georgetown supplemental essays 2023

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the Georgetown University Essays 2024-2025

Located in the U.S. capital, Georgetown prides itself on fostering global perspectives and cultivating students’ learning through Jesuit values. Georgetown University has three required prompts: two supplemental essays for all applicants and one school specific prompt focusing on the student’s intended area of study. 

As a highly competitive and prestigious university, it is important for Georgetown applicants to not only highlight their strong academic achievements, but also find ways to differentiate themselves through their essays. This post will show you how you can write standout responses to each Georgetown supplemental prompt.

Read these Georgetown essay examples to inspire your own writing.

Georgetown Application Essay Prompts

All applicants.

Prompt 1: Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved. ( 1/2 page, single-spaced) 

Prompt 2: 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)

Prompt 3 (optional): Please elaborate on any special talents or skills you would like to highlight.

School-Specific Prompts

(Each essay should be approximately one page, single-spaced)

Georgetown College: Founded in 1789, the Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences is committed to the Jesuit traditions of an integrated education and of productive research in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Describe your interest in studying at College of Arts & Sciences. Applicants interested in the sciences, mathematics, or languages are encouraged to make specific reference to their choice of major. (approximately one page, single-spaced)‌

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).

School of Nursing: Georgetown University’s School of Nursing is committed to the formation of ethical, empathetic, and transformational nursing leaders. Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying Nursing at Georgetown University. (approximately one page, single-spaced)

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?

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 the Georgetown University General Supplemental Essays

Prompt 1—all applicants, briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved. (1/2 page, single-spaced).

This prompt is the classic Extracurricular Essay , and it’s a great opportunity to showcase your unique passions and experiences to the admissions committee. The open-ended nature of this prompt provides you with a great deal of flexibility to highlight parts of your personality that you haven’t had the chance to express in other parts of your application. In order to most effectively answer this prompt, write about the activity that you are most passionate about AND explain why this activity is meaningful to you. 

A few tips for your response:

For many students, sports are likely one of the first topics that come to mind when thinking about significant activities outside of the classroom. However, since they are a very common topic for prompt responses, essays about sports can often fall prey to cliché themes that may get lost in a sea of other sports-related essays. 

If you choose to write about a sport, be very thoughtful about how you frame your experience. Think about what makes your experience stand out from other applicants’ sports stories.

For example, scoring the winning touchdown at a championship game may have been an exhilarating memory, but how is your passion for the game unique to your experience?

Maybe there was a time where you had to overcome adversity or things didn’t turn out the way you had hoped. Perhaps an injury left you on the bench for the rest of the season or an unfair call from a referee that cost you the game — explain how these challenges contributed to your overall experience with the activity, even when the situation was not ideal. 

When the prompt asks for the activity with which you have been most involved, it does not necessarily refer to the number of hours you spent.

The prompt specifies that it is asking about the activity that you have been “most involved” in. Therefore, the activity that you choose to write about should be something that shows your ongoing dedication to the activity. However, the activity that you spend the most time doing may not be the activity you are most passionate about. 

For example, you may have devoted nine years of your life to playing an instrument and performing. At the same, you may have joined the school paper as a junior, written several articles for every edition, and created a brand new features section to highlight student accomplishments beyond the classroom.

While counting hours would lead us to conclude that you’ve spent more time being a musician, it is evident from this example that you’ve shown more initiative as a reporter, despite the short period you spent at the paper.

While it is fantastic if your chosen activity directly ties into the major you’re planning to pursue, don’t worry too much about picking something that you deem most relevant to your field.

In this essay, the admissions committee is looking to understand your passions, the skills you gained, your strengths as a leader or a team player, and your dedication. If you can demonstrate your commitment to, say, teaching ukulele to small kids, along with your creativity and excitement in approaching the task at hand, you will show the admissions committee that you have acquired transferable skills which you will apply with the same intensity to your collegial pursuits.

Don’t try to second-guess what the admissions committee may or may not wish to see. Pick an activity that makes you the most excited — the one you never cease to talk about with your friends and family — and write about why it’s important.

Prompt 2—All Applicants

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).

Although Georgetown is not on the Common App, this prompt asks essentially the same questions as the Common App personal statement prompts . This essay is an opportunity for the admissions committee to get to know you as an individual. Through this essay, they want to learn who you are, what your values are, what drives you and gets you out of bed in the morning, or in other words — what makes you unique. The most efficient approach here is to use your Common App personal statement.

Notice the prompt’s emphasis on the importance of diversity (the Diversity Essay is another common prompt, and we recommend reading our linked guide for more info). Whether or not you end up using your Common App essay, make sure that your response highlights the unique perspective you will contribute to the Georgetown community. Remember that diversity does not necessarily imply belonging to an ethnic or religious community, which is a topic many students tend to initially gravitate towards. For example, if you are someone who has lots of experience traveling, you can talk about how exploration is a key aspect of your personality. If you devote all of your free time to designing sets for your school’s plays, you can emphasize your identity as an artist and team player in your response.

The admissions committee will be choosing among hundreds of applicants, many of whom will have academic profiles, grades, and scores similar to your own. The key to producing a successful response here is to make yourself stand out in the eyes of your reader.

Prompt 3—All Applicants (optional)

Please elaborate on any special talents or skills you would like to highlight..

While we would normally always encourage applicants to submit any optional essays, there’s not really a need to answer it at all if you would be repeating content from the activities list on your application or Prompt 1. This response should be brief, especially since it’s not listed with the rest of the essay prompts.

That being said, if you do have any talents or skills that you haven’t yet included or want to elaborate on, go ahead! The skills or talents that will be most impactful here will have led you to develop personally, or are more unusual and merit further explanation. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your passion, dedication, and any significant related achievements you want to have on your application.

For example, maybe you’re a yo-yo champ and have organized local tournaments, teaching you event planning skills. Or, maybe you create art from trash you find on walks on the beach and have sold $1,000 worth of pieces, and motivated hundreds of neighbors to join you on your cleanups. Your skill can be more everyday as well, such as working in a grocery store or tutoring young kids; as long as it’s contributed to your growth meaningfully, you can highlight it here.

It’s not necessary to be terribly verbose in this response. Remember—it’s separate from the listed prompts and is intended to be a brief space for you to tack on anything you want considered that didn’t make it on other parts of the application. 

How to Write the Georgetown University School-Specific Supplemental Essays

Georgetown college prompt, founded in 1789, the georgetown college of arts & sciences is committed to the jesuit traditions of an integrated education and of productive research in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. describe your interest in studying at college of arts & sciences. applicants interested in the sciences, mathematics, or languages are encouraged to make specific reference to their choice of major. (approximately one page, single-spaced)‌.

This is an example of a Why This Major essay archetype. Georgetown wants to know why you’re drawn to the College of Arts & Sciences and how it aligns with your academic and career goals. For especially competitive majors, this prompt is used to gauge your preparation and genuine interest. Since there are limited spots, they want to make sure those spots go to the students who will make the most of the program and contribute the most to the Georgetown community. In this response, you’ll connect the dots between your academic interests, the Jesuit values of education mentioned in the prompt itself, and the specific resources and opportunities at Georgetown.

A strong response will reference specific elements of Georgetown’s offerings for your major and describe how it aligns with your personal, specific reasons for enjoying the field and wanting to focus on it. It’s always a good idea to do some research about the department you’re planning to study in by looking into classes, professors, labs, experiential learning, and extracurricular initiatives that relate to your intended major. However, when including university-specific resources, make sure you don’t just name drop the—demonstrate the connection and application to your interests. 

Also, don’t neglect the aspect of Georgetown’s Jesuit traditions—they’re included in the prompt for a reason! You don’t have to be Catholic or even religious to connect with these values. The emphasis is on community and integrating service and research with traditional learning, and Georgetown places special significance in work toward social justice . 

So, to sum up, there are three bases to cover here: your personal motivations and ambitions regarding your major, Jesuit education values, and Georgetown’s specific resources. These themes should be interconnected and clearly articulated.

When considering your motivations and ambitions in pursuing your chosen field of study, think about what drew you to that major and to Georgetown in the first place. What types of experiences have you had that contributed to your interest in this domain? What do you hope to accomplish through this interest in your future professional life? Apply these answers to Georgetown’s Jesuit educational values and university resources. How do you see yourself contributing to the Georgetown community, especially within your major or department? How will a degree from Georgetown’s College of Arts and Sciences help you achieve your long-term goals?

Check out the examples below for some inspiration:

“ Like lots of kids, I’ve always been interested in ancient history, especially the stories of ancient civilizations. I studied Latin in high school and enjoyed reading classical texts, which is why I want to continue studying history in college. Georgetown’s College of Arts & Sciences has a strong history program, and I know I’ll learn a lot from the professors there. I also appreciate Georgetown’s Jesuit values because I think it’s important to study history with a focus on ethics and understanding. I’m excited to be a part of a community that values both education and moral development .”

Although this response provides some personal color about the writer’s connection to the study of history, it comes off as vague and superficial because of the lack of detail. See the revision below for a better excerpt:

“From a young age, I found myself drawn to the stories of ancient civilizations and how their cultures, languages, and art shaped the world. My interest led me to study Latin in high school, where I read classical texts deeply and recognized my passion for ancient history. Georgetown’s College of Arts & Sciences stands out to me for its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, particularly through the Classical Studies program. I am especially interested in the work of Dr. Marden Nichols’ work on the impact of Roman art and architecture on ancient history, as it aligns well with my own interest in the influence of classical art on cultural and intellectual historiography. Additionally, Georgetown’s Jesuit values resonate with my desire to approach the study of history not just as an academic pursuit, but as a way to understand and contribute to the ethical foundations of today’s global society.”

The elaboration in the second example more clearly explains their passion for ancient history and how it developed and demonstrates a familiarity with the offerings and traditions of Georgetown.

The more personal and specific your response, the better. Authentic reflection on the overlap between your interests and goals and Georgetown’s faculty, curriculum, and traditions will make your essay stand out. 

School of Health 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, or human science ; 1 page, single-spaced )..

In this essay, you have the opportunity to explain to the admissions committee why you feel passionate about devoting your academic career to health sciences. 

Until recently, the areas of health and nursing were combined into one school at Georgetown. However, this year’s applicants will be the first to get to choose whether they want to enter into the School of Health or the School of Nursing. Prior to writing your response, make sure to research the major and school you’re applying to and verify that it corresponds with your desired area of interest. After conducting your research, explain in your response how the major and school you’ve chosen are uniquely suited to your academic journey and career goals. 

For example, health care management & policy majors really focus on the policy aspect of the health industry, learning about key stakeholders in the policymaking process and understanding what goes into managing and improving the healthcare industry. If you’re applying into this major, you want to highlight your interest in the legislative and managerial aspects of the field, rather than discuss your passion for taking care of individual patients. Above all, this essay is the time for you to reflect on how your specific interest in health was the foundation for choosing a major that aligned with that field.

As with any school-specific essay, you want to write something that sets you apart from all the other applicants. It’s very likely that they, too, will have experiences working in labs or passions for improving healthcare systems to speak about. You need to find an angle that highlights your unique perspective and approach.

Read on for some ideas below:

• If you are someone who lived through a serious or chronic illness, you can address your experiences here as a way to explain your interest in the health industry. While an illness can be a challenging and extremely personal topic to write about, you can focus on the ways it helped to develop your passion for helping others or for conducting scientific research. This is a way to put your academic accomplishments in context.
• If you or a family member have witnessed or experienced any injustices in the healthcare system, you can discuss how the system failed to operate effectively and ways for which it could improve in the future. Accessibility to healthcare can vary depending on region, demographics, and socioeconomic status. Try to find specific examples that are relevant to your experience that illustrate your understanding of the issue and desire to gain a better understanding of the field. 
• As technology continues to aid in the advancements of medicine, the field of healthcare is constantly evolving. Are there any areas of health sciences that have yet to be fully explored? Think of a narrow area of healthcare study and explain how delving deeper into that topic could have a lasting impact on society. Try and pick a topic that captivates the reader and highlights something about your own personality. 

Can you think of a specific moment when you first realized that you wanted to study health? What were you doing when you fell upon that revelation? Was there a particular impactful conversation or event that led you to this conclusion? Perhaps you had a family member who couldn’t afford their healthcare services and consequently suffered from an otherwise preventable illness. 

Maybe you also completed a compelling research project for your biology class and became fascinated with genetic disorders, leading you to seek out a summer internship in a local lab. Whatever angle you choose, be sure to reflect on the questions above as you prepare to write your essay, and try to pick a narrative that highlights your personality.

School of Nursing Prompt

Georgetown university’s school of nursing is committed to the formation of ethical, empathetic, and transformational nursing leaders. describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying nursing at georgetown university. (approximately one page, single-spaced).

This is a Why This Major essay archetype in which Georgetown wants to understand your motivations for pursuing a career in nursing and how the university’s program aligns with your goals. They’re looking for evidence of your commitment to nursing, as well as how you embody the values of ethics, empathy, and leadership that are central to their nursing program.

To begin, consider what inspired you to pursue a career in nursing—specific experiences, people—and what your long-term goals in the career are. Emphasize how you view nursing as being distinct from the larger healthcare industry. For example, maybe it’s because nursing uniquely cultivates the trusting relationships between patients and experienced healthcare professionals. So, if you’re applying to this major, you should emphasize your passion for caring for individual patients rather than focusing on broader aspects of the health sciences. 

However you frame your interest, take care to demonstrate “ethical, empathetic, and transformational” qualities in your experiences. How does Georgetown’s emphasis on ethics and empathy align with your personal values and career goals? The prompt lists these features purposefully, so apply them to your own journey. 

When applying to a school with a particularly narrow focus of learning, it is even more imperative that you find ways to stand out from other applicants in your motivations for your chosen studies. As unsympathetic as this may sound, caring for a sick relative or recovering from an injury will likely be worn-out response topics. Think about ways you can frame your story to be unconventional and cause readers to develop a deeper understanding of your personality. Read on for some ideas below: 

• If you have a family member who works in the healthcare industry, you can discuss your first exposure to the field in the context of building connections with your loved ones. Perhaps your uncle has spent countless hours pointing out inefficiencies in the ways we currently manage large hospitals based on his work as a doctor. You can recount these conversations as a gateway to your passion for healthcare and even mention some projects you may wish to pursue to combat these problems in the future. 
• If you spent a summer or your after-school hours volunteering at a local hospital or other medical establishment, you can use an anecdote describing your experience to underline your interest in the industry. Keep in mind that many other students applying to this school will likely have similar activities on their resume. Try to find a unique angle that will exemplify your experience.
• Think about some characteristics that might be beneficial in the field of nursing: quick thinking, adaptability, remaining calm under pressure. Describe specific examples of events when you displayed these characteristics. Did your reaction to the event surprise you? Did you develop these skills over time? How did the result of the event change your outlook on similar situations in the future? Your account of these experiences should illustrate something that you discovered about yourself and how these skills and experiences are relevant to your nursing major. 

After you’ve nailed down the aspects of your personal interest in nursing, apply them to Georgetown. Research the School of Nursing and its values , curriculum , and extracurriculars . Why are you specifically interested in studying nursing at Georgetown University? What aspects of their program appeal to you the most? Consider how Georgetown will help you achieve your long-term career goals.

When you sit down to write, remember that your main goal is to explain to the admissions committee why what you want to accomplish cannot be accomplished by studying any other field. Focus on program features that set Georgetown apart from other universities and find a connection to your personal experiences that will help to humanize you in the eyes of the reader. However, make sure not to list resources or curriculum that Georgetown offers without reflecting on them in the context of your personal motivations and aspirations.

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 (1 page, single-spaced).

Applicants to the School of Foreign Service are expected to be well-versed in global affairs. This essay is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your passion for and understanding of global and public service. The admissions committee wants to understand why this topic is important to you , and personal anecdotes are the most powerful way to convey this. 

It is important to pick an experience related to one of your interests that is unique and can be connected to solving global problems. Don’t try to write an essay about the hot topic of the day like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict if you don’t have a deep personal connection. You should choose an issue or experience with a problem that motivated you to take action and dedicate your life to helping the world.

Here are some strong example responses you can use for inspiration:

1. If you have devoted time to raising money for a charity that helps finance the education of a child in need, you can connect your personal experience to the larger issue of income or education disparities. Spend a paragraph detailing the moment that first sparked your interest in this issue and follow it up with a nuanced analysis of what you hope to learn in college that will allow you to address the larger issue at hand.

 2. If you’re passionate about female participation in politics, you could discuss your first voting experience and highlight how the lack of female candidates on the ballot sparked your outrage. Or you could mention the insufficient number of female role models in the political arena that struck you as a child interested in politics. Be descriptive and detailed about your emotions to convey the deep need you feel to solve this issue .

3. If you’ve taken a class or worked on a project that exposed you to a variety of international issues, explain why a particular topic struck a chord . While you may not have a direct experience with the issue at hand, try to think of ways to connect it to your own life. Then go on to discuss how you hope to return to and solve this issue in the future.

4. Even if you lack an academic or extracurricular experience that ties into global affairs, there are other ways you can make a personal connection to the topic. If there is a book you read or a movie you watched that exposed you to an issue of global significance, which you’ve been curious about ever since, this can be your link! Make sure to show why this topic grabbed your attention and to highlight your intellectual curiosity and passion.

Whichever topic you choose to write about, remember that your essay should seamlessly connect your past to your future. You need to demonstrate your passion for the field of foreign service, what your goals are within the field, and how the Walsh School will help you grow your passion to achieve your future goals.

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 (1 page, single-spaced)..

This prompt should not be regarded as yet another “why business school” essay. Note the question’s emphasis on a global approach and its reference to ethics . As mentioned earlier, Georgetown’s identity is built upon its Jesuit values, which manifest themselves in all its academic programs. When you write this essay, keep those keywords in mind. In responding to the prompt, highlight the unique perspective that this program seeks to provide and emphasize your appreciation for the opportunities it will offer you.

Here are a few response ideas:

1. If the school’s focus on ethics appeals to you, you could discuss your passion for developing sustainable business practices and link it to a local business in your community whose model you particularly appreciate. If you have ever worked for a small business or if your family or friends own one, you can mention it to point out the origins of your focus on sustainability.

2. If the McDonough’s global approach attracted you to the school in the first place, you can talk about your interest in economic models different from that of the U.S . For instance, if you’re fascinated by India’s initiatives to combat deep poverty in its rural regions, this is your opportunity to discuss it.

Be sure to tie it to the programs and opportunities offered at the school. For example, if there is a course on the economics of poverty that you are particularly eager to enroll in or a professor who is an expert in this field, talk about it in your response!

3. You can never go wrong with harnessing Georgetown’s advantageous D.C. location to help you justify your interest in its business school. In particular, if you’re interested in financial policy or the interaction between the government and entrepreneurs, you can reference the internship opportunities that McDonough’s strategic location will provide you and the star faculty, who frequently come to teach at Georgetown after working in D.C.’s public and private sectors for many years.

The main reason that Georgetown does not use the Common App is that it wishes to only attract students who are dedicated enough to their university and its values that they are willing to go through a separate application process to get there. As you work on your application, remember what makes Georgetown unique and why these particularities appealed to you when you first put Georgetown down as a potential school on your list. Think hard about your motivation for applying, do your research, and reach out for help when needed!

Where to Get Your Georgetown Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your Georgetown essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

Need feedback faster? Get a  free, nearly-instantaneous essay review  from Sage, our AI tutor and advisor. Sage will rate your essay, give you suggestions for improvement, and summarize what admissions officers would take away from your writing. Use these tools to improve your chances of acceptance to your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essays: Examples + Guide 2024/2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• How to write each supplemental essay prompt for Georgetown
• Prompt #1: “Special talents/skills” essay
• Prompt #2: “Extracurricular activity” essay
• Prompt #3: “Personal/creative” essay
• Prompt #4: School-specific essays

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 for several of its colleges, and an extracurricular essay. Though the prompts may be standard, the tips, ideas, and examples below can help you stand out from the field. 

Before you begin writing, you may want to get deeper insights into the kind of student Georgetown is looking for, and how it views itself. You’ll find an extensive, by-the-numbers look at its offerings, from enrollment and tuition statistics to student life and financial aid information, on its Common Data Set . For a better sense of how Georgetown envisions its role in academia and how it wants to grow and evolve, read its strategic plan .

What are Georgetown's supplemental essay prompts?

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

Briefly (approximately one-half page, single-spaced) discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved.

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

Prompt #4: School Specific Essays

APPLICANTS TO GEORGETOWN COLLEGE: Founded in 1789, the Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences is committed to the Jesuit traditions of an integrated education and of productive research in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Describe your interest in studying at College of Arts & Sciences. Applicants interested in the sciences, mathematics, or languages are encouraged to make specific references to their choice of major. (Approximately one page, single-spaced)

APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH: Georgetown University’s School of Health was founded to advance the health and well-being of people locally, nationally, and globally through innovative research, the delivery of interdisciplinary education, and transformative engagement of communities. Describe the factors that influenced your interest in studying healthcare at Georgetown University, specifically addressing your intended related major: Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, or Human Science. (Approximately one page, single-spaced)

APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF NURSING: Georgetown University’s School of Nursing is committed to the formation of ethical, empathetic, and transformational nursing leaders. Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying Nursing at Georgetown. (Approximately one page, single-spaced)

APPLICANTS TO THE WALSH SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE: Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders with the foundational skills to address global issues. Describe your primary motivations for studying international affairs at Georgetown University and dedicating your undergraduate studies towards a future in global service. (Approximately one page, single-spaced)

APPLICANTS TO THE MCDONOUGH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS: Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business provides graduates with essential, global, ethical, analytical, financial, and diverse perspectives on the economies of our nation and the world. Describe your primary motivations for studying business at Georgetown University. (Approximately one page, single-spaced)

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

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

Your Common App personal statement will usually also work well for this Georgetown prompt. 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. 

Here’s an example of a Common App personal statement that doubled nicely for this Georgetown prompt.

The ocean has always been outside my door. I’ve moved several times within my home state of Connecticut, but even in unfamiliar places I’ve always been able to rely on its presence.  The ocean reminds me of the good in my life: boating with my family in the summer months, and lobstering as the weather grew colder. I loved it despite my father throwing me into a bloom of sea jellies when I was eight. This love and appreciation grew as I became older, along with my desire to learn more, so this past summer I worked as a camp counselor at the Mystic Aquarium. I expected to learn about young children and camp activities, but I actually learned a lot about human behavior by observing sea life. As a camp counselor, I was in charge of sixteen 3-6 year-olds. I was thrown into a world of snacks, line up ropes, and play time. Each of the kids had their very own personality, aptly developed in their few years on earth. I was asked a billion questions: “How many penguins are there?” (36), “How deep can a seal dive?” (300 to 400 feet for up to 30 minutes). I learned new ways to interact and communicate with the kids. I talked slower, used fewer words, and developed a deep curiosity for the students' favorite colors. What I had not expected was that I would also be learning, and that the animals would be my teachers. For example, the six sea lions live together in an outdoor enclosure. While many people assume the 1,100 pound male Astro runs their simulated outdoor environment, it is actually the 300 pound older female named Eden. She may not look in charge, but as the matriarch she keeps order. Eden taught me that even though I may not be big and scary, I can still lead. Whether as Head of Student Activities, organizing bonding activities for students, or as Head of our ‘Bowl-A-Thon’ fundraiser, I can use my skills—communication, empathy, and resourcefulness, among others—to be an effective leader.  The 36 penguins also live in their own community. They groom each other, swim, and eat together. Penguins gather together for warmth and protection, and all newcomers are welcomed into the community. This reminds me of my freshman year when I left home for the first time. I felt lost in my new habitat, but now, almost four years later, I have found my space and a group of girls who have become my community. They have been my support system, and my school has become a second home. Clams are essential to many ecosystems, yet are often overlooked by the aquarium’s guests. One of our giant clams (so overlooked he doesn’t even have a name) was facing a death sentence due to the deterioration of the valve holding his shell together. A team of aquarists came together and used their resources to keep the clam alive. He became the little guy everyone was rooting for. As I moved to new schools (five in total), I often felt like an overlooked clam. Now as I find myself becoming one of the oldest at my school, I look out for clams in need of some extra care and find a way to keep them together.  When people think of aquariums they typically conjure up images of exotic fish, dolphins, belugas, and turtles. These large sea creatures usually assume the spotlight, but there are many others, and even the smallest clam has an important role in its community. I have learned the inherent and foundational value of hard, often unseen work, along with the well earned grandeur of larger, outward-facing accomplishments. One is essential to the other. The ocean has highlighted for me the value of everyone’s contributions and the importance of community, qualities which will serve me well in college and beyond. — — —

Reach for Less Common Connections. People read essays about sports and expect them to be about hard work. They read essays about volunteering and expect them to be about selflessness. You know what they don’t expect? An essay about an aquarium really being about human nature. The less common connections made throughout this story help paint a unique picture of the writer. And note that while the less common topic (aquarium) helps, it’s the connections and insights that are more important. Meaning you can possibly make essays about sports and volunteering work—you’ll just have to spend a good chunk of time exploring how they connect to things we probably don’t expect them to (like, say, literature, or healthy boundaries, or…).

Let details be your voice. We learn, for example, that the writer worked with “3-6” year olds in the third paragraph of the essay. But rather than simply saying, “they asked me a lot of questions,” the writer uses specific details to put us in those moments. More than just simply relaying questions the kids asked, the writer also intersperses each question with their own narration (e.g., “‘How many penguins are there?’ (36)”). The details help us experience what the author did, while offering elements of voice that communicate the writer’s depth of understanding.

The thread is your guide. This writer’s montage essay consists of a series of examples of life-lessons learned through different experiences working at the Mystic Aquarium. The aquarium is their guiding thread . Using specific examples from their work related to that thread, they manage to reveal various key insights. Ultimately, each example (i.e., the clams, sea lions, penguins, and 3-6 year olds) reveals something about how the writer has come to understand the importance of an individual’s contributions in the context of a group. That’s some pretty cool stuff coming from an essay about an aquarium. A key takeaway: your “topic” is really just an excuse to help a college see the values/insights/skills/qualities/interests you bring to the campus.

How to Write Georgetown Supplemental Essay Prompt #4

Depending on which college within Georgetown you’re applying to, you’ll have a different prompt to address here.

APPLICANTS TO GEORGETOWN COLLEGE: Founded in 1789, the Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences is committed to the Jesuit traditions of an integrated education and of productive research in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Describe your interest in studying at College of Arts & Sciences. Applicants interested in the sciences, mathematics, or languages are encouraged to make specific references to their choice of major. (Approximately one page, single-spaced) APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH: Georgetown University’s School of Health was founded to advance the health and well-being of people locally, nationally, and globally through innovative research, the delivery of interdisciplinary education, and transformative engagement of communities. Describe the factors that influenced your interest in studying healthcare at Georgetown University, specifically addressing your intended related major: Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, or Human Science. (Approximately one page, single-spaced) APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF NURSING: Georgetown University’s School of Nursing is committed to the formation of ethical, empathetic, and transformational nursing leaders. Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying Nursing at Georgetown. (Approximately one page, single-spaced) APPLICANTS TO THE WALSH SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE: Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders with the foundational skills to address global issues. Describe your primary motivations for studying international affairs at Georgetown University and dedicating your undergraduate studies towards a future in global service. (Approximately one page, single-spaced) APPLICANTS TO THE MCDONOUGH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS: Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business provides graduates with essential, global, ethical, analytical, financial, and diverse perspectives on the economies of our nation and the world. Describe your primary motivations for studying business at Georgetown University. (Approximately one page, single-spaced) Notice that, at their core, most of these prompts are asking for a “Why [X school at] Georgetown?”

At their core, most of 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:  

Founded in 1789, the Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences is committed to the Jesuit traditions of an integrated education and of productive research in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Describe your interest in studying at College of Arts & Sciences. Applicants interested in the sciences, mathematics, or languages are encouraged to make specific references to their choice of major. (Approximately one page, single-spaced)

This is a pretty straightforward “Why Us” prompt.

As you write yours, be sure you’re demonstrating how your interests connect to/are driven by your core values (and note GTown’s direct value of “ restless inquiry ”).

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 ). 

Also note that although they explicitly encourage “applicants to the sciences, mathematics, public policy or languages… to include examples related to that field,” you could definitely tailor your examples to your academic interests even if they’re not included in any of the ones named. With that in mind, this essay can take on a bit of a “ Why Major? ” flavor in which your “mini-movie” is related to some formative class / book / event / etc… from your past.

A note on the Walsh School of Foreign Service: 

Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders with the foundational skills to address global issues. Describe your primary motivations for studying international affairs at Georgetown University and dedicating your undergraduate studies towards a future in global service. (Approximately one page, single-spaced)

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 Powerwall 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.

Georgetown College essay example

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, show how you fit together. 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.” As a general rule, try to make sure every detail you mention about GTown is connected back to your interests and values.  

Through those details and “so whats”, show how you and Georgetown align. As you connect details back to you, be sure that you’re demonstrating some of your core values, especially if we aren’t seeing them in one of your other Georgetown essays. And ideally, show your some of your values are the same as Georgetown’s values .

4. APPLICANTS TO THE WALSH SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE

In the last quarter of 2019, the Lebanese people, suffering from dire economic conditions, had been protesting their government’s inefficiencies, corruption, and inability to govern, demanding the resignation of its sectarian leaders. People from across different sects—Sunnis, Shias, Christians—united in an attempt to overthrow the ruling government.  At the root of the crisis is the makeup of Lebanon’s sectarian government, which was solidified as a solution to end the Civil War in 1990. The system divides power evenly among the three religious groups fighting for control of Lebanon—with the presidency allocated to a Maronite Christian, the prime ministership to a Sunni Muslim, and Speaker of Parliament to a Shia Muslim. However, while the system ended the war, it created new challenges by turning warlords into politicians loyal only to each of their own religious factions. As the government became a source of personal gain, the Lebanese people were forced to rely on patronage and clientelism, feigning allegiance to their religiously affiliated political parties to gain basic needs such as a job, healthcare, or education.  The situation came to a head on August 4, 2020, after two consecutive explosions shook Beirut, leaving nearly 200 dead, 6,500 injured, 300,000 displaced, and US$10-15 billion in damage. The explosions took place in Lebanon’s main port, in a storage facility that illegally stored ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive chemical, triggering a new round of demonstrations over the government’s mismanagement. Using the slogan “all of them means all of them,” the Lebanese people demanded the government’s entire ruling body step down, but while the Prime Minister resigned, the corrupt sectarian government remained in power.  This sectarian power divide has made Lebanon vulnerable to foreign interference in addition to its implications for the people of Lebanon. While Shia leaders aligned with Iran, the Sunnis are with the U.S.-allied Arab Gulf states, and the Christians are with France. With the backing of foreign nations, the different factions within Lebanon have become emboldened to spread their ideology throughout the Middle East and beyond. The Shia faction, called Hezbollah, has funded terrorist groups in other countries, such as Yemen, Bahrain, and Iraq, threatening the safety of the global community. As a Bahraini, I feel a special bond to Lebanon. Ours are two of the few Middle Eastern countries with religious and ethnic diversity, and their people have coexisted and intermarried over centuries. I am a product of that diversity: a half-Sunni and half-Shia, like many in Lebanon. It saddens me that although the people of Lebanon are united despite their sects’ differences, their government’s system divides them, threatening their safety and the peace and prosperity of the region. The Lebanese government should follow Bahrain's example in how it resolved protests and brewing conflicts that erupted from the Arab Spring: launch an independent inquiry to investigate human rights violations and initiate a national dialogue, which can be a first step toward restoring human rights and establishing a merit-based democratic system of governance. The leadership must take advantage of the French government’s support and President Macron’s proposal for international financial aid, which is conditioned on the government’s economic and political reforms and was also welcomed by the wealthy Gulf Arab states. But this international support requires serious political and economic steps inside Lebanon. Even if the sectarian power-sharing system cannot be abolished (or will not abolish itself), it has to reset its priorities so that all three offices of the government provide the Lebanese people with basic rights. This national dialogue must generate a plan of action that focuses on economic prosperity, not sect loyalty, and abolishes the government’s use of quotas when filling its jobs.  — — —

Tips + Analysis

Dive deep into your chosen global issue. This essay manages to offer a nuanced view on the protests in Lebanon despite its (necessary) brevity—no easy feat. Readers have no doubt that this writer understands the complexities of the geopolitical situation they’re describing. The writer seems as though they’ve already worked to develop the kind of understanding we’d expect them to explore freshman year at Georgetown. Language like this shows that the writer understands how complex situations are built on one another.

Make it personal. Though this writer is not Lebanese, they find various ways to connect their experiences to their overarching topic (e.g., “As a Bahraini,” and “a half-Sunni and half-Shia, like many in Lebanon”). This personal connection reinforces our understanding of the writer's genuine interest in the issue; the writer isn’t just interested in global affairs as an abstract concept, but sees its impact on an experiential level.

How will you play a role? No one expects you to have solved a massive geopolitical conflict before entering college (though, if you have, definitely consider writing about that!). All the same, it’s important to show readers that your interest in Foreign Affairs isn’t the interest of a spectator—colleges in general and Walsh in particular want students who aspire toward a “future in service to the world.” How do you hope to engage on the issues you raise? In addition to demonstrating their impressive understanding of the conflict in Lebanon, the writer ends the essay by suggesting measures the Lebanese government can adopt, drawing inspiration from Bahrain.

4. 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.

Cosmopolitan: not the magazine or drink, but a word that has stuck with me since my freshman year history class description of Ancient Rome. It was defined as a place where humans from different backgrounds, countries, and beliefs can come together and learn from each other while still maintaining their unique identities. This idea of an international community full of new ideas and people has always excited me. Although I cherish the small and quaint communities that I grew up in, and appreciate the diverse and thought-provoking perspectives Miss Porter’s has ingrained in me, I am looking forward to expanding my growth immersed in a bustling city. I believe that Georgetown will offer me the opportunity to be part of a vibrant, cosmopolitan community, where smart, engaged students from around the world will come to trade ideas and create lifelong relationships. I want an interdisciplinary education that prepares me for a career outside of college. Georgetown’s Business and Global Affairs major combines the curricula of The McDonough School of Business and School of Foreign Service. This will allow me to explore my interest in political affairs, while also learning about the business world. I have taken ‘Accounting from Debt to Equity’ and ‘Microeconomics’ at my school, giving me a solid background for classes offered at McDonough such as ‘Global Business Experience’. Georgetown also has many opportunities outside my intended major. Having attended an all-girls school, I have found a safe and productive space working with other women. I would love to get involved with The Period Empowerment Project and Georgetown’s Women's Center to continue developing these valuable relationships.  Georgetown’s location coupled with unique business programs, including the The McDonough School of Business/Walsh School of Foreign Service interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science in Business and Global Affairs, will provide and prepare for transformative internship possibilities at the White House and Congress. These opportunities will help me develop the necessary skills and language to communicate in the business world. Conversely, I can also learn outside of Georgetown’s campus and surrounding community. For example, the ‘Georgetown in Barcelona: Business Ethics and Marketing’ study abroad program will allow me to dive into topical issues such as sustainability. The education of the whole student, as stated in Georgetown's motto “cura personalis”, means learning in and outside the classroom. A Georgetown education will help me become a well rounded, community-focused, “cosmopolitan” leader who can help make meaningful and informed contributions to the world. — — —

Hook ‘em! While it’s the body of your essay that ultimately carries the weight, the first sentence/s of your essay is an important moment. It sets the tone for the essay, and, most importantly, it can make the reader want to keep reading. This writer hooks the reader by differentiating a unique term’s (“cosmopolitan”) popular associations to offer a profound insight into global unity and diversity. Playing with the reader’s commonly held notions is one tried and true way to start an essay, and if you’re interested in more ways to “hook” a reader, check out this blog post .

Show them you’re not just window shopping. It’s one thing to simply say “I’m interested in taking X class.” It’s quite another to demonstrate how specific courses you’ve taken in high school will prepare you for specific courses in your time at college. This writer notes that taking “Accounting from Debt to Equity” and “Microeconomics” in high school prepares them to take “Global Business Experience” at McDonough. Note that the writer didn’t just open up a course catalog and pick a McDonough class that sounded kinda cool. Instead, we get the sense that the writer has put some thought into what they’ll be tackling in McDonough’s courses and has mapped out some of the possible arc of their education, demonstrating their informed interest in the School. Want some help organizing  your own research into the school’s you’re applying to? Check out our guide on that here .

It’s not just about the major. Did you catch the writer’s mention of the Period Empowerment Project and Georgetown’s Women's Center? It's as if they've already penciled in their first club meeting. The result is that they’re demonstrating their interest in the applications of McDonough’s classes; they’re not trying to simply study the coursework for its own sake. This shows they've not only done their homework but also mapped out their college journey. They’re signaling: “I'm ready to learn, engage, and truly be a Hoya!” They’re also demonstrating how they want to be an active, engaged member who contributes to the community—some colleges’ prompts directly ask this question (“how will you contribute?”), but even for colleges that don’t, it can be a nice touch to add some detail that helps your reader see how you want to engage.

Special thanks to Nick Muccio for writing this blog post.

Rather than candy, Nick (he/him) went searching for people’s vacuum cleaners when trick or treating. He’s since found other ways to help people clean, usually involving their essays (though he has great ideas on carpet maintenance, too). He earned a degree in Psychology from Bates College, where he rowed boats and acted in plays. Teaching high schoolers English for seven years taught him about the importance of presence and knitting sweaters. He sweats a lot, usually on purpose, and usually involving running shoes, a bike, or a rock climbing harness. His greatest fear? Heights. His greatest joys? Numerous, though shared laughter is up there.

How to Write the Georgetown Supplement 2023-2024

Okay, we’ll level with you here: Georgetown doesn’t go through the Common App, so you have to jump through a few additional hoops to apply directly through their system. Their defense? Having their own application allows them to “fulfill [their] commitment to this holistic admissions process” and “allows [their] applicants to best express their personalities, talents, skills and accomplishments.” Our personal opinion? The initial online form and subsequent application supplement are pretty standard, so… Sometimes people just need to feel special. (Get in line, George!) Speaking of special, last year Georgetown had an acceptance rate of just 13% for incoming freshmen.

Let’s quickly go over the Georgetown highlights. Located in our nation’s capital, this Catholic, Jesuit school is a prestigious private university defined by its proximity to Capitol Hill, its historic past, and its cultural commitment to social justice. You’ll want to keep these cornerstones in mind and work diligently on your supplemental essays to set yourself apart as an applicant.

Applying to Georgetown

Before you can get to the meat of your application — those essay questions — you’ve got to get your application in the system. First, fill out this preliminary form . Within 24 hours, you will receive an email allowing you to create your application account, and from this platform you can continue with your application supplement.

Like all applications, the majority of these forms is paperwork, and the questions will be familiar to you. However, each applicant will need to write three original responses — one short answer, two brief essays — to complete the supplement (you can view a reference copy here ), and we’ll take a closer look at those prompts in this blog post.

The Short Essay

Briefly (approximately one-half page, single-spaced) discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved.

Remember, all space on an application is precious, so don’t repeat yourself here! Because they ask about the activity with which you have been most involved, you will already have listed it in the extracurricular section, which asks you to start with the commitments most important to you. When we say “don’t repeat yourself” here, we don’t mean that you need to choose an activity that doesn’t appear in that list, because that would mean you’re writing about something you didn’t spend enough time on to bother including it on your activity list. What we mean is this: use the space you have to elaborate on this activity to strategically present new information about yourself.

The written portions of an app help an admissions committee to get to know you as a real person and not just a resume, and you’ll want to get your most prominent personality traits across. Choose a quality you’d like to emphasize, and tell a story about your activity that demonstrates that characteristic. This story should have a beginning, middle, and end, and your conclusion should tie back to your future at Georgetown. Reference a similar club or organization at Georgetown that you’d like to join — there’s no contract that will hold you to this if you change your mind, but articulating your intention to keep building on your experience will prove you’ve done your research and that you’ll be an involved undergraduate and positive presence on campus.

Here’s an example. Let’s say you want to convey your ~scrappy resilience~ in your application, and the club you were most involved in during high school was your local chapter of Amnesty International. Of course, your readers will know that this activity means you have a passion for social justice and human rights, but what they might not know is that, despite ranking math as your least favorite subject, you accepted the role of treasurer sophomore year because it was the only open position and you wanted to join the leadership committee as early as possible. Maybe you had to learn the fundamentals of accounting on your own, but you took the initiative to ensure your chapter’s fundraising efforts were successful because of your dedication to that year’s campaign to support girls’ equal access to education globally.

Full Essay #1

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

As you can tell, this prompt is broad , but it boils down to “tell us about yourself.” Because the essay can be personal or creative and only asks that you describe yourself in your own words, this is a great opportunity to use your Common App Essay.

Full Essay #2

You’re almost to the finish line, now, but this second essay is a bit of a “choose your own adventure.” Well, that’s the fun way to put it. Technically speaking, incoming first-years must apply to one of five schools within Georgetown, so your second essay depends on which program you’d like to enter. We’ll briefly look at all five, so bear with us.

APPLICANTS TO 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. (Applicants to the sciences, mathematics, public policy or languages are encouraged to include examples related to that field.)

The College of Arts & Sciences asks you about an anecdote, related to your future field, that “changed your thinking.” Once again, you’ll need to tell a story that illustrates how you became passionate about your intended major or specialization. This time, the framework for telling that story should involve changing your mind — admissions wants to ensure you’re compatible with a liberal arts approach to undergraduate study.

Be specific. Your story should illustrate how you developed your interest, and communicate in detail what that interest is — a particular problem you’d like to tackle or a sub-topic within a broader field. After that, reference research you’ve done about opportunities at Georgetown that indicates why it’s the best place to pursue your goals. We recommend you mention at least two upper-level classes offered in the course catalog and one scholar with whom you’d like to study, research, or mentor.

Your goal here is twofold: demonstrate your open-mindedness, flexibility, and willingness to grow, and get across your “why” (why you need to study this subject at Georgetown as opposed to any other school).

APPLICANTS TO THE 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).

While similar to the prompt above, the School of Health’s instructions are a bit broader. You’ll still need to specify your intended major from the three tracks offered, and you’ll want to point to specific courses, professors, and local research that interests you. In this case, the only difference is that the story of how you chose healthcare is allowed to be broader — it doesn’t hinge on a change in thinking but rather the development of your inclination toward healthcare however you see it.

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.

This one’s almost identical to the School of Health essay, so you can use the same strategy. Just make sure that your research — and your passion for healthcare — refer to the nursing track rather than global health, healthcare management & policy, or human science.

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?

Once again, you need to give the backstory of how you became interested in foreign service work. After you have sketched your personal journey, tie in specific details about the Walsh School’s classes, faculty, and unique programs, especially as they relate to your stated interests. This is important . “Global problems” are, understandably, pretty gigantic and abstract, and no one can master everything. To strengthen your application to Georgetown’s foreign service program, you should define your niche by showing that you are knowledgeable in a specialized area — that might be a global problem as it manifests at a local level or a subtopic within international relations.

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.

Last but not least, we’ve got our future wolves of Wall Street. The McDonough School of Business asks about your motivations, which means you should not only give your background (how you came to have a passion for entrepreneurship) but should articulate what you plan to focus your study on and how this degree will aid the vision you have for your future.

Let’s face it, “motivations” is a loaded word, and you need to share your intentions — not just what you plan to do, but why you want to do it. In other words, it’s not a great look to say you want to start paving your way toward an elite Masters in Business program so you can get filthy rich. This prompt highlights “ethical, analytical, financial, and global” lenses to hear what applicants have to say about how business analysts and economists conceive of their work as having an influence on, and being influenced by, the quality of life on a societal and individual level, the relationships between sectors and countries, and the nuances of policy and regulation, just to start. These frameworks are not random, so make sure that your essay relates your motivations to the perspectives they’ve listed in the prompt.

When looking at these five secondary prompts, dare we say… “same, same, but different?” We do. Yes, each school has a slightly different preamble and approach to the question, but ultimately all five essay options want to know why this field and, implicitly, why this field at Georgetown?

Scanning the Georgetown application might be intimidating at first, but in the end a great supplement is a pretty simple recipe. You’re just telling admissions what you already know: why Georgetown is ideal for achieving your aspirations, and why you’d be a wonderful addition to the Hoyas.

Looking for specialized help on school-specific supplements? Reach out to us today.