The deadlines page of the Johns Hopkins University undergraduate admissions office shows that Early Decision I for fall 2027 entry closes November 1, 2026, with decisions released December 11; the university’s own supplement has a single essay of 350 words or fewer on the student’s experience engaging with people who hold different views. Irvine seniors planning to apply early have three weeks to finish this essay.
Who Is Affected by the Johns Hopkins Supplemental Essay
Seniors applying to Johns Hopkins University for fall 2027 entry answer this question under all three application plans: drawing on their own experiences, what they have learned about engaging across differences, and how that has shaped the way they think about building bridges, enhancing community, and working with others.
| Item | Johns Hopkins policy |
|---|---|
| Early Decision I | Due November 1; aid materials November 15; decisions December 11, 2026; reply by January 15, 2027 |
| Early Decision II | Due January 2, 2027; aid materials January 15; decisions February 12; reply by February 26 |
| Regular Decision | Due January 2, 2027; aid materials January 15; decisions March 24; reply by May 1 |
| Application | Common App or Coalition on Scoir; $70 fee, waivers available |
| Essays | Common App personal essay plus one Johns Hopkins supplemental essay (350 words or fewer) |
| Recommendations | Two teacher evaluations from two different academic subjects; the counselor submits the secondary school report |
| Standardized testing | SAT or ACT required; may be self-reported, with official scores before enrollment |
Both Early Decision rounds are binding, and the student, a parent, and the counselor sign the Early Decision Agreement. Early Decision I outcomes are admit, defer to Regular Decision, or deny; Early Decision II outcomes are admit, waitlist, or deny. A student denied in Early Decision cannot reapply in Regular Decision that year. The application plan can be changed in the applicant portal until November 15 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.
What to Do Now About the Johns Hopkins Supplemental Essay
Build the essay around one real experience. The prompt asks for the student’s own specific experience with differing views and the practice that grew from it, not a general statement about diversity. In 350 words there is room for one event and the change it produced; planning and revision support is available through the EDUBUS College Essay Bootcamp.
Confirm test scores and recommendations. Scores are required, and release and sending dates are in Early Deadlines: Will SAT/ACT Scores Arrive in Time?; the steps for recommendation letters are in Recommendation Letters: Four Steps for IUSD Seniors.
Place Early Decision within the full college list. Only one Early Decision application is allowed; if materials will not be ready by November 1, the university suggests Early Decision II with its January 2 deadline. College list and early strategy support is available through the EDUBUS University Admissions Planning service.
Sources
- Johns Hopkins University Undergraduate Admissions: Application Deadlines & Requirements (accessed October 10, 2026)
- Johns Hopkins University Undergraduate Admissions: Early Decision (accessed October 10, 2026)
- CSU Transfer Priority Filing Ends Nov. 30CSU priority filing for fall 2027 transfer applicants ends November 30, 2026; $70 per campus. ADT admission guarantee, upper-division requirements, and next steps.
- Notre Dame REA Nov. 1; Tests Required Fall 2028Notre Dame Restrictive Early Action closes November 1, 2026. Scores stay optional this cycle; SAT or ACT is required for fall 2028 entry. Dates, essays, and rules.
- Pomona Two Essays, Early Decision Due Nov. 8Pomona College Early Decision I closes November 8, 2026, decisions by December 15. Two supplement prompts of 150 and 250 words, plus recommendation and testing rules.
- Portola High Financial Aid Workshop Oct. 19Portola High School holds a mandatory financial aid workshop for all seniors on October 19, 2026, led by Irvine Valley College, with FSA ID creation. Parent steps first.
