Georgetown is weird. Let's just start there. While almost every other elite school in the country has bowed down to the Common Application or Coalition App, Georgetown University stays stubborn. They use their own application portal. It’s clunky, it feels like it’s from 2005, and it requires a completely separate set of Georgetown University supplemental essays that you can't just copy-paste from your Harvard or Stanford drafts.
If you’re staring at that portal right now, you’re probably feeling the weight of the "Hoya Saxa" tradition. It's intimidating. But honestly, the secret to these essays isn't sounding like a textbook. It’s about understanding that Georgetown is a Jesuit institution that deeply, almost obsessively, cares about "Cura Personalis"—the care of the whole person. They don't just want a 4.0 GPA; they want to know how you’re going to engage with the world when you leave the Hilltop.
The Personal Contribution Prompt: It’s Not a Resume Repeat
The first hurdle is the prompt about your personal background. They ask you to "indicate any special talents or skills" or "personal qualities" you'll bring to the community.
Most people mess this up. They see "talents" and think they need to brag about being first-chair cellist or a varsity captain. Boring. Georgetown already saw your extracurricular list. If you spend 500 words telling them you’re hardworking, you’ve wasted the space.
Instead, think about the "weird" stuff. Are you the person who can mediate a heated argument between your friends using nothing but humor? Do you have a specific cultural perspective that changes how you view local politics? One successful applicant I remember didn't write about being a math genius; they wrote about their obsession with baking bread and how the patience required for a sourdough starter mirrored their approach to scientific research. It was human. It was real.
You’ve got to be specific. Avoid those broad, sweeping statements about "diversity" unless you can ground them in a concrete story. Georgetown's admissions officers, like Dean Charles Deacon, have seen every generic essay in the book. They want to see the person behind the data.
🔗 Read more: Finding the Right Word That Starts With AJ for Games and Everyday Writing
Why Georgetown? (The School-Specific Prompts)
Every applicant has to write a school-specific essay based on which of the four undergraduate schools they apply to: Georgetown College, the Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS), the McDonough School of Business (MSB), or the School of Nursing and Health Studies (NHS).
This is where the research matters. If you’re applying to the SFS, you can’t just say "I like politics." Everyone applying to SFS likes politics. You need to talk about the "Map of the Modern World" course or a specific lab like the Georgetown University Politics and Global Health Lab.
The Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS)
This is arguably the most famous part of the Georgetown University supplemental essays. They want a "policy essay." You have to identify a global issue and analyze it.
- Don't try to solve world hunger in 500 words. You’ll sound naive.
- Do pick a niche. Maybe it’s the impact of digital currency on West African trade or the specific diplomatic tensions in the Arctic Circle.
- Show your work. Cite a real-world framework or a specific piece of legislation. It shows you’re ready for the academic rigor of D.C.
The McDonough School of Business (MSB)
The MSB prompt usually centers on your interest in business and how you’ll use it to serve others. Georgetown is big on "business for good." If your essay is just about wanting to make a million dollars on Wall Street, you’re probably going to get a rejection letter. Talk about ethical leadership. Mention the "First-Year Seminar" where you might explore the intersection of philosophy and commerce.
The Jesuit Identity and Why It Actually Matters
You don't have to be Catholic to get into Georgetown. Not even close. But you do have to respect the Jesuit values.
💡 You might also like: Is there actually a legal age to stay home alone? What parents need to know
When you’re writing your Georgetown University supplemental essays, keep the concept of "People for Others" in the back of your mind. It’s the unofficial motto of the school. How has your education or your life experience prepared you to give back?
This isn't about being a martyr. It’s about being an active citizen. Whether you’re a nursing student or a linguistics major, Georgetown wants to see that you aren’t just a "taker." You’re a "contributor."
One tiny tip: don't overdo the religious language if it’s not authentic to you. They can smell "performative piety" a mile away. Just show, through your actions and stories, that you care about things bigger than your own transcript.
Breaking Down the "Activities" Essay
Georgetown asks you to briefy elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities. This is usually the shortest prompt, but it’s a trap. Many students pick their "most impressive" activity.
Try picking the one that actually means the most to you.
📖 Related: The Long Haired Russian Cat Explained: Why the Siberian is Basically a Living Legend
Maybe it’s the three hours a week you spend teaching your younger brother how to code. Or maybe it’s your part-time job at a grocery store. Honestly, Georgetown loves a good "work" essay. It shows grit. It shows you know what it’s like to have a boss and a schedule. In a sea of "President of the Debate Club" essays, the kid who writes passionately about the chaos of a Sunday shift at a diner stands out.
Technical Details You Can't Ignore
Wait, before you hit submit, check your formatting. Because Georgetown uses its own system, the text boxes can sometimes strip out your italics or bolding.
- Copy your essay into a plain text editor first.
- Paste it into the Georgetown portal.
- Check the word counts manually. The portal can be finicky.
- Make sure your name and "Georgetown Supplement" are clearly indicated if you’re uploading a PDF.
Also, remember that Georgetown requires an interview with an alum for almost every applicant. These essays are often the "jumping off" point for those conversations. If you write something in your essay, be prepared to talk about it for twenty minutes with a Georgetown grad in a coffee shop (or on Zoom).
Actionable Next Steps for Hoya Hopefuls
- Audit your "Why Georgetown" logic: Go to the department website for your specific school. Find two professors whose work interests you and one specific club (like the Philodemic Society or The Hoya) that you actually want to join.
- Draft the "Global Issue" essay early: If you’re applying SFS, this isn't a weekend project. It requires actual reading. Start a folder of news articles from The Economist or Foreign Affairs now.
- Review the "Cura Personalis" concept: Read the university’s mission statement. Don’t quote it—that’s cheesy—but let the spirit of it inform your tone.
- Check your "Activities" list: Ensure you aren't repeating the same information in the short activity essay that you used in your main personal statement. Diversity of content is key.
- Hit the "Early Action" deadline if possible: Georgetown's EA is non-binding, which is a great deal. It shows you’re serious without locking you in.
The Georgetown application process is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s designed to weed out people who aren't truly committed to the school's unique culture. If you put in the effort to treat these essays as more than just another hoop to jump through, you’re already ahead of half the applicant pool. Just be yourself—the slightly weird, deeply curious, and genuinely driven version of yourself. That’s who they want to meet.