Frequently Asked Questions| Hopkins-Nanjing Center

How many years of Chinese language study do I need to apply?
Applicants have typically completed 3-4 years of college level Chinese and spent time in China. For the HNC Certificate, proficiency at the Intermediate-High level is recommended. For the MAIS, proficiency at an Advanced level is recommended. Applicants below these levels might still be admitted but will need to complete additional Chinese language study before enrollment. 

Can I apply to more than one Hopkins-Nanjing Center program?
No. However, applicants who submit a MAIS application will be automatically considered for admission to the Certificate program as a second option. If you are unsure of which program is the best fit for you, please contact us at [email protected] to speak with an admissions representative.

Do students have to submit two separate applications to be considered for the HNC Certificate+SAIS MAIR or HNC Certificate + SAIS MAIA?
Students only submit one application to be considered for admission to these programs. The application will be reviewed separately by admissions committees representing each campus. 

Can I submit application materials in Chinese?
We can only accept application materials in English. We will, however, accept officially translated recommendations or undergraduate transcripts from a certified translation service or agency.

Can letters of recommendation be emailed?
Recommendation letters must be submitted 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 experiences technical difficulties while using the online system, please have them contact our office at [email protected].

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 all transcripts.

Is the application fee refundable or are fee waivers granted?
The application fee is non-refundable. Currently the school offers application fee waivers to participants or alumni affiliated with particular professional development programs. Unfortunately, we do not grant fee waivers for financial hardship.

When is the application deadline?
There is an early notification deadline of November 1 and a general application deadline of February 1. 

Do I need work experience in order to attend the Hopkins-Nanjing Center?
Prior work experience is not required for admission. Many students attend the Hopkins-Nanjing Center directly after graduating from their undergraduate university, while other students may have several years of work experience.

I am a Chinese citizen; can I apply to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center?
Citizens of Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao must apply to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center through Nanjing University. Click here for information on the admissions process for Chinese students.

I have been admitted to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center. Can I defer my enrollment?
Deferral requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must indicate how they intend to maintain their Chinese proficiency over the coming year. Please note awarded scholarships do not carry over to the following year. If a deferral is granted, applicants must submit a non-refundable matriculation and deferral fee. Admitted students whose future plans remain uncertain, or those with insufficient funds, are advised to decline the offer of admission and reapply at a later date when circumstances may be more certain or stable. 

What Chinese language assessments do you accept? 
To apply for any HNC program, you must provide Chinese reading and listening proficiency test results from one of the following language assessments: STAMP, HSK, ACTFL, CEFR, or ILR. Test results must be from within the last 12 months, and available for review before the application deadline. If you have not yet taken any of these tests, you can request to take the STAMP test via the online application. 

What is the STAMP Chinese Proficiency Test?
We offer the STAMP Chinese proficiency test as a language assessment for any applicant who has not yet taken an equivalent exam at the time of application. The test is a convenient online option that takes about 2 hours to complete and can be proctored virtually or in person. Test takers complete the reading and listening sections only and receive a Benchmark Level score for each section. These scores are categorized into three major levels (Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced), each with three sub-levels (low, mid, high). 

For any applicant interested in taking the STAMP test to gauge their language proficiency, you need to start an application to any one of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center Programs here, and indicate your intended test date on the Chinese Proficiency Tab of the application. You will then receive an email containing testing instructions and fee payment information. After completing the test, notify the admissions office at [email protected] so that we can retrieve your test results and link them with your application. The test must be completed before the application deadline.

Do I need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?
The GRE is optional for all Hopkins-Nanjing Center programs. If you decide to submit scores for either the GRE or the GMAT, Johns Hopkins SAIS will only accept scores directly from the testing service. Please arrange for all standardized test scores to be sent in advance of the application deadline. The GRE code for Johns Hopkins SAIS is 5610-0000; the GMAT code is KGB-GX-99.

Do I need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?
You must submit an official English competency score if (1) English is not your native language and (2) you do not hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution in a country where English is an official language and where English is the language of instruction. Official test scores must be received for admissions consideration. For more information and instructions, please review our English language examination policy.

How do most students fund their studies?
The Hopkins-Nanjing Center awards 100% of students who apply for financial aid a scholarship based on merit and need. As a US accredited institution, US Citizens and permanent residents can also receive federal loans and work-study. Applicants can apply for external sources of funding, such as the Rangel and Pickering fellowships. Deadlines for these fellowships can be earlier than the Hopkins-Nanjing Center application deadline, so we recommend that students apply well in advance.

Can my student loans be deferred while I am in Nanjing?
Yes. The Hopkins-Nanjing Center Washington Office can process loan deferment forms upon matriculation in Nanjing.

What is it like to take graduate level classes in Chinese?
All students go through an adjustment period of becoming familiar with academic Chinese and expanding their vocabulary at the beginning of the year.  Since courses are content courses, students are primarily evaluated on their understanding and analysis of the course topics rather than on grammar patterns and drills. Coursework often includes class discussions, oral presentations, debates and written reports.

How many hours are 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. Master's students will take four to five courses per semester except for the last semester, during which the thesis will be the primary focus.

What’s the average class size?
The overall student body consists of about 150 students every year, which includes both the Chinese and international student body. About 60% of the student body is comprised of Chinese students, and the other 40% is comprised of international (non-Chinese) students. As for classroom size, classes are fairly small with around 10-15 students. All classes are capped at 30 students.  

How can I prepare for graduate coursework instructed in Chinese?
There are many summer programs which our students have enrolled in, including CET Academic Programs, CIEE, ACC, Middlebury College and the Chinese Language Institute. We also encourage self-study or one-on-one tutoring.  

Is there career counseling support at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center?
The Hopkins-Nanjing Center provides career counseling to help you in your career planning. Career services programming includes employer visits and presentations, career skill workshops and career treks to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

What are the employment outcomes for graduates?
Visit our career services webpage for a section of recent employment outcomes for students.

Are there opportunities to intern while at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center?
Some students intern during their second semester at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center or during winter and summer breaks. The career services office can provide guidance for pursuing internships that comply with visa regulations. Summer internship funding is also available for students who participate in an unpaid internship. 

Do I have to live at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center? With a roommate?
Students have the option to find their own apartment off campus. Students in the one-year certificate program who choose to live on campus are required to live in the student dormitory with a roommate–typically an international and Chinese student pairing. Students in the Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIS) program may choose to live without a roommate in a single dorm room. All rooms are equipped with a private bathroom and western amenities. If you plan to live with a spouse or dependent, you will be responsible for arranging your own off-campus housing.

What is it like having a Chinese roommate?
For all students with roommates, we do our best to pair international and Chinese students together. This not only builds the sense of community, but roommates can also serve as a great resource for language and academic support. We often hear from students that living with a Chinese roommate is a highlight of their experience.

What kinds of extracurricular activities and student groups are available?
The Hopkins-Nanjing Center is a small, but very active community. Student interests vary year to year, but in the past students have formed basketball, soccer, ping pong, dragon boat, dance, public speaking, and music groups. Academic student groups include environmental awareness and international law moot court teams. There are also extracurricular classes offered in erhu, calligraphy and tai chi.

Are there opportunities to work while I am at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center?
Student worker positions are available to HNC students while they are in Nanjing. It is important to note that the residence permit issued to students does not allow students to work in non-HNC affiliated positions while they are in Nanjing.