General Application Information

  • The application for the 2024 GHLC is now closed. Please click “Apply” to be directed to an interest form for the 2025 GHLC and be notified when application open!

    • For those who applied for the 2024 GHLC, application status updates will be released by the end of May.

  • All students currently in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply. Students may be from any country or any state within the US.

  • All applicants must have a minimum of professional working proficiency in English.

  • Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible for precedence in the application review process.

  • The application consists of:

    • Personal and demographic information

    • Academics

    • Extracurricular activities

    • Short essays

    • (Optional) Teacher, counselor, or school administrator letter of recommendation

  • Applications are evaluated holistically.

  • There are no minimum requirements such as GPA or ACT/SAT score (if applicable).

    • Students are encouraged but not required to submit an ACT/SAT score (if applicable).


Why Apply?

Being admitted to and participating in The Global Health Leaders Conference at Johns Hopkins University provides students in grades 9-12 with the opportunity to:

  • Learn about a variety of interesting global health, public health, and medical topics directly from world leaders in their respective fields

  • Forge life-long connections with some of the most exceptional students interested in the health sciences from around the world

  • Share your own global health-related work and ideas world’s leading research institutions

  • Connect with the emerging global health leader and Johns Hopkins University community

  • Have a unique experience to include in interviews, application essays, and resumes

ghlc past participant comments about the program

“I really enjoyed every aspect of the GHLC, and I felt I learned so much from all speakers about different areas in global health. One part of the GHLC that I feel truly gives its students an all-rounded experience was the variety of the speakers; the speakers had all different experiences and jobs, and they delivered their own perspectives, ideas, and mindsets about the global health field, and as a student, I felt I truly was given a comprehensive education of it. All I could really suggest is for more conferences because I enjoyed this experience extremely!” -2022 GHLC Student

“I found the 2022 GHLC to be an outstanding program. Seeing various pioneers in their respective careers present was immensely pleasurable. I especially enjoyed the presentations that some guests prepared. The opportunity to converse with these professionals was also thrilling. Thank you for granting me and numerous others this opportunity to expand our perspectives on an array of matters.” - 2022 GHLC Student

“Thank you so much to the GHLC for providing high school students like me the opportunity to learn from accomplished professionals in the global health field. Each presentation was unique and insightful. My knowledge and curiosity to explore global health more in depth has been ignited through this experience. Share your own global health-related work and ideas world’s leading research institutions.” -2022 GHLC Student

“I greatly enjoyed the 2022 GHLC, as it provided me with a lot of new information and perspectives on global health topics I have previously not explored in great detail. I have therefore learnt a lot from this amazing experience - not to mention, I have also met a lot of new people! The GroupMe chat opened for participants in the GHLC worked wonderfully in allowing us to connect, talk to and provide opportunities for each other. Overall, this program was very eye-opening and informative. I would very much like to attend again in the future!” -2022 GHLC Student

“My experience attending GHLC 2022 was extremely rewarding. I loved listening to various speakers and expanding my knowledge on global health and many specific topics within this sector. Through GHLC, I was inspired by all of the guest speakers as well student speakers and want to immerse myself further into the realm of global health. I am forever grateful to have met, through the GroupMe and other social media, other likeminded individuals with whom I plan to pursue many projects” -2022 GHLC Student


Previous Conference Admissions Statistics

Although our program is selective, any student in grades 9-12 interested in global health, public health, or medicine is highly encouraged to apply. There are no application fees. Applications are evaluated holistically.

Below are admissions statistics for students who were accepted for the 2023 conference. The demographic statistics below are more of a reflection of the overall applicant pool; demographic factors do not play a significant role in the application evaluation process. The academic statistics below are not minimum requirements for acceptance.

  • Overall Acceptance Rate: 9.3%

  • Top 10 Most Represented U.S. States:

    • 1) California 2) Oregon 3) New York 4) Utah 5) Virginia 6) Arizona 7) Michigan 8) Georgia 9) Texas 10) Florida

  • Top 10 Most Represented Countries:

    • 1) United States 2) South Korea 3) Canada 4) Singapore 5) United Kingdom 6) China 7) Malaysia 8) Australia 9) Colombia 10) Senegal

  • Gender:

    • 27.4% Male, 71.16% Female, 1.08% Non-binary, <1% Other

  • Grade Level:

    • 17.0% 9th, 33.0% 10th, 46.0% 11th, 4.0% 12th

  • School Type:

    • 74.9% Public, 20.3% Private, 4.8% Other

  • Average Unweighted (4.0 maximum) GPA: 3.913

    • Median: 4.0

    • Range: 2.8 - 4.0

  • Average SAT Score:

    • 1500

    • Range: 1270 - 1600

  • Average ACT Score:

    • 33

    • Range: 30 - 36

  • Average Extracurricular Involvement: multiple leadership roles in organizations/activities at the school and community level; community service; for students in grades 11-12, research at a university or research institution was common


Presentation Opportunity

After students are accepted into the conference program, they will be eligible to apply to participate in the Student Speaker Series.


If you have questions about The GHLC at JHU admissions or application, please email us at ghlcjhu@glohea.org