georgetown essays 2021

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the Georgetown Essay Supplements 2021-2022

Georgetown University has two required prompts for all applicants. Applicants will also be required to answer an additional prompt about their intended area of study depending on what school they are applying to.

Georgetown is a highly competitive university that receives thousands of applications each year with the same perfect GPAs and test scores. Essays are the chief way admissions officers can distinguish between applicants and decide which students they want at their university. In this post, we’ll cover how to write engaging and impressive essays for each of these prompts.

Want to know your chances at Georgetown? Calculate your chances for free right now.

Georgetown Supplemental Prompts

All applicants.

Prompt 1: Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved. ( 1/2 page, single-spaced, or approximately 300-400 words depending on font size)  

Prompt 2: As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you. ( 1 page, single-spaced, or approximately 300-400 words depending on font size)

School-Specific Prompts

Georgetown College: What does it mean to you to be educated? How might Georgetown College help you achieve this aim? (Applicants to the Sciences and Mathematics or the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics should address their chosen course of study.)

School of Nursing & Health Studies: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. Please specifically address your intended major (Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, Human Science, or Nursing).

Walsh School of Foreign Service : The Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders to solve global problems. What is motivating you to dedicate your undergraduate studies to a future in service to the world?

McDonough School of Business: The McDonough School of Business is a national and global leader in providing graduates with essential ethical, analytical, financial and global perspectives. Please discuss your motivations for studying business at Georgetown.

(Each school-specific prompt should not exceed 1 page, single-spaced )

How to Write the Georgetown University General Supplemental Essays

Prompt 1: briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved..

The key strategy to responding to this prompt is to figure out which activity or program best exemplifies your interests and values. Rather than reach for the club you’ve committed the most hours to or an activity that you think would look the most impressive to the admissions officer, take a moment to pick one that inspires you. You’ll never be able to divine which specific activity the adcom may find the most appealing, so your best bet is to select the one that you’re most passionate about and show them why .

A few bits of advice:

If you decide to talk about a summer program, be very careful which one you pick and how you frame it.

For example, spending a few weeks traveling Europe or participating in a paid summer program on a college campus may have been a very enriching experience for you, but it is easy to stumble into cliches and run out of things to say in this context. It is highly likely that there will be many other applicants who have had similar experiences, which will make it much more difficult for you to convince the adcom that your activity is unique and indicative of your specific interests.

Further, it is harder to justify a one-time summer experience as an activity demanding the greatest level of involvement.

However, if you spent three summers in a row working as a camp counselor or participating in community service projects with a particular organization, you can definitely highlight your commitment to the activity.

When the prompt asks for an activity with which you have been most involved, it does not necessarily refer to the number of hours you spent.

For example, you may have devoted nine years of your life to playing an instrument and performing. At the same, you may have joined the school paper as a junior, written several articles for every edition, and created a brand new features section to highlight student accomplishments beyond the classroom.

While counting hours would lead us to conclude that you’ve spent more time being a musician, it is evident from this example that you’ve shown most initiative as a reporter, despite the short period you spent at the paper.

While it is fantastic if your chosen activity directly ties into the major you’re planning to pursue, don’t worry too much about picking something that you deem most relevant to your field.

In this essay, the adcom is looking to understand your passions, the skills you gained, your strengths as a leader or a team player, and your dedication. If you can demonstrate your commitment to, say, teaching ukulele to small kids and your creativity and excitement in approaching the task at hand, you will show the adcom that you have acquired transferable skills , which you will apply with the same intensity to your collegial pursuits.

Don’t try to second-guess what the adcom may or may not wish to see. Pick an activity that makes you the most excited —the one you never cease to talk about with your friends and family — and write about why it’s important.

Prompt 2:  As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you.

Although Georgetown is not on the Common App, this prompt asks essentially the same questions as the Common App prompts for 2021-2022 . This essay is an opportunity for the adcom to get to know you as an individual. Through this essay, they want to learn who you are, what your values are, what drives you and gets you out of bed in the morning, in other words — what makes you unique. The most efficient approach here is to use your Common App personal statement.

Notice the prompt’s emphasis on the importance of diversity. Whether or not you end up using your Common App essay, make sure that your response highlights the unique perspective you will contribute to the Georgetown community. Remember that diversity does not necessarily imply belonging to an ethnic or religious community, which is a topic many students tend to initially gravitate towards. For example, if you are someone who has lots of experience traveling, you can talk about how exploration is a key aspect of your personality. If you devote all of your free time to designing sets for your school’s plays, you can emphasize your identity as an artist and team player in your response.

The admissions committee will be choosing among hundreds of applicants, many of whom will have academic profiles, grades, and scores similar to your own. The key to producing a successful response here is to make yourself stand out in the eyes of your reader.

Your GPA and SAT don’t tell the full admissions story

Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographics, and other holistic details. We’ll let you know what your chances are at your dream schools — and how to improve your chances!

Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details.

Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details. We’ll let you know what your chances are at your dream schools — and how to improve your chances!

How to Write the Georgetown University School-Specific Supplemental Essays

The primary purpose of each school-specific prompt to determine why you want to study a particular discipline and why you want to study it specifically at Georgetown. While your responses to the general prompts will give the adcom a picture of who you are beyond your academic accomplishments, the school-specific essays seek to assess your intellectual motivations for choosing a particular program of study.

When responding to any of these prompts, it is important to keep in mind Georgetown’s unique characteristics, such as Georgetown’s values of educating “men and women for others” (those who will seek to improve their communities and society at large) and its emphasis on ethics and worldliness.

Georgetown College Prompt

What does it mean to you to be educated how might georgetown college help you achieve this aim (applicants to the sciences and mathematics or the faculty of languages and linguistics should address their chosen course of study.).

In this essay, you want to underline your academic and career-related goals and demonstrate why Georgetown is the perfect school to help you achieve them. Be sure to draw on Georgetown’s unique Jesuit identity and its specific values when responding to this question. For example, if you are planning to study politics, you can discuss your interest in improving people’s lives and connect it with Georgetown’s emphasis on serving others.

For the purposes of this prompt, it is also important that you establish what being educated means to you. You want to explain your definition early on in your response before diving into specific examples from your life. Receiving an education can mean a number of different things, and this open-ended questions gives you an opportunity to define education in a way that will highlight your unique experiences.

You could discuss how education to you means broadening your horizons beyond the classroom by attending independent film screenings or local art exhibits in your town. You could define education as exploring new ideas by connecting to those around you with different opinions and points of view. Education could mean learning new languages in order to be able learn about new cultures and belief systems. Whatever position you decide to take, be sure to explicitly address what being educated means to you in your introduction.

Here are a few ideas to help you in crafting a perfect response:

1. As mentioned in the prompt, if you’re applying to a specific program within the College, you need to focus on the specific opportunities it has to offer you. Do some research on the university’s website to see if there is anything that jumps out at you—Georgetown, and D.C. in general, are home to many symposiums, conferences, and nationwide events that can provide you with ample opportunity to learn beyond the classroom.

2. Don’t be afraid to discuss Georgetown’s wide network and the possibility of connecting with important practitioners in your field. Many faculty members at Georgetown have previously worked in the public or private sectors, and being able to take their courses will afford you the opportunity to better understand your chosen field.

3. Washington, D.C. is a wealth of museums, historical sites, non-profit organizations, and interest-based societies that will enable you to apply your academic knowledge out in the world. If you choose to highlight the importance of the university’s location to your learning goals, keep in mind that D.C. is home to a number of prestigious universities.

Don’t focus solely on D.C.’s advantages at the expense of the opportunities unique to Georgetown. If you wish to discuss the wealth of historical resources available at the National Archives, talk about the unprecedented access that being a Georgetown student will provide. Visiting a museum is something any tourist can do, but having a conversation with a field specialist and witnessing the conservation process on a class trip is a chance only Georgetown students have!

Remember, when the prompt asks you to discuss what being educated means to you, it does not refer solely to the classes you will attend. Drawing attention to opportunities beyond the classroom that being a member of the Georgetown community will offer you is a key difference between a good and a great response.

School of Nursing & Health Studies Prompt

Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. please specifically address your intended major (global health, health care management & policy, human science, or nursing)..

This prompt is a chance for you to explain to the adcom why you’re choosing to devote your academic career to health sciences. Prior to writing your response, make sure to research the major you’re applying to and understand what sets it apart from the others.

For example, health care management & policy majors really focus on the policy aspect of the health industry, learning about key stakeholders in the policymaking process and understanding what goes into managing and improving the industry. So if you’re applying into this major, you want to highlight your interest in the legislative and managerial aspects of the field, rather than discuss your passion for taking care of individual patients. Above all, this essay is a time for you to reflect on and narrow down your interests.

As with any school-specific essay, you want to write something that sets you apart from all the other applicants. It’s very likely that they, too, will have experiences working in labs or volunteering at a local hospital to speak about. You need to find an angle that highlights your unique perspective and approach.

Read on for some ideas below:

1.  If you are someone who lived through a serious or chronic illness, you can address your experiences here as a way to explain your interest in the health industry . While an illness can be a challenging and extremely personal topic to write about, you can focus on the ways it helped to develop your passion for helping others or for conducting scientific research as a way to put your academic accomplishments in context.

2. If you have a family member who works in the healthcare industry , you can discuss your first exposure to the field in the context of building connections with your loved ones. Perhaps your uncle has spent countless hours pointing out inefficiencies in the ways we currently manage large hospitals based on his work as a doctor. You can recount these conversations as a gateway to your passion for healthcare and even mention some projects you may wish to pursue to combat these problems in the future.  

3.  If you spent a summer or your after-school hours volunteering at a local hospital or other medical establishment, you can use an anecdote describing your experience to underline your interest in the industry. Keep in mind that many other students applying to this school will likely have similar activities on their resume. Try to find a unique angle that will exemplify your experience.

What was the specific moment that you first realized you want to study health? What were you doing when you had that revelation? Was there a particularly jarring conversation or event that led you to this conclusion? Perhaps you volunteered in a childcare center at the hospital and spending time with a particular child first prompted you to realize that you find caring for other people especially fulfilling. Perhaps you prepared a research project for your biology class and became fascinated with genetic disorders, leading you to seek out a summer internship in a local lab. Whatever angle you choose, be sure to reflect on the questions above as you prepare to write your essay, and try to pick an anecdote that highlights your personality.

When you sit down to write, remember that your main goal to explain to the adcom why what you want to accomplish cannot be accomplished by studying any other field. Focus on program features that set Georgetown apart from other universities and find a connection to your personal experiences that will help to humanize you in the eyes of the reader.

Walsh School of Foreign Service Prompt

The walsh school of foreign service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders to solve global problems. what is motivating you to dedicate your undergraduate studies to a future in service to the world.

Applicants to the School of Foreign Service are expected to be well-versed in global affairs. This essay is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your passion for and understanding of global and public service. The admissions committee wants to understand why this topic is important to you , and personal anecdotes are the most powerful way to convey this. 

It is important to pick an experience related to one of your interests that is unique and can be connected to solving global problems. Don’t try to write an essay about the hot topic of the day like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict if you don’t have a deep personal connection. You should choose an issue or experience with a problem that motivated you to take action and dedicate your life to helping the world.

Here are some strong example responses you can use for inspiration:

1. If you have devoted time to raising money for a charity that helps finance the education of a child in need, you can connect your personal experience to the larger issue of income or education disparities. Spend a paragraph detailing the moment that first sparked your interest in this issue and follow it up with a nuanced analysis of what you hope to learn in college that will allow you to address the larger issue at hand.

 2. If you’re passionate about female participation in politics, you could discuss your first voting experience and highlight how the lack of female candidates on the ballot sparked your outrage. Or you could mention the insufficient number of female role models in the political arena that struck you as a child interested in politics. Be descriptive and detailed about your emotions to convey the deep need you feel to solve this issue .

3. If you’ve taken a class or worked on a project that exposed you to a variety of international issues, explain why a particular topic struck a chord . While you may not have a direct experience with the issue at hand, try to think of ways to connect it to your own life. Then go on to discuss how you hope to return to and solve this issue in the future.

4. Even if you lack an academic or extracurricular experience that ties into global affairs, there are other ways you can make a personal connection to the topic. If there is a book you read or a movie you watched that exposed you to an issue of global significance, which you’ve been curious about ever since, this can be your link! Make sure to show why this topic grabbed your attention and to highlight your intellectual curiosity and passion.

Whichever topic you choose to write about, remember that your essay should seamlessly connect your past to your future. You need to demonstrate your passion for the field of foreign service, what your goals are within the field, and how the Walsh School will help you grow your passion to achieve your future goals.

McDonough School of Business Prompt

The mcdonough school of business is a national and global leader in providing graduates with essential ethical, analytical, financial and global perspectives. please discuss your motivations for studying business at georgetown..

This prompt should not be regarded as yet another “why business school” essay. Note the question’s emphasis on a global approach and its reference to ethics . As mentioned earlier, Georgetown’s identity is built upon its Jesuit values, which manifest themselves in all its academic programs. When you write this essay, keep those keywords in mind. In responding to the prompt, highlight the unique perspective that this program seeks to provide and emphasize your appreciation for the opportunities it will offer you.

Here are a few response ideas:

1. If the school’s focus on ethics appeals to you, you could discuss your passion for developing sustainable business practices and link it to a local business in your community whose model you particularly appreciate. If you have ever worked for a small business or if your family or friends own one, you can mention it to point out the origins of your focus on sustainability.

2. If the McDonough’s global approach attracted you to the school in the first place, you can talk about your interest in economic models different from that of the U.S . For instance, if you’re fascinated by India’s initiatives to combat deep poverty in its rural regions, this is your opportunity to discuss it.

Be sure to tie it to the programs and opportunities offered at the school. For example, if there is a course on the economics of poverty that you are particularly eager to enroll in or a professor who is an expert in this field, talk about it in your response!

3. You can never go wrong with harnessing Georgetown’s advantageous D.C. location to help you justify your interest in its business school. In particular, if you’re interested in financial policy or the interaction between the government and entrepreneurs, you can reference the internship opportunities that McDonough’s strategic location will provide you and the star faculty, who frequently come to teach at Georgetown after working in D.C.’s public and private sectors for many years.

The main reason that Georgetown does not use the Common App is that it wishes to only attract students who are dedicated enough to their university and its values that they are willing to go through a separate application process to get there. As you work on your application, remember what makes Georgetown unique and why these particularities appealed to you when you first put Georgetown down as a potential school on your list. Think hard about your motivation for applying, do your research, and reach out for help when needed!

Where to Get Your Georgetown Essays Edited for Free

Do you want feedback on your Georgetown essays? After countlessly rereading your essays, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. Since they don’t know you personally, they can be a more objective judge of whether your personality shines through, and whether you’ve fully answered the prompt. 

You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. We highly recommend giving this tool a try!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Add Project Key Words

A Guide to the Georgetown Essays 2020-2021

Padya Paramita

August 5, 2020

Year after year, Georgetown University remains one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Understandably, gaining admission is not easy — Georgetown has an acceptance rate of only 15% (and reached a record low of 12% last year). Whether you’re applying to this DC school for its well-renowned undergraduate business program, or you see yourself becoming as successful in your field as alums Bill Clinton and Bradley Cooper, you first have to overcome the Georgetown essays 2020-2021 . 

Georgetown University is not a part of the Common Application and doesn’t use the Common App personal statement prompts, but rather offers its own set of essays to understand who you are and where your interests lie. Regardless of whether you’re an applicant to Georgetown College, the School of Nursing and Health Studies, the Walsh School of Foreign Service, or the McDonough School of Business, you have to write strong responses to the Georgetown essays 2020-2021 in order to frame yourself as a must-have candidate that stands out from other applicants.  

Prompts for the Georgetown Essays 2020-2021

Short essay.

Briefly (approximately one-half page, single-spaced) discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved.

Each year, Georgetown receives thousands of applications from students with stellar grades. By asking such a question through the Georgetown essays 2020-2021, the school is interested to know the kind of impact you’ve made in your community in order to distinguish you from the rest of the applicants. The school wants to know what part of your current high school career holds the most significance to you and how that in turn will influence the way you contribute to the Georgetown community. By asking this question, Georgetown wants to know the type of leader you are, how you collaborate with others, and what you care about the most.

To think about the activity you want to elaborate on, take a look at your activities list. A question like this should highlight one of the extracurriculars listed at or near the top of your activities list. In the activities section, you only had 150 characters, including spaces to describe what you did. But if it truly is an activity that has mattered, there’s far more to say. Reflect on what kind of leader you were while participating in the activity, if it’s an initiative that you started, why it is important to you, and the people you connected with . Half of a page is about 250 words, so really focus your answer on the impact rather than spending too much time describing what you did as part of the activity.

Long Essays

Compose two essays (approximately one page, single-spaced each) on the topics given below.

Essay 1 – All Applicants

As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you.

While the previous question highlights what you’ve done and how you’ve made an impact, this question attempts to get more to the core of who you are. Alongside evaluating your academic achievements, Georgetown especially considers your “accomplishments outside of the classroom, demonstrated commitment to the broader community, and personal qualities such as resiliency, motivation and ambition are certainly considered.” They want to see whether you possess qualities that can not only uniquely add to the Georgetown community, but benefit from it as well. 

It can be difficult to figure out where to even begin brainstorming this question — you can probably name a few different points or facets of your life that you consider core to your personality and character. To write this essay, it would be wise to write about the same topic as the Common App personal statement . Since Georgetown admissions officers won’t be looking at your Common App, it’s absolutely okay to draw from your personal statement, as that essay is also about a story that is completely unique to you. This prompt provides you with a chance to tell a story that doesn’t apply to 99% of other students. Your response could also focus on a part of your background that has shaped you or it could highlight an experience that you believe distinguishes you from your peers. The prompt also says you can get creative with your essay, so don’t be afraid to think out of the box. Unlike the Common App, which isn’t school specific, you can even add a sentence or two at the end of this prompt as you’re only submitting this response to Georgetown!

Essay 2 – according to your choice of college within Georgetown University

Applicants to georgetown college:.

What does it mean to you to be educated? How might Georgetown College help you achieve this aim? (Applicants to the Sciences and Mathematics or the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics should address their chosen course of study).

This question might sound intimidating at first, but if you break it down and read each part carefully, you’ll notice that this is a typical “why school” essay. Admissions officers use this question within the Georgetown essays 2020-2021 to determine your fit for not just the university, but Georgetown College itself. One of the biggest reasons colleges use supplemental essays is to make sure that the applicant and the school are a strong match for each other. By understanding what appeals to you about the college, and your choice of school within GU, as well as how you can benefit from its resources, the reader can understand whether you would thrive at this DC institution.

The most component part of any “why school” is to demonstrate that you’ve done research on the college. This is an academically-focused essay so make sure your response is centered around how an education at Georgetown College can hone your current skills and reach your goals. It’s absolutely essential that you mention resources that Georgetown specifically can offer you. What appeals to you about the Linguistics or Psychology major at GU specifically? Is there a particular professor whose research you have followed? Is there a course within your chosen department that fits perfectly with your dream career? Let the school know why you believe you’re the perfect fit — help them see it as well. 

Applicants to the School of Nursing and Health Studies:

Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. Please specifically address your intended major (Health Care Management & Policy, Human Science, Global Health, or Nursing).

Georgetown knows that all students applying to the School of Nursing and Health Studies have a passion for medicine, want to help people, and imagine a career for themselves  in healthcare. This question asks you to dig deeper. What makes your specific interest in the field unique? The school wants to see that you have done your research on Georgetown’s nursing school specifically and understand the resources that make the college unique. 

In this essay — without overlapping with the previous question about who you are — you have to expand on a story related to your love for medicine that only applies to you. Lots of students may have been inspired by their own or their relatives’ illnesses, while others might have realized their calling for the profession through an internship junior year. Since you have about 500 words you can write in detail about how your interest in medicine originated, the ways in which you explored the interest further both academically and through extracurriculars, and then delve more into how your choice of major at Georgetown can help you reach your aspirations. Why Health Care Management & Policy, and why at Georgetown? Make sure the reader understands that you understand the school’s offerings and resources and that you’re ready to make the most of them. 

Applicants to the Walsh School of Foreign Service:

Briefly discuss a current global issue, indicating why you consider it important and what you suggest should be done to deal with it.

The Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown is one of the best known schools in the world for studying international affairs. Admissions officers use this prompt to understand both your personality, character, and values. The School of Foreign Service wants to see where your priorities lie, what your goals are, and how an education in one of the school’s unique majors such as Regional and Comparative Studies and International Political Economy can help you get there. The school is looking for ambitious, open-minded and curious individuals, and using this prompt among the Georgetown essays 2020-2021 can be an effective way of doing so.

If you’ve answered the 4th prompt among the Common App personal statement essays ( Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve.) , you can write a similar response here. Remember that while this question asks for a current global issue, you’re still writing supplemental essays for your application. This prompt is less about what problem you’ve chosen, and more about getting to know what’s important to you and how you react when faced with one. Moreover, since it doesn’t have to examine a problem the world has already solved, you can use this prompt to delve deeper into your academic interests, specifically within the Walsh School. Is your desire to end climate change connected with your selection of the college’s Science, Technology & International Affairs major? Carefully choose an issue that shows your personal stake, as well as conveys you as an individual aware of the world around them.

Applicants to the McDonough School of Business:

The McDonough School of Business is a national and global leader in providing graduates with essential ethical, analytical, financial and global perspectives. Please discuss your motivations for studying business at Georgetown.

As one of the top undergraduate business schools in the United States, the McDonough School wants to know how you hope to benefit from a business degree from Georgetown specifically. They want to know what you want from a business degree at this stage — how will you take advantage of Georgetown’s hands-on opportunities? What impact have you made on your community and what are you bringing to the classroom? How will you add to the diversity of your cohort?

The word limit allows you to go into details about discovering your love for not just business — but your specific interest in the discipline. Whether it’s marketing or accounting, ask yourself questions to start brainstorming exactly what motivates you. Was there one instance that catalyzed your passion and goals? How have you explored the subject of your interest since then? How has your curiosity about the topic grown? The majority of your essay should be dedicated to tying your interest in with what McDonough has to offer. Note which professor you can’t wait to learn from or a class that stands out to you on your way to becoming a future entrepreneur.

Further Tips for Writing the Georgetown Essays

• Don’t underestimate the power of your extracurriculars - Admissions officers want to know what makes you tick outside the classroom. Don’t just shrug off the first essay and repeat information word for word from what you’ve already included in your activities list. They want to know about your perspective and identity. Your activities could have shifted your views in a way that you might not have even realized before sitting down to write the essay. And you won’t be able to analyze their impact properly if you don’t look at them from a more nuanced angle. 
• Research both the college of your choice and the university as a whole - While you definitely have to go in-depth to understand what makes the college of your choice within Georgetown special, it’s also essential that you understand what makes Georgetown unique. This means understanding its identity and values , researching its unique opportunities, and really knowing why you think you would be a good fit. The fit automatically shines through in your writing if you’ve worked to authentically connect your research to your interest in the school.

Georgetown University is a dream school for many students. Naturally, the competition is not easy. To help admissions officers understand what you can bring to campus and how the school can help you grow and thrive, take advantage of these prompts to explain what makes you unique. With the right amount of research, the extracurriculars and grades to back it up, and passion for your field of interest, you can give yourself a fair shot at this well-esteemed university. Good luck! 

Tags : Georgetown University , Georgetown Essays 2020-2021 , applying to georgetown , georgetown application essays , georgetown supplemental essays

Schedule a free consultation

to find out how we can help you get accepted.

Sample Essays

The breadth of Georgetown’s core curriculum means that students are required to write for a wide variety of academic disciplines. Below, we provide some student samples that exhibit the key features the most popular genres. When reading through these essays, we recommend paying attention to their 

1. Structure (How many paragraphs are there? Does the author use headers?) 

2. Argument (Is the author pointing out a problem, and/or proposing a solution?) 

3. Content (Does the argument principally rely on facts, theory, or logic?) and 

4. Style (Does the writer use first person? What is the relationship with the audience?)

Philosophy Paper

• Singer on the Moral Status of Animals

Theology Paper

• Problem of God
• Jewish Civilization
• Sacred Space and Time
• Phenolphthalein in Alkaline Solution

History Paper

• World History

Literature Review

Comparative Analysis 

Policy Brief

• Vaccine Manufacturing

White Paper

Critical Analysis

• Ignatius Seminar

Georgetown University Essay Guide 2020-2021

In this Georgetown University Essay Guide, CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Experts and Georgetown graduates Brynlee and Tamara will cover how to approach the 2020-2021 Georgetown University supplementary essays. For more guidance on personal essays and the college application process in general, sign up for a monthly plan to work with an admissions coach 1-on-1.

Applying to Georgetown University

Located in Washington, D.C., Georgetown University is a top choice for students interested in public service, justice, and engagement with people around the world. Ranked 24th among national universities, it is highly selective, admitting approximately 15 percent of applicants in 2018. Its undergraduate program comprises four schools: Georgetown College, Walsh School of Foreign Service, McDonough School of Business, and School of Nursing & Health Studies. When you begin your application, you will need to select one of these four schools to apply to. Each school conducts its own admissions review, and you may not apply to more than one school.

Georgetown University does not use the Common App or Coalition App. Instead, it maintains its own application portal. This shouldn’t stress you out, though. While it is structured slightly differently from these shared application systems, Georgetown’s application asks for very similar information and requires essays that you will likely encounter in a similar form for other schools. You are required to create an account through their website , where you will fill out the Georgetown Application and the Application Supplement, and submit your recommendations.

When applying to Georgetown, you will have to respond to three general prompts (varying in length from about 150 to 650 words) as well as write one school-specific essay. Read on to learn more about the best strategies to respond to each one.

Tamara: When faced with a highly competitive admissions process, crafting strong essays fueled by personal experiences and self-reflection can help you greatly to stand out among many qualified candidates. As with any college admissions essay, the key is to personalize each essay in a way that explains why Georgetown University is the best place for you to spend the next four years of your academic career.

Brynlee: Before we begin, start thinking about your audience. As the oldest Jesuit university in North America, Georgetown looks for people who exemplify the “Jesuit values” — in short, people who are thoughtful, well-rounded, and community-oriented. As you write, you may find it helpful to pull up the list of Jesuit Values on Georgetown’s website and think about how you can reflect some of these traits in your application.

Tamara: As a graduate of Georgetown University, I cannot stress enough how important it is to research and understand the core values of the university before you begin your application. As a Catholic institution, Georgetown prides itself on incorporating its Jesuit identity into its teaching and sharing it with the campus community. You don’t have to be Catholic or even Christian to adhere to some of the ethical principles that shape Georgetown, such as service to others, inter-religious understanding, and community in diversity.

As you read on for specific tips for answering every 2020-21 essay prompt Georgetown requires, I advise you to keep this overarching importance of ethical, moral, and personal values in mind.

Essays for All Applicants

Prompt 1: indicate any special talents or skills you possess (250 words).

Brynlee: This prompt is intentionally broad, so feel free to get creative! Many students write about hobbies or extracurricular activities that they have been involved with throughout high school. This is a perfectly fine approach — just remember that Prompt 2 asks you to write about your most meaningful extracurricular activity, and you don’t want to be repetitive.

For example, when I applied to Georgetown, I wrote about playing the piano. It helped me de-stress after long school days, and I could use my skill to bring happiness to others when I played publicly. If you choose a similar kind of topic (such as music or sports), make sure that you show the significance and specificity of that talent or skill . Can you use that talent to help others? Does that hobby help you to maintain balance in your life? Are you known on your team for being the best at a particular skill?

Hobbies may be a popular choice for this prompt, but they’re far from the only one. You may have some goofy or unique skills to share — like speaking in perfect ubbi dubbi for a whole day, or having a sixth sense of when your suitcase is at the maximum weight. Or, your skills could be more serious — you know how to stabilize your diabetic brother’s blood sugar, or you are a good listener for your friend in distress. Any of these could make wonderful essays. No matter your topic, it is best to connect it to a broader communal or personal impact.

Tamara: This prompt is very easy to overlook as you fill out the Georgetown Application Supplement. It’s hidden between your standard biographical information questions and questions about your choice of school and major within Georgetown — and it’s separate from the official essay section. Though it may be tempting to simply skip over this prompt, I highly recommend taking the time to respond. Your answer need not be more than 150-200 words or so, but it will signal to the admissions committee that you pay attention to detail and committed to putting your best foot forward as an applicant.

Don’t be disheartened if you don’t have the kind of special talent that you think is needed to stand out. The important thing is to highlight something that makes you unique and has contributed to your intellectual or personal growth.

Make sure not to revisit the same experiences you will describe in your activities, general essay (more on those below), or your school-specific supplement. This is a chance to talk about interests that may not otherwise fit as neatly with your application narrative. Have you self-taught yourself a foreign language? Are you a moderately successful YouTuber? Do you garden or bake elaborate cakes for your loved ones to destress? Are you the sibling your family turns to for moderating family disputes? Anything goes, as long as you can explain what skills you’ve acquired through this talent/hobby and how they can be applied to your academic and professional life going forward.

Prompt 2: Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved. (1/2 page, single spaced)

Tamara: This prompt is an opportunity for you to highlight your most formative extracurricular experience. Think about the experience that has most impacted your academic interests and inspired you.

Don’t get too bogged down on which activity you believe the admissions officer may deem the most impressive or the most rare. It is true that, if you were to write about your experience as president of your MUN club or quarterback for the football team, you’d likely be one among dozens, if not hundreds, of students to describe this activity. However, that doesn’t mean that your story or the skills you’ve acquired aren’t unique.

In this essay, don’t concentrate so much on the accolades you’ve earned as a result of your activity; instead, talk about how the lessons you learned can be applied in your future college career. For example, when I wrote this essay, I discussed my time in my school paper and how the pressures of ever-present deadlines really opened my eyes to the importance of teamwork and cooperation to find common ground among personal differences and produce the best final product you can.

Only you know what extracurricular or summer experience most contributed to your interests and your unique perspective. Pick an activity that can help Georgetown admissions understand what makes you tick and where you are likely to apply yourself on campus.

Brynlee: You should be considering two factors when deciding what extracurricular activity to write about. First and foremost, it should be something meaningful to you beyond your participation in the activity itself. Secondly, it is usually best if this is an activity you have done for a long time. For example, one student wrote a wonderful essay about her growth over the four years she was on her high school’s lacrosse team, and how that motivated her to start a summer camp for incoming freshmen to practice lacrosse skills before they joined the team.

These rules are not hard and fast, however. If you’ve played a sport or been in a club for a long time, but you don’t have a connection to it beyond participation, it is probably not the right choice. Alternatively, if you participated in an activity for a short amount of time, but you engaged with it in profound ways, that could be a great topic. Perhaps you interned with a local Senate campaign over the summer, and because of that internship, you completed an independent research project about a controversial issue in your state. The time you spent on the actual internship was probably less than three months, but it had a massive impact on the rest of your high school education and your future goals.

In short, while it is best if your response has both of these factors, the impact of the activity is more important than the time you spent on it.

Prompt 3: As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you. (1 page, single-spaced)

Brynlee: Georgetown may not be on the Common App, but many students reuse their main Common App essay here. By all means, save yourself some time and do that! There are, however, a few things to keep in mind.

First, you will notice that this essay has a page limit, rather than a word limit. In my experience, 650 words tends to be just slightly over 1 page, single spaced. Since you will submit this essay via a text box, not a document upload, don’t worry too much if you’re three or four lines over. Anything beyond that, and you will want to make some cuts so the essay is as close to a single page as possible.

Second, if your Common App essay is primarily about your academic interests, I would suggest adapting it for the school-specific essays instead and writing a new essay for this prompt.

Tamara: This essay is most similar to Common App’s first prompt: “Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, please share your story.” If that’s the one you chose, you can copy/paste it into your Georgetown application and feel confident that it responds to this prompt just as well. If you’ve opted for one of the other six prompt options when writing your Common App, your response may need some tweaking before you submit it to Georgetown to better address the prompt as it is worded here.

The ultimate goal of this prompt, however, is identical to the Common App questions: Tell the admissions committee something about you, your life experiences and/or challenges you’ve encountered that has been central to shaping the person you are today and the values you hold .

In keeping with its commitment to the university’s Jesuit values, Georgetown’s prompt really focuses on diversity and how its incoming class will uphold that value. Remember that diversity doesn’t necessarily refer to race, ethnicity, or religious affiliation — rather, it’s about the unique experiences and perspectives each student can bring to campus. Perhaps you are someone who has lived in multiple countries and whose views are shaped by various cultures. Perhaps you’re an activist in your local community, working to expand access to academic opportunities for socioeconomically disadvantaged students or lobbying your local Board of Education to include conversations about race into your school’s curriculum. Amid hundreds of applicants with similar academic profiles and test scores, it’s your job to tell the admissions committee what makes you stand out.

School-Specific Essays

Georgetown College

What does it mean to you to be educated how might georgetown college help you achieve this aim (applicants to the sciences and mathematics or the faculty of languages and linguistics should address their chosen course of study.).

Brynlee: No matter your intended course of study, make sure to answer both parts of the prompt. As a math, science, or language major, you should be as specific about your program as you can . Similarly, if you are a humanities or social science major and you already know what you want to study, pick a few courses, professors, programs, or other opportunities at the university to support your answer.

For example, if you are applying as a Chinese major, you could write about how being educated means being able to meet new people and adjust to cultural differences. Then, you could list some aspects of the major that would help you achieve this goal. Practically speaking, becoming fluent in Chinese will enable you to converse with millions of people. Looking a little deeper, you could also talk about how practicing your language skills on campus will help you become comfortable talking to strangers, how reading non-Western literature will help you become more empathetic, or how becoming bilingual will help you to creatively solve problems.

If you don’t know what you want to study yet, don’t worry! Georgetown’s liberal arts curriculum is designed to help you explore and try new things. If you are undecided, I recommend two strategies. First, you can arrange your essay around a higher-level skill or characteristic that you hope to develop. For example, if you felt that the true mark of education was using your knowledge to help others, you could research and describe ways that you could link your classes to service opportunities in the DC community. Alternatively, you could pick one major that you may want to pursue, and write as if you’ve already decided that it is what you will study. You can always change your mind!

Tamara: This essay seeks to understand what education means to you in a global sense, beyond solving equations and writing book reports. How will a Georgetown education help you grow, allow you to give back to your community, enable you to understand the world around you? Why is Georgetown the best place for you to achieve your goals?

Do your research. Before you begin writing, I strongly encourage you to browse the university’s website and familiarize yourself with Georgetown University’s core values and principles . Then, think about how those values align with your own and how Georgetown’s approach to education fits with your goals.

It is not enough to praise the diverse cultural offerings of Washington, D.C. or the university’s high rankings. There are numerous top tier colleges within the District, and it’s your job to explain to the admissions committee why Georgetown is best suited to your needs . Find out what programs, service opportunities, student organizations, and community outreach schemes Georgetown offers that could further your education and serve as a stepping stone to your dream career. Be as specific as you can.

School of Nursing & Health Studies

Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. please specifically address your intended major (global health, health care management & policy, human science, or nursing)..

Brynlee: Any essay about academic interests should demonstrate your interest in a major, as well as the broader impact of studying that subject. Personal stories and connections to your major will help you stand out. For example, one student I worked with needed surgery to repair a brain abnormality during her junior year, and she hoped to study human science so she could become a neurosurgeon. Or, perhaps you are interested in the political battles over the Affordable Care Act, and you want to study Health Care Management & Policy so you can go to law school and become an advocate for health care justice.

One thing to note: the recent coronavirus pandemic will, understandably, spark an interest in healthcare careers for many students. It is not a bad thing to write about this, but if possible, connect it to either a personal experience with the virus, or to a longstanding interest in medicine, healthcare, or service. Admissions officers understand that the pandemic is uprooting many aspects of our lives, but they will also likely be dismissive of essays that don’t demonstrate a personal connection to health studies beyond the present moment.

Tamara: In this essay, you have the opportunity to tell the admissions committee how and why you became interested in health care and to explain why Georgetown offers you the best opportunity to pursue this passion. It’s really important that you provide specific, personal anecdotes and explanations that clarify your choice of major. It’s not enough to tell the reader that you care about helping others; you need to show them why.

For example, are you someone who suffers from a chronic illness and who wants to use their experience to help others with similar conditions to lead full lives? Did your community’s lack of resources in supporting children with special needs inspire you to become a policy maker and fight for greater access to medical care? Do you want to study viral diseases that devastate developing countries and help to eradicate them?

Ultimately, the admissions committee is seeking applicants whose academic, extracurricular, and personal experiences convey dedication to their chosen field of study. Writing an essay that demonstrates why you want to study health care, grounded in personal experience, can be more powerful than a long list of impressive leadership and extracurricular credentials.

Walsh School of Foreign Service

Briefly discuss a current global issue, indicating why you consider it important and what you suggest should be done to deal with it..

Brynlee: The strongest essays I have seen for the SFS are those that analyze a narrow situation but put it within a larger global context. Describing how you would end world hunger, illiteracy, or climate change in a single page would be impossible. And attempting to do so would demonstrate that you haven’t thought critically about your issue of choice. But if you can think of a way to deal with the issue on a small scale, you can write a very strong essay.

One student wrote about a series of programs he hoped to institute in order to strengthen educational opportunities in the Dominican Republic. This essay was successful because the student was familiar with the country in question, the policy suggestions he made were specific and realistic, and the essay was direct and concise. The SFS trains students to be successful diplomats and policymakers, and they value students who can convey a great deal of information in just a few words. While in most essays, personal stories and reflections are key, in this essay you should limit those to your explanation of why you consider the issue important, and spend the bulk of your time writing about your policy proposals.

Tamara: I applied, attended, and graduated from the School of Foreign Service. I distinctly remember that this essay was one of the hardest I had to write during my own college admissions cycle. I was worried that I was not educated enough on any global issues to discuss them intelligently, let alone propose suggestions. With advice from teachers and college counselors, I ultimately wrote an essay that earned me a spot in Georgetown’s Class of 2015. If you, too, are seeking admissions to the School of Service, here are some of the key tips to keep in mind as you begin writing your supplements:

1. Don’t pick a global issue simply because it’s making headlines when you sit down to write your essay. The relevance of the subject matter to current events is less important than your personal connection to the topic. The admissions committee doesn’t want to read a generic essay about global poverty or a MUN-style position paper arguing for intervention in an ongoing crisis. They want to know why and how you came to care about the topic.

In my essay, I discussed the issue of domestic violence in Russia (my native country) that I was aware of from first- and second-hand accounts among relatives and friends. As a solution, I argued for increasing female representation in local and national governments that would allow crucial issues such as this to be addressed more urgently. So when you pick your topic, think about why it matters to you — why you wish to solve this particular problem among the numerous challenges the world faces today.

2. No one expects you to solve a public health crisis, resolve a decades-long borders dispute between nations, or eliminate violence against women with one essay. When the prompt asks you to propose a solution, it is to allow the admissions officer a glimpse into your thought process. The reader wants to see that you can be compassionate as well as realistic. At the School of Foreign Service, you will learn what it takes to make policy decisions under real-world constraints, so it is a good idea to demonstrate your awareness that the world is not always black-and-white in your answer.

McDonough School of Business

The mcdonough school of business is a national and global leader in providing graduates with essential ethical, analytical, financial and global perspectives. please discuss your motivations for studying business at georgetown..

Brynlee: Like the NHS essay, the MSB essay is a fairly straightforward academic interests essay. The Georgetown business program embodies many of the same features that characterize the university’s other undergraduate schools, such as international engagement and service to others.

Like with the other academic interests essays, you should talk about why you chose your intended major for intellectual reasons, as well as the broader implications of choosing that major. For example, perhaps you enjoy the structure and clarity of math, and you hope to use your Accounting degree to help small businesses get on their feet. Or, perhaps you see business as an important way of maintaining international cooperation, and you are interested in the Business and Global Affairs joint degree program with the SFS. No matter what major you choose, make sure that you address your interest in the major for its own sake, as well as your goals for the future.

Tamara: Georgetown’s core ethical values are an important component of its teaching methods, and the admissions committee seeks out students who are inspired by those values. In this essay, you should focus on explaining why Georgetown’s approach to educating future business leaders resonates with your professional and academic goals.

For example, do you aspire to one day build a start-up that uses technology to empower disadvantaged students? Do you want to apply your business prowess to manage a non-profit organization? Before you begin writing, think about how you will use the knowledge and skills you gain at Georgetown’s business school to improve your community, solve problems, and uphold your values. Remember, being financially successful or reaching a top leadership position in a renowned company are not sufficient motivations to list in your response. Do your best to explain why studying your chosen major at this university will aid your intellectual and personal development.

This essay guide was written by Brynlee Emery (Georgetown University ‘19) and Tamara Evdokimova (Georgetown University ‘19) . If you want to get help writing your Georgetown application essays from Brynlee, Tamara, or other CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Experts , register with CollegeAdvisor.com today.

Personalized and effective college advising for high school students.

• Advisor Application
• Popular Colleges
• Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice
• Student Login
• California Privacy Notice
• Terms and Conditions
• Your Privacy Choices

By using the College Advisor site and/or working with College Advisor, you agree to our updated Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy , including an arbitration clause that covers any disputes relating to our policies and your use of our products and services.

First Year Application

The First Year Application for Fall 2025 will be available in June 2024.

We look forward to working with you throughout the admissions process. Please visit the General Information page for first-year applicants to learn more about the Georgetown University application process. For important information about the application process, we recommend you to review the Information for Applicants  document.

Georgetown Application Submission for Fall 2024

The First Year Application deadline of January 10, 2024 has passed.

All students who applied for the class of 2028 will receive their decision through the student portal no later than April 1. 

If you need to make any changes to your First Year Application for Fall 2024, please visit your student portal to submit the Application Change Form , or contact our office .

Reference copies are available in PDF format below: Georgetown Application Application Supplement Secondary School Report Teacher’s Report Midyear School Report

Counselors, please visit the Information for Counselors page for links to the Georgetown specific report forms.

    Supplemental Materials: Art, Music, Theater, and Dance (Not Required)

We hope you are able to convey your talents and extra-curricular activities in your undergraduate admissions application. However, those with an exemplary art talent they wish to pursue on campus are able to submit a supplement to their application. All art supplemental materials are reviewed by each specific department and therefore we cannot confirm receipt.

Music : If you have musical talent that you would like to be evaluated along with your application please find specific instructions on the Performing Arts website.

Theater : If you have theatrical talent that you would like to be evaluated along with your application please find specific instructions on the Performing Arts website.

Dance : If you have dancing talent that you would like to be evaluated along with your application please find specific instructions on the Performing Arts website.

Studio Art : If you have visual art talent that you would like to have evaluated along with your application, please find specific instructions on the Art and Art History website.

We appreciate your interest in Georgetown University and look forward to working with you throughout the application process. If you have any questions, please contact the admissions office .

More Information

General Information for Applicants Early Action Program Preparation Process Student Profile Application Fee Waiver Alumni Interviews Join Our Mailing List

Georgetown University 2023-24 Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 10

You Have: 

Georgetown 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 250 words; 1 half-page essay; 2 page-long essays

Supplemental Essay Type(s):  Activity , Why, Diversity

Prompt 1: Please elaborate on any special talents or skills you would like to highlight. (250 words)

This prompt may come first on the list, but we think you should save it for last! For the other essays on the Georgetown application, we ask you to dig deep and share personal stories that showcase talents and interests. Don’t dry the well by listing all of your (many!) skills and talents too soon. Every essay should reveal something new to admissions. So once you finish polishing your other pieces, ask yourself: what’s missing? Is there some critical puzzle piece that will help connect your other three essays? Or have you been dying to get something off your chest that didn’t fit anywhere else? This essay could be the perfect outlet for you to showcase your more personal skills, interests, and quirks. If the rest of your essays showcase your drive to work in international relations, perhaps your answer to this prompt could showcase a lighter side: your love of experimental cooking (and impressive knife skills!). Or maybe explain how learning a new language helped you learn how to whistle! While you should aim to showcase genuine skills that you have put effort into cultivating, you can also have a little bit of fun. This prompt is the most open-ended one on the application, so show admissions something they won’t find anywhere else on your application.

Prompt 2: Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved. (approximately 1/2 page, single-spaced) 

Next up is a fun twist on the classic activity essay, which asks you to expand on an extracurricular endeavor that you care about. For starters, we’d give you basically the same advice the prompt does: focus on one of the activities “in which you have been most involved.” Although we usually urge students to write about items that haven’t appeared elsewhere on their application, the activity essay is an exception since it specifically asks you to address an item on your resume. So, pick something with meat! When have you had the opportunity to take on a leadership role? How has four years of debate club shaped the way you communicate? Was it difficult coaching pee wee soccer as a freshman, and what motivated you to stick with it?

Prompt 3: As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief personal or creative essay which you feel best describes you and reflects on your own background, identity, skills, and talents. (approximately 1 page, single-spaced)

Though it seems straightforward, this may be one of the hardest prompts! (What do you mean, tell you about myself in my own words?) Don’t fret. You can treat this essay just like the Common App’s prompt #1 , which asks students to write about a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. (Even better: if you’ve already written an essay in response to the Common App’s first prompt, you can recycle that essay here since Georgetown has its own application platform!)

If you’re approaching this essay from scratch, take some time to brainstorm. What about your background, talents, or identity might be worth highlighting for an admissions officer? Don’t worry about cramming every aspect of the wonder that is you into one essay; they will naturally reveal themselves along the way as you write. Whether you want to write about a facet of your identity that few people know about or a passion you’ve been dabbling in (and telling everyone about) for years, you can’t go wrong with authentic reflection and an engaging hook!

Georgetown University School-Specific Prompts.

(each school-specific prompt should not exceed 1 page, single-spaced), georgetown college of arts and sciences: a liberal arts education from the college of arts & sciences involves encounters with new concepts and modes of inquiry. describe something (a class, a book, an event, etc.) that changed your thinking. (applicants to the sciences, mathematics, public policy or languages are encouraged to include examples related to that field.).

Admissions wants to learn about a time when your mind was changed. If you’re an active reader or information seeker, you probably have a few ideas already. But if nothing comes to mind immediately, don’t panic; instead, think about the times in your life when you’ve had an “Aha!” moment that forced you to drastically re-examine one of your beliefs or understandings. Admissions wants to know that you are open to new ideas and can reflect in order to see things from a different perspective. As you tell your story, include sensory details to bring your experience to life, whether you’re sitting in the back of a classroom, head in your hands, trying to wrap your brain around the truth-bomb your teacher just dropped; or curled up in a blanket by the fireplace with your nose in a gripping book. If you’re deciding between “Aha!” moments to write about, pick the one most closely related to your intended field of study. Applicants who can articulate their thoughts and feelings while showcasing malleability and a willingness to thoughtfully consider new ideas will likely stand out as valuable additions to the Georgetown community. 

School of Health: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care at Georgetown University. Please specifically address your intended major (Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, or Human Science).

If we know anything about applying to medical programs, it is this: everyone wants to help people; everyone wants to make the world a better place; everyone wants to make a meaningful contribution. Few fields lend themselves to service-oriented clichés and platitudes as readily as medicine does, so to safely navigate the minefield of hackneyed generalizations, start with something personal! What’s one eye-opening experience that made you believe healthcare could be your calling? Perhaps it was a single moment, like accidental eye contact with a concerned mother at the ER. Or maybe it was something more long-term, such as navigating your school in a wheelchair after knee surgery and realizing you want to improve patient outcomes through researching physical therapies. Whatever the case, use your personal story as the backdrop for your argument. What did you learn? What problems do you hope to tackle? What change do you hope to help create? As we said, it’s not enough to just want these things; your job is to show admissions why medicine interests you personally. Once you’ve accomplished that, be sure to address the role Georgetown will play in your plan for the future. In other words, why do you want to study healthcare at Georgetown in particular? Do they have a research lab that’s at the forefront of innovation? A wise applicant will do some research so they can infuse their response with specific details that demonstrate meticulousness and drive.

School of Nursing: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying your intended major, Nursing.

Well, this is about as straightforward as prompts get! Our advice is much the same as it is for students applying to the School of Health (see above). Set yourself apart from other applicants by not only discussing the factors that led you to pursuing a career in nursing, but by also connecting those experiences to your larger goals for the future. If there are elements of a Georgetown education that will support your particular interest or connect to your past experiences in some way, you should dig into that in your response, while also revealing new information to admissions about your character, motivations, and aspirations.

Walsh School of Foreign Service: The Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders to solve global problems. What is motivating you to dedicate your undergraduate studies to a future in service to the world?

The Walsh School of Foreign Service wants to know what fuels your fire. What is driving you to dedicate your undergraduate studies (and maybe even your life!) to a path of service? Maybe you are incredibly passionate about combating climate change before it’s too late. What do you hope to achieve and how? Perhaps you’re following in the footsteps of a trailblazer you look up to—how do you hope to continue fighting the good fight in their honor? If you’re feeling stuck, ask yourself: what kind of mark would you like to leave on the world? How do you think you can positively contribute to a cause that is important to you? If you had the power to make a lasting impact in any area at all, what would it be? While building the personal connection is key, you’ll also want to leave yourself some space to spell out at least a few steps you might take to address your global issue of choice.

McDonough School of Business: The McDonough School of Business is a national and global leader in providing graduates with essential ethical, analytical, financial and global perspectives. Please discuss your motivations for studying business at Georgetown.

If you think we’ve never seen an essay with the line, “I love money,” you would be wrong. Spoiler: this does not make a great first impression. Studying business is about so much more than dollars and cents, and the prompt offers a few other aspects of business you’ll learn about in this program including “ethical, analytical, financial and global perspectives.” In order to get some perspective, we’d recommend doing your homework. Like any classic why essay, the best answers are personal and specific, so go beyond your general interest in business and try to figure out specifically why Georgetown could be the right fit for you. Is it the location? The professors? The travel opportunities? Allow yourself to follow every lead and fall down every rabbit hole as you root through the program website. Your essay should paint a picture of the kind of student you will be at Georgetown, from the classes you’ll take to the activities you’ll pursue. How will this education prepare you for your dream career?

About Kat Stubing

View all posts by Kat Stubing »

We're here to help.

Contact us for information on rates and more!

• I am a * Student Parent Potential Partner School Counselor Private College Counselor
• Name * First Last
• Phone Type Mobile Landline
• Street Address
• Address City State / Province / Region Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, the United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Türkiye US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands Country
• Which best describes you (or your child)? High school senior High school junior College student College grad Other
• How did you find CEA? Internet Search New York Times Guidance counselor/school Social Media YouTube Friend Special Event Delehey College Consulting Other
• Common App and Coalition Essays
• Supplemental Essays
• University of California Essays
• University of Texas Essays
• Resume Review
• Post-Grad Essays
• Specialized Services
• Waitlist Letters
• Private School Essays
• General College Counseling
• School list with priorities noted:
• Anything else we should know?
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
• Agnes Scott College
• Alvernia University
• American University
• Amherst College
• Babson College
• Bard College
• Barnard College
• Baylor University
• Bennington College
• Bentley University
• Berry College
• Bethany College
• Bishop’s University
• Boston College
• Boston University (BU)
• Bowdoin College
• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Bucknell University
• Butler University
• California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• California Lutheran University
• Capitol Technology University
• Carleton College
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Catawba College
• Centre College
• Chapman University
• Claremont McKenna College
• Clark University
• College of Mount Saint Vincent
• College of William and Mary
• College of Wooster
• Colorado College
• Colorado School of Mines
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Culver-Stockton College
• D'Youville University
• Dartmouth College
• Davidson College
• Drexel University
• Duke University
• Earlham College
• Elon University
• Emerson College
• Emory University
• Flagler College
• Fordham University
• George Mason University
• Georgetown University
• Georgia State University
• Georgia Tech
• Gonzaga University
• Harvard University
• Harvey Mudd College
• Haverford College
• Hillsdale College
• Hofstra University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Indiana University Bloomington
• Ithaca College
• Johns Hopkins University
• Kalamazoo College
• Lafayette College
• Lehigh University
• Lewis and Clark College
• Linfield University
• Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
• Lynn University
• Macalester College
• Malone University
• Manchester University
• Marist College
• Mary Baldwin University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Meredith College
• Monmouth College
• Moravian University
• Morehouse College
• Mount Holyoke College
• New York University (NYU)
• North Park University
• Northwestern University
• Occidental College
• Oklahoma City University
• Olin College of Engineering
• Pepperdine University
• Pitzer College
• Pomona College
• Princeton University
• Providence College
• Purdue University
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Rice University
• Saint Elizabeth University
• Santa Clara University
• Sarah Lawrence College
• Scripps College
• Seattle Pacific University
• Smith College
• Soka University of America
• Southern Methodist University
• St. John’s College
• Stanford University
• Stonehill College
• Swarthmore College
• Syracuse University
• Texas A&M University
• Texas Christian University
• The College of Idaho
• The George Washington University
• The New School
• Trinity College
• Tufts University
• Tulane University
• University of California
• University of Central Florida (UCF)
• University of Chicago
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Florida
• University of Georgia
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• University of Maryland
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Miami
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Oregon
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Richmond
• University of San Diego
• University of San Francisco
• University of Southern California (USC)
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Tulsa
• University of Vermont
• University of Virginia (UVA)
• University of Washington
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Vanderbilt University
• Vassar College
• Villanova University
• Virginia Tech
• Wake Forest University
• Washington and Lee University
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Wellesley College
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
• Yale University

Want free stuff?

We thought so. Sign up for free instructional videos, guides, worksheets and more!

One-On-One Advising

Common App Essay Prompt Guide

Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

• YouTube Tutorials
• Our Approach & Team
• Undergraduate Testimonials
• Postgraduate Testimonials
• Where Our Students Get In
• CEA Gives Back
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• Private School Admissions
• International Student Admissions
• Common App Essay Guide
• Supplemental Essay Guides
• Coalition App Guide
• The CEA Podcast
• Admissions Stats
• Notification Trackers
• Deadline Databases
• College Essay Examples
• Academy and Worksheets
• Waitlist Guides
• Get Started

Latin America Leadership Program

New GCL 2021 Special Edition

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgetown University’s Latin America Leadership Program is offering its traditional GCL program as a GCL Special Edition 2021 to allow our GCL participants an opportunity to respond to their own professional and personal situations during this crisis from their home countries.

The GCL Special Edition 2021 offers the same level of academics, experiential learning, and networking opportunities as our traditional GCL program. Our GCL faculty and program staff are committed to ensuring that the GCL Special Edition’s program activities will continue to be interactive and engaging for all participants, regardless of the modality in which they are taught.

This Special Edition is offered as a live virtual, part-time program and will run from 9:00 am to 1:15 pm (Washington DC time), three days a week, for eight weeks, from February 1, 2021, through March 26, 2021. The program covers the traditional GCL curriculum through live virtual sessions with Georgetown University faculty and visiting lecturers, and various virtual visits to institutions in the Washington DC area featuring guest speakers from multilateral organizations, government institutions, think tanks, and public advisory companies to analyze some of the most pressing challenges facing the region, including the consequences of this COVID-19 pandemic. The live sessions and virtual visits allow faculty to tailor-make the content of their courses to fit the GCL participants’ project proposals and analyze some of the current challenges of this pandemic. In addition, the GCL 2021 program features teambuilding opportunities, peer-to-peer coaching sessions to allow participants a space to share ideas, experiences, and best practices, as well as mentoring opportunities with experts in the field. The program is taught in English.

For GCL2021, LALP is welcoming 37 participants spanning 16 countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela). The program will run from February 1 through March 26, 2021. Our GCL 2021 cohort will get to know and interact with our GCL alumni throughout the program. To date, the GCL Program has welcomed about 500 young leaders from 22 countries in the Ibero-American region. GCL alumni have organized under the GCL Alumni Network, a student-led initiative that aims to promote competitiveness in the region by organizing and hosting local events and strengthening the collaboration among alumni beyond their time at Georgetown. To date, GCL participants have generated hundreds of initiatives and impacted more than 2.7 million people in the region. 

Special thanks to our Latin American Board and LALP Advisory Committee members whose generous support makes this program possible every year!

For more information on the GCL program requirements, visit here

Georgetown Americas Institute

Fall 2021 gai collaborative research projects.

In 2021, the Georgetown Americas Institute supported four Georgetown faculty projects to expand research and understanding of investor-state dispute settlements in Latin America and the Caribbean, the intersection of art and the realities of migration policy, the impact of COVID-19 in the region, and environmental displacement in Central America and Mexico. 

GAI supports interdisciplinary research and teaching on the Western Hemisphere around four critical challenges facing the region: governance and the rule of law, economic growth and innovation, social and cultural inclusion, and sustainability and the environment. The institute offers grants to faculty and students designed to promote research within Georgetown on issues relevant to the Western Hemisphere, bring Georgetown faculty and students closer to the region, and bridge the gap between academia and policymakers. The four projects below describe results from collaborative research funded in fall 2021 by GAI. 

2021 Collaborative Research Projects

Measuring and building institutional capacity (mbic) for investor-state dispute settlement in latin america and the caribbean.

Alvaro Santos , Georgetown Law

Diana Kapizweski , Department of Government

The MBIC Initiative seeks to identify and map Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries’ institutional capacity to prevent and manage claims from foreign investors. Current research focuses on identifying countries’ institutional framework, characterizing their leading agency or institution defending the state against these claims, and assessing their capacity to anticipate and prevent an internal grievance from escalating into an international dispute. 

A central challenge to democratic governance and the rule of law in Latin America is the growing use of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) by multinational corporations (MNCs). Using this mechanism, MNCs can bypass domestic judicial systems to challenge regulations, including those enacted in the public interest. A study by the Center for the Advancement of Rule of Law in Latin America (CAROLA) of all regional disputes over 25 years revealed that LAC states have together faced claims for $1.5 trillion and been ordered to pay a staggering $32.2 billion in awards and settlements. Internal governance and institutional challenges, such as weak coordination among relevant government ministries and the inclusion of different branches and levels of government, stymie states’ ability to prevent claims and successfully manage disputes. In addition, new officeholders are often unaware of the scope of their liability exposure stemming from previously-signed international agreements.

The first phase of the project was supported by GAI and has been able to collect and analyze data from four countries, including Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico. The project will eventually expand to focus on 15 LAC countries. Following data collection, the project will compare and contrast institutional capacity across the 15 LAC countries of focus and begin to develop ideas for how LAC countries can build their institutional capacity in this critical area.

Latinx Voices from Law to Opera

Angel Gil Ordoñez , Department of Performing Arts

Anna Deeny Morales , Center for Latin American Studies

¡ZAVALA-ZAVALA! An Opera in V Cuts presents a case of family separation which was the result of a pilot program carried out in 2017 by the Trump administration along the Mexico-U.S. border. Such cases sought to evaluate the resilience of local juridical systems to the administration’s Zero Tolerance directive. The libretto draws from legal proceedings; interviews of legal professionals, including those involved in this case; migrant testimonies; and Central American creation myths. The work was performed by the Georgetown University Orchestra and professional vocalists at the Kennedy Center. 

To supplement the performance, scholars and practitioners were convened across the Latinx, Latin American, and U.S. fields of law, literature, music, and the performing arts for three panels. The project’s administrators wanted to present a range of representative possibilities and intersections for those who participated as well as for our students and local communities. GAI was pleased to support both the performance and panels. 

The first panel, “ZAVALA-ZAVALA: From Home to Archive and Opera,” addressed the ideation, development, and production of the opera with the composer, director, conductor, writer, and vocalists. The second panel, “Taking Time, Sound, Space | Latinxs on Stage,” considered the significance of representing Latinx, Afro-Latin, and Latin American stories, temporalities, cosmogonies, movements, sounds, and bodies, on stages within the United States. Lastly, the third panel, “Children Who Migrate | The Mexico-US Border and Family Separation,” considered the particular experiences and conditions under which children migrate to the Mexico-US border as well as the ongoing legal challenges caused by forced separation; the rights of children; and issues of asylum.   

Latin American and the Caribbean COVID-19 Digital Map

Angelo Santos , Center for Latin America Studies

Latin America and Caribbean COVID-19 Map (LACCOM) was a project from the Georgetown University Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) that documented the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean between August 2020 until April 2022 across three rubrics: governance and the rule of law, growth and innovation, and social and cultural inclusion. 

Designed and supervised by Professor Angelo Rivero Santos, the content and technical aspects of the project were fully developed, managed, and updated by a group of 32 undergraduate and graduate Georgetown University students affiliated with CLAS. Due to its quality and relevance, the Library of Congress selected LACCOM for inclusion in its E-resources Online Catalog. As Latin America and Caribbean countries continue to adapt to the realities of living with COVID-19, the historical analysis and resources produced and collected during the life of the project will serve as a useful tool for students, educators, and researchers in the years ahead.

Internal Versus Cross-Border Environmental Displacement in Central America and Mexico 

Katharine Donato , Institute for the Study of International Migration

Elizabeth Ferris , Institute for the Study of International Migration

This project examines the relationship between internal and cross-border displacement in both Mexico and Central America with a particular focus on environmental drivers of migration. While there is a growing literature on environmental and climate change drivers of migration in the region, there is still much that remains unknown. This project seeks to answer questions such as: Do people who move because of drought in the ‘dry corridor’ in Central America or other environmental hazards have different migration patterns than others? Do people who move for environmental reasons have distinct demographic characteristics versus those who move because of economic factors or conflict? 

This project engaged some of the top migration researchers in the region to assess the current state of knowledge about environmentally-induced internal migration and displacement and its relationship to cross-border movements, and to suggest priorities for future research. Their contributions will form the basis of “An Agenda for Future Research on Environmental Migration in Latin America,” a working paper to be published by the Georgetown University Institute for the Study of International Migration in early 2023.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

After a Missed Connection, a Union of Mythic Proportions

After seeing Joelle Gamble’s “Lord of the Rings” tattoo on her dating profile, Zachary Copeland believed he had found his soul mate. But he would have to wait more than a year to find out.

By Tammy LaGorce

Zachary Brian Lee Copeland’s dating app adventures in Washington, D.C., weren’t worthy of lunchtime discussion with his co-workers until the autumn of 2019, when he matched with Joelle Carissa Gamble on Hinge.

Ms. Gamble, then a principal at Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment firm, struck him as a potential soul mate. A profile picture of a “Lord of the Rings” tattoo on her back telegraphed a relatable interest in fantasy fiction; she, too, liked the board game Settlers of Catan .

“I had been telling my co-clerks I was excited to go on a date with this Joelle person,” said Mr. Copeland, then a judicial law clerk at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. But the date he had arranged at a Washington bar days after they started messaging on the app never happened. Though both had been convinced they would hit it off, Ms. Gamble diced the date with just hours to spare.

“I thought he was very cute, and he liked the same nerdy things I did, which basically is not that common,” she said. But “I was a little sporadic with my dating at the time. I didn’t know what I was doing or what I wanted.” Mr. Copeland, though “definitely bummed,” he said, responded with equanimity. “The text he sent me back after I canceled was so sweet I felt even worse.” More than a year later, when they matched again on Bumble, he was just as gracious.

Ms. Gamble, 33, is a self-described economic policy enthusiast. Until early March, she was a deputy assistant to the president and deputy director at the White House National Economic Council and is now looking for a new position. Her passion for public service comes from her parents, she said, who raised Ms. Gamble and her younger sister in Riverside, Calif. Both were Marines before her mother became a preschool teacher and her father a Los Angeles police officer.

Growing up, “I got used to thinking a lot about how to help other people,” she said. At U.C.L.A., where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international development studies, she was a student activist promoting college affordability. Her master’s degree in economics and public policy is from Princeton.

A year after she canceled her 2019 date with Mr. Copeland, she became an economic adviser to the Biden presidential transition team. By the time she matched with him again on Bumble, in February 2021, she was doing damage control on her personal life. Until then, “I wasn’t ready to be dating, I don’t think.”

Mr. Copeland, 34, is special assistant to the general counsel at the U.S. Department of Defense. He grew up in Yakima, Wash., with his parents and an older sister before earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington. He later graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he served on the Harvard Law Review.

He, too, moved to Washington in 2019. Like Ms. Gamble, he was more attuned to his work than his dating apps when they matched the first time. That hadn’t changed much for either when she reached out to him on Bumble.

What had changed was her dating profile, including her pictures. Neither recognized the other from the date that had been scotched when Ms. Gamble texted Mr. Copeland with her phone number days after they matched the second time. “His name was already in my phone,” she said. Hers was already in his, too. But both pretended not to remember what happened in 2019 when, on Feb. 13, 2021, they met via FaceTime — by then, the world was in the grips of the pandemic — for a first date.

Mr. Copeland had consulted his former co-clerks for advice about whether to bring it up. “I told them, ‘Joelle is back. Should I tell her about our history?’” They counseled him to stay mum. For a month, as they progressed from chatting on FaceTime to meeting in person to feeling that, professional lives aside, they wanted to spend a lot more time together, the Hinge episode went unacknowledged.

Ms. Gamble finally brought it up. “I screwed up, I realized,” she said. Mr. Copeland no longer cared. Six months in, they were a committed couple. In May 2022, they moved to an apartment in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington together. Well before he surprised her with a proposal on the Georgetown waterfront on March 5, 2023, they knew they wanted to marry each other.

Their March 16 wedding, at the George Peabody Library in Baltimore, was attended by 100 guests and officiated by the Rev. William Mies, a Catholic priest affiliated with the International Council of Community Churches. The library atmosphere, both said, was less an evocation of their lives as public service people than a full-tilt swerve into their appreciation for fantasy. Music from the soundtracks to “Lord of the Rings,” “Harry Potter” and “Star Wars” played in the 19th-century building, known as “the cathedral of books.” An excerpt from a Tolkien poem also punctuated the ceremony. “It fit our vibe perfectly,” Ms. Gamble said.

Weddings Trends and Ideas

Reinventing a Mexican Tradition: Mariachi, a soundtrack for celebration in Mexico, offers a way for couples to honor their heritage  at their weddings.

Something Thrifted: Focused on recycled clothing , some brides are finding their wedding attire on vintage sites and at resale stores.

Brand Your Love Story: Some couples are going above and beyond to personalize their weddings, with bespoke party favors and custom experiences for guests .

Going to Great Lengths : Mega wedding cakes are momentous for reasons beyond their size — they are part of an emerging trend of extremely long cakes .

Popping the Question: Here are some of the sweetest, funniest and most heartwarming ways that c ouples who wed in 2023 asked, “Will you marry me? ”

Classic Wedding Traditions: Some time-honored customs have been reimagined  for modern brides and grooms seeking a touch of nostalgia with a contemporary twist.

• E-mail & Password
• Notification Settings
• Global Settings
• Applicant profile
• Update status
• My GMAT info
• --> My Education -->