MS Intelligence Analysis

How US Universities Assess Applicants

US universities use a holistic admissions review. Beyond grades and standardized test scores, they weigh the strength of your overall profile to understand who you are as a student and a person.

• Profile Assessment: Business-related applicants are assessed on academic performance, quantitative preparation, communication, initiative and evidence of engagement with organisations or economic issues. Mathematics is particularly important for Finance, Economics, Business Analytics and other quantitative programs. Entrepreneurship, business competitions, investment or economics clubs, internships, case studies, market research and community projects may strengthen the profile.
• Advanced Placement(AP) Guidance: AP availability depends on the student's school. Relevant APs can strengthen an application and may earn university credit, but are not compulsory unless the university or programme explicitly requires them.
  • AP Calculus AB/BC
  • AP Statistics
  • AP Microeconomics
  • AP Macroeconomics
  • AP Computer Science Principles
• Extracurricular activities: Estimated extracurricular contribution: 20–25%. Johns Hopkins values curiosity, initiative, collaboration and engagement with meaningful problems. Research, public service, independent projects, and academic exploration can be valuable. Activities do not all need to be related to the intended major.
• Essays & recommendations: Personal essays and teacher/counselor recommendations give context to your achievements and help demonstrate fit with the program.