Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Engineering Innovation class about?
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 $1,950 plus a $50 non refundable application fee. The tuition covers all book and labs.  NOTE: some sites will have additional fees to cover the cost of field trips, lunch and parking.

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. Financial aid is only available for U.S. citizens.

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 required prerequisites?
Yes, students need to have successfully completed Algebra II with some Trigonometry, a lab science and have knowledge of a spreadsheet application, such as Excel. We find motivated students completing their regular school courses with “A”s and “B”s to be most successful in this challenging course.

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?
Transcripts must be requested by mail from the JHU Registrar’s Office. Please refer to the “Forms and Applications” tab on the Engineering Innovation website for instructions for requesting transcripts as well as the order form. Only students who have completed the course with an “A” or “B” will have a transcript on file with the JHU Registrar’s Office.

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. The residential component is offered in conjunction with the School of Arts and Sciences Pre College Summer Programs. The have a professional staff of Residential supervisors and live in assistants to supervise the students and provide a full schedule of after class activities.

An orientation guide and calendar of events will be available to residential students one month before the program starts. Transportation will be available both days to and from the BWI airport only.

What is the additional fee for the residential program?
The residential program costs an additional $TBD 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.

Students will be housed in the on campus freshman dorms located on the north side of the campus. 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.

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 40 residential spaces available for the 2009 summer program.

How is security on 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 on the university level or have a PhD. There is also a local high school teacher or university graduate student assisting with the class.

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

Should student’s application materials arrive as a single packet?
No, the documents requested to complete the student application can be sent separately, but applications will not be reviewed until all requested documents and application fee have been received.

Student’s applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Acceptance or decline letters will be sent within 2 weeks of the receipt of the COMPLETED application packet.

Official high school transcripts may be sent directly from the school. If it included with the application it should be in an envelope from the school.

PSAT, SAT, ACT, PLAN, or TOEFL scores may be photo copies. Teacher may email letters of recommendations to engineering-innovation@jhu.edu or fax to 410-516-0264. It is preferable that application fees be paid by check (made payable to Johns Hopkins University).

What if my student has not taken the PSAT, SAT, ACT, PLAN, or TOEFL?
It is helpful to have the PSAT, SAT, ACT, PLAN, or TOEFL score information 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?
The student will need to complete the application process, plus provide a bank statement showing sufficient funds to support expenses for the Engineering Innovation program (US$1,950 plus $TBD 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.

Please submit materials to Engineering Innovation with the application. Upon acceptance into the program, the student's documents will be forwarded to the Office of International Student & Scholar Services, who will prepare Form I-20 in order for the student to apply for an F-1 visa to attend the program. Their website is http://ww2.jhu.edu/isss/.

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

Refunds will be calculated based on the date the student’s parent submits a written statement of withdrawal to Engineering Innovation. Withdrawals received 3 weeks prior to the start of class will received a 90% refund and up until the Friday of the first week a 50% refund. No refunds will be issued after the end of the 1st week.

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. However, should a student be required to be absent during the course, (note: 2 absences maximum to obtain credit) 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. 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 the Engineering Innovation program?
Our staff schedule visits to in local high schools classes at the request of the teachers to present the Engineering Innovation program. If you would like someone from Engineering Innovation to speak at your high school, please contact us at engineering-innovation@jhu.edu. Presentations usually run 15-30 minutes.

We also host Open Houses. For more information about dates and location of an Open House in your area, please regularly check our website News and Announcements section.

Our Program Description section is full of information 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.

 

 

"Be prepared for the most fast paced and rigorous class of your life, yet!"

- Former student



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