ABOUT OUR Graduate Program :: Admissions

*A two semester course in Human Anatomy and Physiology may be substituted for both courses

The students enrolled in our program represent an even split between biology/pre-med majors and fine art majors. We evaluate art preparation on the portfolio, not grades. We evaluate science achievement by the student's transcript, considering final grade and the level and rigorousness of each course. The students enrolled in our program take medical school courses with the Johns Hopkins medical students and are held to the same standards for testing and lab performance. We need to be sure our applicants are qualified to pass these challenging courses and perform rigorous thesis investigations in order to receive their Master of Arts degree from this institution. We do not require GRE scores. We screen applicants very carefully for excellent preparation and grades in undergraduate science coursework, to set them up for success at the graduate level.

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The portfolio should be submitted as a CD-ROM digital format.

Following January 15th, the Admissions Committee will notify all candidates who qualify for final consideration, will provide access to the online application web site, and will invite them for a personal interview to review the original art from their portfolio. On the day of interview, candidates will also tour the Department and medical campus, meet informally with off-site faculty, and have lunch with the current students.

Due dates for the application and supporting documents will be provided by the Director at the time the interview date is set and will be no less than three days prior to the interview date. Detailed information about the application is included in the online application instructions. The following supporting documents are requested with the application:

1. Three letters of recommendation. At least one from a science instructor and one from an art instructor.
2. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
3. Application fee.

Some candidates may be asked to submit additional artwork. Candidates also may be asked to bring a sketchbook to share with the Committee.

All candidates receive written notification of their status by April 15th.

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View Sample Portfolio

:: 15 to 20 samples of artwork
:: Examples of all 5 required art categories: general drawing, figure drawing, graphic design, color media and digital media. (See Admission Requirements online or in color brochure)
:: A minimum of 5 figure studies.
:: A minimum of 2 digital media pieces (graphic design or illustration).
:: Additional examples*** may include: sculpture, prints, digital animations, multimedia presentations or 3D illustrations.
:: Medical subject matter should not be included.
:: Only properly identified artwork will be reviewed.

The Admissions Committee is looking for excellent draftsmanship, good sense of realistic proportions, understanding light on form, ability to render various textures convincingly and ability to focus the viewer's eye within a drawing. Realistic rendering of observed subject matter including life drawing, still life, landscape and portraits is encouraged.

***Categories of art not helpful to the Committee in predicting how successful a student will be in this career include: abstract or non-representational art, collage, images drawn exclusively from photographic reference, fantasy drawings, photography, non-representational sculpture, and functional art (fiber arts, pottery, etc). It is acceptable to include one or two examples in your portfolio to round out your presentation as an artist; however, these should not dominate your portfolio nor should they be substituted for the required categories such as life drawing.

Use the Portfolio Identification Form on back of the Applicant Profile Form which includes:

:: Title or assignment
:: Medium
:: Original size
:: Date of completion
:: Source (direct observation or photograph)

The Portfolio :: Please submit images as both a PowerPoint presentation and as individual JPEG (.jpg) files on a CD formatted for Mac or PC. The image size for the individual JPEG files, including detail images, should be 7.5 inches high by 10 inches wide at 300 ppi (pixels per inch). Identify each JPEG file by number and last name or initials (01Smith.jpg). Note: the Admissions Committee is interested in viewing artistic details and subtleties of your artwork. Therefore, you may wish to include additional detail JPEG files of selected images to enhance your portfolio (01Smith+d.jpg).

The 20-image portfolio and completed Applicant Profile form may be mailed no later than January 15th, to the address below:

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Department of Art As Applied to Medicine
1830 E. Monument Street, Suite 7000
Baltimore, MD 21287-0022

If using Fed Ex or UPS, please use 21287 as the zip code and 410-955-3213 as the telephone reference.

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School of Medicine Financial Aid (410) 955-1324
School of Medicine Financial Affairs (410) 955-3216

Financial considerations are confidential and individually determined, and do not influence admissions decisions.

Scholarships

• The W. B. Saunders Company Fellowship in Art as Applied to Medicine

  This fellowship was established in 1964 in honor of Lawrence Saunders upon his retirement after 50 years of distinguished leadership in medical publishing.

  
  

• The William P. Didusch Scholarship and Loan Fund

  An endowment for student tuition support in the Department of Art as Applied to Medicine was established in 1973 with a generous gift from Mr. Didusch. A significant contribution was added to this Fund from the estate of Bertha M. Trott whose death in 1973 ended a life filled with dedication and service to urologists at Johns Hopkins and elsewhere. Memorial contributions from friends and colleagues have been added to this Fund since the death of William P. Didusch in 1981.

  
  

• The Kathleen Mackay Powell Memorial Fund

  An endowment to assist and benefit students in the field of medical illustration given in memory of Kathleen Mackay Powell who studied in the department (1930-31) under Max Brödel.

  
  

• The Elinor Widmont Bodian Scholarship in Medical Art

  This scholarship fund was established in 2000 by Mrs. Bodian and her family to provide financial assistance to students in Medical Illustration.

  
  

• The Leon Schlossberg Scholarship Fund

  This scholarship was established in 1999 in memory of Leon Schlossberg's lifetime association as a medical illustrator for the Department of Surgery and faculty member in Art as Applied to Medicine.

  
  

• The Chester Reather Scholarship in Art as Applied to Medicine

  An endowment established in Art as Applied to Medicine in honor of Chester Reather's distinguished career as a medical photographer and research associate at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. This fund is used to reward a graduate student with a scholarship for innovative research and creative use of new imaging technology.

  
  

• The Frank H. Netter, M.D. Memorial Scholarship in Medical Art

  Frank. H. Netter, M.D. is known world-wide as a medical illustrator who could distill complex medical subject matter into clear, effective teaching images. Dr. Netter was not only a skilled draftsman, but knowledgeable in anatomy, physiology, and pathology through his medical training. Family and friends established this scholarship to recognize a student in Art as Applied to Medicine who displays a similar balance of medical and scientific knowledge with the artistic skills that he exhibited throughout his career. Winners of this award have excelled in their academic courses; displayed exceptional art expression; and most importantly utilized both resources to create well designed and effective didactic illustrations. 2007 Recipient: Ikumi Kayama.

  
  

• The Gwynne M. Gloege Scholarship Fund in Medical Art

  This scholarship fund was established in 2004 by Gwynne Gloege (JHU '56) to provide financial assistance to medical art students. Financial aid and scholarships are awarded to students within the program based on financial need and academic performance.

Awards, Lectureship, and Support

• The Annette S. Burgess Award

  The alumni of the Department of Art as Applied to Medicine contribute funds each year which provide for an annual award given to the student whose ophthalmological illustration is outstanding.

  
  

• The Ranice W. Crosby Distinguished Achievement Award

  Through the generosity of alumni, colleagues, and friends, a medallion honoring Ranice W. Crosby, Director of Art as Applied to Medicine from 1943 to 1983, is awarded for scholarly contributions to the advancement of art as applied to the medical sciences. The recipient is selected by a committee at intervals of from one to three years. 2007 Recipient: Margot B. Mackay.

  
  

• The Samson Feldman Visiting Scholar in Art as Applied to Medicine

  Rossetta A. and Sadie B. Feldman, sisters of Samson Feldman, established a visiting lectureship to honor his life as an artist and lifelong patron of the arts. Lecturers are selected from distinguished scholars in visual communications with the purpose of presenting contemporary views pertaining to medical art. The selection of lecturers are made by a committee representing the Department of Art as Applied to Medicine.

  
  

• The James M. and Carolyn H. Phelps Fund

  Support for the preservation and care of the Max Brödel Archives. This fund was established in memory of their parents by the Phelps family.

  
  

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