Information for International Students

English Proficiency

Johns Hopkins University requires graduate students to have adequate English proficiency for their course of study. Graduate students must be able to read, speak, and write English fluently upon their arrival at the university. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit proof of their proficiency in English (either through successful completion of a recognized proficiency test or the receipt of a waiver) before they can be offered admissions and before a visa certificate can be issued.

Note: Even if an applicant receives a waiver from the Whiting School, it does not necessarily mean they will pass an English proficiency verification in a visa interview.

Accepted English Proficiency Tests for Admission

TOEFL Exam

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Results should be sent directly to the Whiting School of Engineering Graduate Admissions Office by ETS using our TOEFL institution code (C559). Scores are valid for 2 years from your test date. Information about the TOEFL can be found at the TOEFL website.

• Johns Hopkins prefers a minimum score of 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based), and 100 (internet-based) on the TOEFL.
• TOEFL Institution Code: C559.

No department or program code is needed to send scores. If ETS requires a department code to send scores, please use the department you are applying to or the general code if the department is not available.

While these alternative TOEFL options are no longer available for new test-takers, we will continue to accept the following for all applications submitted in AY 2022-2023:

• TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition: ETS is offering at home testing for the TOEFL iBT in selected locations where it is not currently possible to deliver in-person testing.
• TOEFL ITP Plus for China Solution: The TOEFL ITP Plus is a testing solution exclusively for Mainland China featuring the TOEFL ITP test and a video speaking interview. It will be available until TOEFL iBT testing resumes in Mainland China.

The TOEFL Essentials exam is not an accepted English Proficiency test for admission, and we are not accepting TOEFL Essentials scores at this time.

• TOEFL Essentials Test: The TOEFL Essentials test has been designed to be distinctly different from the TOEFL iBT® test, so both tests will complement each other in your portfolio of accepted English-proficiency tests.

MyBest TOEFL Scores

Our application system does not support submitting a self-reported MyBest Score for the TOEFL exam. You must self-report your score using a specific test date under the “Test Scores” section of the application. If you select the option for “MyBest Score” from the dropdown, you will not be able to enter scores.

If you have taken the TOEFL exam on multiple test dates and if you have a MyBest Score available, this score will automatically populate to your application with your official/verified score from a specific test date, sent directly from ETS. Please be aware, while you may self-report multiple test dates, you are only required to submit one official/verified score from ETS.

IELTS Exam

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination is offered jointly by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), The British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia. Applicants should contact the test center where they took the test directly and request that test scores be sent electronically to the Whiting School of Engineering Graduate Admissions Office using the IELTS Global Recognition System. Scores are valid for 2 years from your test date. Information about the IELTS can be found at the IELTS website.

• Johns Hopkins prefers an IELTS Academic Band Score equal to 7.
• IELTS Institution Name: Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering, Country: USA.

IELTS Online

IELTS Online has the same format and content as the in-center tests. All tests are marked by certified IELTS examiners and results are available in 3-6 days. IELTS Online has the same marking criteria and scoring system as IELTS, so there is no need to learn or compare scores. IELTS Online results will be available electronically via the IELTS Results Verification Service. No paper Test Report Forms will be issued.

While this alternative IELTS option is no longer available for new test-takers, we will continue to accept this test for all applications submitted in AY 2022-2023:

• IELTS Indicator: IELTS Indicator is an online English language test for students not able to attend an IELTS test center examination.

We do not accept official or unofficial scores from the following:

• Duolingo English Test
• TOEFL Essentials Test (see above for additional information)

Official vs. Unofficial Test Scores

Official test scores are required for admission into our graduate degree programs. Official or Verified test scores are sent directly from the test vendor (ETS/TOEFL or IELTS) and populate to your application. Self-Reported test scores are provided by the applicant in the application.

Programs will use self-reported test scores for application review while awaiting official test scores sent directly from the Testing Agency.

• For ETS scores (TOEFL), there is a delay of up to 14 days between requesting a vendor to send official scores to when they are marked Received on your application.
• For IELTS scores, there is a delay of up to 2-4 weeks between requesting a vendor to send official scores to when they are marked Received on your application.
• If your name, date of birth, or email differs between your ETS or IELTS account(s) and application account, your scores may need to be manually marked as Received after the 14-day waiting period has ended.

If it has been more than 2 full weeks and your official scores have not been marked as Received on your application, contact Engineering Graduate Admissions with the following information typed into the body of your email:

• Application Reference Number
• Full Name on your application account
• TOEFL test appointment number (without spaces) to verify ETS scores sent to code C559
• Test Report Form Number to verify IELTS scores send to Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering
• Optional: attach a copy of your TOEFL Score Report IELTS Test Report Form

Expired Scores

Both TOEFL and IELTS test scores are valid for 2 years from the test date. Official test scores must be sent from the Testing Agency at least 3 weeks prior to the score expiration date. Any requests made close to or after the expiration date may not be processed in time. Once scores have expired with the vendor, you are no longer able to send official or verified test scores. Even if the application deadline is after the expiration of your scores, if you send your official scores and they are received in the application folio before the expiration date, they are considered verified/official for this application.

English Proficiency Test Waiver

Some conditions may apply for a waiver of the English Language Proficiency requirement. Read our full policy:

• Engineering Graduate Admissions English Proficiency Policy & Test Waiver Eligibility

Instructions to Apply for the Waiver

If you qualify for the waiver, you must apply directly in the application. The English Proficiency requirement is based on country of citizenship. If you are applying as a US Citizen or Permanent Resident, regardless of your country of origin, you will not see this option available in your application as you are not required to provide English Proficiency. If you are applying as an International Student, this section is dependent on the citizenship field being completed in the “Personal Information” section.

On the “English Language Proficiency” section of the application:

1. Select “Yes” to answer the question: “Are you applying for an English Proficiency Waiver?”
2. View the explanation of reasons and select the appropriate reason from the dropdown menu: 1) country of citizenship, (2) country of degree, or (3) language of instruction.
3. If applying for the waiver based on eligibility (3) language of instruction, you must provide documentation from the institution(s) confirming the sole language of instruction, writing, and testing is in English at that institution. Select “Choose File” and then select “Upload” before continuing to the next section of the application.

Explanation of Reasons

The English Proficiency requirement is based on country of citizenship. If you are applying as an International Student, you must select the appropriate reason from the following options:

1. Country of Citizenship: Select this reason if you currently hold citizenship in a country where the official language is English, and the country is listed in the chart on English Proficiency Policy and Test Waiver Eligibility.
2. Country of Degree: Select this reason if you completed or will complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a country where the official language is English, and the country is listed in the chart on English Proficiency Policy and Test Waiver Eligibility.

If you (1) do not hold citizenship or (2) have not earned a degree in a country listed in the chart on English Proficiency Policy and Test Waiver Eligibility, you may be eligible to apply for the Language of Instruction waiver:

3.  Language of Instruction: Select this reason if you completed or will complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree at a school in a country where the official language is not English, but where the sole/primary language of instruction, writing, and testing is English. Applicants selecting this reason must provide documentation from the school confirming English Language instruction; documentation can include a certificate, letter, or other official document stating the language of instruction.

Transcripts and Translations

We require unofficial transcripts for application review. You can provide a copy you received from your university, or grade/mark sheets if an unofficial transcript is not available. Please upload your document(s) directly in the application under the ‘Academic History’ section.

Do not mail or send electronic official transcripts at the time of application. Only if admitted to a degree program, do we require official transcripts verifying degree conferral, which must be sent directly from your school/registrar, processed through a third-party service, or a physical signed and sealed copy sent via mail.

Credential Evaluation

We strongly recommend professional credential evaluation services for all foreign academic work. Credential evaluations allow our graduate programs to better assess academic records during application review. Please be aware, credential evaluations are not required for application review. These evaluations do not replace the transcript, and you are still required to upload unofficial transcripts as instructed. If you choose to submit a credential evaluation, we recommend World Education Services (WES) or SpanTran.

World Education Services (WES)

If you choose to submit an optional World Education Services (WES) report, we require the ICAP course by course evaluation. Send official WES reports electronically to Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering and your credential evaluation will populate automatically to your application. Our email address to receive credential evaluations and transcripts is [email protected].

SpanTran

If you choose to submit an optional SpanTran report, we recommend utilizing the custom application available to applicants of the Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. This customer application is available at a discounted rate, will select the correct course-by-course with GPA evaluation, and will provide a verified copy directly sent to your application.

Certified Translations

The Office of Engineering Graduate Admissions requires literal, certified translations for all documents issued in a language other than English.

All translations submitted with your application must be literal (not an interpretation or a paraphrasing) and complete versions of the original records. Plain translations, notarized translations, and/or translations done by someone other than a certified translator are not acceptable. Evaluations performed by agencies such as WES will not be used in place of certified translations. All translations should be on a translator’s letterhead.

If translations are not officially provided by your university, the Whiting School will accept translations from the following:

• ATA certified translators
• Translation agencies
• Court-appointed translators
• The Consulate

Official copies of translations are not required for application review purposes. Applicants can submit copies of the certified translation, as long as the translation meets the requirements listed above. If admitted and choose to enroll, students will then be required to submit official translations sent directly from the translator/agency. Please see the Submitting Final Documents page for more information.

Visa and I-20 Questions

All inquiries regarding Visa and I-20 status can be directed to our Office of International Services (OIS). Read the OIS COVID-19 Immigration FAQ for important and updated information. If you still have questions, contact OIS directly by email: [email protected].