Continue studying Chinese
Most importantly, continue working on your Chinese language skills! It’s great if you are able to enroll in Chinese classes or spend a semester abroad in an immersive language program. If that’s not possible for you, find ways to engage with the language on a regular basis, such as making a self-study plan, finding a language tutor, watching Chinese movies or TV shows, and reading Chinese news articles.
You are welcome to take the Hopkins-Nanjing Center’s STAMP Chinese Proficiency Test at any time, which is required for admission to all programs. Your scores are valid for one year, and you can take the test once every three months. Taking the test early can help gauge your current level, give you a better idea of which program is the best fit for you, and determine if you need to focus on your reading or listening skills.
Stay current on US-China relations and Sino-global relations
Regardless of your academic background, a great way to prepare your application and get ready for Hopkins-Nanjing Center coursework is to stay up to date on current topics in US-China relations and Sino-global relations. Hopkins-Nanjing Center students have a range of interests, and not everyone enters with a formal background in East Asian studies or international relations. In the past, applicants have included a range of topics in their essays, such as cyber security, environmental policy, gender equality, and China’s development initiatives in Africa and Latin America. You don’t need to be an expert in every area, but monitoring the issues that most interest you will help to write application essays that highlight your unique academic and career goals.
Gain relevant experience
One great way to bolster your application is to have relevant work, internship, or volunteer experience that is related to China or your specific area of interest (such as politics, environmental studies, anthropology, law, etc.). There’s no one particular experience that we are looking for, but it’s great to see applicants who have professional experience or have sought out opportunities to get exposure to the field. If there are limited opportunities where you are located, consider doing a remote internship, volunteering for an organization that interests you, or getting involved with a student group or conference. There are many ways to gain relevant experience in the field.
Speak with an admissions representative
One of the best ways to learn about Hopkins-Nanjing Center programs is to speak directly with an admissions representative. The admissions team is always happy to talk with students one-on-one by phone, Skype, or in-person. It’s also a good opportunity to address any particular concerns that you might have about applying to the program. To connect with the admissions team, email nanjing@jhu.edu.
Explore external scholarships and fellowships
While the Hopkins-Nanjing Center guarantees scholarship funding to all students who apply for financial aid, we also encourage students to research external scholarship and fellowship opportunities. Your undergraduate institution’s fellowship or financial aid office can serve as an important resource for learning more about funding opportunities and may provide services to alumni as well as current students. Common external fellowships that students have been successful in receiving include: Boren Fellowship Program, Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program, and the Thomas B. Pickering Fellowship Program. It helps to start looking into these opportunities early, as deadlines are often before the Hopkins-Nanjing Center February 1 admissions deadline. It may seem counterintuitive, but you can apply for these opportunities before you receive an admissions decision from the Hopkins-Nanjing Center.
