How to Answer the 2025-26 Georgetown Supplemental Essays

The Georgetown University supplemental essays are an important part of the overall application. Georgetown University has a 12% acceptance rate, so your very best writing is required here. Remember, you are not alone in this Georgetown supplemental essay writing process! Keep reading our guide to learn more about how to best respond to the Georgetown supplemental essays.

Breaking down the Georgetown supplemental essays

Georgetown requires all applicants to respond to three prompts.

Here is a breakdown of the word count for the Georgetown supplemental essays: 

• Short Essay – approximately ½ page, single-spaced
• Essay 1 – approximately 1 page, single-spaced
• Essay 2- approximately 1 page, single-spaced, response based on intended school

Georgetown Supplemental essay questions for all applicants

Short Essay

Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved (½ page, single-spaced)

This is an opportunity to expand on an extracurricular activity that you are passionate about and have participated in the most.

Some questions to help brainstorm your response could include: 

• Did you receive any leadership roles in this activity?
• Why do you love this activity?
• When did you become interested in this activity?

Once you establish your main activity, write a story surrounding this event and detail a narrative! Do your best to connect back to Georgetown. Think of Georgetown clubs you want to become involved in to continue to pursue your interests. For example, if you love participating in track and field, but do not want to participate at the college level, discuss joining the Georgetown University Running Club. Additionally, try to really show not tell how significant this activity is in your life. For example, you could detail a narrative of how going for a run allows you to clear your mind and helps you cope with stress! Ultimately, this is your time to expand upon a passion you have and why you are passionate about it!

Essay #1

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. (1 page, single-spaced)

Although this is one of the first questions asked by Georgetown, it may be smart to save this question for the end. This is because there are a lot of prompts that Georgetown asks that reveal many of your interests and skills.

Therefore, to ensure you are not repeating yourself in your responses, answer this question last. Every essay you are responding to should reveal something new!

Once you are ready to answer this question, brainstorm some of the following questions:

• What is missing from your application that you want to highlight about yourself?
• Are there any skills you possess that have not been touched upon?
• Is there a leadership position you were involved in that you want to detail?
• What would you do if you had to go on stage at a talent show?

It is important to use this question as an outlet to showcase your skills, talents, and interests.

Some examples of some skills, talents, or interests can be: 

• Playing an instrument
• Participating in a sport
• Cooking
• Speaking a different language
• Mastering a video game
• Able to do something others cannot

You should be not just stating what talents you have, but also a short narrative or story surrounding each skill. Describe how you discovered this skill or how long it took you to become the expert you are today.

Therefore, it is important to be short and thoughtful with your word choices. Eliminate any filler words and only describe the important parts of your story.

This prompt is quite broad, which can make it challenging to respond to. It is important to try and come up with a topic for this essay that has not been discussed in your application thus far. Remember, Georgetown has most likely already read about your academic and athletic achievements. So, try to be more creative in your response!

So what should you write about? 

To help you brainstorm creative topics for this essay, think of the following questions:

• What are you known as in your friend group? (Exp: the artsy one, the funny one…)
• Are there any quirks you possess?
• Do you belong to any communities?
• What kind of background did you come from?
• Have you ever had to overcome anything?
• What are you passionate about?
• Is there anything that makes you stand out from other applicants?

If you are still having trouble coming up with a topic idea for this essay, do not fret. Remember, Georgetown does not use the Common App. This means that you could potentially use your response to the Common App as an answer to this essay.

If you are going to use your Common App essay response to answer this question make sure you are: 

• Not repeating yourself in your application
• Answering the question entirely
• Revealing a new piece of information about yourself

Essentially, Georgetown wants to be able to connect with your application and your personal and unique experiences. Therefore, be yourself and always reveal new things!

Essay #2: Georgetown school-specific essay questions

Each school-specific prompt should not exceed one-page, single-spaced.

Applicants to the Georgetown College of Arts and Sciences

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.

This is the time to show your passion for Georgetown University, and specifically the College of Arts and Sciences. Before you start writing, put the time into some research. Think about how the study of the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and fine arts will benefit you and make you a more well-rounded person.

Questions to consider

• What is your first choice of major? Maybe you have a major and a minor in mind already? It’s ok if you are not yet 100% committed, but do share if you are already passionate about a particular field
• Are there any specific professors you would like to learn from and perhaps perform research with?
• How would the available resources offered at the College of Arts & Sciences help you realize your goals?

School of Nursing essay

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.

If you are considering the School of Nursing, then you obviously have a passion for helping people. Therefore, you should not focus on this fact in your response. Remember, these Georgetown supplemental essays are an opportunity to make yourself stand out from other applicants – so try to really think about this question.

In order to avoid any cliches, try thinking of the following questions to help you brainstorm your response: 

• What has been an eye-opening experience you have had that has influenced your decision to apply to the School of Nursing?
• Why the Georgetown School of Nursing?
• Why do you want to help people?
• Was there a specific instance in which you realized nursing was your calling?
• Is there anyone close to you who works in the medical or nursing field?

After brainstorming, begin your response by describing a narrative. Tell your story about why you became interested in nursing and studying in the medical field. Whatever your story may be, use that as the backbone of your response for this essay.

Try to answer the following questions in your essay: 

• What have you learned from this passion?
• What change do you hope to bring to your future profession?
• What do you hope to do with this degree?
• What will you become involved in while at Georgetown?

The most important thing is that you are tying your response back to Georgetown. Specify how and why Georgetown’s program and resources are the best fit for you.

See also: Top nursing scholarships

Walsh School of Foreign Service essay

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 toward a future in global service.

International affairs is a rather uncommon major and profession to go into. Therefore, there is most likely a story behind your decision to choose this school.

Start by brainstorming the following questions: 

• What inspired you to pursue this major?
• Is there someone who inspired you to pursue this particular degree?
• What do you want to do with this degree?

Now that you have a good idea of what you want to write about, detail exactly what degree you are intended to pursue. Communicate what your goals are for this degree. What do you hope to accomplish?

In addition, describe how you plan to contribute to change the world for the better.

Afterwards, connect back to Georgetown by writing about the programs, clubs, and/or opportunities you hope to take advantage of while studying there.

McDonough School of Business essay

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.

In order to stand out from other applicants, begin by detailing any background you may have in business. This could be anything from taking a business class in high school to creating your own brand that went viral. Once you describe your business background, connect back to the McDonough School of Business specifically.

There are a lot of business schools out in the country, so why Georgetown? In order to accurately answer this question, you should have done adequate research on the following aspects of the McDonough School of Business:

• Location
• Professors
• Classes
• Class sizes
• Travel opportunities
• Clubs and organizations

Becoming familiar with these aspects of the school allows you to write about the factors that are most important to you. Be open and honest–which factors appeal to you most, and why?

School of Public Policy essay

For nearly 50 years, Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy has equipped leaders and changemakers with the interdisciplinary skills to address local, national and global policy problems. Undergraduate public policy students at Georgetown will have the unique opportunity to live and study on two campuses, spending their first two years immersed on the Hilltop, before completing the second half of their time at Georgetown on the Capitol Campus, immersed in the policy world. Describe your primary motivations for studying public policy at Georgetown University and dedicating your undergraduate studies toward a future related to public policy.

One of the best ways to implement change in a community is through public policy. If you are someone who is looking to study public policy, then this probably is something you agree with. When thinking about your motivations for studying public policy, it might be a good idea to recall some examples of times when you felt the importance of public policy. Perhaps a time when policy brought about a change that inspired you to learn more. This is also a good time to think about your goals and aspirations, and how studying public policy at Georgetown will help you achieve them.

Questions to consider

• What made you pursue public policy?
• When do you first become interested in public policy?
• Why do you think Georgetown is the best place to further your knowledge in public policy?

Earth Commons Institute essay

Through this joint program between the College of Arts & Sciences and the Earth Commons Institute, you’ll explore theories and practical skills in the classroom, in the field, and around the world, and put it all together to make a difference. Describe your primary motivations for studying environment and sustainability at Georgetown University to effect positive change in the world.

When did you first know that you wanted to learn more about the environment in an effort to protect and preserve it? This is a great place to start with this essay. Besides where your motivations originated, you can also share any experiences you have with environmental science and sustainability, like clubs and volunteering.

When writing these essays, it’s important to connect your past and present to your future at Georgetown. Think about what you hope to accomplish. Perhaps there’s a specific area of sustainability, such as renewable energy or land conservation, that you’d like to learn more about and potentially research in college.

Think about the following questions: 

• What led you to become interested in the environment and sustainability?
• Are there any current sustainable efforts that you’re excited/want to learn more about?
• What do you hope to do with this degree?
• What sustainability practices at Georgetown are exciting to you?

School of Health essay

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 health care at Georgetown University, specifically addressing your intended related major: Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, or Human Science.

This essay question should be fairly easy if you have a passion for studying health care. Ultimately, you just need to explain why you want to study health care! And specifically, why you want to study health care at Georgetown. So, write a story describing your interest in global health, healthcare management & policy or human science! After detailing this narrative, go into detail about why Georgetown is a perfect fit for you. Describe any specific classes, professors, clubs, or the location of DC to demonstrate your interest in Georgetown. The most important thing is that you are tying your response back to Georgetown!

Questions to consider

• Why do you want to major in your chosen major?
• What do you aspire to do with your degree?
• Why did you choose to apply to Georgetown?

Final thoughts on responding to the Georgetown supplemental essays

The Georgetown supplemental essays are quite challenging, but they are completely worth the effort.  Georgetown heavily relies upon the supplemental essay responses to select applicants, so it is important that your application is well-rounded. Make sure that you are not repeating anything when writing your essays. In addition, always connect your experiences back to Georgetown by detailing what you want to become involved in on campus.

Additional resources

Are you curious about how many colleges to apply to, how to choose a college, or when to take the SAT/ACT? Do not worry because Scholarships360 has you covered! In addition, we have numerous resources to help you through the rest of your college essays. Check out our guides on how to write an essay about yourself, how to write a successful admissions essay, and how to write 250 or 500 word essays. Throughout your college application journey, make sure that you apply to all the scholarships you qualify for!