People often say that the best way to get to know a college is to visit in person. While there’s some truth to that, we recognize not everyone has the means to do so, whether that’s because of distance, cost, or other barriers. Enter: college fly-in programs. These are campus visit opportunities designed to help prospective students experience a college in person, often with travel assistance provided by the university. Most fly-in programs also require an application, since spots are usually limited.
What’s included in a college fly-in program?
While every college structures its fly-in or travel assistance program differently, they typically include transportation, lodging, meals, campus tours, admissions and financial aid sessions, and opportunities to meet current students. Some cover the full cost of travel, while others offer partial assistance or reimbursements. The goal is the same: to give students a clearer sense of the academic community, campus life, and resources available before they apply or make a college decision.
What is Hopkins’ Senior Fly-In program?
At Hopkins, our Senior Fly-In is an all-expenses-paid program designed for eligible high school seniors who identify as first-generation or come from families with limited financial resources. Each student admitted to the program may bring one guest, whose travel costs are also covered. Like many fly-in programs, Senior Fly-In is intended to make an on-campus experience possible regardless of a family’s ability to pay.
Why attend Senior Fly-In?
Our fly-in program is especially helpful for seniors who are still deciding where to apply or haven’t had the chance to visit campus. A visit can help answer questions that are harder to explore online: What’s the campus vibe? What are students like? How does Hopkins support students academically, socially, and financially? Would I thrive here?
What you’ll experience at Senior Fly-In
Held each fall on our Homewood campus in Baltimore, Senior Fly-In gives students the opportunity to experience Hopkins firsthand, from meeting our Blue Jays to learning more about academics, campus life, and the application process. They’ll also learn about financial aid and affordability at Hopkins, where students from families making up to $200,000 per year can attend tuition-free.
Senior Fly-In is part of our commitment to supporting first-generation and/or limited-income (FLI) students (we call this community our FLI Network). Eligibility for Senior Fly-In is based on a variety of factors outlined in the application.
How to apply to Senior Fly-In
If you’re interested in Hopkins’ Senior Fly-In, be sure to review the eligibility, deadlines, and application requirements. And if you have questions about travel assistance, what’s included, or whether the program is right for you, check out our FAQ or reach out to our admissions office.
Senior Fly-In is not an admissions decision
Before applying to our fly-in program, keep in mind that it is not the same as applying for admission to Hopkins. Admission to Senior Fly-In does not reflect a student’s chances of admission to the university.
A fly-in program can help you picture yourself on campus, connect with current students, and make a more informed decision about where you want to apply. For students considering Hopkins, Senior Fly-In offers a firsthand look at our community and the opportunity to explore whether Hopkins could be the right fit for you.
Other ways to explore Hopkins
But no worries if you’re not able to visit in person; you can still get to know Hopkins through virtual info sessions, online tours, and group visits with your school or community-based organization (CBO).
