Do you have your sights set on an elite college? If so, Georgetown University is a great option. Many try and fail to achieve admission into Georgetown, which is ranked #24 on the 2026 US News & World Report annual college ranking. Since getting in is no walk in the park, it begs the question: what sets apart those chosen few who make it through Georgetown’s admissions office and onto this Jesuit university’s campus?

What Is Georgetown University?

Located in Washington, DC, Georgetown consists of a student body of roughly 7,900 undergraduates. According to the 2025-26 Common Data Set, 2,971 full-time undergraduate males and 4,365 undergraduate females are currently enrolled. The Class of 2028 profile, the most recent class profile that Georgetown has published, reveals that 8% of those first-years come from outside the United States, and 15% are Pell Grant-eligible. As with many other elite colleges, there are far more women on Georgetown’s campus than men.

Georgetown Admissions Requirements

It’s no walk in the park to earn admission to the most prestigious Catholic college in the United States. By reviewing the characteristics of competitive applicants and the strategies they use to gain admission, a clearer picture of how to get in emerges.

Georgetown University GPA Requirements

Georgetown College does not set minimum GPA requirements for admission, but this should be taken with a grain of salt. But do the actual statistics bear out this seemingly lenient policy when it comes to academics?

Does Georgetown University Look at Class Rank?

The Common Data Set is once again illuminating on this point, revealing that 87% of the Class of 2029 admits graduated in the top tenth of their high school graduating class. The university does not publish explicit GPA data, but if it did, this data would likely reveal that most applicants had a GPA in excess of 3.7. 

So, is a 4.0 (or higher) GPA necessary to be admitted to Georgetown? Not necessarily, but it sure does help! Even though Georgetown does not claim a minimum GPA requirement for admission, in practice, very few students with less-than-perfect grades stand a chance of getting in. Remember, countless students with 4.0s apply and get rejected each year!

Georgetown SAT/ACT Score Requirements

Standardized tests are required in the Georgetown admissions process. Georgetown was among the first schools to forego test-optional admissions and go back to requiring applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores in the wake of the pandemic.

Amongst members of the Georgetown Class of 2029, the most recent class for which Georgetown has released such data, 78% submitted SAT scores, and 32% submitted ACT scores. 

	SAT	ACT
Median	1,480	34
Mid 50% Range	1,405 — 1,530	32 — 35

Does Georgetown Superscore Students’ SAT or ACT scores?

A superscore combines the highest section scores from each individual test sitting for admissions evaluation. Georgetown does superscore SAT results, but does not superscore ACT results. 

However, at Ivy Coach, we caution against submitting more than one SAT administration for admissions evaluation. It shows Georgetown that you had to work harder than many to achieve your highest scores and that your testing performance has inconsistencies. That said, while it’s not ideal, sometimes students have no choice but to superscore.

What High School Courses Does Georgetown University Require?

Georgetown admissions officers recommend the following high school curriculum to prospective applicants, according to which undergraduate program they’re interested in:

• Math or Science Concentration. Students who plan a concentration in mathematics or science should include four years of mathematics and at least three years of science.
• Nursing Program. Candidates for the nursing program should include at least three years of mathematics, and one year each of biology and chemistry.
• Business Program. Students interested in The McDonough School of Business should complete a minimum of three years of math, through advanced algebra and trigonometry, as calculus is required of all students in the program. Two years of natural science are recommended.
• Language or Foreign Service Program. Students interested in the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics or the Walsh School of Foreign Service are recommended to have a background in a modern foreign language or Latin.

However, what Georgetown says and how they operate are two distinct things. They might not explicitly list expectations for completing all four years of core subjects (Math, Science, Social Studies, English, and Foreign Language), but they certainly do expect as much. And in the case of foreign language courses, five years of preparation are expected since students are expected to take the first level in eighth grade.

What Extracurriculars Does Georgetown Look For in Applicants?

There is no silver bullet extracurricular activity that will automatically wow Georgetown admissions officers. Applicants should focus their efforts on pursuing their one passion or specialty to the fullest extent possible. Georgetown does not proffer any one strategy for extracurricular engagement, but fortunately, Ivy Coach knows what they’re not going to tell you!

Georgetown admissions officers aim to create incoming classes that are diverse and highly specialized. Well-rounded students do not cut it because they do not contribute much to the variety of an incoming class. On the other hand, the world-class painter, groundbreaking scientist, or budding politician will always stand out over the well-rounded applicant. In other words, Georgetown seeks out students who have honed a singular hook!

Georgetown University Application Requirements

Georgetown conducts its admission process via its very own application portal. However, starting with the Class of 2031, applicants should note that Georgetown will transition to The Common App.

Students must submit a counselor letter of recommendation, a teacher letter of recommendation, their standardized test results as detailed above, and Georgetown-specific supplemental essay responses. Applicants must also sit for an alumni interview.

Let’s focus on each component and discuss how students should complete them to give them the best shot at admission.

Who to Ask For Letters of Recommendation?

Applicants to Georgetown should ask a teacher, ideally, their junior year teachers in a core subject, in addition to their school counselor, for letters of recommendation.

Does Georgetown Require an Alumni Interview?

Georgetown requires all applicants to sit for an interview with a member of an Alumni Admissions Program committee. As the Office of Undergraduate Admissions receives applications, each student who lives or attends a school within a committee’s jurisdiction is provided with the name of an alumni interviewer and asked to make arrangements for an interview. 

This is a somewhat old-fashioned break from the norm among elite schools, as most no longer require alumni interviews. However, students should rest assured that alumni interviews rarely make or break an application.

What are Georgetown’s Supplemental Essay Topics?

Essays, on the other hand, are one of the most important aspects of a competitive college application. Georgetown applicants have to complete the Georgetown supplemental essay questions. 

The Georgetown supplemental essays for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle are as follows:

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

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).

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

Georgetown School-Specific Essay Prompts:

Georgetown College of Arts and Sciences

A liberal arts education from the College of Arts & Sciences involves encounters with new concepts and modes of inquiry. Describe something (a class, a book, an event, etc.) that changed your thinking. (Applicants to the sciences, mathematics, public policy or languages are encouraged to include examples related to that field.)

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.

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?

School of Health

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

Georgetown University Application Deadlines

Georgetown’s two admissions rounds are termed Early Action (Restrictive Early Action, more specifically) and Regular Decision. 

Early Action applications are due on November 1st of each year. Admission through this round is non-binding. Regular Decision applications are typically due on January 1st of each year. 

Georgetown University Acceptance Rate and Statistics

Georgetown Class Year	Total Applicants	Total Acceptances	Overall Acceptance Rate
Class of 2030	26,900+	Not Yet Published	~13%
Class of 2029	26,822	3,618	13.49%
Class of 2028	26,170	3,226	12.33%
Class of 2027	25,519	3,263	12.79%
Class of 2026	26,670	3,229	12.10%
Class of 2025	27,650	3,235	11.70%
Class of 2024	21,318	3,309	15.52%
Class of 2023	22,788	3,202	14.05%
Class of 2022	22,897	3,327	14.53%
Class of 2021	21,465	3,313	15.43%
Class of 2020	20,002	3,276	16.38%
Class of 2019	19,481	3,202	16.44%
Class of 2018	19,501	3,232	16.57%

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Get Into Georgetown

Over the past five years, 75% of Ivy Coach’s package clients who applied Early Action to Georgetown earned admission.

If you’re interested in Ivy Coach’s assistance in optimizing your child’s case for admission to Georgetown’s Class of 2031, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch.