’ll enrich the Hopkins community.

By focusing on these areas and tying your experiences into a clear narrative, you’ll give the admissions team a solid understanding of who you are and why you belong at Johns Hopkins

Is It an Advantage That There Is No Johns Hopkins Interview?

Whether the lack of interviews at Johns Hopkins is an advantage depends on your perspective. For some, it can feel like a relief. Not everyone thrives in a high-pressure, face-to-face setting, and removing the interview eliminates one potential source of stress.

Without an interview, you get to focus fully on crafting a strong application that highlights your strengths, experiences, and personality in a way that feels more within your control. It also ensures a level playing field since not everyone has equal access to interview prep or guidance.

On the other hand, if you’re someone who shines in person and loves the chance to talk about your passions, the absence of an interview might feel like a missed opportunity. However, Johns Hopkins makes up for it by placing a lot of weight on your essays, recommendation letters, and overall application narrative.

These elements give you the space to express yourself and provide a clear picture of who you are. So while Johns Hopkins interviews aren’t part of the process, you still have plenty of ways to showcase your individuality and make a strong impression.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Johns Hopkins still conduct interviews during applications?

No, Johns Hopkins doesn’t conduct interviews as part of the application process anymore. Instead, they focus on other parts of your application, like your essays, recommendation letters, and extracurricular activities, to get to know you. These elements give you plenty of opportunities to showcase who you are and why you’re a great fit for Hopkins.

2. How many recommendation letters does Johns Hopkins require?

Johns Hopkins requires two teacher recommendation letters as part of your application. Typically, these should come from teachers who know you well and can speak to your academic abilities, character, and potential. If you’re applying through the Common Application or Coalition Application, you’ll also need a recommendation from your school counselor.

3. How many supplemental essays do you need to write for Johns Hopkins?

Johns Hopkins requires one supplemental essay as part of your application. This is your chance to showcase your personality, values, and experiences in a way that goes beyond grades and test scores.

4. Is Johns Hopkins really hard to get into?

Yes, Johns Hopkins is definitely a tough school to get into. With an acceptance rate typically below 10%, it’s highly selective, meaning you’ll need strong grades, impressive test scores (if you choose to submit them), and a standout application to be considered.

But it’s not just about numbers—they’re looking for students who are passionate, driven, and bring unique experiences and perspectives to their community. If you focus on showcasing your authentic self through your essays and activities, you’ll have a solid shot at standing out in their competitive pool.

Takeaways

Understanding the application process for Johns Hopkins reveals how important it is to present yourself as a well-rounded, authentic individual. Without Johns Hopkins interviews, your essays, recommendation letters, and application narrative become even more critical in showcasing your personality, values, and potential.

• Since Hopkins doesn’t conduct interviews, your application materials carry even more weight. This means you should use essays and letters to let your personality shine and provide a complete picture of who you are.
• Strong recommendation letters go beyond academics. They should share specific examples of your character, leadership, and ability to positively impact your community.
• Supplemental essays are your opportunity to highlight the most meaningful aspects of your identity and show why you’re a great fit for the university.
• Johns Hopkins evaluates applicants as a whole. They focus on academic character, impact and initiative, and personal contributions.
• Getting into Johns Hopkins is no easy feat, but you can boost your chances by ensuring every part of your application shines. Partnering with a college admissions expert can help you craft a standout application and present your best self to the Johns Hopkins admissions committee.