Georgetown University's Competitive Application Numbers Revealed

Georgetown University is one of the most selective universities in the United States, with a rigorous admissions process and a low acceptance rate. The university seeks students who embody character, intelligence, motivation, and achievement, without discriminating on the basis of race, gender, immigration status, or religious preference. With a vibrant and diverse community of over 6,300 undergraduates from all 50 states and more than 130 countries, Georgetown University is a highly sought-after destination for prospective students worldwide. The university's prestigious reputation and commitment to holistic admissions attract a large number of applications each year, making it a competitive and challenging school to gain admission to.

Application deadlines

Georgetown University offers two ways to apply: Early Action or Regular Decision. The application process is the same for international applicants, who follow the same admissions procedures and use the same application as all other applicants to the university.

The application deadlines for Early Action and Regular Decision are November 1 and January 10, respectively. Applicants are encouraged to begin their application by submitting the Georgetown Application as soon as possible. The Georgetown Application allows the university to keep its applicant pool manageable, guaranteeing that all applications will be read by a regional Admissions Officer.

All admitted first-year students will have until May 1 to submit their enrollment agreement and non-refundable deposit to reserve a place in the first-year class.

For Early Action, applicants will be notified by the admissions committee of their admissions decision by December 15. For Regular Decision, applicants will be notified by April 1.

Georgetown University admits qualified students of any age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, colour, disability status, religion, citizenship, immigration status, and national and ethnic origin.

Application process

Georgetown University offers three ways to apply as an undergraduate student: as a first-year applicant, a transfer applicant, or a visiting student. International applicants follow the same admissions procedures and use the same application as all other applicants to the university. The university encourages applicants to familiarise themselves with the application process, policies, and procedures.

The application process begins with the submission of the Georgetown Application, which initiates the alumni interview. Within 24 hours of submitting the Georgetown Application, applicants will receive an email with instructions on how to create their application account, where they can begin working on their additional required application forms. These forms allow applicants to provide more information about themselves, including their chosen school and major at Georgetown, activities, standardized testing updates, and essays.

The Georgetown Application also allows high school counsellors and teachers to submit personalized letters of recommendation. Applicants are encouraged to showcase their personalities, talents, skills, and accomplishments in their applications.

For graduate programs, the application process involves submitting an electronic application form, along with supporting documents such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and English proficiency test scores. Applicants are required to submit an Academic Statement of Purpose and may also submit an optional statement highlighting their diverse background and individual experiences.

The application deadlines for graduate programs vary, with priority deadlines offering an application fee waiver. The application fee for the 2024 application cycle is $90.

Application requirements

Georgetown University offers three ways to apply as an undergraduate student: as a first-year applicant, a transfer applicant, or a visiting student. International applicants follow the same admissions procedures and use the same application as all other applicants to the university.

The Georgetown Application is the first step in the admissions process. It should take around 10 to 15 minutes to complete and will create your official admissions file. Submission of the Georgetown Application also initiates the alumni interview, conducted between September and February for first-year applicants. Within 24 hours of submitting the Georgetown Application, you will receive an email with instructions on how to create your application account, where you can begin working on your additional required application forms. These forms will allow you to provide more information about yourself, including your chosen school and major, activities, standardised testing updates, and essays.

All applicants are required to take the SAT or the ACT, and all tests should be taken by January of the senior year. Georgetown has no plans to make a change to its own application process and does not take legacy or athletic recruits into account for Early Action applicants.

The application deadline for Early Action is November 1, and January 10 for Regular Decision. A complete application should include the Georgetown Application for First-Year Admission, the Georgetown Application Supplement, Secondary School Report (including a transcript and counsellor recommendation), a Teacher Recommendation, and the results of the SAT or ACT examination sent directly from the testing service.

Students seeking financial assistance should submit a copy of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile. Financial need is considered separately from the application for admission.

Application fee

The standard application fee for Georgetown University is $75, which is non-refundable and payable in USD. The application fee for the MAGES program is $90. However, there are several ways to get this fee waived.

The Admissions Office accepts fee waiver requests submitted from guidance counsellors using the official NACAC Application Fee Waiver form. Counsellors can also submit a written letter or email (instead of the official form) indicating that the fee would be a financial hardship for the student. Students can also apply for a fee waiver by emailing a completed application fee waiver form to feewaiver@georgetown.edu. Electronic submissions are preferred. If a student or counsellor cannot send a completed form via email, the form can be mailed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

International students should follow the same process as above. Transfer students may also submit fee waiver requests, asking any academic advisor or official administrator associated with their current institution to complete the form for them.

If you think you may be eligible for a fee waiver, you should review the application fee waiver request form with your guidance counsellor, parent/legal guardian or academic advisor and determine your eligibility. There is an “other” section on the form which provides space to explain why paying the application fee would present a financial hardship. Georgetown approves over 99% of requests.

Acceptance rate

Georgetown University is a highly selective school with an acceptance rate of 13.1%, meaning that out of every 100 applicants, only 13 are admitted. The university admitted 13% of Early Action applicants and 16% of Regular Decision applicants in 2016. The overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 12%, with 3,226 students admitted out of 26,170 total applicants.

The acceptance rate for the Walsh School of Foreign Service was 15%, while the McDonough School of Business had an 11% acceptance rate. The specific acceptance rate for the College of Arts & Sciences and the School of Health is not available, but the overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 provides a good indication of the selectiveness of the admissions process.

Georgetown University seeks students who demonstrate a commitment to the broader community and possess personal qualities such as resiliency, motivation, and ambition. The admissions process considers various factors, including the rigor of secondary school records, class rank, GPA, standardized test scores, essays, recommendations, talent/ability, and character/personal qualities.

The average GPA at Georgetown is 4.07, and the average SAT score is 1480 on the 1600 SAT scale. The university requires either SAT or ACT scores, and applicants should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1530 SAT or a 34 ACT, to maximise their chances of acceptance.

Frequently asked questions