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Writer's pictureStephen Turban

Are Johns Hopkins' Engineering Innovation Precollege Programs Worth It?

Engineering is a vast field with many sub-fields, almost all of them advancing and new techniques being discovered at a rapid pace. As a high schooler serious about pursuing engineering, the sooner you put an effort into increasing your exposure to the engineering discipline of your choice, the better it will be for your resume and for your learning. There are plenty of engineering precollege programs that can offer hands-on experience, advanced knowledge, and a glimpse into college-level coursework, all of which can make you a more attractive candidate to top universities. Today’s blog focuses on one such option, Johns Hopkins University’s Engineering Innovation (EI) programs, whether or not they’re worth it, for whom, and how you stand to benefit from attending them.


What are Johns Hopkins' Engineering Innovation Programs all about?

Johns Hopkins University’s Engineering Innovation programs are a set of four-week pre-college programs that aim to inspire and educate high school students in the field of engineering. They are designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to engineering concepts through hands-on projects, lab work, and lectures. JHU has created these three introductory programs in a way to maximize their accessibility, with virtual, residential and commuter options. You will be engaging in a curriculum designed by JHU’s faculty, earn college credits, and hone your skills by working on hands-on projects such as building gliders, designing bridges, and programming robots.


How are these programs structured?

Johns Hopkins offers three main precollege engineering programs:

This program is designed for high school juniors and seniors who have a keen interest in engineering and are considering it as a potential college major. You will engage in a comprehensive curriculum that introduces you to various engineering disciplines such as chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical and material science engineering. It’s a great opportunity to learn the engineering design process, develop problem-solving and teamwork skills, and enhance your communication abilities.

  • Options:

    • In-person:

      • Residential - JHU’s Homewood Campus in Baltimore, or the Hood College in Frederick, MD

      • Commuter - JHU’s Homewood Campus / Hood College, Frederick, MD / Ohlone College, Freemone, CA / University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC / JHU Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD

    • Online

  • Dates: The in-person program runs from July 1-26, while the online program runs from June 24 - July 26.


This program is meant for understanding the science and engineering behind methods of energy production. You will be learning about the various sources of energy on the planet, the mechanics of energy storage and transfer, and how to factor in social and political complications in energy engineering. If you want to gain the fundamental knowledge necessary to deal with challenges in the energy sector, including climate change, fossil fuels, and power grid integration, then this is the perfect program to attend.

  • Options: In-person only:

    • Residential - JHU’s Homewood Campus in Baltimore, or the Hood College in Frederick, MD

    • Commuter - JHU’s Homewood Campus / Hood College, Frederick, MD / Ohlone College, Freemone, CA / University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC / JHU Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD

  • Dates: July 1-26.


This program is tailored for high school students interested in the specialized field of biomedical engineering. It provides an in-depth introduction to biomedical engineering concepts, practical lab skills, and research techniques. You will engage in virtual labs, lectures, and group projects that mimic real-world biomedical engineering scenarios. This is an asynchronous course that allows you to learn at your own pace.

  • Options: Online only.

  • Dates: 

    • Summer session: June 24 - August 2

    • Fall session: August 26 - December 6


How much do the Engineering Innovation courses cost?

Since each of the courses has multiple options for how you choose to attend it, the fees vary according to whether the course you’ve opted for is residential, commuter or online. Here are the breakdowns:

  • Homewood Residential Fees – $3,575 (tuition) + $5,800 (residential) = $9,375

  • Hood College Residential Fees – $3,575 (tuition) + $5,550 (residential) = $9,125

  • Homewood and Hood Commuter Fees – $3,575 (tuition) + $250 (lunch) = $3,825

  • Non-Homewood and non-Hood Commuter Fees – $3,575

  • EEI Online Fees – $3,575 (tuition) + $247.12 (lab kit) + taxes and shipping

  • BMEI Online Fees – $3,575 (tuition) + $296.20 (lab kit) + taxes and shipping

Fortunately, Johns Hopkins offers several need-based and merit-based scholarships to eligible students, and hands out on average $3,400 worth of scholarship money per student. We highly recommend checking if you’re eligible for one of the options.


Are these programs prestigious?

Johns Hopkins’ Engineering Innovation programs are quite selective, and you need As and Bs in your high school STEM classes to even be eligible to apply. Johns Hopkins hosts the nation’s top rated biomedical engineering program, and all three programs are created by PhD holding senior lecturers who are some of the brightest minds in the country. JHU also partners with organizations like Upward Bound, Minds Matter, Schuler Scholars and corporate partners to provide scholarships. However, the programs are priced quite steeply, and can be a hurdle for students looking for a fully-funded program or internship in engineering. All in all, we rate these programs as moderately prestigious and participating in them can make your college application stand out, demonstrating not just your commitment but also your aptitude for and exposure to engineering.


Who is eligible to apply?

To apply, you must meet the following prerequisites:

  • You must be a current high school student or recent high school graduate. Juniors and seniors are preferred, though rising sophomores may also be considered.

  • You need to be at least 15 on program start and no older than 17 on the last day of the program.

  • You MUST have As and Bs in your high school Math and Science classes, and have completed Algebra II

  • In terms of coursework, you must have one year of high school lab experience, as well as working knowledge of trigonometry for Exploring Engineering and Biomedical Engineering.


How does the application process work?

The application process requires the following:

  1. A completed online application.

  2. One mandatory short essay (175-225 words) on the following prompt: “Explain why you want to participate in Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation Pre-College Programs and what you hope to gain from the experience.”

  3. One optional short essay (100-125 words) on the following prompt: “Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

  4. You’ll need to provide a letter of recommendation from a STEM teacher.

  5. Your high school transcript as well as interim grades for the classes you’re currently taking.

  6. If you’re an international student, you’ll also need to provide proof of English language proficiency - TOEFL / IELTS / Duolingo / SAT / ACT.

  7. Payment of a non-refundable $50 application fee.

  8. Financial Aid: Apply for financial aid if needed.

The deadlines for each of the courses vary, so we recommend checking the complete page here.


Pros and cons to consider

Pros:

  1. The prestige of Johns Hopkins University: Recognized and respected by top universities, Johns Hopkins is the leading name in biomedical engineering. Attending one of their programs is sure to spruce up your profile on its own, regardless of the learning provided.

  2. In-depth programs designed by top faculty: Speaking of learning, the programs are created on the basis of Johns Hopkins’ actual engineering programs, and often by the same faculty. Through these programs, you’ll get to experience top quality engineering education and understand the latest technological advances, far beyond the exposure you’d get in high school.

  3. Ability to choose between residential, commuter and online options: JHU’s EI programs are one of the few that provide multiple options for attendance, allowing you to learn on your terms.

Cons:

  1. It’s extremely expensive: With a minimum tuition price of $3,575 for even the online options, the program is quite expensive. 

  2. Conditional financial aid: Although financial aid is available, the scholarships are all quite conditional and there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to secure one of them.

  3. Very selective: Though not strictly a con, it’s important to note that you need to be a high scorer to even be eligible for these programs, and there’s high competition for a limited number of spots.

Our review - is it worth it?

Johns Hopkins’ Engineering Innovation pre college programs are a valuable, although expensive, opportunity if you’re passionate about pursuing a degree in engineering. These programs provide a rigorous introduction to engineering principles, hands-on experience, and networking opportunities that can enhance your college application and future career prospects. If you are an academically gifted high schooler and are either able to afford the programs or secure a scholarship, then you should definitely consider applying.



If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs


This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. 


You can find the application link here



One other option - Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!


Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.


Image Source: JHU logo

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