The Department of Biomedical Engineering is uniquely positioned within the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Whiting School of Engineering, giving our students access to top clinicians, researchers, and engineers. Our students are passionate about discovery and innovation, with a demonstrated trajectory of laboratory experience, and maturing knowledge of biology, engineering, and science.
The following statistics are for the matriculating class of 2019
Admitted students come from many backgrounds and majors, and not all were undergraduate engineering majors. However, all have demonstrated a strong quantitative training. The median GPA is typically ~3.8, but we operate a holistic review process and have no minimum GPA or GRE thresholds for review. Don’t think that one bad grade or a tough semester stands in your way. We review the whole application and evaluate the potential of the person who wrote it, not just a set of numerical metrics.
Recruiting and Program Information
We generally recruit students in seven broad areas:
- Biomedical Data Science
- Computational Medicine
- Genomics & Systems Biology
- Imaging & Medical Devices
- Immunoengineering
- Neuroengineering
- Translational Cell & Tissue Engineering
That doesn’t mean you have to fit into one of these areas; much of the best research comes from interdisciplinary work. These areas will help you review which faculty members might be best suited to be your research mentors, and will form part of the community you join when you matriculate.
In their first year, students have the option to take many of the same courses as medical students, such as human anatomy, neuroscience, and immunology. Students also take advanced engineering and science courses. Students who apply to our program should have a strong background in quantitative sciences – e.g. engineering, physics, mathematics or applied math, as well as sufficient experience in chemistry and biology. Applicants with a strong background in biological sciences who also demonstrate ability and potential in quantitative sciences are also encouraged to apply. Students who receive a rotation offer are free to choose from almost any research lab in the university. To facilitate this process, students do two or more rotations during their first year and typically choose a lab by the end of the summer of their first year. Students who receive an offer to work with specific laboratories forego the rotation process and get into their thesis research from day one.
The admission process is led by committees organized by the seven focus areas listed above. Applicants should specify in which area (or areas) they are most interested, and describe the kind of research they foresee. Faculty in each area vote and rank the applicants in the initial selection round, and the final pool of applicants is ranked and voted on by the entire faculty.
Accepted students will receive a full fellowship, which includes a yearly stipend, full tuition, matriculation fee, and individual medical and dental insurance.
BME Application Assistance Program
The BME Application Assistance Program (BMEAAP) is a student-run initiative that supports prospective applicants by pairing them with current graduate students who are available to review application materials and answer questions about the BME program. This initiative aims to encourage applications from motivated students who identify with groups that are historically disadvantaged or underrepresented within STEM, or those who come from non-traditional academic backgrounds and may lack support in their pursuit of higher education. Diversity of background, thought, and of life experience is essential in cultivating a vibrant scientific community. Participation in the AAP is strictly voluntary and will not be a factor in admissions decisions. Information provided to AAP members is confidential and will not be shared with the Johns Hopkins BME Graduate Admissions Committee. The BMEAAP application cycle will open in September and conclude a couple of weeks before the December 1st deadline.
Learn more about the Application Assistance Program
Relocation Grant
We recognize that it can be financially burdensome to relocate to a new city to attend a PhD program. Students who are admitted to PhD programs at JHU can apply to receive a $1500 need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to JHU. These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need. For more information, visit the Office of the Provost webpage on Need-based Relocation Grants for Incoming PhD Students.
The deadline for applications will be December 1, 2022.
Applications should be complete when submitted. In order to be considered a complete application we must have:
- Official transcripts from each college or university attended. We no longer require applicants to submit official transcripts to OGSA via mail or electronically. Applicants may upload transcripts to the online application for review. Applicants who receive an offer or accept an offer of admission are required to submit official transcripts to OGSA via mail or electronically to [email protected]
- Three letters of recommendation from faculty members who are acquainted with you and your academic work. These letters should include comments on your aptitude and promise for independent research.
- A typewritten personal statement indicating the basis of your interest in graduate study and your career objectives. Include discussion of any research experience you have had. Also mention here which faculty members you would be most interested in working with and why. A separate personal statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion in science is optional. Specifications include Times New Roman, 12 point font, 0.5 inch margins, one page single-sided.
- TOEFL scores (for foreign students only; official copy)
Updated GRE Policy for 2023 admissions (applies to applications due December 1st, 2022)
Course Prerequisites for Applicants
- One year of college-level biology (may include quantitative biology or physiology)
- One semester of organic chemistry is required for students interested in the Immunoengineering or Translational Cell & Tissue Engineering research areas
- Sufficient mathematical training, typically including differential equations or other relevant mathematical preparation
If you are interested in applying and do not have the prerequisite courses, you may want to submit your application with an explanatory note indicating that, if accepted, you will make arrangements to take the prerequisites before matriculation. In the past, applicants have taken the prerequisites at their present schools, local community colleges, etc. Courses taken at any accredited college or university are acceptable.
Degree Requirements
Each applicant must have received a BA or BS degree or its equivalent prior to matriculation. A master’s degree is not required for admission to our program.
Process
The PhD program admissions committee will not consider any application until it is complete. Applicants may check the status of their application by logging into their online account.
Interview
The admissions committee will review completed applications and invite selected applicants to interview with our faculty by phone, Zoom, or similar virtual platforms. Applicants must complete the interview process to be considered for admission, and final admissions decisions will be made from the pool of interviewed applicants. Interview invitations will be sent out to applicants via email by mid- to late- January, or earlier if feasible. Virtual interviews will be conducted in early February. Selected students will be invited to an in-person campus visit in early March to meet current faculty and graduate students, as well as learn more about the program the Hopkins BME environment.
Acceptance
Applicants will be notified via email by late March with the outcome of their application. A full offer of admission to the program will include a yearly stipend, full tuition, matriculation fee, and individual medical and dental insurance. This applies to every accepted applicant, regardless of citizenship or national origin unless the applicant receives a conditional acceptance. Those offered admission will be asked to communicate their decision as soon as possible. In any case, we must have the applicant’s decision by April 15.
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 or other minority serving institution for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. To be considered for the VTSI, all application and supplementary materials must be received by December 1, 2022.
