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10 Great Essay Writing Tips
Knowing how to write a college essay is a useful skill for anyone who plans to go to college. Most colleges and universities ask you to submit a writing sample with your application. As a student, you’ll also write essays in your courses. Impress your professors with your knowledge and skill by using these great essay writing tips.
Prepare to Answer the Question
Most college essays ask you to answer a question or synthesize information you learned in class. Review notes you have from lectures, read the recommended texts and make sure you understand the topic. You should refer to these sources in your essay.
Plan Your Essay
Many students see planning as a waste of time, but it actually saves you time. Take a few minutes to think about the topic and what you want to say about it. You can write an outline, draw a chart or use a graphic organizer to arrange your ideas. This gives you a chance to spot problems in your ideas before you spend time writing out the paragraphs.
Choose a Writing Method That Feels Comfortable
You might have to type your essay before turning it in, but that doesn’t mean you have to write it that way. Some people find it easy to write out their ideas by hand. Others prefer typing in a word processor where they can erase and rewrite as needed. Find the one that works best for you and stick with it.
View It as a Conversation
Writing is a form of communication, so think of your essay as a conversation between you and the reader. Think about your response to the source material and the topic. Decide what you want to tell the reader about the topic. Then, stay focused on your response as you write.
Provide the Context in the Introduction
If you look at an example of an essay introduction, you’ll see that the best essays give the reader a context. Think of how you introduce two people to each other. You share the details you think they will find most interesting. Do this in your essay by stating what it’s about and then telling readers what the issue is.
Explain What Needs to be Explained
Sometimes you have to explain concepts or define words to help the reader understand your viewpoint. You also have to explain the reasoning behind your ideas. For example, it’s not enough to write that your greatest achievement is running an ultra marathon. You might need to define ultra marathon and explain why finishing the race is such an accomplishment.
Answer All the Questions
After you finish writing the first draft of your essay, make sure you’ve answered all the questions you were supposed to answer. For example, essays in compare and contrast format should show the similarities and differences between ideas, objects or events. If you’re writing about a significant achievement, describe what you did and how it affected you.
Stay Focused as You Write
Writing requires concentration. Find a place where you have few distractions and give yourself time to write without interruptions. Don’t wait until the night before the essay is due to start working on it.
Read the Essay Aloud to Proofread
When you finish writing your essay, read it aloud. You can do this by yourself or ask someone to listen to you read it. You’ll notice places where the ideas don’t make sense, and your listener can give you feedback about your ideas.
Avoid Filling the Page with Words
A great essay does more than follow an essay layout. It has something to say. Sometimes students panic and write everything they know about a topic or summarize everything in the source material. Your job as a writer is to show why this information is important.
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Transfer Applicant
Transfer Tuesday Information Sessions In February, we invite prospective transfers to attend one of four virtual information sessions designed to address questions specific to transfer applicants. These hour-long sessions will provide information on Georgetown’s academic programs, student life and the transfer application process. All sessions will address questions relevant to all transfer students, and on specific dates various academic deans will join for the last 30 minutes to address questions specific to their schools. Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 12:00 noon (SFS & SOH deans will join Q&A session). Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm (College of Arts & Science & MSB deans will join Q&A session). Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm (SFS & MSB deans will join Q&A session). Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 3:00 pm (College of Arts & Science & SON deans will join Q&A session). To register for any of these events you can also do so from our main Virtual Visits page.
Thank you for your interest in applying to Georgetown University as a transfer student. Transfer students serve as a vital part of our University community and excel in each of the University’s five undergraduate schools. The University, through its Committee on Admissions, selects those transfer students most likely to profit from the educational offerings of Georgetown. Each year, the admissions committee evaluates approximately 2,500 applications for transfer.
Georgetown is committed to a holistic admission process, and transfer files are reviewed by Admission Committees. Typically, a cumulative B+ average or higher is recommended for transfer admission consideration.
Georgetown admits transfer students who have attended community colleges and four-year colleges and universities. Transfer applicants must have graduated from high school or earned a high school diploma equivalent, and should have completed at least one full-time semester of at least twelve transferable credits, or the equivalent, on the college level but no more than four full-time semesters. High school students currently enrolled in a dual enrollment program, earning both high school and college credit towards their high school graduation requirements, must submit the first-year application.
In recent years the Admissions Committee has had the opportunity to consider transfer applicants for Spring admission (January 2024 for current applicants) in addition to our traditional Fall transfer class. The Committee’s ability to consider Spring transfer applicants varies from year to year. Applicants who indicate an interest in both Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 consideration, will first be reviewed for Fall 2023 admission. Indicating an additional interest in Spring consideration will not lessen any applicant’s chances of Fall admission. (NB: As students must spend a minimum of four full semesters and earn 60 credits in residency at Georgetown to earn a degree, only candidates with an estimated 45 credit/hours or less of completed coursework by June 2023 – rising sophomores and not rising juniors – will be considered for January 2024 admission.)
Special note regarding Fall 2023 Capitol Applied Learning Lab (CALL) consideration: In addition to Main (Hilltop) Campus consideration, transfer applicants will have the additional option to be considered for admission to the CALL for CALL-exclusive coursework and Capitol Campus residence for the Fall 2023 semester with a planned transition to the Main (Hilltop) Campus starting with the Spring 2024 semester. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the CALL’s website and programs , affirmatively indicate their interest in CALL consideration when prompted within the transfer application, and provide a brief statement of interest in the CALL as related to personal and career goals. Indicating an interest in CALL consideration will not lessen an applicant’s chances for Main (Hilltop) Campus admission.
Transfer applicants must provide official college/university transcripts from all previous institutions, as well as a completed Dean’s Report, Professor’s Report and Secondary School Report that includes the final high school transcript. Transfer applicants are required to provide either an SAT or ACT exam as part of the application process, unless the candidate has been out of high school for five or more years prior to the date of intended matriculation at Georgetown.
For important information about the 2023 application process, we recommend you to download and review the Information for Transfer Applicants document.
We are, unfortunately, not able to guarantee alumni interviews for transfer applicants. If a volunteer alumni interviewer is available in your area, you will be contacted by email. Since we are unable to guarantee the availability of an interview, it is not a required part of the transfer application process. (NB: Alumni interviews, if available, are assigned according to a transfer applicant’s “academic year address” as noted on the Georgetown Transfer Application; interviews typically occur between late February and very early April.)
Since we communicate with candidates about scheduling alumni interviews as well as missing credentials via e-mail, we kindly ask that you allow access for georgetown.edu e-mail addresses through any spam filters you or your internet service provider employs. Blocked e-mails of a timely nature can hinder critical communication.
If you are interested in transferring into the undergraduate nursing program at Georgetown, please visit The School of Nursing website for additional information.
Checklist and Deadlines
For Fall 2023 and/or Spring 2024 transfer admissions the following application materials must be submitted by March 1:
- Georgetown Transfer Application
- A non-refundable application fee of $75.00 – payable in USD; or a completed fee waiver
- Transfer Application Supplement
- Official college transcripts from current institution and any previously attended institution(s)
- Dean’s Report from current college/university
- Professor’s Report from professor preferably in major area of study
- Secondary School Report, to include high school transcript
- SAT/ACT results (Waived for applicants who graduated from high school five or more years prior to intended matriculation at Georgetown
The transfer application is available beginning in the fall each year. Applicants should have all transfer application materials submitted by March 1. The transfer admissions committee will notify applicants of their admissions decision by June 1. Admitted students have until June 15 to confirm their enrollment.
Thank you for your interest in Georgetown, specifically as a transfer candidate.
Application Deadline and Receipt of Credentials : The transfer application deadline was Thursday, March 1, 2018. The transfer application will remain available for use until mid-March for late applicants but we ask that candidates applying shortly after March 1 submit the Transfer Application Supplement and all required credentials as soon as possible. For all applicants, if any documents required in support of your application (college/university transcript, Secondary School Report/transcript, Dean’s Report, Professor’s Report and standardized testing) arrive a few days after March 1, your application will in no way be penalized . In mid-March the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will start to notify transfer applicants of missing credentials. This communication will be by e-mail, so please regularly check the in-box for the e-mail address you provided in your application. Confirmation of Credentials : We cannot confirm receipt of each credential. Rather – as noted above – beginning in mid-March we will be in touch by e-mail with any candidate who happens to be missing a required supporting credential.
We look forward to reviewing your transfer application.
Information Sessions for Transfer Students
The Admissions Office is pleased to invite prospective transfer applicants to attend an information session designed to address questions specific to transfer candidates. These hour-long sessions provide information on Georgetown's academic offerings, student life and the transfer application process. Participants will also hear from deans and academic representatives within each of the University's four undergraduate schools.
- Date/Time: Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 12:00 noon (new window) ( Optional campus tour offered at 1:15pm )
To make a reservation for Transfer Student Information Session, please register here (new window) . Interested students can also call 202-687-3600.
We appreciate your interest in Georgetown and look forward to learning more about you and your accomplishments in the coming months.
More Information
Transfer Application Transfer Student Profile Transfer of Credit Active Military and Veterans Financial Aid Join Our Mailing List Georgetown Admissions Ambassador Program
Georgetown Supplemental Essays: 2022-2023
Georgetown Essay Guide Quick Facts:
- Georgetown acceptance rate: 12%— U.S. News ranks Georgetown as a highly competitive school.
- 1 half-page (~250 word) essay
- 1 full-page (~500 word) essay
- 1 school-specific essay (~500 words)
- Georgetown application note : Georgetown DOES NOT accept the Common Application or Coalition Application. Students must submit an application via Georgetown’s own application portal.
- #1 Georgetown Essay Tip : We recommend answering ALL Georgetown University supplemental essays comprehensively and thoughtfully, highlighting in all of your Georgetown essays why Georgetown is the perfect school for you.
Does Georgetown have supplemental essays?
Yes. You will be required to answer three Georgetown University essay prompts as part of the Georgetown application requirements.
While many students may find the Georgetown supplemental essays stressful, the Georgetown essays are actually a great chance to show Georgetown admissions who you are. In particular, pay attention to your “why this college essay” (in this case, the why Georgetown essay). Georgetown admissions loves this question when assessing a Georgetown application.
Still stressed about getting the Georgetown University supplemental essays right? This guide will break down each of the Georgetown essays, giving you the best chance to impress Georgetown admissions.
Note: Georgetown does not use the Common App . Instead, you will respond to the Georgetown essay prompts through the Georgetown Application portal . Since the Georgetown application does not go through the Common App , keep a close eye on Georgetown’s application deadlines in order to ensure you have plenty of time to work on your Georgetown essays.
What are Georgetown’s supplemental essays?
The Georgetown essay prompts are found only in the Georgetown application. Your responses to the three Georgetown University essay prompts will discuss your extracurriculars , background , and motivations for attending Georgetown.
Above all, the Georgetown University supplemental essays aim to help the Georgetown admissions officers get to know you . Each of the Georgetown essay prompts is broad. This gives you the freedom to write your Georgetown supplemental essays about who you are with relatively few limitations. Take advantage of each of the Georgetown University essay prompts to maximize your Georgetown admissions odds .
Georgetown Supplemental Essays — Prompt 1 ( Required ):
Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved. (1/2 page, single-spaced).
In the first of the Georgetown essays, Georgetown admissions asks about the activity in which you are most involved. Most strong Georgetown applicants will engage meaningfully with several extracurricular activities . So, highlight what extracurriculars make you unique in your Georgetown supplemental essays.
This Georgetown essay prompt gives you the chance to demonstrate how your extracurricular pursuits make you special. This will help you impress Georgetown admissions.
Answer the “why,” “what,” and “how”
This prompt for the Georgetown essays asks you to discuss three key things:
- Why you chose to do your chosen activity
- What you’ve done to show dedication to this activity
- How this activity has impacted your community
Strong Georgetown University supplemental essays will address each of these things. Don’t get bogged down in statistics when answering the first of the Georgetown supplemental essays: why you chose to do an activity and the results of your involvement matter more than the sheer number of hours you’ve spent doing something.
The best Georgetown essays will discuss topics that you haven’t already emphasized elsewhere in your application. Use this Georgetown application essay to offer new insight into your extracurricular life, and be careful not to be repetitive. This Georgetown application essay should provide a response that Georgetown admissions hasn’t seen in another part of your application.
Show another side of yourself
Additionally, note that the activity that you write about in this Georgetown application essay doesn’t need to connect directly to your major. After all, your Georgetown supplemental essays should help admissions officers understand all aspects of who you are, both as a student and as an individual.
In this Georgetown application essay, use your chosen extracurricular to highlight your collaboration and leadership skills. Think about how your extracurricular engagements will inform what you do in the future and weave it into the first of the Georgetown University supplemental essays. While your accomplishments are relevant and important, Georgetown admissions will ultimately admit you based on your potential.
The Georgetown supplemental essays are a great way to show admissions what you will do with your education. You want admissions officers to come away from your first Georgetown application essay with an understanding not only of what you’ve done in high school but, also, of what you will do on their campus.
Think outside the box
In your Georgetown supplemental essays, try to avoid writing about an activity that lots of students could write about such as sports, Model UN, or volunteering at homeless shelters. Georgetown essays about these topics can feel cliché. That being said, if you have a unique story to tell about one of these topics, tell it in the Georgetown supplemental essays.
As you craft this Georgetown application essay (as well as the other Georgetown University supplemental essays), make sure that your response is as unique and personal as possible. Additionally, all of your Georgetown essays should be vivid, descriptive, and deeply authentic. With that in mind, if you read over your Georgetown essays and feel like someone else could have written them, you might want to rethink your topics and responses to the Georgetown University essay prompts.
Successful Georgetown supplemental essays focus more on the applicant than the organization. In other words, don’t waste time describing the logistics of your activity or program when responding to the first of the Georgetown essay prompts. Instead, just write about what you did and why it mattered . Write about your actions, leadership, and impact. Finally, balance storytelling with reflection. How can you use your Georgetown application essay to reveal your values and goals?
Georgetown Essay Reflection Questions:
- Is your response to this Georgetown application essay personal and unique?
- Did you use the first of the Georgetown supplemental essays to write about one of the activities in which you are most involved?
- Does your Georgetown application essay focus on you more than the organization or club you describe?
- Do you avoid repeating details found elsewhere in your application?
Georgetown Supplemental Essays — Prompt 2 ( Required ):
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).
As stated above, Georgetown does not use the Common Application or the Coalition Application. As a result, many students reuse their Common App essay for the second of the three Georgetown essay prompts.
For many students, this is a good choice for this Georgetown application essay. In general, applicants tend to spend more time editing and reworking their Common App Personal Statements than any other college essays. So, if you feel like your Common App essay “best describes you,” you might consider repurposing it for this Georgetown application essay prompt.
When (and when not) to use your personal statement
That being said, the second of the Georgetown essay prompts does differ from the Common App essay prompts in some notable ways. Often, your Common App essay topic was chosen because it “best describes you.” This Georgetown application essay prompt, however, also highlights how Georgetown is a “ diverse community ,” essentially asking how you would supplement this diversity.
While not necessarily a standard “why this college essay,” the second of the Georgetown University essay prompts asks what you would bring to campus in terms of “diversity.” Remember, the term “diversity” can mean many things. In other words, it doesn’t just relate to your cultural background or heritage. Essentially, your second Georgetown application essay should revolve around what makes you unique and what your perspective would bring to the Georgetown community.
To strengthen your Georgetown University supplemental essays, consider writing a new personal statement if your Common App essay was primarily about academics. You might also edit your Common App essay to better suit this Georgetown application essay by emphasizing how your diverse attributes will inform your presence on Georgetown’s campus. Successful Georgetown supplemental essays will do just that.
One more note: Georgetown supplemental essays in response to this prompt can either be “personal or creative.” If you are a creative writer, this Georgetown application essay is your time to shine! If you have a deeply personal and impactful story, tell it in the second of the Georgetown essay prompts—even if you don’t do so in a conventional essay form.
- Does this Georgetown application essay response highlight the unique perspective you would contribute to Georgetown’s diverse community?
- Do you reveal what “best describes you”?
- Does your essay present a part of your background and experience that you did not already write about for one of the other Georgetown University essay prompts?
- Does your essay “show” your message more than it “tells” it?
Georgetown Supplemental Essays — College Specific Prompts
The Georgetown supplemental essays in this section will vary depending on your intended major or area of study. Responses to these Georgetown essays should focus on your intellectual interests and intended educational goals. Successful student responses to these college specific Georgetown University supplemental essays should be unique and passionate. Lackadaisical and cliche responses to these Georgetown supplemental essays will not stand out to admissions amongst the many Georgetown essays that are submitted.
What’s the best way to impress admissions when responding to these college-specific Georgetown essay prompts? Successful college-specific Georgetown supplemental essays will write a why Georgetown essay that shows how applicants will enrich Georgetown specifically. These Georgetown University supplemental essays should also show how applicants would benefit from and utilize Georgetown specific programs.
While all the Georgetown essay prompts seem different, at the core they are each a why this college essay. Let’s check out what it takes to impress admissions officers when responding to each of these college-specific Georgetown supplemental essays.
Unpacking the College Specific Prompts:
These Georgetown University essay prompts are school-specific. The school-specific Georgetown application essay responses should not exceed 1 page, single-spaced.
The third of the Georgetown supplemental essays will depend on which of the four colleges within the University to which you apply. The last of the Georgetown supplemental essays essentially poses the why this college essay prompt. Successful responses to these school specific Georgetown supplemental essays will include everything you’d want to see in a why Georgetown essay.
However, this why Georgetown essay should get specific. Your final Georgetown application essay should show why you want to study your major and why at Georgetown.
When reading Georgetown University supplemental essays, the Georgetown admissions committee looks for applicants who accord with the University’s Jesuit values of service, ethics, and global awareness. Also, they want to see that you’ve considered why Georgetown is the place for you. This leads us to the “why Georgetown essay” and the college-specific “why school essay.”
Be specific
Successful Georgetown supplemental essays responding to this Georgetown essay prompt will make full use of the one single-spaced page limit. This Georgetown application essay will typically be around 650 words. The best Georgetown essays will use specific details to articulate a cohesive plan for studying at Georgetown. Research the specific programs, professors, classes, and opportunities that you want to participate in at Georgetown. Given the specific nature of Georgetown’s programs, it’s even more important that you know exactly why Georgetown is the place for you. Then, demonstrate that to Georgetown admissions through the last of the Georgetown University supplemental essays.
In your Georgetown application essay, avoid just writing about location. Many students write their why Georgetown essay about wanting to go to college in Washington D.C., but there are many universities nearby. When writing about D.C. in this Georgetown application essay, articulate how your engagement with the community will be made possible by opportunities at Georgetown . What makes Georgetown the perfect school for you?
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.).
This Georgetown application essay prompt depends on a definition—namely, what it means to “be educated.” To begin, think about what education means to you—is it academic? Social? Cultural? All of the above? Now, consider how Georgetown’s programs can help you educate yourself as a professional and as a community member. This Georgetown College why school essay (or why this college essay) needs applicants to tie that all together.
In general, successful Georgetown essays (Georgetown supplemental essays that impress Georgetown admissions) for Georgetown College will use the definition of “educated” to address why a student wants to pursue a major. Impactful Georgetown University supplemental essays for Georgetown College will think critically about why you want to pursue your chosen field and how this field will inform what your education looks like. At the end of the day, this Georgetown application essay should make the case that you can only truly be educated by Georgetown to achieve your goals. Use specific details—courses, professors, and programs—to emphasize why Georgetown College is the place for you.
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)..
When writing the Georgetown supplemental essays, keep in mind that everyone can say they want to make a difference and help people. If you want your “why school essay” for the School of Nursing & Health Studies to stand out, then, be sure to include specific details of how your interest in health and nursing originated and what you hope to do with it.
Successful Georgetown essays for the School of Nursing & Health Studies will be authentic and personal. Try to approach this prompt through a personal connection to healthcare. Then, connect your story to specific programs at Georgetown. Many students will write about their shadowing in the medical field or volunteering in medical facilities in their Georgetown essays. What sets you apart?
Additionally, avoid focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic in this Georgetown essay—these essays can seem cliché unless you have a specific personal connection to healthcare in the age of COVID-19.
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.
Effective Georgetown supplemental essays responding to the “why this college essay” for Walsh will detail how you plan to impact the world and how Georgetown will make that plan a reality. ”Global problems” and “service to the world” both take many forms. Successful Georgetown essays won’t narrow applicants’ interests solely to political science and international relations—instead, they’ll think broadly about the tools Georgetown can give them to make the world a better place. Like other Georgetown essays, your response to this prompt should be specific and personal.
Successful Georgetown University supplemental essays for this prompt should not just be aspirational. Instead, they should also include how your interest in solving global problems translates to your past and current activities.
If you aren’t sure how to begin answering this “why school essay” prompt, think about how you spend your time. Do you tutor underprivileged children, so you care about expanding access to education? Do you help people learn to speak English because you want to break down cultural and linguistic barriers? International problem-solving comes in many forms. The best Georgetown supplemental essays will depict Walsh as the next step in an applicant’s journey toward making a difference in the international sphere.
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 Georgetown application essay prompt emphasizes the holistic nature of business—namely, how it relates to “ethical, analytical, financial, and global” perspectives. This holistic attitude also accords with Georgetown’s Jesuit values, which set McDonough apart from its competitors.
The best responses to this specific “why school essay” (“Why McDonough ?”) will answer all aspects of this prompt, emphasizing the Jesuit dimensions of McDonough’s programs. A moving “why business” and “why this college essay” will not focus on money or titles. Instead, the best Georgetown essays for the “why school” essay for McDonough will emphasize the impact that you will have at Georgetown and beyond.
The most impactful Georgetown supplemental essays will get personal. What are your current and prior experiences with your intended major? How have you developed the skills to succeed in business? Research the specific programs and opportunities you would join at McDonough.
College-Specific Georgetown Essay Reflection Questions:
- Does your essay respond adequately to the essay prompt?
- Do you discuss the specific clubs, classes, professors, and/or opportunities that you would be involved in?
- Does your essay tell a personal and specific narrative?
- Do you articulate a clear plan for your time at Georgetown?
How to write Georgetown Supplemental Essays
So, how should you answer the Georgetown University essay prompts?
First of all, keep in mind the word limits of the Georgetown university essay prompts. The first of the Georgetown essays is limited to 250 words. This Georgetown supplemental essay asks you to discuss the importance of an extracurricular activity in which you are most involved. The next two Georgetown essays– the personal statement and the “Why Georgetown” college-specific essay– have one-page single-spaced limits rather than word limits.
All three Georgetown University essay prompts are required
Before you start writing, it’s important to understand how your essays will be assessed.
In evaluating Georgetown essays, the admissions team looks at both content and writing skill. Essentially, this means it’s not just about what you say in the Georgetown supplemental essays, but how you say it. Use the Georgetown University essay prompts to tell your story, and approach each of the Georgetown Universityessay prompts holistically. Since there are three Georgetown University essay prompts, you can illustrate different parts of your identity in different essays. Each Georgetown application essay should tell your readers something new about you.
It may feel overwhelming to complete three Georgetown University essay prompts. However, if you give yourself enough time to plan, draft, and revise your Georgetown supplemental essays, you can help minimize your stress. In fact, using the tips from this guide will show you how to use the Georgetown University essay prompts to your advantage!
Focus on your identity
In each Georgetown application essay, focus on one experience, event, or element of your identity. Then, introduce it in an intriguing way through a “hook” at the beginning of each of your Georgetown supplemental essays. Next, provide background and relevant details to each of your Georgetown essays. And finally, discuss in your Georgetown supplemental essays how this has impacted your life, motivations, and relationships with others. In each of the Georgetown essays, relate your stories, background, and discussion to a central message in order to best respond to the Georgetown essay prompts.
In this guide, we’ve broken down each of the Georgetown University essay prompts to help you write Georgetown supplemental essays that will stand out in admissions.
How much does Georgetown care about essays?
Georgetown is intentionally not part of the Common Application; they want to admit applicants who put in the extra effort to apply. This makes the “Why Georgetown” college specific supplemental essay even more important. However, of course, all of the Georgetown supplemental essays are important within the Georgetown application requirements.
Read the checklist of Georgetown application requirements to make sure you complete each step, including the three Georgetown supplemental essays. Many students have impressive GPAs and test scores, which means your Georgetown University supplemental essays give you the chance to stand out.
Implement the tips in this essay guide to set yourself apart through your Georgetown supplemental essays. Use your Georgetown essays to engage your reader through interesting stories, vivid details, and an actionable plan for your time at Georgetown.
Top 3 Tips for Writing Georgetown Essays
In this guide, we’ve discussed how to specifically answer the three Georgetown essay prompts. But, what are some of the most important tips in making sure you impress the admissions team with your Georgetown supplemental essays?
How to write impressive Georgetown supplemental essays:
#1 – start early.
Be sure to leave yourself time to edit and revise each of your Georgetown University supplemental essays! Georgetown has two deadlines to turn in all of your Georgetown application requirements: November 1, 2021, and January 10, 2022. Apply by November to know your decision on December 15, 2021.
#2 – Look at the big picture
When writing your Georgetown supplemental essays, consider your application as a whole. Make sure that each of your Georgetown essays says something new about you. After all, no two Georgetown essay prompts are the same. Be sure to not repeat other parts of your application in the essays.
# 3 – Show your unique self
These Georgetown supplemental essays are an opportunity for you to stand out to admissions. Don’t generalize when writing your Georgetown essays. Get specific about your experiences. Use the opportunity to not only demonstrate who you are, but also to show off your writing style.
Georgetown Supplemental Essays — Final Thoughts
In each of your Georgetown essays, be unique and original, but also genuine and honest. Instead of trying to predict what your readers would like to hear in your Georgetown supplemental essays, just tell your personal story.
Do your research on the specific college within the University to which you are applying so you can connect yourself with Georgetown. Be clear, concise, and specific in your responses to the Georgetown essay prompts. There is no cookie-cutter Georgetown student, so highlight what makes you stand out in your Georgetown supplemental essays. Good luck!
This Georgetown supplemental essays guide was written by Sarah Kaminski . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.
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2022-23 Georgetown Transfer Acceptance Rate, Requirements, and Application Deadline
In the eyes of most, Georgetown University is the premier Jesuit school in the country. Located in Washington D.C., this university is the number one destination point for many high school superstars from around the globe. As such, acceptance rates have dipped closer to the single-digits in recent years. This leaves many aspiring Hoyas stranded outside the university’s gates. Yet, this does not have to be the final outcome, as Georgetown does accept between 80 and 300 transfer applicants each year. The following blog will reveal the Georgetown transfer acceptance rate as well other essential pieces of information like the Georgetown transfer deadline, the requirements/checklist for applicants, the Georgetown transfer decision date and much more.
Georgetown Transfer Acceptance Rate
Below we present the most current available Georgetown University transfer acceptance rate as well as historical data.
In the fall of 2021, there were 2,655 transfer applicants and 86 individuals were accepted. This means that the Georgetown transfer acceptance rate is 3.2%. If we break this down by gender, the acceptance rates are as follows:
- Male transfer applicants: 4.1%
- Female transfer applicants: 2.6%
When trying to get the complete picture on how difficult it is to transfer into a given school, it is important to also look at historical data. Many schools have wild fluctuations in transfer acceptance rate from year to year. As you can see, the Georgetown transfer acceptance rate has indeed experienced significant swings in recent years, ranging from 3% to 17%.
Historical transfer rates are as follows:
Georgetown Transfer Deadline
The university only offers a fall transfer option. The Georgetown transfer deadline for fall applicants is March 1.
Georgetown Transfer Requirements
The Georgetown transfer requirements are as follows:
- Complete the Georgetown Transfer Application . This school does not use the Common App.
- Secondary School Report
- Official college transcripts
- SAT or ACT scores
- Dean’s Report
- Mid-Term Report (recommended)
- A Professor’s Report
- Optional alumni interview
Students who have the best chance to gain admission to Georgetown have done the following:
- Completed at least 12 college credits.
- Earned exceptional grades in their first year at a community college or 4-year university.
- Have completed relevant coursework for their intended program of study.
Georgetown Transfer GPA
The average college GPA for admitted transfers has ranged from 3.79 to 3.89 in recent years. Clearly, having a 3.8 or above is desired and the closer you can get to a 4.0, the better.
Georgetown Transfer Writing Supplement
All transfer applicants must respond to required essay prompts:
Compose and attach on separate pages two brief essays (approximately one page each) on the topics given below.
- 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. If transferring from a four-year institution, please include your reasons for transferring.
Students select their school of interest and answer the corresponding prompt:
- 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: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. Please specifically address your interest in studying nursing.
- School of Health: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. Please specifically address your intended major (Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy or Human Science).
- Walsh School of Foreign Service: Describe the development of your interest in international affairs and how you believe that pursuing your studies in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service would serve your future goals.
- 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.
Georgetown Transfer Decision Date?
The Georgetown transfer decision date for fall applicants is June 1. Admitted students then have until June 15 to accept the offer.
Final Thoughts – Georgetown University Transfer Acceptance Rate
In evaluating the more than 2,500 transfer applications per year, the admissions committee employs a holistic process. They recommend a B+ average or higher for serious consideration, an assertion backed up by recent data.
The Georgetown application will cost you $75 and a significant investment of time. This is particularly true since they do not use the Common App and require multiple essays. Still, all of this effort can bear fruit, especially in years where the acceptance rate is more generous.
If you are looking for information on how to apply to Georgetown as a first year student, you may find the following blogs to be of interest:
- How to Get Into Georgetown
- Georgetown Supplemental Essay Prompt and Tips
Those searching for application info on other institutions may wish to visit our Dataverse pages:
- Transfer Admissions Deadlines
- Transfer Acceptance Rates
- How to Complete the Transfer Common App
Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).
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Can someone post the transfer essay prompts to Georgetown?
Does anyone here know what the essay prompt is to transfer into Georgetown? In order to see prompts I must pay a $75 fee and it’s important that I see the prompts before deciding if I want to pursue Georgetown. Please let me know!
It’s available on the Georgetown website in the supplemental application doc: https://uadmissions.georgetown.edu/transfer/application
Thank you!!!
Anyone know the essay questions?? The link is invalid, please help if you remember
Georgetown University 2022-23 Essay Prompt Guide
Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 10
You Have:
Georgetown 2022-23 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
Prompt 1: Indicate any special talents or skills you possess. (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)
The Georgetown application kicks off with 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 essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you. (approximately 1 page, single-spaced)
This is one of the hardest prompts! What do you mean, tell you about myself in my own words? What do you want to know?! Where do I start? Birth? School? Puberty? Calm down! Think about why they’re asking you this question and it will all fall into place. While many applications can often read similarly with impressive grades, extracurriculars, and teacher recommendations, this essay makes it so you can differentiate yourself with your personality. Do you have a very sarcastic sense of humor, do you make more dad jokes than your own father, do all of your friends refer to you as the “artsy” one? Georgetown wants to know that you’re more than your application, that you’re a real person with quirks and weird habits and endearing qualities! It also doesn’t hurt to keep in mind that G-town specifically names “personal” and “creative” as two separate categories. If you fancy yourself a writer, now could really be your time to shine.
And remember, Georgetown isn’t on the Common App ! Did you write your Personal Statement on Common App prompt #1 ? You could be in luck. If you chose a different prompt, don’t worry, you still might be able to recycle your Common App essay here — and it’s never too late to take our good advice on writing an essay about your background!
Georgetown University School-Specific Prompts.
(each school-specific prompt should not exceed 1 page, single-spaced), 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.).
Despite the heady tone of the introductory question, this prompt is nothing more than a classic why essay. (Promise!) Try reading it in reverse: address your chosen course of study. How will Georgetown help you pursue this interest? How will this experience make you a more educated person (and what does it mean to be educated)? Not so bad! Going in this order, kick off your writing process with a little research: what programs interest you? Is there something specific in the curriculum that calls out to you? A professor’s name that you recognize? Drilling into the details in your research will make it clear (if not totally obvious) why Georgetown is the perfect place for you to study chemistry, or linguistics, or religion.
Once you have a solid map of your school-specific interests, it’s time to turn the lens back on your experiences. It’s one thing to say you want to study journalism in the nation’s capital, but it’s more convincing and memorable if you also mention your award-winning coverage of a student council election for your school paper. You can define what it means to be “educated” by showing admissions where you are now and describing how far you hope to go with the help of a Georgetown education.
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).
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. To safely navigate the minefield of hackneyed generalizations, start with something personal! What one eye-opening experience that made you believe healthcare could be your calling? Perhaps it was a single moment, like accidental eye contact at the ER in a public hospital. Or maybe it was something more long-term, such as the struggle of navigating your school in a wheelchair after knee surgery. 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 want these things, in general. Your job is to show admissions why health studies interest you personally.
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?
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The Admissions Strategist
How to write the georgetown university supplemental essays: 2020-2021.
Georgetown University is a private university located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Northwest Washington D.C.
A competitive and prestigious school, Georgetown’s acceptance rate is 16.4%.
It features a strong commitment to foreign service, and former President Bill Clinton and actor Bradley Cooper are alumni.
Georgetown does not use the Common App , which means that if you want to apply to the school, you will need to go directly to their website .
If your heart is set on Georgetown, but you are feeling overwhelmed, fear not!
This guide will give you the tools necessary to make your supplemental essays exemplary.
Click above to watch a video on Georgetown Supplemental Essays.
What are Georgetown’s Supplemental Essay Requirements?
According to Georgetown’s website, you must complete the Application Supplement , which consists of standard candidate information (high school activities, honors, awards, talents, etc.), your planned course of study at Georgetown (you must choose a major, even if you apply as “undeclared”), and three essays illustrating information about you and your interest in studying at Georgetown.
Specifically, these are the three essays you’ll need to write when applying to Georgetown:
- Two general supplemental essays
- One school-specific essay
Well-written responses to these questions are an essential component in creating a standout application to Georgetown.
The Extracurricular Activity Essay
“Briefly (approximately one-half page) discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved.” (1/2 page, single-spaced)
In other words, you must write about an extracurricular activity you completed that was particularly important to you and also demonstrated your commitment to the activity.
Here’s how you should write this essay.
Step 1 : Write out all the activities you’ve been involved inside and outside of school. After you’ve done that, answer the following questions:
- Which of these activities have you enjoyed the most? Why?
- Which of these activities have you committed the most time to?
- Are there any activities that you’ve been involved in for at least four years?
- What are the reasons for the length of time in your involvement? Why have you been in that club for 4 years or more?
- Are there activities for which you held a leadership position?
- Which of these activities have heavily influenced your future career choices?
After you’ve written out your responses to those questions, and more that come up, it’s important that you discern what Georgetown values in their students.
Step 2 : Research Georgetown’s values.
Upon visiting the “ About ” section, you’ll find the following sentence: “Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, offering a unique education experience that prepares the next generation of global citizens to lead and make a difference in the world.”
From this statement, you can deduce that Georgetown values transformational leaders, individuals who have a vision and seek to make an impact in whatever they do.
Go back to your piece of paper and look at your activities.
- What activities have allowed you to make a difference or an impact?
- Why were these activities important to you?
- What vision did they fulfill?
You only have a few hundred words to spare. It’s important that you make those words count by creating a concise account of one activity that you’ve participated in for an extended length of time, with a great deal of commitment such that you were able to make an impact.
When writing this essay, we strongly recommend following these guidelines:
- Pick one activity. Don’t write about more than one in order to keep your essay from sounding like a laundry list.
- Spend only one or two lines describing the activity. Don’t drone on about its history or background. Get right to the point.
- Spend 30-40% of the essay on what you did in the activity. Think about teamwork, collaboration, leadership, sacrifice, dealing with conflict, implementing your vision, and following directions.
- Spend the rest of your essay explaining what you learned. Discuss values you gained, problems you want to solve in the future, how you grew as a student and family member.
Georgetown wants to learn how you spent your time and to what extent you changed thanks to this commitment. Ultimately, you want to seem like a student who grows from commitment and contribution.
Georgetown Supplemental Essay 1 Examples
In my experience, High School Musical and Mean Girls are spot-on when it comes to teen conversations; during my first three years of high school, most of the discussions my friends and I had revolved around who was dating whom, criticism of the atrocious basketball coach, and spoilers of the latest Stranger Things season. While I still enjoyed these chats, as my entrepreneurial fervor grew, I found myself feeling disjointed from my peers and looking for a community that would nurture my startup fever. When she noticed my budding interest, the head of a local incubator invited me to apply for their accelerator program. I initially felt unsure, but I gave it a shot, and as time went on, I felt as if I were transported to Ancient Athens during each Monday session. As a program meant to help individuals jumpstart and accelerate their businesses, the incubator prompted participants to think Socratically. We questioned and debated every preconceived notion regarding startups: how to conduct proper market research, when and why to shut down, and even whether a humanitarian venture could also be a profitable one. Our oratories were not dull, 10-minute long PowerPoints followed by the occasional golf clap; they were action-packed, 60-second elevator pitches accompanied by a barrage of inquiries and suggestions about statistical logos and story-telling pathos. Through numerous congregations within the polis, I gave a fellow participant the conviction to pursue his business of educating students on the college recruiting process, emphasizing how all of my friends loved athletics and wanted to go D1. In return, he helped me see that the biggest problem with teens wasn’t always finding opportunities; it was being ready and professional enough to capture it. Despite embodying Alexander the Great at the forefront, our group personified Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates in the end, as we considered each other’s ventures and employed our own ethos to help one another. We didn’t all have to be our own Homers — our Iliad and Odyssey were the cumulative success of all of our companies, forged by the collaborative intertwining of our stories.
The Georgetown Diversity Essay
“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)
From the first prompt, you’ve seen that Georgetown values individuals who want to be leaders and make an impact. In that same section , Georgetown states that “we provide students with a world-class learning experience focused on educating the whole person through exposure to different faiths, cultures and beliefs.”
From this statement, Georgetown is illustrating their desire to create a diverse and cohesive student body. In other words, they want people from all backgrounds who will come together and learn from each other.
- The admissions committee at Georgetown wants to know if you are the type of person that can bring an interesting and/or unique perspective to the wider community, while also being open to the interesting and unique perspectives of others.
So, how do you demonstrate that in a ~400-word essay?
Step 1 : Brainstorm a list of your most poignant memories/experiences from childhood until present.
Why are you the way you are and why do you think the way that you do ? Too abstract?
Take a step back and think about your interests.
- What do you enjoy doing?
- What are some of your favorite activities?
- Have you always enjoyed those activities?
Ask yourself “Why?”
Now, let’s get more specific.
- Have you ever traveled to another country?
- What was your experience like?
- How did that experience shape the way you view the world today?
Not enough? Here are more brainstorming questions for the essay.
- Do you know what it feels like to be part of a marginalized, underrepresented group?
- How has that experience influenced your academic and social trajectory?
- How will your experience and perspective add to Georgetown’s mission to educate global citizens who can make a difference in the world and live “in service of others, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the community”?
- Did you experience something traumatic, and how has it changed you?
Connect us to your school's principal!
Don’t hold back.
For instance, we had a student write her essay on how her love for the movie “Matilda” inspired her to study psychology and the inner workings of the human mind.
Step 2 : Create a mission statement from your meaningful memory/experience.
Now, let’s brainstorm more of your values and personal themes.
- What do you stand for?
- What are you passionate about?
- How has my experience or challenge changed me?
Write a sentence or two that captures the way you want to make a difference in the world, and, particularly, at Georgetown.
Let this mission stem from poignant memories/experiences.
- For instance, if you volunteered at an underfunded inner-city school during high school and performed tutoring or other related work, maybe your mission statement might be: “I want to help provide access to a quality education for people who might not otherwise have access to it.”
- You can also begin your essay with a brief anecdote that introduces your experience. If you take this route, don’t spend too much time on the anecdote. Get right into your experience and then begin discussing how you grew from it.
Don’t be intimidated if you don’t have significant memories/experiences that have to deal with travel or volunteering.
Georgetown asks that you share something that best describes you. Perhaps you love music or movies. How might you make an impact through music and cinematography?
Get creative and have fun.
Step 3 : Create a story around your mission statement.
You have your poignant memory/experience and mission statement.
Now, create a story that helps the reader to understand why you have your mission and why you see the world in your own way.
Help them to walk in your shoes and see the world through your eyes. Remember that you only have one page, so be concise. If you can state a thought in fewer words, then do so. Brevity is the soul of wit.
Step 4 : Tie your mission and story back to Georgetown.
Remember, the admissions committee is asking you to share details about who you are because they want to know if you’d be a good fit for the school.
Be sure to demonstrate, through your mission and story, that you are, indeed, a great fit for the school.
- You don’t have to copy Georgetown’s mission statement verbatim. In fact, you shouldn’t.
But when the admissions officers read your essay, they should see that you have a solid understanding of what you would add to the greater Georgetown community.
Step 5 : Have someone proofread your essay for intent and delivery.
After reading your essay, someone should have a clear understanding of what’s important to you, who you are, and what you will add to the Georgetown University community.
Be sure to ask for feedback . Ask if you are clearly articulating who you are, and why you want to study at Georgetown.
If you complete these steps, this would be an example of the structure of your essay.
- I have seen growing income inequality in my community, so I decided to take action in support of a local candidate for office .
- While volunteering , you worked with freshman and middle school students who looked up to you. As such, you learned the value of mentorship and setting a good example.
- While your candidate lost the election, you’re determined to close the Opportunity Divide in America. You now want to engage groups of young people to help build organic political campaigns.
Georgetown Supplemental Essay 2 Examples
If you were a new student in my classroom, my presence in the room would not be evident: you’d see me chatting with a couple of friends while I peruse through my work inbox, but you wouldn’t notice much else. Sure — if happen to be in my Calculus class, I would be that annoying kid who raises his hand every other second to shout out the derivative of arcsin; however, most of the time, I like to keep to myself, sometimes to the point of relative shyness. Yet, during those inevitable moments of awkward silence — where my peers are in dire need of an outspoken savior — I somehow seem to shine, providing unplanned, yet quite eloquent, responses. In some cases, such as when asked about the importance of the National History Day competition, I so lovingly talked about my old group and how they became more like family to me, prompting “Awwwww”s from a sea of parents and coordinators. During other moments, such as after a team win against our crosstown rival, I described how my role as injured reserve/interim waterboy was the key to keeping the players hydrated and active, thus helping us claim victory. Even during my startup’s first pitch competition, where our team of sophomores was pitted in a one-minute “pitch-off” against a group full of seniors, I stepped up to the plate, drawing upon my personal observations of the socioeconomic diversity of our student body to deliver a heartwarming soliloquy on the importance of my business, hitting a home run and netting us $1,000 in the process. Truth be told, my well-crafted spiels remain an enigma, but as much as actions speak louder than words, I conjecture that the exuberant, outgoing Kyle DuPont comes alive when the best action is to speak up.
How To Prepare for the “School-Specific Essay”
The “word count” for this page should fit one page, single-spaced.
The school-specific essay is like a test.
If your heart dropped after reading that, relax. The good news is that you have access to the information necessary to put your best foot forward.
The school-specific essay is the admissions committee’s way of testing if you understand the purpose of the school/course of study you’re applying to and whether you’re a good fit.
Bonus points if your response is incredibly strong and creative. Before beginning your essay, keep in mind:
- Do your research about the school. Are there professors, grants, projects, externships, fellowships that you’d like to avail yourself?
- Don’t write about Washington, DC. It’s a beautiful city, yes, but there are over a dozen schools based in and around the city. You want to ensure this essay can’t be substituted for another school’s essay.
Let’s walk through each of the essays below.
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.)
For the Georgetown College essay, it’s important to identify your goals. Ask yourself:
- What does earning a world-class education mean to you?
- Where do you see yourself 5 or 10 years from now?
- What kind of impact do you want to make on the world?
There is no right or wrong answer. Just be authentic.
Georgetown wants to cultivate global citizens that will make a difference in the world.
- Do you need to grow your leadership skills?
- Do you want to increase your appreciation of and respect for diversity?
When exploring what it means to be educated, think about your history, family background, personal experiences with learning, and the challenges you’ve faced. Then connect these experiences with how you’d further your interests in that field.
In addition, you need to be specific about how studying a particular major will help you achieve the goals you’ve identified.
- If your goal is to better understand the human experience in order to create art that illustrates social justice issues, how will studying American Musical Culture help you?
If you want to major in a language and/or science, be sure to clearly articulate not only why, but also why you want to do so at Georgetown.
Visit the department websites to see their course descriptions and other pieces of information in order to create a narrative that makes sense.
Georgetown College Supplemental Essay Example
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.) (Each school-specific prompt should not exceed 1 page, single-spaced, or approximately 500-700 words depending on font size) You’d be forgiven for mistaking the new Frederick High School for an upscale Marriott hotel. With its majestic Promethean boards, spiral staircases, concentric lighting fixtures, and culturally diverse student body, our vibrant school community might seem to have it all; yet, not all individuals do. In my own circle of friends, some are able to enjoy a Dunkin Donuts latte every morning, play Fortnite for hours on end, and get brand new lacrosse sticks before the turn of each season. In contrast, others struggle with working night shifts at Wawa, getting rides after AP Statistics review sessions, and finding time to get homework done. During my sophomore year, I started to notice a common thread tying our entire student body together. Whether I was munching on chicken nuggets in the school cafeteria or watching the football team kick a field goal, everyone seemed to be talking about how difficult it was to find opportunities that matched their personal needs. My friends who came from more financially secure backgrounds wanted internships and volunteer positions that would allow them to dabble in new fields. Others needed jobs to ease the financial burdens of their families. Truth be told, I knew that there were numerous vacant positions in my area. During the late afternoon strolls my father and I took in Downtown Frederick, we often encountered “Help Wanted” signs plastered on the doors of pizza places and nonprofits; however, with most job sites catering to professionals, it seemed as though the opportunities for connection between students and these organizations were far and few between. Since I knew that nearly all students had access to smartphones and Chromebooks, I set out to build Vita EDO (Equity, Diversity, and Opportunity), an app that would connect high school students to opportunities within their community. Despite having minimal business expertise — most of which came from Techcrunch articles and NPR podcasts — I dove headfirst into the startup process: I assembled a dynamic team of researchers, digital designers, and computer engineers. I networked and built strong relationships with fellow entrepreneurs, heads of technology incubators, and CEO coaches and continuously navigated the social labyrinths of talking to potential users, customers, and investors. I even victoriously battled in regional and national pitch competitions, raising over $3,000 in the process. Of course, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. As the business began to grow, our school administration placed restrictions on our ability to advertise on campus. Aside from putting additional effort into our social media campaign, we got inventive and spread the word with the only visual tool we had left at our disposal: clothing, which resulted in the now rare and infamous Vita sweatshirt. In addition, after experiencing significant initial traction on the employer side, we are continuously changing our marketing strategies and pricing structures to continue to reach and serve the right organizations. Through participation in a local accelerator program, our team has even gone back to the drawing board, conducting more in-person customer interviews to supplement our initial market research. This process, although time-consuming, has resulted in numerous leads and paved the way for stronger networks and a better understanding of the employer problem — a lack of quality high school workers. A year after becoming a limited liability corporation, Vita EDO has become an integral part of the Frederick community, helping connect over 220 students to 70 employers and more than 100 job opportunities. I’m proud that the social platform has given all members of our diverse student body equal access to greater opportunity. As the business expands, I see Vita EDO as a launchpad for all students, eventually offering courses in career exploration, resume building, and professionalism in the workplace. By leveraging the power of community, my goal is to make sure that no student, no matter where they come from or what opportunities their families can provide, ventures into the workplace alone. Despite the plethora of STEM and humanities courses I have taken throughout high school, none have made me feel more “educated” than understanding, empathizing with, and attempting to solve the problems that plague so many people. Furthermore, by leveraging the power of community, my goal is to make sure that no student, no matter where they come from or what opportunities their families can provide, ventures into the workplace alone, thereby democratizing opportunity, and thus, democratizing education.
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 (Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, Human Science, or Nursing).
Studying health care requires commitment and diligence.
It will help your application greatly if you can point to meaningful experiences/memories that have influenced your decision to study health care.
- Did you have a parent that works in the health care field?
- How did their decision to pursue a career in health care inspire you?
It’s not enough to say that you want to study health care because you have a parent that works in the health care field.
You must be explicit about the reasoning behind your motivations and intentions.
- Have you shadowed any doctors?
- Did you volunteer at any labs?
- Did you complete a global community service trip?
Provide examples and be sure to go back to Georgetown’s mission statement and values. How will studying health care allow you to be a leader and make a difference?
Remember, be sure to focus on specific experiences. The last thing you want to do is write an essay on your loose connections to the health care field.
Here’s a good outline for this essay:
- My father has a walking disability stemming from a genetic condition that I also have.
- I’ve learned how difficult it is to manage my own demanding high school schedule while ensuring my father gets the care he needs. This includes making dinner for him, walking him to the bathroom, and buying groceries for the family.
- Since I’ve taken care of my father, I’ve built relationships with his nurses and doctors.
- During my sophomore and junior years, I shadowed them and learned about different diseases, treatments, and medicines.
- I am inspired to find the cure for my father’s genetic condition before it affects me.
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.
This question requires outside research in addition to serious introspection. Work from the inside out.
Go back to your values and goals. Then pick a global issue that speaks to your values and goals.
Include facts, statistics and, most important, an argument.
- Clearly communicate your argument through an introduction to the problem,
- Provide a thesis statement (the solution to the problem)
- Include supporting evidence (in the form of facts and figures), as well as analysis (your opinion in light of those facts and figures).
You don’t need to pick a well-known or widely covered global issue. Just because the conflict or issue isn’t covered on the front page of the New York Times , it doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be a good topic for this essay.
You can choose any topic, as long as you can argue about why it’s important.
That said, don’t spend too much time on explaining its importance – explain its significance relatively quickly and then get right into its solutions and action steps countries, organizations, or individuals can take to solve or deal with this problem.
Here’s an outline of a successful essay:
- You believe the lack of international willpower to boost technological development that would clean up the world’s oceans is alarming. Particularly alarming is the lack of organization developing countries use to clean up their rivers.
- Facts, data, statistics, and arguments include the tonnage and volume of junk these countries and their rivers dump into the ocean, lack of corporate controls that lead to increased chemical dumping, the destruction of agreements and treaties, number of endangered species affected by junk in rivers and oceans, dearth of technological developments and emerging technologies aimed at cleaning up the world’s waters.
- Your solution to dealing with this issue: Practice statecraft and implore international leaders to pursue public-private partnerships with established and emerging tech companies to develop assistive robots to clean up shorelines and beach fronts.
- Engage citizens to buy from companies that pour capital into building long-range filters that monitor ocean health and clean junk.
Applicants to the McDonogh 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.
The admissions committee gave you a secret weapon by stating that they provide “graduates with essential ethical, analytical, financial and global perspectives.”
Explain your interests in those domains of business.
- What is it about the ethics of business that interests you?
- Why do you believe it’s important?
- What experience have you had in dealing with finances in your life?
- How have these experiences influenced your desire to study business?
Although it is important to remain honest and authentic, be wise in your responses.
It will not serve you well to state that your motivation for studying business is to “make a lot of money,” as Georgetown makes it clear that it wants its students to serve those considered to be disadvantaged and vulnerable.
- To be clear, almost every business school will be reluctant to admit a student who overtly or otherwise states a love for money.
- You have the rest of your life to chase investments and advantageous stock trades.
- Remember, you’re applying to Georgetown for a liberal arts education. Demonstrate the holistic reason(s) as to why you want to study business.
- As such, focus on building things, providing value to the public, creating useful and productive inventions, and practicing ethics.
It is important that as you state your motivations for studying business, you clearly state how studying business will help you to become a leader and make an impact in the world.
If you’re struggling to find a holistic reason for studying business, think of the following:
- What you learned from observing good business practices or implementing technologies that have made the world a better place.
- Your experiences in starting a small side hustle or business that benefitted members of your community.
Here’s a sample outline for a strong essay:
- I wanted to take additional steps to connect with my roots and community. My desire to learn more about my history spurred me to take action.
- On Sundays, I went to my religious community’s gatherings and participated in readings from our holy book. I fell in love with the teachings and language.
- As I got better at the language, I took my skills and began tutoring kids in my community. This led to the birth of my tutoring business, where I taught students how to write and communicate in our culture’s language.
- I learned that not only did I enjoy helping students, but I also fell in love with connecting people to my culture.
- In the future, I want to create a platform that will help Americans connect with their personal and familial histories. This will increase their pride in American and boost their sense of belonging to this great country. This is why I want to pursue business.
Conclusion: Writing the Georgetown Supplemental Essays
All students applying to Georgetown will have to answer 3 essay prompts: two general essays and one school-specific essay.
A well-written supplemental essay package requires research, authenticity, and revision. Be sure to give yourself enough time to research the schools and majors of interest, craft well-written responses, and receive feedback before submission.
By following these guidelines, you can create a stellar package that will give you a distinctive advantage in your application process.
And if you’re interested in gaining an edge in college admissions essay writing, check out our college essay boot camp.
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Georgetown Transfer Essay: It's The Simple Things
Write an essay about yourself.
OP Justroks 1 / 1 Feb 28, 2019 #3 Thank you for your advice! I will definitely switch some things around. Also, as for removing the last paragraph, the essay prompt says to include the reasons for transferring if I am leaving a 4 year institution. Should I still consider removing it?
How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essays: Examples + Guide 2022/2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- How to write each supplemental essay prompt for Georgetown
- Prompt #1: “Special talents/skills” essay
Located in Washington, DC, and providing an outstanding academic experience, expansive internship opportunities, and robust collegiate athletics, it isn’t hard to see why Georgetown is a popular college choice for many social seniors. Georgetown’s application offers a traditional blend of writing prompts, including a personal statement, a “Why us?” essay, and an extracurricular essay. Though the prompts may be standard, the tips, ideas, and examples below can help you stand out from the field.
You’ll find an extensive, by-the-numbers look at Georgetown’s offerings, from enrollment and tuition statistics to student life and financial aid information on its Common Data Set . For deep insights into how this university envisions its role and how it wants to grow and evolve, read its academic strategic plan for the next five years (it even has its own website!). Reading through this will give you a strong idea of what Georgetown values.
What are Georgetown's supplemental essay prompts?
Indicate any special talents or skills you possess. (250 words max)
Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved. (“approx half page ~1000 chars”)
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. (approx 1 page)
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). (approximately 1 page single spaced)
APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. Please specifically address your intended major (Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, or Human Science) (approximately one page, single-spaced)
APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF NURSING: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. Please specifically address your intended major Nursing. (approximately one page, single-spaced)
APPLICANTS TO THE 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?
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.
How to Write Each Supplemental Essay Prompt for Georgetown University
How to write georgetown supplemental essay prompt #1.
Picking a Topic:
While you may have heard us encourage students to write with focus, preferring a deep dive on one topic over a brief mention of many, this prompt asks for talents and skills , so don’t hesitate to touch on your numerous abilities you haven’t had a chance to show elsewhere in your app.
To get started, set a timer for three minutes . Then, list as many skills and talents as you can. Don’t limit yourself to the ones you’d put on a job application. Consider talents large (communicating) and small (sharpening pencils just the right way), academic (naming any Shakespeare play based on only a couple lines) and non-academic (knowing which one of your siblings are home based on how many dishes are in the sink). For this essay, and especially for this brainstorm, almost any idea can work.
Have your list ready? Ok. Pick four to seven of your favorite ones. Choose a variety—this is a great chance to add some personality to your application, share some of your quirks, and show you’re a well-rounded applicant.
Here’s a strong example:
Over time, I have worked to develop a vocabulary whose nuance reflects the thoughtfulness with which I view the world. To do that, every day after school, I add a branch to my word board. * * * Meraki— a Greek word— means “to do something with soul, creativity, or love,” to leave a piece of yourself in your work. When I play the harp, I select pieces that lay bare my inner condition. At home, I cook with meraki: my brother has many dietary restrictions, and my desire to give him satisfying meals drives me to innovate new recipes that redefine his experience of eating. * * * Array is a term in programming that means “index out of bounds error.” When I founded Code Autism and invented RIPPL, I looked “out of bounds” to bring these ideas into reality. * * * Sonder— the notion that each person has a life as complex as your own— is expressed as well in my relationship with my brother. As he is nonverbal, I have learned to interpret his facial expressions and emotional needs without speech, something that informs my interactions with others on a daily basis. * * * 毅力, or perseverance, informs not only my role in my family, but also my physical pursuits. As a result of studying Tae Kwon Do, I have mastered one hundred consecutive push-ups and can break a wooden board with a jumping roundhouse kick. As a blue belt, I am empowered to defend not only myself, but also others. — — —
Tips + Analysis:
Share different sides of yourself. By choosing to share her talent for curating a nuanced vocabulary, this writer is able to touch on her interests in playing harp, cooking, taking care of her brother, programming, and Tae Kwon Do.
Ground your special talents and skills to values. Notice how the author does this in the example above (harp → vulnerability, cooking → care, programming → service, Tae Kwon Do → discipline, defending others).
Show range by balancing the academic/impressive with the personal/human. A young woman who founds a non-profit like Code Autism and invents an app like RIPPL is likely to impress a reader, but the impact is enhanced by the humility of caretaking for her brother. Her toughness is showcased through Tae Kwon Do, but balanced with the vulnerability of composing for the harp.
How to Write Georgetown Supplemental Essay prompt #2
This is your basic extracurricular activity essay, and will double with many other prompts from other schools. Already written an extracurricular essay you love? Copy, paste, and call it a day.
If not, you can view a thorough, step-by-step guide to writing the essay at this link , or keep reading here for some tips on choosing a topic and a strong sample essay written specifically for Georgetown.
Picking a Topic
Here are a few steps you can take to identify a topic.
Go to your activities list and pick 2-3 possible topics.
Go through the BEABIES exercise (either mentally or by filling out the chart) to decide which topic might yield the most content.
Double check with your personal statement to make sure you’re showing some side of yourself that’s not currently being discussed at length there.
Let’s check a couple examples.
Example: Narrative + Overcoming a Challenge
Because this student is writing about overcoming a challenge, she uses a narrative structure, telling a linear story and explaining what she walked away with.
If there were a “cry graph” for the number of times students at my school broke down from freshman to junior year, it would increase exponentially. We often found ourselves weeping together in philosophy class, one of the only safe spaces to open up emotionally about the constant pressure we all experienced. I was alarmed at the number of times I heard “I’m going to kill myself” in the classroom on a daily basis, and my closest friend confessed that she considered quitting school. In short, my school community was very, very stressed. These red flags led me to decide that it was time to change the picture of the cry graph and create a space other than philosophy class where we could support each other, so I founded the Psychology and Mental Health Club. I researched empirically proven de-stressing methods, and found that yoga, art therapy, and canine therapy can lower blood pressure and cortisol levels while increasing oxytocin levels. I organized stretching and doodle sessions, and collaborated with the library to host therapy dogs so that students could ‘paws’ and relax. After each event, we asked students to indicate their mood before and after; 96% of students responded that their stress decreased. I am elated to say that the Mental Health Club seems to have successfully reversed the ‘cry graph.’ We have become a mindful, supportive, tight-knit community, and we are no longer defined by anxiety--rather, we are now defined by our dedication to mental health awareness and balance. I have received numerous requests to continue and expand the club’s work, so we plan to hold our sessions every two weeks, and to introduce meditation, calming music, herbal teas, and other mindfulness activities that I continue to explore. — — —
This author uses her extracurricular essay to explain how she overcame a challenge in her school community. You can find a whole host of tips and ideas for this narrative style extracurricular essay here , but the following are a few quick takeaways:
Raise the stakes. We need to know why we should care about the challenge your extracurricular activity is working to solve. When this author shares the commonality of hearing students’ suicidal ideation, we can see why this is an important problem to solve.
Be specific about what you did. This author not only explains that she created a club, she also details both the distinct steps she took to generate a solution and the specific services her club offered.
If possible, share quantitative outcomes. We all probably trusted that the therapy dog sessions were effective (see: any puppy ever), but this author drives that point home with data : 96% of post-session student responses showed a decrease in stress.
Example: Montage + Making Connections
This student uses a montage structure for his essay, using different aspects of the extracurricular activity (debate) to demonstrate interest and achievement in a whole host of areas (philosophy, critical thinking, public service, self-awareness, self control)
Initially, debate seemed nonsensical: lambasting opponents while arguing improbable scenarios. But over time I’ve learned that it’s more than competition that drives me to stay up all night looking for evidence: I love learning about the political and ideological underpinnings of our society and the way they shape us. On an easy debate tournament weekend, I research foreign diplomatic agendas and synthesize the information into coherent debate evidence. When tournaments become more hectic, however, I delve deeper into the works of philosophers and social critics and translate the knowledge into debate argumentation. While researching foreign policy, critical theory like Heideggerian phenomenology and constitutional details, I’ve developed an ability to critically analyze argumentation, make sense of the world around me and creatively express myself in an academic setting. My hard work has paid off. In the past four tournaments, I’ve received a Top 10 speaker award for the varsity division consisting of about 50 debaters. This trend has increased my credibility in my debate league to such a level that my partner and I were invited to participate in a series of public debates at LA City Hall to defend the water policy for the drought. The opportunity allowed me to actually impact the public’s awareness and accept a larger responsibility in the workings of my community. More importantly, however, debate has taught me to strategically choose my battles. When I prepare my arguments, I know that I can’t use all of them in the end of a round. I have to focus. I’ve learned to maximize my strengths and not try to conquer everything. Moreover, I’ve learned to be responsible with my choices. A wrong argument can mean losing if we can’t defend well. Not only do I now know how to zoom in from a bigger picture, but I also know how to pick the right place to zoom in to so I can achieve my goal. Debate has turned me into an responsible optimizing, scrutinizing and strategizing orator. — — —
As with the earlier example, you can find a wealth of tips for an “uncommon connections” style here . You can also find some distilled tips and ideas below.
Identify skills and learnings you’ve gained from the extracurricular activity, and where else those skills show up. This author has three primary takeaways from debate: an interest in philosophy, becoming a more vocal and active community member, and the ability to choose his battles. In your essay, you can earn bonus points by highlighting unexpected places those skills have shown up. This author could have cited the way she applied a philosophical concept to a drama performance she did, or how her participation in the LA City Hall debates led to her attending a climate march.
Organize your essay effectively by addressing each connection in its own paragraph. One possible structure for each paragraph is:
Name the skill or takeaway
How does it show up in your extracurricular activity?
How does it show up somewhere else, possibly unexpectedly?
Summarize the takeaways clearly. This is even more important if your takeaways are uncommon or unexpected. This author names each outcome of her engagement with the debate team in her closing sentence: responsibility, efficiency, a critical eye, and the ability to strategize.
How to Write Georgetown Supplemental Essay #3
Your personal statement will work well for this. Generally, “approx 1 page” means around 600 words. According to the G’town admission office, though, the essay just needs to fit on one page. Don’t push that too far (we don’t want readers running to find a magnifying glass), but we suggest writing a draft that’s around 600 words and making it fit after the fact.
How to Write Georgetown Supplemental Essay Prompt #4
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). (approximately one page single-spaced) APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. Please specifically address your intended major (Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, or Human Science) (approximately one page, single-spaced) APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF NURSING: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. Please specifically address your intended major Nursing. (approximately one page, single-spaced) 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. (approximately one page single-spaced) 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. (approximately one page single-spaced)
At their core, these prompts are asking for a “Why Georgetown?” response. Here’s a complete guide on how to write the “Why us?” essay —read through it and pay close attention to the “Why Cornell” and “Why Penn” examples (our favorites).
A note on Georgetown College:
The first thing Georgetown asks for is your definition of “educated.” While the prompt may suggest you give this question equal weight to the second question they ask in this prompt (“How might Georgetown College help you achieve this aim?”), we recommend giving your definition of “educated” quickly and succinctly. This’ll give you more words to spend on the heart of the essay, which is basically a classic “Why us?” prompt.
A couple quick notes on choosing your definition for “educated”:
Make it active. Try to come up with a definition that can be shown through actions. To be educated might mean “to be able to ____________” or “to be prepared to ____________.” How you fill in that blank can set you up to discuss the things you will do at Georgetown and what you hope to leave knowing and feeling equipped to do.
Another idea: Give your definition multiple parts. You might consider naming a few qualities of “educated,” then address each one in the body of your essay. If, to you, being educated means being x, y, and z, for example, you might organize your essay into three paragraphs: how Georgetown will help you become x, become y, and become z.
A note on the 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 is one of the most well-regarded programs in the country for students interested in global issues and international relations. So this essay needs to be next-level if you want to have a chance. Here are some quick tips:
Committing to a college path dedicated to developing the tools needed to address worldwide issues is heady stuff, and it typically comes from a deep-seated desire to not just to help others but do so on a global scale. So what’s the story of your inspiration? Why foreign service? Was it a personal experience that had a profound effect on your outlook on the world? Or do you have a more general interest in effecting lasting change? If so, why? To brainstorm some ideas, it may help to think of this as a “Why Major” essay, with foreign service as the “major.” Here’s a complete guide to the “Why Major” essay .
You might use this as an opportunity to describe work you’ve done around a particular issue, one that stirred in you an intense urge to tackle a specific global concern. Past students, for example, have described work they’ve been doing on gender rights, the climate crisis, and everything in between. If this sounds like you …
Consider doing the Elon Musk exercise to tease out some material—only, in addition to “what you did” and the “impact you had,” you’ll want to add a 7th, even more important component: what impact do you hope to have in the future? And maybe even: How can SFS equip you to do that?
In answering the last sentence of the prompt, consider describing how the work/research you’ve done on a significant issue has revealed to you how complex this issue is. What makes it complex? What are the forces in play? How has that inspired a future in foreign service? Show us how your brain works, and how your heart is fully engaged.
If you do choose to write about a specific topic of global significance, become a semi-expert on your topic. In other words, research it enough so that you’re pretty sure you know more than your reader about it. This may take some time, but it’s worth it. Chances are, other students applying to SFS have spent considerable time either working on or studying their topic of choice, so showing you know your stuff will improve your chances of standing out.
Quick Note: If all this sounds way too intense, ask yourself: Do I want to be a Hoya? Or do I really, really want to go to SFS? If you’re not super interested in/excited about being in SFS, maybe consider just applying to Georgetown. If you’re not sure, definitely do some more research.
Action Items:
Reflect on what you want out of your college experience. Collect those insights using this chart . Identifying specific or niche interests and needs will help you find equally specific resources at Georgetown and make your “we’re a perfect match” (see more on this at the “complete guide” link above) case more compelling.
Spend at least an hour researching 10+ reasons why Georgetown might be a great fit for you, mapping them out in the third column of the chart.
Remember, we don’t want to prove that Georgetown is the best school for every student—we want to prove that it’s the best fit for you. This means that, for all the specifics you provide about Georgetown, you’ll also want to explain why those specifics appeal specifically to you . You’ll see examples of this in the sample essay below.
Create an outline based on either Approach One, Approach Two (recommended), or Approach 3 (as explained in our “Why us?” guide ).
Example (Georgetown College):
Cynefin : a Welsh word for a place where a being feels it ought to be; it is where nature feels right and welcoming. It is both a concept that gets right to the heart of my cultural roots and an expression of my first experience at Georgetown. It was a chilly but beautiful autumn day; the heated, yet compassionate debates and cozy atmosphere of the campus warded off the cold. There were no words to describe my feelings -- in English. However, later on, I connected those ineffable emotions to cynefin . To me, Georgetown has the potential to vault me to self-actualization, the all-encompassing fulfillment of my potential, both as an individual and as a member of society. For me, education includes every element of me as a person, and Georgetown’s focus on this is what makes it truly special. At Georgetown, computer science isn’t just about technical understanding; it is also about comprehending the ethical implications of technology on society, as illustrated by Georgetown’s STIA program. Since attending the Cambridge Scholars Program and writing my capstone thesis linking Mrs. Dalloway and Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, I have sought out unconventional connections between complex subjects. The Ethics Lab at Georgetown will allow me to do that kind of work, connecting crypto-currency and emerging economies and considering the human effects of developing technology. I can also be involved in some of the numerous projects that are occurring through the Georgetown Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. I also hope to develop mentoring relationships with professors like Lisa Singh, who conducted research on the relationship between social media and gun violence. Her use of crowdsourced data could inform the further development of my app, RIPPL, which similarly incorporates user reported data to track toxic algae blooms. Moreover, the wealth of diverse research projects at Georgetown would enable me to explore new aspects of computer science, such as cybersecurity and cryptography. Georgetown’s appeal isn’t only rooted in computer science; language, literature, and music also fascinate me. Having studied Chinese since the second grade, I plan to continue learning about Chinese language and culture by participating in Georgetown’s initiative for U.S.-China Dialogue on Global Issues. Georgetown also offers literature courses that serve as a compliment to computer science, such as Professor Pireddu’s “The Writing Factory: Science, Machines, and the Technology of the Word in 20th-Century Italian Literature”. The harp has been my musical passion for eight years, and I intend to nurture that passion further through Georgetown LEAP and the GU Orchestra. Branching out beyond my STEM specialty in such ways is key to my vision of education. Another critical aspect of that vision is exposure to the perspective of others. Currently, I’m a board member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee at my school. I’m aware of my own limited perspective, and I hope to build on my current DEI work at Georgetown by joining ERASE (educating students about social inequality) where I can interact with, and learn from, a variety of different people, across cultural, racial, political, and social differences. It’s equally important to me that I contribute to Georgetown in my own way. My program, Code Autism, aims to empower the autistic community through teaching coding. Just as Best Buddies began at Georgetown, I believe Georgetown could be the well from which Code Autism springs, as it has the capacity to become an impactful and wide-reaching organization on both a local and national level. Georgetown’s motto is “cura personalis”—education of the whole person. This exemplifies my own view of education. Just as I felt that day when I visited the campus, I feel now that cynefin best defines what Georgetown is to me: a place where my passions, values, intellect, and aspirations are elevated and can be at home. — — —
You can find a robust list of ways to make your “Why us?” essay stand out in our full guide, but here are a few takeaways from this example:
The author identifies her own interests and needs. After attending an academic program, she developed an interest in “seeking out unconventional connections between complex subjects.” This makes her mention of Georgetown’s Ethics Lab more compelling. Similarly, she shares her work with Code Autism, being on the DEI committee at her school, and her creation of RIPPL, all of which connect to a resource on campus.
Rather than simply naming the course/opportunity at Georgetown that interests you, describe how you’d benefit from it. This student, for example, doesn’t just name the Ethics Lab, she writes, “I have sought out unconventional connections between complex subjects. The Ethics Lab at Georgetown will allow me to do that kind of work, connecting crypto-currency and emerging economies and considering the human effects of developing technology.”
Refer back to the prompt, especially if your essay doesn’t explicitly address “educated” in the opening sentences. Although this is a “Why Georgetown” essay, you’ll want to make sure your essay isn’t ignoring the question of what it means to be educated. This student tactfully does that by including transitions like, “Branching out beyond my STEM specialty in such ways is key to my vision of education. (Paragraph Break) Another critical aspect of that vision is exposure to the perspective of others.”
Special thanks to Calvin Pickett for contributing to this post.
Calvin is an ardent reader, writer, and all-around communicator with a deep love of stories. He has a dog, Seymour, whom he loves—in fact far more than Seymour loves him.
Top values: Adaptability | Meaningful Work | Fun
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