From the Admissions Team: Tips for Applying to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center

As application season gets underway, the Hopkins-Nanjing Center admissions team has compiled our top tips to keep in mind as you start your application. We hope that these tips will help guide you through the application process. 

Tip #1: Write a personal statement that clearly addresses your individual academic and career goals and connects them to studying at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center. It’s not called a “personal” statement for nothing!

• Don’t waste this opportunity to tell admissions officers about your interests and career goals by rehashing your resume. Even if you don’t necessarily have a five- year plan, we are looking to see that you have thought out how you see the Hopkins-Nanjing Center as an essential piece of your future plans. In the past, we had one applicant write about lessons learned from playing ping pong with a Chinese classmate. Another applicant wrote about her experience at a Chinese rural hospital. We encourage you to get creative! 
• Be sure to write your essay entirely in English, as everyone reviewing your application may not have Chinese proficiency. Chinese characters also often do not display correctly on our application system. If there’s a Chinese phrase that you want to reference, write in pinyin and include the English translation. 
• You can also use the personal statement as an opportunity to address anything in your application that you might be concerned about. For example, if you scored lower than our recommended score on the Chinese proficiency test, let the admissions committee know about your plans to improve your Chinese. If you received lower grades during one semester, consider letting the committee know the reasons why and how you improved. 

Tip #2: Do your research and pay attention to the small details

• Admissions officers like to see that you have taken the time to become familiar with the Hopkins-Nanjing Center and can articulate how you see yourself and your career goals fitting into our specific programs when writing your statement of purpose. 
• When writing your essays, be sure to use the correct titles and names for professors, “Hopkins-Nanjing Center,” and “Johns Hopkins SAIS.” While using the incorrect title won’t be the deciding factor in your application, it will reflect your attention to detail to the admissions committee. It’s better to demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and researched the institution ahead of time. 

Tip #3: There are more funding opportunities than you think, and external scholarship deadlines may fall before the program application deadline.

• Online resources such as Fastweb and Collegenet can guide your search for scholarships that may be applicable to your intended program of study. Some scholarship programs that students have successfully received in the past for their studies are the Boren Awards for International Study, the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program, and the Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship. 
• Be sure to submit your financial aid application by November 1 for early notification and February 1 for general admission. All students who do so will receive a scholarship if accepted, regardless of their program choice. You also may be eligible for one of our named scholarships.  

Tip #4: Consider completing an admissions interview

• This year the admissions team is offering optional interviews, conducted in English, as part of the application process. Completing an interview is not required, but it is a good opportunity to let the admissions committee learn who you are beyond your test scores, transcript, and resume. Schedule an in-person or Skype interview by emailing nanjing@jhu.edu.  
• If you aren’t able to complete an interview, don’t worry! The interviews are optional and it won’t negatively impact your application if you don’t have one. If you have a non-traditional background (for example you’ve never studied Chinese formally or were pursuing a different study/career track), an interview can be a great way to provide additional context to why you are the right fit for the Hopkins-Nanjing Center. 

Tip #5: Go for quality over quantity for your letters of recommendation.

• You can submit 2-3 letters of recommendation with your application. Only submit a third letter of recommendation if it’s going to provide a new perspective from the other two. A good letter of recommendation should come from a professor, adviser, or work supervisor who knows you well and can speak to your specific strengths. Please note that letters of recommendation are required to be submitted in English. 
• Be sure to ask your recommender for your letter well in advance of the application deadline. Since many graduate programs share similar deadlines, chances are that you will not be the only student asking your professor for a recommendation. 

Tip #6:  Submit a polished resume.

• Limit your resume to one page and include specific experience and be personalized for your skills and your experience. 
• The look and feel of a resume is important. It can make a difference to standardize the formatting and spacing on your resume.  

Tip #7:  If you want to know your admissions decision and financial aid package by the end of December, apply for early notification.

• If you submit all of your application materials and financial aid application by November 1, you will receive your admissions decision and scholarship information by the end of December. This is does not mean you need to commit at that time – you have until April to confirm your enrollment.  

Tip #8: Proofread, proofread, proofread!

• The last thing you want is for an admissions officer to have a negative impression on an otherwise great application because of a grammar mistake. It’s always great to have a second pair of eyes (or third or fourth!) on your application. Ask a friend, professor, or colleague to look over your application. 

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From the Admissions Team: Tips for Applying to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center

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