7 Steps to a Successful Georgetown Application

Georgetown University is one of the most selective universities in the country, but understanding the application and what Georgetown admissions officers are looking for when they review your application can give you a serious leg up over the rest of the competition.

In this guide, we go over everything you need to know about the Georgetown University application, including what you need to submit, every Georgetown application deadline, what admissions officers are looking for when they review applications, and how you can make each key part of your application stand out from the pack.

Key Info About the Georgetown Application

It's important to know the key information about the Georgetown University application early on so that you'll have plenty of time to gather and submit all the materials you need before deadlines.

Where to Find the Georgetown Application: You can find the Georgetown application here. This page also has links to application FAQs and deadlines.

How to Submit the Application: When you've completed the Georgetown application, you can submit it by hitting the "Submit" button at the end of the application. SAT and/or ACT scores must be sent directly to Georgetown.

When to Submit Your Application: It's very important to know each Georgetown application deadline because missing just one could mean your application won't be looked at. Below is every Georgetown University application deadline you need to be aware of:

Source: Georgetown Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Looking at the above chart, you can see that the Georgetown University application deadline for Early Action is November 1, and the deadline for Regular Decision is January 10, though on their website Georgetown does recommend submitting your application earlier if you can.

Early action is not binding, which means that, even if you apply Early Action to Georgetown, you can still apply to and accept a place at other schools. Early Action just gives you the benefit of knowing Georgetown's decision earlier (although some Early Action applicants get deferred to the Regular Decision pool).

How to Apply to Georgetown

Completing and submitting your Georgetown application is a fairly straightforward process. Below are the seven steps you need to follow. Georgetown recommends you complete the first three steps as soon as possible, ideally over the summer or in early fall.

Step 1: Fill Out and Submit the Georgetown Application

The Georgetown application can be found here, and it should only take you about 10-15 minutes to fill out. It contains mostly demographic information, such as your address and contact info, including those of your parent(s).

Submitting this form allows Georgetown to create an applicant file for you, the first step in considering you for admission. It also initiates the alumni interview process (see Step 6).

At the end of this form, you'll pay the $75 application fee by inputting your credit or debit card information. If this fee is a financial burden for you, you may request a fee waiver.

Step 2: Create an Applicant Profile

After completing Step 1, you'll receive instructions within 24 hours via email on how to create an application account. You'll be able to log into this account anytime. This Georgetown account makes it possible for you to track your recommendation requests and save your work on the Application Supplement.

Here's what the Georgetown application looks like in PDF form.

Step 3: Complete the Georgetown Request for Secondary School Report, Teacher's Report, and Midyear School Report

To complete this form, you'll need to know the name and email address of both your high school counselor and the teacher writing your recommendation. After you submit these forms, those two people will each receive an email telling them what to do next so that Georgetown can receive your transcript and letter of recommendation.

Here are the PDF versions of the Secondary School Report, the Teacher's Report, and the Midyear School Report for your reference (note that you'll actually be filling these out on your Georgetown online application account described in Step 2).

Step 4: Submit the Application Supplement

You'll next need to submit the application supplement, which you can save and go back to as many times as you need. The supplement is where you'll enter info about your extracurriculars, state what area you plan on majoring in, and write your essays.

Step 5: Submit Your Standardized Test Scores

You'll need to submit SAT or ACT scores for Georgetown (they were test optional for 2020-2021 but are now required again). Georgetown's SAT code is 5244, and its ACT code is 0668.

Georgetown requires scores from all test sittings. So, for example, if you took the ACT twice and the SAT once, you'd need to submit scores from each of those three test dates, even if one or more of those scores wasn't your best. (If you took SAT Subject Tests, you'll also need to submit those scores as well.)

AP or IB scores are not required but are recommended as another way to boost your application.

Step 6: Have an Alumni Interview

All first-year applicants are required to have an interview with a Georgetown alum, provided one lives in the same city/region as they do. Georgetown does not have on-campus interviews, and if there are no alumni near you, this requirement is waived and it won't hurt your application.

You'll receive information via mail or email explaining how to set up the interview, typically two to four weeks after you complete Step 1.

Step 7: (Optional) Submit Any Supplemental Materials

If you are interested in an art, music, theater, or dance program at Georgetown, you have the option to send in supplemental materials, but this is not required.

Georgetown Application Checklist

To recap, below is everything you need to submit when you apply to Georgetown. You can use this application checklist to stay organized and make sure you've submitted all the required materials. Your application won't be considered until all the pieces below have been received by Georgetown:

• Georgetown Application
• Secondary School Report (including transcript)
• Teacher Recommendation
• Application Fee of $75.00
• SAT/ACT scores
• Alumni Interview
• (Optional) Supplemental Materials (for art, music, theater, and dance)

What Does the Georgetown Application Committee Look For? What Makes a Strong Georgetown Application?

What makes a standout Georgetown application? Like other universities, Georgetown wants to admit students that they feel will excel at their school, both academically and socially. They want students who will do well in their classes and also work well with professors, fellow students, and university groups.

Georgetown also wants to admit those who will have a positive impact on the school and the world in general, both while they're students and after they graduate.

In order to make the most accurate admissions decisions, Georgetown looks at a variety of factors that could indicate future success at the school. Below are some of the most important factors:

Academic Excellence

Georgetown wants to know you can excel in their classes, so they'll look for academic excellence in your application. There are usually three factors that show academic excellence:

• Your GPA
• The rigor of the classes you took in high school
• Your standardized test scores

Being strong in each of these three areas proves to Georgetown that you can handle (and do well with) difficult coursework.

The next section gives more specific information on what grades and test scores you should be aiming for. If you've participated in academic competitions and done well in them, you can also show academic excellence that way.

Leadership Skills

Georgetown wants leaders at their school because leaders are more likely to have an impact at the school and after they graduate.

You can show leadership skills by taking on higher roles in extracurriculars, starting your own club or fundraiser, or gaining more responsibility at your job or internship. Anything that shows that you took initiative and were able to excel with additional responsibilities will prove that you have the potential to be a strong leader at Georgetown and beyond.

Passion for Your Future Major

Students who are passionate about what they are studying are more likely to get better grades and do well in their careers after they graduate.

In order to prove your excitement for what you're going to study at Georgetown, your application should indicate that you've taken classes and pursued extracurriculars in that subject area during high school.

For example, if you want to major in pre-med and eventually become a doctor, your high school transcript should include lots of science- and math-oriented classes, while your extracurriculars could include activities such as being part of a science club, volunteering at a hospital, etc.

Sociability

Getting good grades is important, but Georgetown also wants students who will be part of the campus community and get along with other students. This skill makes the campus a happier place, and more engaged students often have a larger positive impact on their school.

Being involved in a group club or sports team demonstrates sociability, and the people writing your letters of recommendation can also mention your strong people skills.

5 Key Sections of the Georgetown Application and How to Do Well on Them

For a school as competitive as Georgetown, your application needs to be strong across the board. Below are the five key parts of the Georgetown application as well as tips for how you can excel on each one to impress admissions officers:

#1: High School Transcript

Your transcript shows Georgetown three essential pieces of info: which classes you took, how difficult they were, and the grades you received in them. In terms of the number of years of classes in different subjects, Georgetown recommends the following:

• Four years of English
• At least two years of social studies
• At least two years of a foreign language
• At least two years of math
• At least one year of natural science

There are additional class recommendations depending on what you want to major in at Georgetown. You can see those recommendations here.

Georgetown has rigorous classes, and they want to see applicants who have already challenged themselves by taking advanced classes in high school. If your school offers honors, AP, and/or IB classes, you should aim to take at least some of these advanced classes, especially those in the field you plan to major in.

It's also important to get high grades in those classes. Accepted Georgetown students have an average unweighted GPA of about 3.9. This means that, in addition to taking advanced classes, you'll need to get practically all A's. High grades are most important in classes related to your future major.

#2: Standardized Test Scores

While Georgetown has no minimum score requirements for the SAT/ACT, because admission is so competitive, you should aim for a high standardized test score.

A safe score to aim for is the 75th percentile score for admitted Georgetown students. Meeting this score for either the SAT or ACT means you will have scored higher than 75% of other admitted students, which puts you in a strong position during the admissions process.

A 75th percentile score for Georgetown is either a 34 on the ACT or a 1530 on the SAT. You can get scores lower than this and still get accepted, but these are solid goal scores to try to aim for.

AP scores, particularly those related to your intended major, are another great way to show off your academic prowess. Aim for at least a 3 in each test, and ideally a 4 or 5.

#3: Letters of Recommendation

You'll need just one letter of recommendation for Georgetown, so try to ask a teacher who knows you well and thinks highly of you. A strong letter of rec will include specific examples of your academic abilities and personal skills; it will also explain why you're an excellent applicant for Georgetown.

Speak to the person you'd like to write your letter fairly early, ideally at the end of your junior year or beginning of your senior year, especially since Georgetown recommends filling out the Teacher's Report (which is sent to your recommender) early on in the application process. Check out our guide for more information on who to ask to write your letter of recommendation and a step-by-step guide on how to ask.

#4: Essays

Georgetown requires four essays. The first essay requires a short, 250 word response, and the second should be about half a page (single-spaced). The other two essays should be approximately one single-spaced page each. Below are the current Georgetown essay prompts:

Special Talents: Please indicate any special talents or skills you possess. You should write in either paragraph or bulleted-list format (250 words).

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.

Essay 1: 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.

In the first three Georgetown essay prompts, you get the chance to discuss yourself and why you're a strong candidate for admission. Be sure to use specific examples that let admissions officers see what you care about and why you would be an asset to Georgetown. They want to see someone who is passionate about something and will use that passion to excel in school and have a positive impact on Georgetown.

The final essay gives you a chance to show Georgetown what your future plans are. Having an idea of what you want to study and how your education will help you achieve your goals indicates that you're thinking ahead and have big plans for the future.

Be sure to reference specific resources at Georgetown, such as study abroad options, student groups, or research opportunities you're interested in. This shows that you've done your research on Georgetown and know how to make the most of what it offers to help you achieve your goals.

Check out this step-by-step guide for more info on how to write a great college essay.

#5: Extracurriculars

Your extracurriculars are also an important part of your Georgetown application. The best way to stand out with your extracurriculars is to emphasize your passion and leadership skills. You can do this by pursuing extracurriculars in a field related to your future major, sticking with them, and achieving leadership roles in them.

Learn more about the types of extracurriculars you'll need to have to get into top-tier schools.

Recap: Georgetown University Application

Georgetown is a very competitive school, but understanding its application process and what admissions officers are looking for can help increase your odds of getting in.

There are multiple parts of the Georgetown application, and it's extremely important to know each major deadline in the application process. You'll need to submit either SAT or ACT scores, and there are also several Georgetown essay prompts you'll need to complete.

When looking over your application, admissions officers want applicants whom they believe will excel academically and develop strong personal relationships at Georgetown.

When applying to a school as competitive as Georgetown is, you really can't have many weak areas in your application. It's vital to go through each key area—including your grades, standardized test scores, letter of recommendation, essays, and extracurriculars—and try to make them as strong as possible to maximize your chances of getting accepted to Georgetown.

What's Next?

Wondering what a good SAT score is? Learn how to set a goal score based on the schools you want to get into.

Want to know how to make your extracurriculars stand out even more? Check out this guide to four amazing extracurricular activities and learn why they're so impressive to colleges.

Trying to decide between community college classes and AP classes? Which one looks better on college applications? Read our guide for a complete overview of both.