Dear new Blue Jays,
Huge congratulations on what you have achieved, and welcome to Hopkins! Whether you’re arriving from across the globe or just down the road, stepping onto the Homewood campus for the first time is beyond exciting.
The Cover Letter magazine is a 101 guide assembled by The Johns Hopkins News-Letter to answer some of the questions you might have about Hopkins, Baltimore and beyond. Our editors and writers revisit their past selves — the rough patches, the awkward moments and the cherished memories — to present you with their tips and insights. From balancing academics and social life to making the most of campus resources and Baltimore, we're confident that this year's edition of The Cover Letter will inspire and motivate you throughout the year. Our contributors have definitely been through a lot, and they are sharing these experiences with you. Think of this as a friendly roadmap doodled by students who like to pretend they are wise but have stood exactly where you stand now.
The News-Letter crew seasoned their advice with their own experiences: the late-night study sessions, moments of homesickness, unexpected friendships and the little victories that made it all worth it. These are the things we wish we had known as freshmen, but as you’ll see, we’ve come to love this campus and city, even though they kept surprising us along the way.
This isn’t meant to be all-encompassing; college life is full of surprises and uncertainties, but those twists and turns are also what make this journey exciting and memorable for years to come. No matter what awaits, we know you have the bravery, wisdom and resilience to ride the waves. This is where your unique story begins.
As you start finding your path at Hopkins, we hope this magazine will be a helpful guide. Let it reassure you that you’re not alone — all Blue Jays have navigated this winding road in their own way, and now, it’s your turn. We believe in you and can’t wait to see where your journey takes you.Here’s a toast to you, dear first-year. Welcome home (and welcome to The Nest)!
Linda Huang and Yuyu Huang
Magazine Editors 2025–26