Georgetown University supplemental essays

• Prompt 1Required650 words max

  In your own words

  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 personal background and individual experiences, skills, and talents.

  How to approach it

  Here, specific beats important. A small, true community described from the inside beats a broad label. Write it as someone who was there, not as an observer. End on what you carry into a campus, not on a moral.

• Prompt 2Required250 words max

  Your most meaningful activity

  Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved.

  How to approach it

  This one works best zoomed all the way in. One meeting, one build, one shift, told in detail. The reader already saw your activities list. Show them what it felt like to do the work.

• Prompt 3Required250 words max

  A different viewpoint

  In all our lives, we interact with people who hold different viewpoints than our own. Describe such an event you experienced. What did you learn from the experience?

These prompts are program-specific.

They apply only if you’re applying to the named program or school.

• College of Arts & SciencesRequired500 words max

  Why Arts and Sciences

  Founded in 1789, the Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences is committed to the Jesuit traditions of an integrated education and of productive research in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Describe your interest in studying in the College of Arts & Sciences.

  How to approach it

  This is a why-us prompt. The trap is describing the school back to itself. Rankings and a pretty campus read as filler. Name two or three things you’d actually use. A program, a professor’s work, an open curriculum. Then tie each one to something you’ve already done.

• Walsh School of Foreign ServiceRequired500 words max

  Why Foreign Service

  Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders with the foundational skills to address global issues. Describe your primary motivations for studying international affairs at Georgetown University and dedicating your undergraduate studies toward a future in global service.

  How to approach it

  This is a why-us prompt. The trap is describing the school back to itself. Rankings and a pretty campus read as filler. Name two or three things you’d actually use. A program, a professor’s work, an open curriculum. Then tie each one to something you’ve already done.

• McDonough School of BusinessRequired500 words max

  Why McDonough

  Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business provides graduates with essential global, ethical, analytical, financial, and diverse perspectives on the economies of our nation and the world. Describe your primary motivations for studying business at Georgetown University.

  How to approach it

  This is a why-us prompt. The trap is describing the school back to itself. Rankings and a pretty campus read as filler. Name two or three things you’d actually use. A program, a professor’s work, an open curriculum. Then tie each one to something you’ve already done.

• Berkley School of NursingRequired500 words max

  Why Nursing at Georgetown

  Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying Nursing at Georgetown University.

  How to approach it

  This is a why-us prompt. The trap is describing the school back to itself. Rankings and a pretty campus read as filler. Name two or three things you’d actually use. A program, a professor’s work, an open curriculum. Then tie each one to something you’ve already done.

• School of HealthRequired500 words max

  Why health care

  Describe the factors that influenced your interest in studying health care at Georgetown University, specifically addressing your intended related major: Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, or Human Science.

  How to approach it

  This is a why-us prompt. The trap is describing the school back to itself. Rankings and a pretty campus read as filler. Name two or three things you’d actually use. A program, a professor’s work, an open curriculum. Then tie each one to something you’ve already done.

• McCourt School of Public PolicyRequired500 words max

  Why McCourt

  Describe your primary motivations for studying public policy at Georgetown University and dedicating your undergraduate studies toward a future related to public service.

  How to approach it

  This is a why-us prompt. The trap is describing the school back to itself. Rankings and a pretty campus read as filler. Name two or three things you’d actually use. A program, a professor’s work, an open curriculum. Then tie each one to something you’ve already done.

• Earth Commons InstituteRequired500 words max

  Why Earth Commons

  Describe your primary motivations for studying environment and sustainability at Georgetown University to effect positive change in the world.

  How to approach it

  This is a why-us prompt. The trap is describing the school back to itself. Rankings and a pretty campus read as filler. Name two or three things you’d actually use. A program, a professor’s work, an open curriculum. Then tie each one to something you’ve already done.