Cognitive Science JHU Banner
Cognitive Science JHU Logo
nav-bar spacerKrieger School of Arts and SciencesUniversity CalendarUniversity NewsSearch JHU
Home > PhD Program > Admission Procedures
Admission Procedures
(Arts & Sciences and Engineering)

Graduate Admissions - Cognitive Science

Applicants to the Ph.D. Program in Cognitive Science must apply though the web-based Graduate Program Application system.  APPLICATION DEADLINE IS January 17.


All applications and documentation must be provided in ENGLISH.  If you are unable to secure translations, we recommend that you contact World Education Services.

Please use the Mailing Label and Cover Sheet to be sure that all pieces to the application are in place and mailed to the correct address.  Please note, that only regular mail, certified mail, UPS, DHL, and Federal Express deliveries are accepted.

Web-Based Application:

  • APPLICATION, FEE, AND SIGNATURE PAGE
  • STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
  • WRITING SAMPLE
  • THREE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Items to be mailed:

  • ORIGINAL TRANSCRIPTS from all institutions listed on the application
  • ORIGINAL GRE SCORES
       -    Institution code: 5332
       -    Department code: 2903
  • ORIGINAL TOEFL SCORES OR ORIGINAL IELTS SCORES
    Either test is accepted for all non-native speakers of the English language.  
       -  TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
          Website for TOEFL is http://www.ets.org/toefl
          Johns Hopkins prefers a MINIMUM SCORE of 600/paper or 100/IBT on this particular test.
          Reference,
              -    Institution code: 5332
              -    Department code: 04

       -  IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
          Website for IELTS is http://www.ielts.org
          Reference,
              -    Institution: Johns Hopkins University, Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, 
                     Whiting School of Engineering.
              -    Country: USA
              -    Bandscore: 7
              -    Course ID #: 4610 (Graduate Admissions)

The mailing address should read:

Johns Hopkins University
Full-time Studies in Arts, Sciences and Engineering
Graduate Admissions Office
Shriver Hall, Room #28
3400 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD  21218

Here is a bit more information on the contents of your application packet…

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE - this will include specific interests that you wish to pursue at JHU. It is recommended to include primary and secondary interests in the following research areas:

  • Cognitive Psychology & Neuropsychology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Computational Approaches to Cognition
  • Generative Linguistics
  • Language Processing
  • Language Acquisition
  • Philosophy of Mind

It is also recommended that you reference core faculty that you are particularly interested in studying under.

Go to Faculty and Goals and Rationale to review the core faculty, the research methodologies offered, and to Ph.D. Requirements for more information on research papers required for primary and secondary specializations.

The Statement of Purpose should also include your relevant background, previous experience and names of mentors. For example, candidates wishing to pursue computational approaches to cognition are encouraged to discuss their math background; cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, and language processing candidates their laboratory experience; and linguistics candidates their background in generative linguistics.

For candidates with no previous background in Cognitive Science, the statement should convey:

  • their formal background
  • their previous exposure to issues in Cognitive Science
  • their particular interests in Cognitive Science and why the JHU program is an appropriate program of study and research.

Duo-degree candidates must explicitly mention the relevant disciplines.

Applying to two separate departments at Johns Hopkins University - one application fee is paid, one application is done, but two application packets are required - one for each department for which you are applying.

GRE/GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION should be taken early in the preceding fall. GRE scores need to reach us no later than January 31. Please reference the following codes: Institution code: #5332, Department code #2903)

THREE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION - there are three required and they should be detailed, address the candidate's suitability for research in Cognitive Science and, if relevant, provide an evaluation of his or her previous research experience and future promise. Have the person writing your letters include CONTACT INFORMATION as we do contact the references (e-mail, telephone, and fax).

SAMPLE OF WRITTEN WORK can be research papers, writing samples, thesis, conference posters, etc. The purpose of the writing sample is to see how the student puts their thoughts in writing and their thought processes.

TOEFL or IELTS SCORES - For more detailed information regarding these two forms of testing, refer to the Graduate Admissions website at http://www.grad.jhu.edu/admissions/apply/index.php

A completed application packet will be reviewed by the core faculty and ranked accordingly. Top applicants will be invited to visit JHU as a group, be interviewed by the faculty, meet the current graduate students, and tour our department facilities. The visit usually takes place in early March. Decisions concerning admission are made after the visit.

Please visit http://www.grad.jhu.edu for general information on graduate admissions

Cognitive Science Department
Johns Hopkins University
Room 237 Krieger Hall
3400 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
Telephone: 410-516-5250
Fax: 410-516-8020

Home | About the Department | Contact Info People | Research | IGERT Fellowships 
PhD Program | Undergraduate Program | Courses | Events | Department Members' Resources

 Â© The Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved.