20 The Johns Hopkins University Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, every company has their own unique process. And while some questions may be universal, others will be specific to the company you’re interviewing with.

If you’re interviewing with The Johns Hopkins University, you can expect to be asked questions about your research experience, your teaching experience, and your knowledge of the university’s academic divisions.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions you may be asked during your interview with The Johns Hopkins University.

The Johns Hopkins University Interview Process

The interview process at The Johns Hopkins University can be lengthy, and may involve multiple rounds of interviews, including a phone screening, video interview, and in-person interview. However, the overall experience is generally positive, with friendly and professional staff. Additionally, the university is transparent about working conditions, workload, and salary ranges.

1. What is your academic background?

Johns Hopkins University is a highly competitive school that requires students to have high GPAs and test scores. Interviewers ask this question to see if you are qualified for the university’s admissions standards. If you’re applying as an undergraduate, include your GPA and major. If you’re applying as a graduate student, include your GPA, degree program and any honors or awards you’ve received.

Example: “I graduated from High School with a 4.0 GPA and was inducted into the National Honor Society. I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in biology at State University where I have maintained a 3.9 GPA.”

2. Did you have any research experience in undergrad? If so, what was the focus of that work and how did it change your view on a particular topic?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your research experience and how it has helped you develop as a student. If you have had any research experience, explain what the focus of that work was and how it changed or developed your views on a particular topic.

Example: “In my senior year at college, I worked with a professor who specialized in researching the effects of social media on young adults. We conducted several studies where we interviewed students between the ages of 18-25 about their use of social media and how they felt about the platform. The results of our study showed that most students feel overwhelmed by the amount of information they receive from social media platforms.”

3. Do you think graduate school would be a good fit for you at this time?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of your level of commitment and enthusiasm. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but you can also use this opportunity to show that you’re excited about the program by sharing some of your goals or what you hope to achieve with a graduate degree.

Example: “I think graduate school would be a good fit for me at this time because I’m ready to take my education to the next level. I’ve been working as a research assistant for two years now, and I feel like I have learned all I can from my current position. I am eager to learn more about the field of psychology and how it relates to child development.”

4. Tell me about a time when you worked with someone who had different views than you, how did you handle it?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to collaborate with others and work in a team environment. Use examples from past experiences where you were able to successfully communicate with someone who had different opinions or ideas than you did, and how it led to positive results.

Example: “In my last position as an assistant manager at a retail store, I worked with a manager who was very strict when it came to following company policies. While I understood the importance of adhering to these rules, sometimes I felt that they could be applied differently depending on the situation. When I disagreed with one of her decisions, I spoke with her privately and explained why I thought we should make an exception. She agreed to change her decision, and both she and I learned something new.”

5. How do you manage your time effectively?

Time management is an important skill for all professionals, and the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your time-management skills. Use examples from your previous experience that show you can prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively.

Example: “I have a planner where I write down my daily schedule so I can stay organized. In addition, I use my calendar app on my phone to set reminders for upcoming deadlines or meetings. This helps me avoid missing any important dates or events. At my last job, I also used Google Calendar to collaborate with other team members on projects. We would add each other as attendees to our calendars so we could see when others were available to work together.”

6. Why are you interested in this field of study?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and interests. It’s also an opportunity for you to show how passionate you are about this field of study. When answering, it can be helpful to include specific examples that relate to your experience with this particular field.

Example: “I am interested in studying neuroscience because I find the human brain fascinating. In high school, I took several AP science courses where we studied the nervous system and its functions. This sparked my interest even further, so I decided to pursue a degree in neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University.”

7. What type of projects interest you most?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interests and how they align with the job description. To answer, think of a few projects you’ve worked on in the past that were most interesting to you. Explain why these projects interested you so much.

Example: “I’m very passionate about research, which is why I chose to pursue a career in science. In my last position as a lab technician, I was tasked with researching new ways to treat cancer cells. This project was especially interesting to me because it allowed me to use my skills to help others. I enjoy learning new things and challenging myself to find solutions.”

8. Describe your past research experience.

Johns Hopkins University is a research university, so it’s likely that you’ll be asked about your past research experience. When answering this question, make sure to highlight the skills you developed while conducting research and how they can help you succeed in your future career.

Example: “In my last position as an assistant researcher at XYZ Research Institute, I was responsible for collecting data on the effectiveness of various marketing strategies. My team and I used surveys to collect information from customers who had interacted with our company in some way. We analyzed the results of these surveys using statistical software and determined that social media marketing was the most effective strategy.”

9. How do you approach problems without straightforward solutions?

This question can help an interviewer understand your problem-solving skills and how you approach challenges. Use examples from previous experiences to explain how you used critical thinking, creativity or other skills to solve a problem without a straightforward solution.

Example: “In my last position as a research assistant at the University of Maryland, I was tasked with finding information about a specific topic for one of my professors. After searching through multiple databases and websites, I still couldn’t find any relevant information. Instead of giving up, I decided to contact the professor and ask if there were any additional details that could help me narrow down my search. She told me she had been working on this project for several years and didn’t have much more information than what she already provided.

I then thought back to all the research projects I’ve worked on in the past and remembered that sometimes it’s helpful to look outside of the box. I searched for similar topics and found some articles that helped me learn more about the subject matter. I also learned that looking beyond the obvious is important when conducting research.”

10. Have you ever had a project fail?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you react when a project doesn’t go as planned. When answering, try to focus on the steps you took to resolve the issue or fix the failure.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing a team of five employees who were all working on different aspects of a large marketing campaign. One employee didn’t submit their portion of the work in time, which caused some delays with our overall timeline. I spoke with the employee about the situation and learned that they had recently become a new parent and hadn’t realized the due date for their assignment. We decided to push back the entire campaign by one week so that we could include the missing information.”

11. Describe a time where you had to balance working on multiple projects at once.

Johns Hopkins University is a research university, so it’s likely that you’ll be asked to describe how you’ve managed multiple projects in the past. This question can help an interviewer determine your ability to prioritize and manage time effectively. In your answer, try to explain how you organized your schedule and what strategies helped you stay on top of all your responsibilities.

Example: “In my last position as a marketing manager, I had to balance several different campaigns at once. For example, one week I would work on a campaign for our new line of clothing while also working on a social media strategy for our newest product launch. To keep track of everything I needed to do each day, I used a calendar app on my phone to create daily to-do lists. By checking off items throughout the day, I was able to ensure I completed all my tasks by the end of the week.”

12. Can you tell us a little bit more about your career goals?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get to know you better and learn more about your career goals. It’s important to be honest in this answer, as it can help them determine if you’re a good fit for their university.

Example: “I’m hoping to work my way up through the ranks at Johns Hopkins University. I’ve been working toward my master’s degree in biomedical engineering for two years now, and I hope to continue on with my education until I earn my PhD. My ultimate goal is to become a professor here.”

13. Tell me about a time you helped mentor or teach someone new.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you can help others succeed. Use examples from your past experience where you helped a colleague or student with their work, developed new processes or taught someone something new.

Example: “In my last position as an IT manager, I noticed one of my employees was struggling with some aspects of his job. He had been working in the department for several years but still struggled with certain tasks. I asked him if he would like me to give him a few extra training sessions on those tasks so that he could become more comfortable with them. He agreed, and we scheduled two additional training sessions per week until he felt confident enough to perform those tasks independently.”

14. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your career goals and aspirations. They want to know if you plan on staying at their university for a long time or if you’re looking for a stepping stone in your career. When answering, be honest about what you hope to achieve in the next few years.

Example: “I see myself working as an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University in 10 years. I would love to have published several books by then and continue my research into neuroscience.”

15. What is one thing you want to learn during graduate school?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are eager to learn and grow as a student. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about your field of study or career goals.

Example: “I want to learn more about how to work with diverse populations in my future career. I have worked with many different types of people throughout my education, but I would like to gain more experience working with individuals from different backgrounds. I am excited to attend Johns Hopkins University because I know there will be plenty of opportunities for me to learn from experts who specialize in diversity.”

16. In what areas do you think you need improvement?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how honest you are and whether you can identify your own weaknesses. When answering, be sure to focus on areas that you have already improved or plan to improve in the future.

Example: “I think I need improvement in my time management skills. In college, I was able to get by with a lot of late nights and last-minute studying, but now that I am applying for jobs, I realize that I need to learn better time management techniques. I’ve started using an app to help me keep track of my assignments and set reminders so I don’t forget anything.”

17. Which subjects are you interested in teaching?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching philosophy and how you would approach the subject. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific course or two that you enjoy teaching and why.

Example: “I am passionate about science education, so I would love to teach biology at some point in my career. I find that students often struggle with understanding scientific concepts, but once they grasp them, they are able to apply their knowledge to other subjects. In my last position, I developed an after-school program where I taught high school students basic biology principles. It was rewarding to see them gain confidence in their ability to understand complex topics.”

18. Are you comfortable with performing lab experiments?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have the necessary skills and experience to perform experiments in a lab setting. If you do not have any previous lab experience, consider describing your ability to learn new things quickly and how you would approach performing an experiment for the first time.

Example: “I’ve never worked in a lab before, but I am comfortable with learning new things. In my last job as a research assistant, I was responsible for organizing data from various sources and compiling it into one spreadsheet. This process required me to understand what each source of information was measuring and how to organize that data into a single document.”

19. Is there anything else we should know about you?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a well-rounded person with interests and experiences beyond academics. You can use this time to discuss any leadership roles, community service or extracurricular activities you have participated in.

Example: “I am an avid reader and enjoy learning about new cultures. I recently traveled to Spain on a study abroad program where we learned about Spanish culture and history. I also love to cook and spend time in my garden growing vegetables. I find it relaxing to be outside and get my hands dirty.”

20. Tell me about an accomplishment that makes you proud.

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s background and accomplishments. It also allows you to see how they view their own success. When answering this question, it can be helpful to choose an accomplishment that relates to your field of study or career goals.

Example: “When I was in high school, I took a computer science class where we learned basic coding languages. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but when I started college, I realized that my knowledge of coding helped me understand many of the concepts in my introductory programming course. This led me to pursue a degree in computer science.”