Frequently Asked Questions

What is Engineering Innovation?
Engineering Innovation is an undergraduate introductory engineering course that has been offered at Johns Hopkins University for over 10 years. This course is designed to help students develop the skills to think and problem solve like engineers.

How long does the program run?
The length of our program varies by site. Please check the site information on the website for the exact dates at the site of your choice. The program either runs 5 days per week for 4 weeks or 4 days per week for 5 weeks.

What is the tuition?
The tuition for this course is $2,200 plus a $55 non refundable application fee. For international students there is also an additional $100 processing fee upon enrollment. The tuition covers all books and labs.  Some sites will have additional fees to cover the cost of field trips, lunch, and parking.

Back to top

Is financial aid available?
Thanks to the support of our sponsors, limited need-based financial aid is available for partial and full scholarships. The application for financial aid with supporting documents must be submitted with the student application. Only completed applications packets with supporting documents will be considered.

Are there other fees involved with the program?
Several of the California locations provide daily lunch and additional field trips. There will be a site specific fee to cover these extras. There will also be fees for parking at most locations. In some cases, parking passes will be available through the host university. Please see the site specific page for notations regarding which sites offer these extras.

Are there course prerequisites?
Yes, students need to have successfully completed Algebra II and Trigonometry, a lab science and have knowledge of a spreadsheet application, such as Excel. We find motivated students completing their regular school courses with As and Bs to be most successful in this challenging course.

Back to top

Is college credit offered?
Yes! Students are eligible to receive 3 transferable college credits from JHU if they complete the course with a final grade of an A or a B. Students receiving college credit will then have a transcript on file with the Registrar’s office at JHU.

To be eligible to receive an A or B in the course, students must have regular attendance, completed all labs and assignments and have completed the take home, open book final exam. Students not receiving an A or B in the course will receive a Certificate of Completion, but no college credit or transcript.

If college credit is earned, how does one go about requesting copies of their transcript?
Only students who have completed the course with an A or B will have a transcript on file with the JHU Registrar’s Office. To request a transcript you will need your name, date of birth, social security number, phone number, and email address. Click here to go to the JHU Registrar's Office website, and then click Order Transcript Now.

Is this a residential or commuter program?
This is primarily a commuter program, but we do offer a residential option at the main Johns Hopkins Homewood campus in Baltimore and at California State University - Fullerton. Residential students must be 15 as of June 30, 2013.

At Johns Hopkins Homewood campus, the residential component is offered in conjunction with the School of Arts and Sciences Pre-College Summer Programs. They have a professional staff of Residential supervisors and live in assistants to supervise the students and provide a full schedule of after class activities. Transportation will be available both to and from the Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) only.

At the CSU-Fullerton campus, the residential program will be administered by the CSU-Fullerton Office of Housing and Residence Life.

An orientation guide and calendar of events will be available to residential students one month before the program starts.

Back to top

What is the additional fee for the residential program?
The Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus residential program costs an estimated additional $3,100 which includes room, meals, activities, and field trips. Residential students will have access to the library, athletic center, and rock climbing walls as well as the student infirmary. Computer labs are available in the dorms.

The Engineering Innovation students will be mixed in with the other high schools students participating in Pre-College programs at JHU. Room requests cannot be accepted.

The CSU-Fullerton residential program costs an estimated additional $2,700 which includes room, meals, activities, and field trips. Residential students will have access to the library and athletic center.

There is no financial aid available for the residential program fee. Spaces are reserved by payment in full after acceptance into the program. Engineering Innovation will only have 85 residential spaces available for the 2013 summer program.

How safe is the Johns Hopkins campus?
The Campus Safety and Security Office works in concert with students, faculty, and staff toward ensuring their safety throughout the campus and neighboring communities.

Campus Safety and Security provides escorts, security patrols, and other crime prevention services. For more information visit the Campus Safety and Security website.

Who teaches the course?
All of the instructors are appointed by JHU. Most instructors regularly teach at the university level or have a PhD. Local high school teachers and university graduate students also assist with the classes.

Back to top

How large are the classes?
Class size will range from 18-24 students who will work in teams of three.

What if my student has not taken the PSAT, SAT, orACT?
It is helpful to have PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores when evaluating a student’s application, but they are not required to be considered for the Engineering Innovation program. Please note on the application if the student has not taken any of these tests.

What do international students need to submit?
International students must obtain an F1 Visa to participate in Engineering Innovation. Once the student is accepted into Engineering Innovation, he/she will need to provide the Office of International Student & Scholar Services with a copy of their passport identification pages and a copy of a bank statement showing sufficient funds to support expenses for the Engineering Innovation program (US$2,200 plus the residential fee). The bank statement should be less than six months old, on bank letterhead, and include the account holder(s) name(s), account number(s), current balance, and date of issue as evidence of financial support for the program.

Once the Office of International Student & Scholar Services receives these documents, they will prepare the forms required for the F1 visa application. If you want more information click here to go to the Office of International Student & Scholar Services website.

Back to top

What if my child decides to withdraw from the program? Can we receive a refund?

Room/Board fees are non-refundable.

Withdrawals received earlier than 3 weeks prior to the start of class will receive a 90% refund. Withdrawals received within 3 weeks prior to class and up until the Friday of the first week will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be issued after the end of the first week of class. Refunds will be calculated based on the date the student’s parent submits a written statement of withdrawal to Engineering Innovation.

No refund will be granted to students suspended or dismissed for disciplinary reasons. The Engineering Innovation program reserves the right to dismiss a student whose academic standing or general conduct is considered unsatisfactory.

What is your absentee policy?
Students are required to attend scheduled classes and labs in order to qualify for college credit. However, should a student be required to be absent during the course, a written request must be made from his or her parent and/or legal guardian, followed by a discussion with the course instructor, as soon as possible. Please note: there is a maximum of 2 excused absences in this course to obtain an A or B. If the request is approved, the instructor will provide necessary arrangements for the student to complete assignments or tests before or after class and/or on weekends prior to the final day of class. It is up to the discretion of the site instructor and the Engineering Innovation Academic Director to approve absences.

How can I learn more about Engineering Innovation?
Our staff schedules visits to local high schools at the request of teachers to present information about the Engineering Innovation program. If you would like someone to speak at your high school, please contact us at engineering-innovation@jhu.edu. Presentations can be customized to your request.

Our Program Information section contains extensive material as well, including PowerPoint presentations, lab descriptions, and lecture notes.

We thank you for your interest in the Engineering Innovation program and look forward to receiving your application. If we have not answered your question above, please feel free to email us at engineering-innovation@jhu.edu.

Back to top

 


Add me to the Engineering Innovation email list