College Search Process

Helping you navigate the college journey

A college decision is the culmination of many years of work: identifying what matters to you, researching and visiting colleges, connecting with your counselors and teachers, and completing your application. We’ve pulled together Hopkins Insider articles, video tips, and virtual events to support you and your family as you navigate this process.

Advice From Our Admissions Team

Understanding College Terminology

Learn about common terms colleges use in the application process so you can make the most informed decisions as you’re applying.

The College Planning Timeline: What To Do & When

You don’t have to think about this all at once. We break down the timeline so you can focus your efforts during each phase of your high school experience and college search.

How To Build Your College List

An important part of the college search process is building a balanced list of places to apply. We recommend taking some time to identify what’s most important to you and then researching colleges that align with your values.

Virtual Workshops

Our interactive workshops—on topics like the college search process and essay preparation—will help you build your strongest application when you’re ready to apply.

college search advice for your family

Parents/guardians can subscribe to our mailing list for insider advice, key deadlines, and resources to help champion you throughout your college journey.

Parent/Guardian Mailing List

Why I Applied Insider

How Hopkins Wooed a Humanities Student

by Riley S.

Hopkins and I never had a meet-cute. I cannot write a lie, even if it would make for a more romantic story. It was not love at first U.S. News and World Report College Rankings Google search, nor did I have two parents who met at Hopkins and fell in love on campus, infusing my very DNA with Blue Jay pride. As best I can remember, it was almost midnight the day applications were due, and I had just gotten off my evening shift at Coldstone Creamery, where I was a shift lead taking too many hours on top of college apps, school, and miscellaneous obligations. I smelled like ice cream and waffle cones, but that’s the most romantic detail I can claim.