Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876 in Baltimore, Maryland, as America's first research university, modeled after European institutions with a strong emphasis on graduate education, scientific research, and the integration of teaching and discovery. It was established through a bequest from philanthropist Johns Hopkins, a Baltimore merchant who sought to create an institution that advanced knowledge for the public good. The university pioneered modern higher education in the U.S., launching the nation's first research-oriented medical school in 1893, and has since expanded with major contributions to medicine, public health, engineering, and international studies, while maintaining its commitment to innovation and societal impact.

Johns Hopkins' flagship Homewood campus spans about 140 acres in northern Baltimore, featuring a beautiful blend of historic Georgian-style buildings, tree-lined quads, and modern facilities in a residential, park-like setting. Iconic landmarks include Gilman Hall, the Milton S. Eisenhower Library, the Ralph S. O'Connor Recreation Center, and the iconic Johns Hopkins Blue Jays mascot areas. The university also operates major campuses including the East Baltimore medical campus (home to the School of Medicine and Hospital), the Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Peabody Institute in Mount Vernon, the Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, and international sites, with the Washington, D.C. Bloomberg Center for policy and international affairs.

Johns Hopkins is a private research university governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for overall strategy, policy, and finances. The current president is Ronald J. Daniels (serving since 2009 as the 14th president), with Ray Jayawardhana as Provost overseeing academic affairs. The administration leads ten academic divisions (including Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Whiting School of Engineering, School of Medicine, Bloomberg School of Public Health, and others), supported by one of the largest university endowments globally (approximately $13.06 billion as of fiscal year 2024, with updates in recent years reflecting strong growth and philanthropy, including major gifts like Michael Bloomberg's contributions).

Johns Hopkins comprises ten world-class divisions, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across arts and sciences, engineering, medicine, nursing, public health, business, education, international studies (SAIS), music (Peabody), and advanced academic programs. It is renowned for its research-intensive approach, consistently ranking among the top universities globally and nationally (e.g., #24 in QS World University Rankings 2026, top 10 in U.S. News National Universities, and leading in research expenditures). The university is affiliated with numerous Nobel laureates (especially in medicine and public health), boasts world-leading facilities like the Johns Hopkins Hospital, and excels in biomedical research, engineering, neuroscience, international relations, and interdisciplinary innovation.

Johns Hopkins enrolls around 30,000+ students (including about 6,000–7,000 undergraduates and a large graduate/professional population), with a highly diverse, international community from all 50 states and over 100 countries. Student life features the residential experience on the Homewood campus with housing options, over 400 student-run clubs and organizations (from academic groups and cultural societies to Quidditch and robotics), 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports (Blue Jays), strong intramural and club sports participation, and traditions like Spring Fair and Greek life. The culture emphasizes intellectual rigor, research involvement, collaboration, activism, and community service, balanced by robust support for mental health, career services, and access to Baltimore's vibrant arts, music, food, and proximity to Washington, D.C., with generous need-based financial aid (including recent expansions for tuition-free access for many families earning under certain thresholds).