The Georgetown Supplemental Essays are an important part of applying to Georgetown University, a highly selective school in Washington, D.C. With an acceptance rate of just 13% for the Class of 2027, competition is fierce, and applicants need more than just high SAT scores and good grades to stand out. This is where the supplemental essays come in. These essays allow students to show off their writing skills and give the admissions team a deeper look at their personalities and experiences. Crafting strong essays can help applicants distinguish themselves from other candidates.
In this guide, we’ll explore Georgetown’s essay prompts for the 2023-24 admissions cycle and provide helpful tips on how to write essays that stand out.
Georgetown Supplemental Essays
Georgetown Supplemental Essays Prompt 1: Indicate any special talents or skills you possess. (250 words)
When tackling this prompt, it’s crucial to transcend mere enumeration of accomplishments and delve deeper into the journey of skill development. Rather than a simple recitation of accolades, utilize this essay to provide insights into the dedication, perseverance, and growth inherent in honing your talent.
Consider discussing the relentless pursuit of mastery, citing Malcolm Gladwell’s notion of the 10,000-hour rule as a framework. Share the sacrifices and dedication that propelled you towards excellence, offering a glimpse into the passion driving your pursuits. Additionally, elucidate how you envision further refining and leveraging your skill in the future, especially within the context of your academic and career aspirations.
Georgetown Supplemental Essays 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)
This essay offers a platform to showcase your role within a school or summer activity, transcending mere titles to illuminate your contributions and values. Whether you hold a leadership position or play a supportive role, focus on illustrating your engagement and impact within the community.
Delve into the lessons learned from interactions within diverse settings, emphasizing your commitment to positive change and inclusivity. Connect past experiences to future aspirations, demonstrating how your involvement aligns with Georgetown’s ethos and community values. Research Hoya student organizations and local initiatives to articulate your envisioned contributions to campus life, fostering a compelling narrative of continuity and growth.
Georgetown University Supplemental Essays 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)
With the freedom afforded by this open-ended prompt, seize the opportunity to present a multifaceted portrayal of yourself beyond conventional metrics. Whether through introspective reflection, creative expression, or personal narrative, aim to offer a unique perspective that illuminates your identity and values.
Explore themes such as personal growth, cultural heritage, resilience, or social engagement, inviting the reader to forge a genuine connection with your narrative. Embrace authenticity, vulnerability, and introspection to craft a compelling essay that resonates with the admissions committee. Ultimately, strive to leave a lasting impression that underscores your potential as a valued member of Georgetown’s vibrant and diverse community.
Georgetown Supplemental Essays — The School-Specific Essay
Tailoring your application to Georgetown’s diverse colleges and schools demands a keen understanding of each institution’s ethos and offerings. These essays serve as crucial avenues to demonstrate your alignment with Georgetown’s values and your aspirations within your chosen field of study.
Elements of a great Georgetown “Why Us?” essay:
- School-Specific References: Highlight unique academic programs, esteemed faculty, research opportunities, internships, and study abroad programs exclusive to Georgetown.
- Student Engagement: Showcase your interest in student-run organizations that resonate with your passions, indicating how you plan to contribute to Georgetown’s vibrant campus community.
- Resource Utilization: Articulate how you intend to leverage Georgetown’s abundant resources, both academic and extracurricular, to enrich your educational journey.
- Fit and Contribution: Emphasize why Georgetown is the ideal fit for you while elucidating how your unique qualities and aspirations align with the university’s mission and vision.
Common mistakes on a Georgetown “Why Us?” essay:
- Overemphasis on Campus Aesthetics: Avoid superficial descriptions of Georgetown’s picturesque campus, as the admissions committee is already familiar with its beauty.
- Generic Praise: Steer clear of generic accolades about Georgetown’s prestige and reputation, as these aspects are well-known to the admissions team.
- Clichéd Expressions: Refrain from clichéd statements or recycled content that fails to convey your genuine interest and connection to Georgetown.
Georgetown Supplemental Essays
Georgetown College
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.
Demonstrate your intellectual curiosity and openness to new ideas by recounting an experience that challenged or reshaped your perspective. Emphasize personal growth and critical thinking skills developed through encounters with diverse viewpoints.
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).
Share personal anecdotes or experiences that ignited your passion for healthcare, emphasizing your commitment to service and compassion. Highlight your alignment with Georgetown’s healthcare programs and articulate how they align with your career goals.
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?
Illustrate your global awareness and commitment to addressing pressing global challenges by sharing personal experiences or insights that shaped your aspirations for international service. Connect your motivations with Georgetown’s mission and articulate how the School of Foreign Service aligns with your 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.
Articulate your passion for business and entrepreneurship, drawing from personal experiences or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your engagement with the business world. Showcase your understanding of McDonough’s distinctive offerings and how they align with your academic and career objectives.
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How important are the Georgetown supplemental essays?
Georgetown University weighs various factors carefully in its admissions process, with eight criteria considered “very important” in evaluating applicants. Among these crucial factors are the rigor of the secondary school record, character/personal qualities, class rank, GPA, standardized test scores, recommendations, extracurricular activities, and notably, the application essays.
The application essays hold considerable significance as they provide a unique opportunity for applicants to showcase their individuality, values, and aspirations beyond academic achievements. In a competitive pool of candidates with similar credentials such as GPA and test scores, the essays offer a platform for differentiation. They allow applicants to offer insights into their character, passions, and potential contributions to the Georgetown community.
Admissions committees utilize the essays to gain deeper insights into each applicant’s personality, motivations, and fit for the university’s values and mission. Consequently, well-crafted essays can play a decisive role in the admissions decision, often tipping the scales in favor of candidates who effectively convey their distinctiveness and alignment with Georgetown’s ethos.
In essence, while academic credentials and extracurricular achievements are crucial, the supplemental essays offer applicants an invaluable opportunity to leave a lasting impression and emerge as standout candidates in the competitive admissions process at Georgetown University.
Georgetown Supplemental Essays – Conclusion
The Georgetown supplemental essays hold significant weight in the admissions process, serving as a pivotal component for applicants seeking to distinguish themselves among a competitive pool of candidates. As one of the eight factors deemed “very important” by the university, these essays offer applicants the chance to showcase their individuality, values, and aspirations beyond their academic achievements. Crafting compelling essays that effectively convey personal insights, motivations, and alignment with Georgetown’s mission can greatly enhance an applicant’s chances of securing admission. Thus, while academic credentials remain essential, the supplemental essays provide a unique opportunity for applicants to leave a lasting impression and demonstrate their potential to thrive within the Georgetown community.