Spring Break
JHU sees increase in early applicants
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Early Decision applications were up 20 percent over last year's numbers for a class that the university plans to limit to 1050. In 2001, only 464 students applied Early Decision and 244, or 53 percent, of those students were accepted.
Director of Undergraduate Admissions John Latting believes the applicant pool was substantially higher this year for two reasons.
"First, the admissions staff has done a good job of promoting Hopkins and all it has to offer, which has resulted in more students really wanting to come here," said Latting. "Second, Hopkins has benefited from the Early Decision trend seen at its peer institutions."
The high admit rate is due to the fact that Early Decision applicants rate Hopkins as their first choice, said Latting, and that this enthusiasm to attend Hopkins helped increase their probability of acceptance.
"The fact that these students want to be here at Hopkins makes it easier for us to make our decision," said Latting. "More so then ever, high-school seniors are seeing Hopkins as an investment in their future."
Dean of Student Life Susan Boswell agreed.
"Students who apply early decision tend to be very certain about their choice and very happy about their acceptance," she said. "Therefore, they come in very excited about being here."
Although many think those who are slightly below regular applicant pool standards get in by applying early, the quality of Early Decision admits at Hopkins is very nearly equal to regular decision admits, according to Latting.
"The typical Hopkins admit gets three A's for every B; once they are here it doesn't matter if they were accepted early or not," he said.
In the matter of financial aid, very few Hopkins early decision applicants are rejected because of insufficient aid packages, according to Director of Student Financial Services Ellen Frishberg.
"These are people who really want to be here, and there is no reason to disadvantage a student who is applying early decision," she said. "The only reason a student wouldn't apply early, from a financial aid perceptive, would be that she or he wants to compare merit money."