How to Apply
1. Undergraduate Degree
Candidates for admission should hold a bachelor’s degree or higher with training in one of the following, or related, areas:
- General Biology
- Biochemistry
- Physics
- Calculus
- Organic/Inorganic Chemistry
Courses in Immunology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology are recommended, but not required.
2. Transcripts
Transcripts of all college and university study (undergraduate and graduate) are required and must be uploaded to the application. If you have attended more than one institution, transcripts from each institution must be received for your application to be considered complete. International transcripts must be officially translated into English. If you have not yet completed your Bachelor’s degree, upload a copy of your current transcript, showing in-progress courses. Official transcripts for in-progress courses can be uploaded to the online application in the Transcript Upload section when they become available, after you submit. Applicants should also upload a list of any current courses, and courses that will be taken before beginning graduate study that do not appear on their transcripts. Do not mail documents to the Office of Graduate Student Affairs unless requested or admitted.
If admitted, an official transcript from each institution you have attended showing proof of graduation and degree conferral will be required prior to matriculation. To be considered official, final transcripts must be sent: 1) by mail, directly from the institution in a sealed envelope, to the Office of Graduate Student Affairs, or 2) through a secure reporting service (ex: Parchment, Credentials eScriptSafe, National Student Clearinghouse (JHU SOM Graduate Student Affairs — 00207706gs). We cannot accept electronic transcripts sent via regular email from registrars, or third-party entities in any other format, such as email links or links to secure website. Please direct electronic transcripts to the email: [email protected].
3. Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation must be submitted through the online recommendation system. Applicants will need to obtain the name and email address of the recommenders when completing the application. Please request your letters of recommendation from faculty members or other professionals who are acquainted with you and your academic work. These letters should comment on your aptitude and promise for independent research.
4. TOEFL Scores (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
All levels of graduate education at Johns Hopkins require proficiency in the English language. It is highly recommended that applicants for whom English is a second language take the TOEFL/IELTS to demonstrate this proficiency. In general, foreign students admitted to the Graduate Program in Immunology have achieved TOEFL scores over 550.
You are exempt from having to take the TOEFL/IELTS if you hold a degree from a U.S. University/College or have attended a minimum of 2 years at an English speaking University/College. TOEFL/IELTS scores are valid for 2 years from expected entrance date.
Please use the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine code (5316) when submitting scores.
**GRE Scores are NOT required to apply**
5. Application Fee
Application fee for up to four School of Medicine graduate programs is $115. The Graduate Program in Immunology does not grant fee waivers, but the Office of Graduate Biomedical Education (OGBE) offers waivers to those applicants who meet specific criteria, found here: JHU Fee Waiver Info
Application instructions: All students will apply via the central School of Medicine application. Please create an account and use this application form to submit the required materials.
Apply Now!
Application deadline is December 3, 2024
Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative
Vivien Thomas PhD Scholars
The Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI) is a new endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically black college and university (HBCU) or other minority serving institution (MSI) for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. More information about the VTSI program is available at this link:
To be considered for the VTSI, all application and supplementary materials must be received by December 1, 2024.
Financial Support:
Students accepted into the program will have their tuition, fees, and medical insurance (including dental and vision) paid. Students will receive a competitve stipend to cover living expenses. Support for the Graduate Program in Immunology is derived from government and private sources and individual research grants.
Note to International Applicants:
We are very much interested in attracting talented students from other countries to our program. However, there are some practical issues that you should be aware of before applying. We have a limited ability to support students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Our training program is funded by a training grant from the United States government. This grant will only support US citizens or permanent residents. Only very rarely do we have funds that can be used to support citizens of other countries.
We highly recommend that foreign applicants seek other possible means of supporting the cost of graduate study. Support could come from: (a) a scholarship from your government or (b) from a “special” foundation award. In your application, please discuss the possibility of obtaining support from one of these sources. Final admission to the program requires documentation that the appropriate financial resources are available. We highly recommend that you review the NAFSA: Association of International Educators website at www.nafsa.org. NAFSA does not offer financial assistance, but will offer some suggestions to help your search for financial aid for study in the United States.
Acceptance into the Immunology Program is dependent on an invited personal interview. Foreign applicants, on invitation, should be prepared to travel to Baltimore, Maryland under their own expense. Once in Baltimore the program will pay for local transportation, meals and accommodations.
Criminal Background Check:
All Johns Hopkins University graduate students who are accepted will be subject to criminal background investigations. Generally, all offers of admission to School of Medicine degree programs will be conditioned on satisfactory criminal background investigations.
What Comes Next:
The admissions committee will review complete applications and extend offers to interview to prospective students. The Graduate Program in Immunology hosts one interview weekend in February, and those invited may attend. The interview weekend gives prospective students the opportunity to meet faculty and students, tour campus and learn more about the program and all that Johns Hopkins has to offer. Following the interview weekend, the admissions committee will make decisions and extend offers for matriculation.
Learn More
Contact Us
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Suite 631
733 North Broadway
Baltimore, Maryland 21205
Office: (410) 955-2709
Email: [email protected]