Transfer Application Deadlines & Requirements

Common Application

Essay Prompt

Tell us about an aspect of your identity (e.g. race, gender, sexuality, religion, community, etc.) or a life experience that has shaped you as an individual and how that influenced what you’d like to pursue in college at Hopkins.  This can be a future goal or experience that is either academic, extracurricular, or social. (300-word limit)

An important note about the essay:
In this essay question, we are looking for how an aspect of your identity or background has contributed to your personal story – your character, values, perspectives, or skills – and how you think it may shape your approach to college, as a scholar, leader, or community member.

Please note that the U.S. Supreme Court recently limited the consideration of race in college admissions decisions but specifically permitted consideration of “an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life” so long as the student is “treated based on his or her experiences as an individual – not on the basis of race.” Therefore, any part of your background, including but not limited to your race, may be discussed in your response to this essay if you so choose, but will be considered by the university based solely on how it has affected your life and your experiences as an individual.

If the application fee poses a financial hardship, you can request a fee waiver directly in the Common Application.

Have these sent directly from your college/university and high school through the Common Application, mailed to the undergraduate office, or emailed to applyhelp@jhu.edu.

Download the report through the Common Application or our website and share it with your college official. They must email the completed form to applyhelp@jhu.edu.

An evaluation from a current instructor provides insight into your academic performance and helps us understand what type of student you are. Your instructor can submit their recommendation through the Common Application or email it to us at applyhelp@jhu.edu.

Financial aid is available for domestic transfer students only. If you’re an international transfer student and need help paying for college, you can seek out private loans to cover your college costs. Most lenders require a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen. More information is available on our Financial Aid page.