Apply to ISPEED in Biomedical Engineering

Applicants must be:

• Current high-school sophomores or juniors*
• US citizens or permanent residents
• Motivated to explore concepts in biomedical engineering and solve important problems related to human health, with a demonstrated record of high academic achievement

*ISPEED in BME participants must meet age requirements for Johns Hopkins residential summer programs – students must have been born between July 29, 2005, and July 2, 2008 to be eligible for summer 2023. No exceptions can be made to this policy.

Diversity is an important aspect of the Johns Hopkins ISPEED mission. We strongly encourage students from backgrounds that are underrepresented or underserved in STEM to apply. Examples of underrepresented or underserved backgrounds may include:

• Racial and ethnic groups identified by the NIH as underrepresented in biomedical research (Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino/Latina, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander)
• Physical, mental, or other disabilities as described in the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Low socioeconomic means
• First family member to potentially attend college
• Rural or other resource-limited hometown

All applicants who meet the eligibility requirements described above will be considered, regardless of race or ethnicity.

ISPEED in BME does not have specific course prerequisites. While previous coursework in STEM disciplines is encouraged, our project-based ISPEED in BME curriculum is designed so that students from a range of academic experiences and backgrounds can benefit and succeed.

Test scores (PSAT, SAT, or ACT) are optional. Standardized test scores will be considered as part of our holistic review process if students choose to provide them, but those who do not submit standardized test scores will not be at a disadvantage.

The ISPEED in BME admissions process follows the steps below:

• Students complete the online application and submit prior to the deadline at 11:59 pm on March 1, 2023. In addition to the online application, students must ask their school to send us their transcript using this form.
• Our faculty committee reviews applications in early April
• Applicants are notified of their application decision by April 15
• Applicants who have been admitted into the program accept or deny their offer using the online application portal by April 24
• Students who plan to enroll in the program complete and submit their enrollment forms, available once the offer has been accepted, by May 8

Students can apply using an online system. Detailed instructions can be found in the online portal. A completed application must have the following components:

• Two short essays in response to the following prompts:
  • [in 175-225 words] Explain why you want to participate in the Immersive Summer Program for Education, Enrichment, and Distinction (ISPEED) in Biomedical Engineering and what you hope to gain from the experience.
  • [in 100-125 words] The diversity of its student population is a key element of the educational experience of students in ISPEED in Biomedical Engineering. Please explain how your participation in ISPEED and/or how your prior experiences reflect a commitment to diversity through one or more of the following: unique life experience, experience with engineering or lack thereof, socioeconomic status, race or ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, status as a first generation college student, nationality or place of origin, etc.
• Teacher Recommendation Form: The online application system will prompt applicants to provide the name and email address of one math or science teacher, guidance counselor, or other advisor/coach/mentor from a STEM-related discipline who can provide a recommendation for ISPEED in Biomedical Engineering. This recommender will receive an email with instructions for submitting the recommendation form electronically. Applicants should ask this person if they are willing to provide a recommendation before entering their contact information into the online application.
• Official High School Transcript(s) and most recent report card: A copy of the official high school transcript, as well as interim grades for classes that are in progress, must be sent to [email protected] directly from the school. We do not accept transcripts sent by applicants and/or their parents. Applicants should give this form to their guidance counselor and allow adequate time for the school to prepare and send the transcript.

Test scores (PSAT, SAT, or ACT) are optional. Standardized test scores will be considered as part of our holistic review process if they are provided using the online application system. Students who do not submit standardized test scores will not be at a disadvantage during the review process.

Applicants do not need to pay an application fee to submit their application.