Frequently Asked QuestionsWe hope that the responses below will answer your questions. Please contact us via phone at 1-800-362-6546 or email at
nanjing@jhu.edu with additional questions.
Must I have three years of formal classroom Chinese in order to apply?Not necessarily. All applicants to the program must submit scores from the STAMP Chinese language proficiency exam in order to demonstrate their Chinese language ability. Three or more years of Chinese usually results in an admissible score. Those with less classroom experience may apply, especially in the case of prolonged tenure in Asia or a family background involving Chinese. Admission into the master's degree program requires a higher level of Chinese proficiency than the Certificate program.
Click here for more information on the Chinese language proficiency examinations.
Must I be in a graduate program to be eligible to attend the Center?No. Many students complete the Certificate program as a bridge between their undergraduate education and graduate school or between finishing their undergraduate degree and accepting a job in Asia. A number of students have already completed another graduate degree and/or have several years of work experience. The Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIS) degree offered in Nanjing is fully accredited by both The Johns Hopkins University and Nanjing University.
Is the Center open to only Hopkins/SAIS students?No. The Center welcomes applications from qualified applicants worldwide. Each year, approximately 10% of the International students studying at the Center are non-U.S. citizens. In the past, we have accepted students from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and Zambia, among others.
What does a "background in China studies" mean?"Background" refers to courses in Chinese history, political science, sociology, anthropology, economics, etc. It is not absolutely essential, but the majority of Center students have a background in these areas to draw upon. There are no specific prerequisites for students attending the Center, though M.A. candidates planning on pursuing a concentration in International Economics are expected to have taken at least introductory microeconomics and macroeconomics courses before enrolling.
How do I arrange the Chinese proficiency test?In order to take the STAMP test, applicants must designate a proctor (ex: professor, T.A., departmental administrator, supervisor, etc.) who agrees to administer the exam. Applicants should then fill out the
STAMP Test Request Form, which must be signed by the designated proctor and returned to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center Washington Support Office. The STAMP test should be taken before the application deadline.
What is the most important part of the application?There is no single most important part. Chinese language proficiency serves as a fundamental indicator of whether a student will be able to handle the coursework in Nanjing, but each component of the application serves to provide the Admissions Committee with a more complete picture of each applicant and helps them decide who would be suitable for study at the Center.
Can I apply to both the Certificate and MAIS programs?Yes. Applicants wishing to apply to both the Certificate program and the MAIS should indicate their intentions on the application form and be sure to submit all application materials required for both programs (i.e. M.A. concentration essay, GRE scores - required of MAIS applicants only, etc.).
What are my chances of being accepted?Unfortunately, the answer to this question is too specifically-related to individual situations to be posted effectively here. Applicants who are concerned about being admitted to the program should call us at 1-800-362-6546 to discuss our admission requirements in detail.
Can I write my essay in Chinese or submit additional materials in Chinese?No, we can only accept application materials in English. The Admissions Committee is a diverse group, comprised of Hopkins-Nanjing Center staff and alumni as well as SAIS deans and faculty. In order to ensure that each application is thoroughly read by all members of the committee, we ask that applicants only submit materials in English. The committee will use individuals' Chinese language proficiency exam score and previous Chinese language coursework to assess Chinese language ability.
My transcripts are not in English. Will you accept them?No. Undergraduate transcripts not issued in English must be officially translated and sent to our office. Applicants who have completed additional coursework (i.e. at a Chinese university) may send unofficial translations of those transcripts.
My recommendations are not in English. Will you accept them?No, we can only accept application materials in English. The Admissions Committee is a diverse group comprised of Hopkins-Nanjing Center staff and alumni as well as SAIS deans and faculty. In order to ensure that each application is thoroughly read by all members of the Committee, we ask that applicants only submit materials in English. We will, however, accept officially translated recommendations.
Can letters of recommendation be faxed or emailed?The best way to submit recommendations is through our online application system. Applicants may register recommenders online and the application system will communicate with them directly to ensure secure delivery of the recommendation. If a recommender does not wish to use the online system, he or she may mail the recommendation to us in a sealed envelope or fax it to us directly at 202-663-7729.
What is the Institution Code for my test scores?Applicants should have all test scores officially sent to the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington D.C.
The ETS code is 5610. No department code is required. We are unable to receive scores sent to other divisions of Johns Hopkins University.
Do I need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?Applicants planning to apply to the MAIS or HNC Certificate/SAIS MA must submit either GRE or GMAT scoresm and are advised to take the exam
before our February 1 deadline. It takes approximately 3 weeks after testing to receive scores. Applicants for the Certificate program are not required to take the GRE.
Do I need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?Non-native speakers of English are required to demonstrate English proficiency by submitting a recent TOEFL or IELTS score. However, applicants who have attended two or more years at a university where the primary language of instruction is English do NOT need to submit these scores.
Do I need to submit transcripts for every college-level class I have taken?We require transcripts for all degree courses. For non-degree courses/programs, we strongly recommend - but do not require - that applicants submit a transcript, as well.
What should I write in my statement of purpose?Applicants should discuss why they wish to attend the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, and how this education will help facilitate their ultimate career goals. This is each prospective student's opportunity for the Admissions Committee to get to know him or her, so we suggest that applicants also tell us more about who they are and how selected past experiences have shaped their goals and educational aspirations.
What are the payment options for the application fee?The application fee may be paid through the online application with a credit card (Visa or Mastercard), or by mailing in a credit card authorization form, check or money order. Please make checks or money orders out to "Johns Hopkins University" and mail them to us at: Hopkins-Nanjing Center Office of International Admissions; 1740 Massachusetts Ave. NW; Washington, DC 20036.
Is the application fee refundable or are fee waivers granted?The application fee is non-refundable. Fee waivers are granted in cases of financial need. Applicants wishing to request a fee waiver should ask the financial aid office at their college or university to submit a letter requesting the waiver on their behalf.
Where do I send application materials?Most of the application materials (recommendations, essays, application form and payment) can be submitted through our online application system. Additional materials should be mailed to Hopkins-Nanjing Center Office of International Admissions; 1740 Massachusetts Ave. NW; Washington, DC 20036
When do I need to take the STAMP?We ask that you take the STAMP Chinese language proficiency exam before the application deadline. We do not accept HSK scores. All applicants are required to take the STAMP test.
How soon will I find out about my STAMP results after taking the test? How will I be notified?Applicants will be notified via email of their score within two business days of completing the STAMP test.
What is the deadline to apply?For the HNC Certificate or MAIS programs, all application materials must be received by our office by
February 1. The deadline for the HNC Certificate/SAIS MA is
January 7.
Do you accept late applications?Late applications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Applicants wishing to apply late should contact the admissions office at 1-800-362-6546.
When and how will I receive my admissions decision?Admissions decisions will be sent out via email and regular mail by late March. Applicants should be sure to include a current mailing address on the application form, and notify us if the listed email or mailing address changes after submitting the application.
Does the Center offer a summer language program?No. The Center no longer hosts a summer Chinese language program. Students interested in taking a summer language program in China should apply directly to individual language programs.
Can I start my studies at the Center in the spring semester?No. Students in the Certificate program gain maximum benefit from the Center by attending for two semesters in a contiguous academic year. This allows students to develop important relationships with their fellow students and faculty, and make the most of the Center's academic course offerings. MA students must also begin in the fall in order to complete a sequence required of all students in the program.
How many hours are Center students in class each week?Certificate students take three to four courses a semester which each meet twice a week for an hour and a half. They are additionally encouraged to cross-register into courses in their non-target language and pursue independent studies. Master's students will take four courses per semester except for the last semester, during which the thesis will be the primary focus.
Are there opportunities to work while I am at the Center?The residence permit issued to Hopkins-Nanjing Center students does not allow students to work while they are in Nanjing. Center students have had internships during the month-long winter break and during the summer, but there are minimal opportunities for employment to pay for fees or living expenses. A limited number of students may be awarded federal work-study funds, and will have the option of accepting work-study positions at the Center. The majority of students, however, should not expect to find part-time work while enrolled in the program.
Can my student loans be deferred while I am in Nanjing?Yes. The Washington Support Office can process loan deferment forms upon matriculation in Nanjing.
Do I have to live at the Center? With a roommate?Unless accompanied by a spouse and/or dependent, all students are required to live at the Center. Students who will be accompanied by a spouse and/or dependents must arrange for off-campus housing. Certificate students live in doubles with Chinese roommates. M.A. students have the option of requesting either singles or doubles.