Electrical and Computer Engineering

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Electrical and Computer Engineering

Graduate Admission Information

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We Are Looking for New Graduate Students!

We welcome the opportunity to review your graduate application for possible admission to our graduate programs, as our professors will be seeking graduate students for the fall semester. See below for application information, frequently asked questions, and testimonials from current graduate students.

For those affected by the coronavirus: Follow this link for an interim solution to completing the TOEFLs/IELTS this cycle until the coronavirus issue is resolved. Follow this link for an FAQ from the JHU Office of International Services regarding the coronavirus situation.

  • Application Information and Requirements

    We will accept graduate applications beginning in mid-August each year.

    • Fall semester only – both Ph.D. and M.S.E. applicants
    • We accept applications beginning in August. The application submission deadline is December 22 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5).

    We strongly encourage, though it is not required, that all application items be submitted by the application deadline, including your statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, transcripts, GRE scores, and for international applicants: TOEFL/IELTS scores (unless your native language is English or you have graduated with a degree from a University in most English-speaking countries, which exempts you from submitting the score).
    Our institution code for GRE scores is 4655 and our code for TOEFL scores is C559.

    To clarify for those whose seasons are different from those in the northern hemisphere or where no seasons with significant weather changes exist in their home areas, we define our semester periods as such:

    • Spring – begins in late-January and ends in mid-May
    • Fall – begins in late-August and ends in mid-December
    The primary requirement for admission into our graduate program is excellence in an undergraduate program. The class of graduate students we admit each year is a carefully selected group of individuals who will benefit from close and frequent interactions with faculty in pursuing their research.

    To help you evaluate your chances of admission and financial aid, we provide some information about our expectations for the qualifications of a successful applicant.

    An offer of admission into our graduate programs implies that the student has a clear potential to successfully complete all requirements for the degree sought. Admissions are based on the following major factors: previous course background, grades received, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and TOEFL scores (for international non-native English applicants only).

    The following is the profile of a typical successful applicant:

    • Grade point average of at least 3.7.
    • GRE scores of:
      • 540 (156 on revised test) or above on the verbal reasoning part
      • 770 (161 on revised test) or above on the quantitative reasoning part
      • 5.0 or above on the analytical writing part
    • A TOEFL score of at least 100 (internet-based test) or 600 (paper-based test) and IELTS Academic Band Score equal to 7

    We provide the previous profiles to indicate our standards for admission. However, they are not rigid requirements, and should be used only as guidelines. We may admit an applicant even if some of these guidelines are not satisfied, provided that additional strengths in other areas of the application are present. Moreover, we may not offer admission to an applicant that does meet these guidelines.

  • 2021 Critical Graduate Admission/Application Updates

    For 2021 Applicants Only – GRE Accommodations Due to COVID-19

    In response to the test accessibility issues caused by COVID-19, the Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) has decided to make the GRE exam optional for the 2021 admissions cycle. This only applies to graduate applications for  the following start terms: Spring 2021, Summer 2021, and Fall 2021. For those applicants that have GRE scores ready, we will accept them. Please note, there will be no admissions advantage in submitting GRE scores. Likewise, there will be no disadvantage to any applicant for not submitting GRE scores. Our programs engage in holistic admissions review, and we expect many competitive applications will not include GRE scores this year.

    Follow this link for further information.

  • Application Receipt and Results

    To verify receipt of your application items, please contact the Whiting School’s Graduate Admissions team. If you contact our office seeking verification, we will not have this information. We will be only able to refer you to the Graduate Admissions office.
    COMMUNICATION OF RESULTS

    When the result of an application is determined, applicants will be sent the result by e-mail, which will be sent to the e-mail address provided in the application. No automatic notifications occur about the status of one’s application until the result is determined.

    WHEN RESULTS WILL BE COMMUNICATED

    In most cases, fall semester applicants can expect results between late-January and mid-April.

    QUESTIONS ABOUT RESULTS

    Sometimes, applicants whose applications are denied will ask for analysis and critique of their graduate applications or more specific reasons why the application was denied. Because of the number of applications this department receives, critiques and analyses of denied applications are unavailable.
    Generally, applications that are denied either do not have the level of educational performance, credentials, or scores that are sought or that an applicant’s research interests are not compatible with the research interests of our faculty who are seeking graduate students.

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Visit the Johns Hopkins Full-Time Graduate Admissions “FAQ” page for additional questions and answers. If you are unable to find the answer to your questions, please contact the Graduate Admissions office for application information.
    I HAVE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE. CAN I APPLY FOR A PH.D. ADMISSION OR MUST I APPLY FOR A MASTER’S DEGREE FIRST?

    Applicants who want to earn a Ph.D., whether or not they have a master’s degree, are encouraged to apply directly to the Ph.D. program. Our Ph.D. students who don’t have a master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering can earn the master’s degree on the way to their Ph.D.

    DOES AN APPLICANT HAVE TO CHOOSE AN ADVISOR BEFORE THE APPLICATION IS REVIEWED?

    No, but applicants are welcome to state which faculty members they would like to work with.

    WILL THE DEPARTMENT WAIVE THE $25 APPLICATION FEE?

    No.

    WILL THE DEPARTMENT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AFTER THE APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE?

    No.

    IF I APPLY FOR THE PH.D. PROGRAM BUT AM NOT ADMITTED, WILL MY APPLICATION BE CONSIDERED FOR ADMISSION TO THE MASTER’S PROGRAM?

    Yes. All Ph.D. applicants who are not admitted to the Ph.D. program will be considered for admission to the master’s program. No separate application is necessary. Those who are eligible for master’s admission will be notified of this and offered admission if they are interested in the master’s program.

    THE UNIVERSITY STRONGLY RECOMMENDS A “PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL EVALUATION” FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS. DOES THE DEPARTMENT REQUIRE IT? HOW WILL IT INFLUENCE MY APPLICATION WHETHER OR NOT I GET ONE?

    The Electrical and Computer Engineering department follows the University’s strong recommendation that international applicants obtain a “professional credential evaluation.” Though not required, it is strongly recommended that international applicants obtain one.
    The department cannot predict the chances of an applicant’s admission based solely on his or her choice to submit a professional credential evaluation.

    ARE BOTH A “STATEMENT OF PURPOSE” AND A “PERSONAL STATEMENT” REQUIRED?

    No. The department requires only “Statement of Purpose.”

    WHEN ARE APPLICANTS WAIVED FROM HAVING TO SUBMIT A TOEFL/IELTS SCORE?
    • When an applicant’s native language is English, or…
    • If an applicant meets the University’s TOEFL/IELTS requirement waiver policy.
    IF I AM ELIGIBLE FOR A TOEFL/IELTS SCORE WAIVER, HOW WILL THE WAIVER BE NOTED ON MY APPLICATION?

    The Graduate Admissions office will note the waiver. If you do not see the waiver within 14 days of submitting your application, please contact the Graduate Admissions office directly at graduateadmissions@jhu.edu. Please do not contact the Electrical and Computer Engineering department, as we can only refer you to Graduate Admissions.

    WHO MUST SUBMIT GRE SCORES?

    All applicants who have not received a degree from a Johns Hopkins program or currently enrolled in such a program are required to submit GRE scores.

    ARE GRE SUBJECT TEST SCORES REQUIRED?

    No. Only the regular GRE is required.

    WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM SCORE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADE POINT AVERAGES (GPA), THE GRE, AND TOEFL/IELTS?

    There are no minimum score requirements for an application to be considered. The University prefers a minimum TOEFL score of 100 or IELTS score of 7.0, but it is not a requirement.

    WHAT ARE THE AVERAGE GRADE POINT AVERAGES, GRE SCORES, AND TOEFL/IELTS SCORES FOR APPLICANTS?

    We do not calculate average scores of applicants, nor do we release information about applicants’ scores and GPAs. An average score would have no bearing on an individual applicant’s qualifications or chances of admission.

    I WAS UNHAPPY WITH MY GRE, TOEFL, OR IELTS SCORE. MAY I RETAKE THE TEST AND HAVE THE NEW SCORE SUBMITTED?

    Yes. The Graduate Admissions office will automatically connect the new score to your application once the ETS submits it. While it is recommended that the new score arrive before the application submission deadline, we will accept it after the deadline, as well.

    WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THAT I WILL BE ADMITTED BASED ON MY GPA OR GRE, TOEFL, OR IELTS SCORES? I AM CONCERNED THAT MY SCORES OR GPA ARE TOO LOW.

    We cannot predict the chances of admission for an applicant based solely on one’s GPA or GRE, TOEFL, or IELTS score. To determine an applicant’s chances for admission, a complete application is necessary, which includes not only the transcripts and exam scores but also a statement of purpose and three recommendation letters.

    I ARRANGED TO HAVE MY GRE AND/OR TOEFL SCORES SUBMITTED BUT MY APPLICATION STATES THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECEIVED. WHAT DO I DO?

    Upon submission of an application, the Graduate Admissions office will match GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS scores to the application and acknowledge receipt. This is not an automated process but requires a staff member to manually connect scores to applications. It will take time, and patience is appreciated. An application will not be negatively affected if the scores are not immediately connected to it. The scores will eventually be acknowledged.

    I SUBMITTED MY TRANSCRIPT BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE APPLICATION AS RECEIVED. WHAT DO I DO?

    Please contact the Graduate Admissions office directly. They can help determine if it was received and connect it to your application.

    HOW MANY APPLICANTS DO YOU PLAN TO ADMIT?

    There is no pre-determined number, as it will vary from year-to-year.

    WHAT IS THE ACCEPTANCE RATE FOR APPLICATIONS?

    The number of applications accepted varies from year to year and from program to program. The rate of application acceptance in previous years has no influence on the number of application acceptances in the current year as each application is considered on its own merits.

    ARE CONDITIONAL ADMISSIONS AVAILABLE?

    No, conditional admissions are not offered. Admission is determined using an applicant’s complete application and the compatibility of research and academic interests.

    CAN APPLICANTS VISIT THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE ADMISSION?

    We host an annual Graduate Visit Day by invitation only to certain applicants. Unsolicited requests to visit during Graduate Visit Day will not be considered.
    Applicants and potential students are welcome to visit the department on their own and at their own cost.
    Pre-arranging the visits are strongly recommended. Walk-in visitors will be accommodated when possible, but only at certain times of the year. Again, pre-arranging visits are the best option.
    To arrange a visit, please contact the department and provide the following information:

    • Your resume or CV
    • Your Statement of Purpose
    • Which degree(s) you would like to earn – masters, Ph.D., or both
    • Which Electrical and Computer Engineering professors and labs you would like to visit
    • When you would like to visit
    • Any other information that you would like our professors to know before your visit
    • Any questions that you have of us>/li>
    IS THERE FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE SEMESTER TO WHICH I WILL APPLY?

    Ph.D. Students
    WSE PhD students are fully funded (tuition, health insurance and stipend) for the duration of their PhD program while they are in a fulltime, resident status.
    Master’s Students
    For master’s students, most will be expected to cover their own tuition and expenses, though some financial assistance for health insurance is available.

  • Where Can I Get Help?

    If after viewing the webpages and links above and not finding an answer to your question, you can request additional information:

  • Ready to Apply?

    The application process is handled through the university’s online graduate student application. There you will find instructions for applying for graduate degree programs for both foreign and domestic students. Any questions you have may be sent to ecegrad@jhu.edu.

    APPLY NOW

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