Navigating Admissions: Understanding Johns Hopkins University SAT/ACT Requirements

Johns Hopkins University (JHU), a globally recognized research institution, is known for its contributions to medicine, engineering, and politics. Ranked among the top universities in the United States, Johns Hopkins attracts a competitive pool of applicants. Understanding the university's admission requirements, particularly regarding standardized testing, is crucial for prospective students.

Holistic Admissions at Johns Hopkins

Johns Hopkins employs a holistic review process, considering various aspects of an applicant's profile. While academic achievements, such as GPA and coursework, are essential, admissions officers also evaluate an applicant's "personal context." This approach allows them to understand how a student has utilized available opportunities. Recommendations from counselors and teachers are also considered very important. Extracurricular activities are evaluated using a “quality over quantity” approach.

The Role of Standardized Tests: An Evolving Policy

Johns Hopkins University requires first-year applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores to be considered for admission. Standardized test scores serve as an additional component that aids the admissions committee in better understanding your preparation for the academic environment at Hopkins.

Reinstatement of Testing Requirements

Johns Hopkins University joined the ranks of other highly selective universities in its decision to reinstate admission testing requirements. The university will require SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate admission beginning with the 2025-2026 application cycle. This decision followed a comprehensive review of academic research and internal analysis of student data from its pandemic-inspired experience with test-optional admissions. The university found that test scores helped predict student success, and students who would have benefited from submitting scores withheld them under the test-optional policy.

Data-Driven Decision

The data analysis found that test scores were a robust and reliable predictor of performance in the first two years of college. Hopkins students who applied without test scores had lower GPAs than test submitters when controlling for other relevant variables. Students who did not submit test scores achieved GPAs, on average, that were “statistically similar to the average GPA of students whose submitted test scores were in the bottom quartile of the test score distribution.” Non-submitters were also more likely to receive grades of D and F and to withdraw from courses. Johns Hopkins revealed that students who submitted test scores fared better in the application review process, partly due to “the admissions office seeking to gain confidence in the math preparation of applicants who indicate an interest in math-intensive courses of study like engineering and natural sciences.” Additionally, the academic review cited evidence of the increasing predictive power of test scores, compared to the declining power of high school GPA to predict college grades.

Submission and Consideration of Scores

Johns Hopkins considers your highest section scores across all SATs taken-even if they were on different test dates-in their evaluation of your application. Make sure to update your application with new test scores each time you take the SATs. Hopkins will also consider your highest combined score for the ACT. They will find the maximum value of each official section score submitted, then recalculate the composite score.

Johns Hopkins will consider your highest combined score for the ACT. They will find the maximum value of each official section score submitted, then recalculate the composite score. You will be able to self-report scores on your QuestBridge application.

Hopkins students who applied without test scores had lower GPAs than test submitters when controlling for other relevant variables. Students who did not submit test scores achieved GPAs, on average, that were “statistically similar to the average GPA of students whose submitted test scores were in the bottom quartile of the test score distribution.” Non-submitters were also more likely to receive grades of D and F and to withdraw from courses.

Self-Reporting and Official Scores

We review self-reported and official SAT or ACT scores. You can self-report test scores through the Common Application and Coalition on Scoir. You should report all available scores, and we’ll consider your most competitive testing profile when reviewing your application. For students who self-report scores on the application, if you are admitted and choose to enroll, you will be required to send official score reports. If you believe your scores on optional exams accurately reflect your academic abilities, submitting them can provide the admissions committee with important insight into your strengths.

Superscoring Policy

A superscore combines the highest section scores from each individual test sitting for admissions evaluation. With that being said, students should submit more than one score report only for the purposes of superscoring.

Test-Optional Policies Persist Elsewhere

Despite reinstatements in selective schools, 80 percent of four-year colleges are test-optional, according to estimates. Universities eager to minimize application barriers will keep those policies intact. “Less selective colleges are unlikely to reinstate standardized testing, as research shows that ‘test optional’ correlates strongly with higher application numbers,” says Lakhani. “Rather, less selective universities will continue to cherry-pick candidates who voluntarily submit strong standardized testing for merit scholarships.”

Transfer and Homeschool Applicants

Transfer applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores.

Understanding the Numbers: GPA and SAT/ACT Ranges

Admission to Johns Hopkins is highly competitive. The average GPA at Johns Hopkins is 3.93, requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.93, you'll need a higher SAT score to compensate and show that you're prepared to take on college academics.

Half the applicants admitted to JHU who submitted test scores have an SAT score between 1520 and 1570 or an ACT score of 34 and 36. However, one quarter of admitted applicants achieved scores above these ranges and one quarter scored below these ranges.

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Johns Hopkins applicants must complete The Common Application or the Coalition Application, the Johns Hopkins Supplement, a counselor recommendation, and two teacher recommendations.

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Deadlines

Regular Application Due: January 3
Early Decision Deadline: November

Required Documents

The Common Application or the Coalition Application
The Johns Hopkins Supplement
Official high school transcript
Counselor recommendation
Two teacher recommendations
Self-Reported or Official Reports SAT code: 5332, ACT code: 1704
CSS Profile

Financial Aid

The CSS Profile is required for all applicants. To complete your financial aid application, submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by January 15.

Divorced or Separated Parents

If your parents are divorced or separated, you and your custodial parent (the parent you live with the most) will complete a CSS Profile together. Your non-custodial parent will also need to fill out their own CSS Profile. Hopkins realizes that issues of college support may be complicated in divorced and separated families, and they evaluate each situation individually. Your noncustodial parent must also submit copies of their federal income tax returns, signed with all schedules, attachments, W-2 forms, and other earning statements. If your parents are divorced or separated, your FAFSA should include income and asset information for the parent who provides the greater financial support, even if you do not live with them.

Additional Information for QuestBridge Applicants

QuestBridge will send Finalists’ applications to college partners, and Johns Hopkins University may need a couple of days to import them into their system. You will be able to submit the Hopkins-QuestBridge Questionnaire through your applicant portal once it is set up. This form is required for all students applying to Hopkins through QuestBridge. All Finalists who ranked Hopkins for the Match but did not match to a binding college will automatically have their applications moved to Regular Decision. If you have not already, submit the Hopkins-QuestBridge Questionnaire in your applicant portal to complete your application. If Hopkins is your top college choice, you may choose to have your application considered under our binding Early Decision II plan using the Admissions Plan Change Form in your Hopkins applicant portal. The deadline to request this change is January 2.

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