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College Essays

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With an acceptance rate of less than 12 percent , Georgetown is ranked as an extremely competitive school . If you want to be a part of the student body, you need to impress, and one of the best opportunities you have to do that is in your Georgetown essays.

Don't let the Georgetown essay prompts intimidate you. Though they may look complicated at first—and they do ask complex questions—some foresight and planning will help you write essays that are sure to impress.

This guide will walk you through the Georgetown essays, giving you a look into the expectations and thought process behind each of the essay prompts .

Feature Image: Patrickneil /Wikimedia Commons

What Should You Know About the Georgetown Essay Prompts?

Georgetown doesn't use the Common or Coalition Application . Instead, you'll be filling out an application tailored specifically to their desires, though it may cover most of the same information.

Because of that, you'll want to pay extra close attention to what you discuss in your essays. Your essays should be tied specifically to Georgetown rather than the more general approach of the Coalition or Common Application .

The Georgetown essays include one short essay of about a half-page, single-spaced, one longer one-page essay required of all students, and a second one-page essay specifically tied to one of Georgetown's four schools: Georgetown College, the School of Nursing and Health Studies, Walsh School of Foreign Service, and the McDonough School of Business.

Students in the arts—specifically music, dance, theater, and studio art—may submit additional portfolios as part of their application, but it isn't required.

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What Are the Required Georgetown Essay Prompts?

Because Georgetown's application is only for Georgetown, you'll immediately notice that they're a lot more specific than the Common or Coalition prompts. You should keep that specificity in mind as you answer the questions, thinking not just about why you want to go to a good school, but why you want to attend Georgetown specifically .

How to Answer the Georgetown Short Essay Prompt

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

This question is pretty straightforward. Though you've no doubt discussed your extracurriculars throughout your application, this question asks you to think deeper about one of them . Ask yourself why you do those activities, and what they personally mean to you.

"Why," not "what," should be the question you're answering . Flesh out your mentions of extracurriculars in your application with discussions of why you do them and what you've learned. The activity you discuss should be significant to you—not something you do purely for fun or something you do because your parents make you.

As with the first question, don't inflate things to look more impressive. If you spent most of your summer watching TV, that might be relevant if you're an aspiring screenwriter, and you can mention it—but again, answer the question of why . Why did you choose the shows you did? What did you learn from them?

That said, watching TV isn't the best choice. You'd be better off discussing how you spent your summer working on an original short film or participating in a workshop for aspiring screenwriters—but no matter what your preferred activity, there is a way to discuss why it's significant to you and what you learned from it.

This prompt gives you space to discuss your interests, particularly the things that can't be represented by numbers as grades and test scores can. It gives Georgetown a clearer picture of you, which helps in their decision.

This is also a space to expand on participation. Maybe you never became captain of the swim team and you've been worried that the lack of leadership might count against you. In this essay, you can explain that though that was your goal, you didn't quite make it—but that you learned a lot anyway.

This essay really is about what's significant to you, so there are no wrong answers—it's your execution that matters . Avoid being too general, or focusing too much on picking the most impressive thing from your roster if that thing didn't actually matter to you. Be genuine with what's significant to you and your essay will be stronger for it.

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How to Answer the Georgetown Essay Prompt 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 essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you. (One page, single-spaced.)

Notice how the emphasis on this question is on you. This is called a "Why You?" style essay — though the application is for Georgetown, the admissions office wants to know why you'll be a good fit for the college and what you in particular will bring to the student body .

What this means is that Georgetown doesn't want to hear about how they have the best program or the greatest campus. They want to know about you and what makes you unique .

When answering this question, think about what makes you a good fit for Georgetown's student body. Consider their mission statement , their origin as a Catholic and Jesuit college , and what that means today.

That doesn't mean that you need to identify yourself as Catholic if you aren't (please don't do that), but that you should consider the role that faith plays in Georgetown's approach to education . How does their mission statement connect to your own life and educational goals?

Demonstrating that you understand the school's mission and how you can contribute to it as a student is one of the most important parts of this question.

But "Why You?" is only part of the question . The specific mention of diversity is important, too. Its inclusion in the question means that it's important to Georgetown, and they want you to demonstrate that it's important to you, too.

Don't get too fixated on typical meanings of "diverse." We often use the word to refer to the variety of genders, sexualities, races, socio-economic statuses, and so on that exist in the world, but diversity of thought is worthwhile, too. Of course, you should write about your gender, sexuality, race, and so on if it's relevant to what you'll bring to campus—and it often is—but don't feel like it's all you have to offer.

Think about what your experience has taught you, and how those lessons will contribute to Georgetown's diverse student body. That can mean discussing overcoming socio-economic hardship, or it can mean relating how you and your seven brothers used to squabble until you realized working together got chores done faster. Everybody has a unique story to tell, and this is Georgetown offering you space to tell yours .

Georgetown invites you to get creative here, but if you want to take a more embellished approach than a traditional essay, be sure that that creativity comes through in your writing and language rather than in the events . Don't inflate things to look more interesting or diverse than you are—this is your chance to flesh out the grades and test scores with your personality, so be sure it's your personality that the admissions office sees.

How to Answer the Georgetown College Essay Prompt

Georgetown College is the largest undergraduate school at Georgetown University, and contains many of the school's arts and sciences programs.

What does it mean to you to be educated? How might Georgetown College help you achieve this aim? (Applicants to the Sciences and Mathematics or the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics should address their chosen course of study.) (One page, single-spaced.)

This question is asking about your personal relationship with education and learning. But more than that, it's asking you why you want to attend Georgetown, making it a "Why Us?" essay .

When answering this prompt, think about your goals and how Georgetown fits into them . They don't need to hear about how they're a good school and you've always wanted to attend a competitive college—they already know that, and most other students also want to attend a good school. Why Georgetown specifically, as opposed to all the other possible schools you could apply to?

This is a good place to demonstrate familiarity with their mission and curriculum. Are there particular classes or faculty driving your decision to attend? Mention them!

Think holistically here. How will attending Georgetown enrich your education and help you reach your career goals? Keep their mission statement in mind as you write—consider the ideas of diversity, service to humanity, and community and how those fit into your goals.

Again, avoid generalities. Your essay should have enough concrete connection to Georgetown that you couldn't easily swap another school's name in and still have it make sense. Of course, there will always be some overlap with other schools, but be sure that the true spirit of Georgetown comes through in your essay.

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How to Answer the Georgetown School of Nursing & Health Studies Essay Prompt

Georgetown's School of Nursing and Health Studies is exactly what it sounds like. This is where you'll be applying if you're interested in any of the health care fields, which is reflected in the 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, Human Science, or Nursing). (One page, single-spaced.)

This question isn't quite a clear-cut "Why Us?" or "Why You?" question, unlike the previous ones. Instead, it's asking "Why Health Care?"

Again, always keep in mind Georgetown's mission as a college: diversity, discussion, and the well-being of humanity. All of these things can factor into your essay in a meaningful way.

Think beyond health care being a reliable and well-paying field. Why do you want to care for people? Why the health field, specifically? Tying Georgetown's mission into this question is a great way to demonstrate your interest in the field, but also in the specific ways that this school teaches.

In this question, Georgetown wants you to demonstrate your interest in the field. If you're invested in health care, you're more likely to succeed in the program. The admissions office also wants to know what passion and interest you'll bring to the school, making you a student they want to invest in.

If you don't already know why you've chosen to pursue health care over other fields, now's the time to start thinking about it. Health care can often be thankless, difficult, and even frightening if you're working in emergency situations. What drives you to do it anyway?

Maybe you've struggled with illness yourself, and you want to commit to researching cures. Or maybe you're fascinated by the ways that disease impacts society, and you want to learn more about prevention and how to enact it on an individual basis. No matter what your career goal is, it's important that you can explain why you've chosen this field over all others.

However, be sure you can tie your interest to Georgetown specifically. Your essay will be even stronger if it explains not just what appeals to you about health care, but why Georgetown is the right college to help you achieve your goals.

How to Answer the Walsh School of Foreign Service Essay Prompt

If you're interested in international relations, Wash School of Foreign Service is likely where you'll be applying.

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? (One page, single-spaced.)

This is a perfect example of a  "Why Us?" question. Of all the schools out there, and all the programs, what led you to apply to Georgetown's school of foreign service? 

The trick to this question is being specific. Sure, the Walsh School of Foreign Service has interesting classes, great professors, and a strong track record for job placements, but so do a lot of other schools out there. What does it offer that other schools can't? In your response, be sure to mention specific courses/internship opportunities/professors who will give you opportunities unique to Georgetown.

We give more advice on how to answer this question under the next prompt, which is also a Why Us question!

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How to Answer the McDonough School of Business Essay Prompt

The McDonough School of Business is exactly what it sounds like. If you're attending Georgetown with an interest in business, you'll need to answer the following 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. (One page, single-spaced.)

Like the Walsh School of Foreign Service, the McDonough School of Business prompt is a classic "Why Us?" question , asking you to identify not just that Georgetown is a good school, but why it's the right school for you and your interests.

To answer this question, consider the university's ethos and curriculum. Look at their course offerings and consider those as well as whatever reasons you have for applying. Think specifically, not generally— beyond it being a well-respected university, what does Georgetown have to offer you that other well-respected universities do not?

Georgetown wants to hear that you're committed to their program specifically, so answer in specifics. Identify features of their program in particular, and be sure to answer the question of why those features draw you to Georgetown.

If you have a personal anecdote about Georgetown, such as a moment on a tour, a personal connection to the campus, or admiration for a particular alumni, this essay is a good place to discuss it. If not, it's always a good idea to use concrete specifics, such as classes and extracurriculars that appeal to you. Fold those into a discussion of Georgetown's mission and your own career goals to paint a complete picture of why this is the right school for you.

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What Does a Successful Georgetown Essay Look Like?

Planning an essay can be difficult as you try to weigh what the school might want against everything you could possibly cover. Thankfully, there's at least one successful Georgetown essay out there you can read in its entirety :

"Listen, girl. He's over 60 and speaks no English. There is no way we would hire him." His tone was rude, but I sadly understood why my dad wasn't hired. I faced my hopeful dad and watched his smile drop as I told him that Dave just remembered that they hired someone yesterday and that they really couldn't afford to hire anyone else. My dad was disappointed, but nonetheless he graciously shook Dave's hand and thanked him for his time. Job searching is difficult for everyone, but in a world full of Daves, it's almost impossible. Daves are people who look at my family and immediately think less of us. They think illegal, poor and uneducated. Daves never allow my dad to pass the first round of job applications. Daves watch like hawks as my brother and I enter stores. Daves inconsiderately correct my mother's grammar. Because there are Daves in the world, I have become a protector for my family. I excuse their behavior as just being a "typical American." I convince my mother that they are only staring at her lovely new purse. I convince my dad they are only shouting about store sales to us. Aside from being a protector, I am also an advocate. As an advocate, I make sure my family is never taken advantage of. I am always looking out for scams and discrepancies. I am the one asking the questions when we buy or sell a car. I make sure all details are discussed and no specifics are left unanswered.

It's not hard to see why the writer was accepted to Georgetown. This essay clearly demonstrates her experience and understanding of the world. The last paragraph is a great example of how to turn that experience into something actionable—she wants to go into public service, politics, or diplomacy because of how she's helped her parents and the bigotry she's witnessed as she's done so.

We know from reading exactly what the writer will bring to Georgetown: an understanding of the world and the way it's treated her and her family. She demonstrates her understanding of diversity clearly, which answers the first prompt—it shows what makes her unique as well as what she'll contribute.

The essay shows her personal story and how that's influenced her lifelong plans. Because the admissions office understands where she comes from and the essay finishes with where she hopes to go—as well as covering some of the obstacles she's overcome—they have a complete picture of her as a student.

One area the essay could be improved is strengthening the connection to Georgetown specifically. This essay is quite strong—she did get into Georgetown with it—but spending a little more time reflecting on how her life experience connects to Georgetown's mission would give it a little extra oomph . As it is, this could be an application essay for pretty much any school. Drawing a clear connection from your experiences to the college you're applying to demonstrates a stronger degree of interest, making your essay stand out.

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Key Points of Advice for Georgetown Essays

No matter which prompts you're answering, it's a good idea to follow general advice for your Georgetown essays, too. Though the application for Georgetown is unique to the school, it still follows most of the common rules of college applications, so be sure to read up on some common tips for college applications .

#1: Read Prompts Carefully

Don't just answer the surface-level question. You have quite a bit of space to answer each of these, so read each one carefully, understand the deeper questions it might be asking, such as "Why You?" and be sure to answer those as well. Brainstorming will be a huge help here, as you can get all of your ideas out and select the ones that support your point the best.

#2: Connect Your Story to Your School

When you're writing "Why Us?" essays, think about your story—the things that have made you who you are, your ambition, your goals—and add in how Georgetown is the next step on your journey. Think beyond that it has a good reputation or that lots of impressive people have graduated from there. Draw a clear line between you and Georgetown by tying your experience in with its curriculum and mission statement. This will demonstrate that you're not just reusing the same essay for a bunch of schools, and that Georgetown is your real goal.

#3: Edit and Revise

Editing and revision are your best friends when it comes to a polished Georgetown essay. Don't just fire off a draft and call it good. Spend some time planning, writing, editing, and revising , being sure to start early so you can let your drafts rest between readings.

Spending more time will take some of the stress out of writing and let you put in more effort to get it into shape. The longer you have, the more thought you can put into it, so start early!

What's Next?

Give yourself plenty of time to get your Georgetown essay done by staying on top of all the deadlines for your application .

What else do you need to get into your dream school aside from stellar essays? This guide has all the requirements to get into Georgetown .

Even if you're not going to Georgetown, you should understand the college application process from start to finish. This helpful guide will walk you through applying to college starting from your freshman year of high school!

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Want to write the perfect college application essay? Get professional help from PrepScholar.

Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We'll learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay that you'll proudly submit to your top choice colleges.

Don't leave your college application to chance. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now :

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Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

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2022-23 Georgetown University Supplemental Essays – Prompts and Tips

The nation’s oldest Jesuit institution of higher learning is also its most selective, as Georgetown University welcomed just 12% of applicants to the Class of 2026 onto its historical and notably beautiful Washington, D.C. campus. Whenever you are applying to a school of Georgetown’s caliber, where the average admitted applicant has a 1470 SAT score and is at (or near) the top of their high school class, you need to find ways to set yourself apart from the pack. Toward that aim, prospective Hoyas need to take advantage of the Georgetown supplemental essays.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into Georgetown? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Georgetown: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

The goal is to write compelling, standout compositions. Your essays should showcase your exceptional writing ability and reveal more about who you are as an individual. Below are Georgetown’s essay prompts for the 2022-23 admissions cycle along with tips about how to address each one.

Georgetown Supplemental Essay Prompt 1

Indicate any special talents or skills you possess. (250 words)

If you are a world-class athlete, you are likely already in the recruitment process. If you placed high in AIME or won a National Merit Scholarship, that is already stated in the awards section. Therefore, using the prized 250 words of real estate to merely rehash the fact that you won an award for something you are good at would not be an inspiring move. Instead, use this essay as an opportunity to offer a new level of depth and understanding about your talent(s). In addition to discussing the talent you possess, touch on the journey of how you developed your abilities.

A few years back, Malcolm Gladwell popularized the idea that becoming an expert at anything takes 10,000 hours of practice. Consider talking about the grind and sacrifice it took you to become great at a given skill. Describe how you see that skill becoming even more finely-tuned/developed over time. If this skill fits into your future academic/career plans, all the better—share that too!

Georgetown Supplemental Essay Prompt 2

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

Perhaps you are the captain of a team, the editor-in-chief of your school paper, or the president of a club. On the other hand, you may simply be a valuable contributing member. Regardless of whether you are a leading man/woman or a still-essential bit player, make sure that you use your writing ability to show the admissions officer what type of involved team member you are rather than merely telling them.

You can also discuss how you have engaged with your high school local/community. Share what you have learned from interacting with people of a different ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual identity, etc. Draw on past evidence of your commitment to being a positive force in the context of your activity/activities. Also be sure to speculate how that is likely to manifest on Georgetown’s campus. Research and cite Hoya student-run organizations, local nonprofit groups, or anything else you are drawn to. The admissions committee wants to understand precisely how you will contribute to their campus community of 7,000+ undergrads. Drawing the link between your past efforts and future aims is critical here. For example, if you’ve done work with Habitat for Humanity throughout your teens, it will be most impactful if you express your commitment to joining Georgetown’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity in the future.

Georgetown University Supplemental Essay Prompt 3

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

Whether you decide to write about yourself in a way that is light, creative, humorous, personal, sincere, or vulnerable (any are perfectly fine), aim to reveal a picture of yourself that cannot be gleaned from elsewhere in your application materials.

Take note of the wide-open nature of this prompt. While there are no limits to the way in which you approach this essay, here are some angles to consider:

The admissions officer looking at your essay is hoping to connect with you through your written words. So be open, humble, thoughtful, inquisitive, emotionally honest, mature, and insightful. No matter what type of story you tell, the goal is to have the reader come away saying, “I can definitely see this applicant as a contributing member of our talented and engaged student community.”

Georgetown Supplemental Essays — The School-Specific Essay

Georgetown College: What does it mean to you to be educated? How might Georgetown College help you achieve this aim? (Applicants to the Sciences and Mathematics or the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics should address their chosen course of study.)

In any “Why Us?” composition (like this prompt essentially asks for), you need to show that you’ve done your homework on a given school, but you don’t want it to read like a robotic list of items that you Googled ten minutes before writing the essay.

In addition to the pure research element, a lot of the time and skill required in creating a stellar  essay will involve connecting the classes, professors, opportunities, etc. of interest that you have uncovered to your distinct values, talents, aims, proficiencies, and future goals.

Elements of a great Georgetown “Why Us?” essay

Common mistakes on a Georgetown “Why Us?” essay .

School of Nursing & Health Studies: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. Please specifically address your intended major (Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, Human Science, or Nursing).

“A nurse is not what you do, it is who you are.”

This quote from an anonymous source captures the idea that becoming a nurse is a calling; not a profession you just stumble into. Nurses are willing to work long shifts in the service of others, be on the frontlines of a pandemic, and many deal with life’s toughest challenges (e.g. suffering and death) on a regular basis. Many applicants share stories of caring for sick relatives or experiencing a tough medical episode themselves as inspiration for studying nursing. This essay is a chance to show the admissions committee that you are a passionate and mature nursing candidate and that nursing is genuinely “who you are.”

Of course, if you are studying a different program like Global Health or Health Care Management and Policy, your approach may vary slightly. However the key still remains communicating the same level of passion and dedication for the well-being of others.

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?

International service is not something every 17/18-year-old in the country is dreaming about doing as a vocation. There is likely a very interesting story surrounding what motivated you to apply to the Walsh School of Foreign Service and this essay invites you to share this very narrative. You don’t need to look any deeper than today’s headlines to identify powerful and immensely challenging global problems. Whether you are aiming for a B.S. in Business and Global Affairs, a B.S. in Foreign Service, or a B.S. in Global, International, and Comparative History, you likely have a highly-specific set of academic and career goals taking shape in your mind.

If you can communicate these goals and the motivations behind them while sharing a vision for how you will contribute to the betterment of humankind in one or multiple regions of the world, then you are likely to end up with an excellent Walsh essay.

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.

To stand out as an applicant to the McDonough School of Business, applicants need to show that they have availed themselves of every opportunity to dive into the business world during their high school years. Of course, not everyone has parents who hand them money to invest in the stock market or land them an internship at Goldman Sachs in 9th grade. Relevant experiences can include high school investing clubs, participation in activities like FBLA, summer programs/courses in business/finance/economics, running your own local small business or e-business (Etsy, landscaping, etc.), or just a regular old retail job. The important thing to highlight is what you learned from your experience(s). Explain how you will bring that newly acquired knowledge to the classroom at Georgetown.

How important are the Georgetown supplemental essays?

There are a whopping 8 factors that Georgetown considers to be “very important” to the evaluation process. These are: rigor of secondary school record, character/personal qualities, class rank, GPA, standardized test scores, recommendations, extracurricular activities, and most relevant to this blog—the application essays. The essays undoubtedly play a significant role in the admissions process at Georgetown. They can help the committee decide who to admit when choosing between similarly-credentialed (GPA, test scores, etc.) applicants.

Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Georgetown supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

Andrew Belasco

A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew’s experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

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Georgetown University 2021-2022 Essay Prompts

georgetown essay prompts

Georgetown University, home of a college application that looks like it was invented in the early aughts, has released the 2021-2022 essay prompts for applicants to the Class of 2026. This year, applicants are asked to answer four essay prompts. But do keep in mind that since Georgetown is not a Common Application subscriber (its longtime admissions czar, Charles Deacon , a recurring character and favorite of our college admissions blog, has been a longtime holdout), these essays are not in addition to the Personal Statement and optional Covid-19 essay. Rather, many students are able to use a shortened version of their Personal Statement for one of the Georgetown prompts. So what exactly are the prompts, you ask? Wonder no more!

The first prompt reads, “Indicate any special talents or skills you possess.” Applicants are asked to answer the question in 250 words. The second prompt reads, “Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved.” Applicants are asked to answer the question in about half a page, single spaced. The third prompt reads, “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.” Applicants are asked to answer the question in about a page, single spaced. This, of course, is the perfect opportunity to use the Common Application Personal Statement. Georgetown’s fourth and final prompt reads, “What does it mean to be educated? How might Georgetown College help you achieve this aim?” Applicants are asked to answer this prompt in about a page, single spaced. It’s essentially a Why College essay with a little extra kick to it.

Have a question on the 2021-2022 Georgetown University essays for applicants to the Class of 2026? Let us know your question by posting it below. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Categories: College Essays

Tags: Georgetown 2021-2022 Essays , Georgetown Admissions Essays , Georgetown Class of 2026 Essays , Georgetown Essay Prompts , Georgetown University 2021-2022 Essay Prompts

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2 Great Georgetown Essay Examples

What’s covered:, essay example 1, essay example 2, where to get feedback on your essay .

Georgetown is a prestigious university located right outside of Washington D.C. that is known for its great public policy and international relations programs. With so many eager applicants wanting to attend this highly-selective school, you need to have strong essays to stand out from the crowd. In this post, we’ll share real essays students have submitted to Georgetown, and share what they did well and how they could be made even better (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our Georgetown essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.

Prompt: Please indicate any special talents or skills you possess. You should write in either paragraph or bulleted-list format. (200-250 words)

Bending down, I pluck a four-leaf clover from a sea of genetically identical Trifolium. After capturing this anomaly on film, I press it, adding it to my collection. Ever since I first discovered four-leaf clovers, I honed my observational skills until I could find them with ease. Now, I am a master of small details and the proud owner of 22 four-leaf clovers. 

My memory for special occasions is unrivaled. Within my brain, I categorize and store dates: birthdays, anniversaries, check-ins, etc. I take pride in remembering my friends’ and family’s important days and being there to celebrate or support, listen or laugh, or simply spend time with them. Attentiveness and thoughtfulness are at the foundation of who I am. 

When I saw the unicycle under the tree, I was elated yet apprehensive. All-day on Christmas, I practiced riding it: I waggled my arms as I sought my balance, caught myself each time I fell, and continued to stand up to try again. Through perseverance and determination, I eventually found my balance, and five months later, I could easily ride alongside my sister’s scooter through the park. 

My party trick is walking on my hands. With a beet-red face and dirty palms, I carefully fall out of my handstand and back into an upright position. I always giggle when I do so, observing the shocked, entertained faces of the people around me. My unusual talent facilitates joy and laughter, and inevitably, connection.

What the Essay Did Well

This essay is successful because of how random it is! When a prompt asks for a special talent or skill, many people might be tempted to write about some extracurricular they excel at or a characteristic they have like leadership or perseverance, but this student chose to share a collection of unrelated fun facts about themselves. We would never know about their collection of four-leaf clovers or how they walk on their hands from the rest of the application. This essay really takes advantage of the prompt to humanize the applicant and share the little details that make them unique.

Another thing this essay does well is combining the suggested structures. The disjointed paragraphs describing a new talent give the effect of a bulleted list, but each skill is contextualized in its own paragraph. They could have just written “ I can ride the unicycle” , but instead we learned about this student’s perseverance through their explanation of riding a unicycle.

Even if they chose to only write about one special talent, this student does a great job of drawing the reader into the moment. We are there, crouching down and looking into the sea of green clovers. We are there, watching them struggle to balance on the unicycle. We are there, hearing them giggle as they dust off their hands and stand rightside up. The inclusion of sensory details like these really brings the reader into the story, making it so much more enjoyable to read.

What Could Be Improved

Since each paragraph is completely unrelated to the others, this essay could benefit from a few transitions to make it clear there’s a jump from one skill to another. If the student wanted to keep the list-like feel, they could start each paragraph with a quick recap and then jump into the rest of the paragraph. For example, the first paragraph would start like “ An eye of four-leaf clovers.” , and then go into the paragraph. 

Prompt: As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you. (Approximately 1 page, single-spaced)

Faded dye. Loose threads. Peeling rank stripes. 

On the surface, my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belts are a display of my martial arts progression. But in each worn belt there are stories of sweat and tears, triumph and loss, challenges and growth. Like the changing colors of a seasonal rank promotion, I myself have changed, adopting new skills with each belt added to my collection. These scraps of fabric are more than my prized possessions; they’re an album of my life’s most defining moments. 

Crisp white and too small, my first belt was worn by a girl who was eager to learn self-defense, but was anxious to try something new. Enraptured, I’d watch higher ranked students grapple, excitedly envisioning myself performing the same graceful Kosoto-gari throws and powerful rear-naked choke holds that I saw on the mats. However, expectations can be a harsh antithesis to reality: any visions of my future martial arts prowess crumbled upon encountering dive roll drills. 

Deceived by its simple, somersault-like appearance, I vaulted my crouched body with gusto, only to flop onto my side like an exhausted cat. No problem. I positioned myself for another attempt. The same “floppy-cat” predicament ensued. Again! This time I rolled into my teammate. Frustrated, I began to ask my coach for pointers, but stopped upon realizing I was holding up the drill line. Over and over, each effort yielded the same undesirable results. Shame coursed through my veins as I returned to the back of the line. 

Now, when I watched my classmates spar, I looked on with envy; it seemed like they were speeding towards a rank promotion while I was drowning in my own incompetence, marked to forever remain a white belt. This dismal attitude followed me until I met my training partner, Ann. She was a higher-ranked teammate and seasoned athlete, so I was flustered by the thought of her seeing me struggle. But when it came time to practice our dive rolls, I was surprised to see her fumble like me. Unlike me, Ann wasn’t one to struggle on her own: she shot her hand into the air, immediately getting our coach’s attention. With a patient smile, he walked us through the technique, occasionally allowing Ann to stop and check that I understood; within minutes, both of us could perform solid dive rolls. While this moment brought a surge of pride, it also opened my eyes to my biggest shortcoming – lacking the courage to advocate for my needs. 

Realizing this problem, I set on the path to correcting my mistakes. Whenever I struggled with a move, I made an effort to consult my coaches and teammates, working to build both my skills and rapport. Forging bonds with my teammates also allowed me to adopt moves from their grappling style, sparking an appreciation for the lessons learned from each training partner. With each week that went by, my progress became more noticeable. Where there were previously gaps in my technique and hesitation in my movements, I could now see my skills improving and my desire to speak up develop. No longer was my white belt crisp and new; it was now faded and grayish, hiding memories of difficult, yet rewarding matches in its stitching.

Ultimately, my biggest mistake was struggling by myself. While jiu jitsu is an individual sport, it’s not an isolated one. Ann, my coaches, and my teammates were more than my competitors; they were my best learning resources and closest supporters. 

Since wearing my first belt, I’ve learned to change my despairing attitude to one of openness and determination. Challenges will continue to come my way, whether they come in the form of a jiu jitsu opponent or a grueling exam. Only I can put in the work to achieve my desired outcomes, but I’ve come to see that I don’t have to face my difficulties alone. Now, I look to the future with anticipation for the next obstacle to overcome. Who knows? Perhaps a black belt awaits.

For a prompt that asked to get to know the applicant better, this is an amazing essay. We learn so much about this student from her response. We know one of her main passions is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, we get to see her biggest weakness stand in the way of her success and then watch as she overcomes that, and we learn about how she approaches challenges both on and off the mat. 

How is this essay able to convey so much information while still being interesting to read? The author does an excellent job of placing us in the moment by showing us what is occurring. Right from the beginning, we see a little girl with a brand-new belt eagerly watching tumbles and choke holds. Then, rather than just telling us she struggled with dive rolls, she describes the process in detail and compares her failures to a “floppy-cat”. These depictions help bring the reader into the story and make it so much easier to envision what she went through. She also brings us into her mind, telling us about the shame and envy she felt when she originally struggled and how she now understands the importance of getting help.

Also notice how the essay doesn’t come to an end once she has her “aha” moment and her mindset towards approaching challenges shifts. She takes two paragraphs to bring us down from the climax of the essay and continues to show us how she took time to grow once she started asking for help. We aren’t led to believe she immediately became a jiu jitsu master after her one experience, which is a common mistake students make in their essays. It took months, if not years, for her to get to where she is now, so although her mindset shifted when she was younger, we get to see how her new perspective influenced her after that one example.   

One way this essay could be made even greater is by including an internal monologue to show us her emotions. This student already did an excellent job of showing us what happened externally, but when it comes to her feelings and thoughts at the moment, she tells us about them. 

Instead of telling us she was frustrated when she kept messing up the dive rolls, she could have written something like this: “With every failed attempt a little voice in my head nagged at me over and over. You’re never going to get it. You’re terrible at this. Stop holding up the line, it’s not going to work. ” These lines convey so much more emotion than just telling us she was frustrated. It helps us understand how she thinks, as well as make it more relatable because everyone knows what it’s like to feel hopeless and annoyed at yourself when you can’t do something correctly.

Incorporating more of her internal monologue would further elevate this essay which already does a good job of showing us what happened.

Want feedback like this on your Georgetown essay before you submit? We offer expert essay review by advisors who have helped students get into their dream schools. You can book a review with an expert to receive notes on your topic, grammar, and essay structure to make your essay stand out to admissions officers.

Haven’t started writing your essay yet? Advisors on CollegeVine also offer expert college counseling packages . You can purchase a package to get one-on-one guidance on any aspect of the college application process, including brainstorming and writing essays.

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  • Writing the Georgetown Essay Supplemental Essay Prompts

Writing the Georgetown Essay Supplemental Essay Prompts

  • How to Write the Georgetown University General Supplemental Essays

“ Prompt 1: Indicate any special talents or skills you possess. (250 words). ”

“ prompt 2: briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved. ”.

  • “ Prompt 3: As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you. ”

Georgetown University School-Specific Prompts

Georgetown college prompt, school of nursing & health studies prompt, walsh school of foreign service prompt, mcdonough school of business prompt.

Georgetown University is a desired educational establishment for thousands of students annually. With an acceptance rate of 15%, the chances to get in are high. If you follow all the rules and complete your application form according to the requirements of the admissions committee, you are in. The estimated average GPA for Georgetown University is 4.1. Besides, you need to complete a Georgetown essay. There is the option to get  college admission essay help and succeed with no effort. Georgetown opportunity is yours to grab as long as you have a good academic record and writing skills. 

Set the goals to get in, study the history of the university, and tailor your application to satisfy the needs of the Georgetown community. All the tests the establishment puts in front of you are aimed at finding out how compatible your background is with its ambitions.

How to Write the Georgetown University General Supplemental Essays 

To become a part of the Georgetown community, a student needs to pay the application fee and write the “Why Georgetown” essay. It is a common practice for colleges and universities to ask students to show their knowledge, worldview, and ambitions in writing. Regardless of what faculty you apply for, engineering department, or journalism, basic writing skills are obligatory. The essay aims at students writing a text that showcases the academic skills and vision of future careers.

Similar to the Common App essay prompt regarding one's background, identity, and interests, this essay is meant to allow you to express who you are and is, thus, intentionally open-ended. Supplementary questions, generally speaking, are a part of an application to enable you to provide admissions officers with the fullest possible sense of who you are. To this end, you should use this essay to highlight a topic or aspect of yourself that is not extensively covered in other sections of your application--give the committee a proverbial peek behind the veil.

This essay prompt aims at finding out how students see the future. The ambitions, visions, and self-development that a student seeks in academic life are of special interest to the scientific community of the university. For that reason, the admissions committee is composed of the members who decide whether the student fits into their group based on the experience of many years of work.

In doing so, you need to demonstrate what makes you unique and therefore, show what you can contribute to the university community as a potential member of the student body. This is where your background and identity really come into play. Did your background pose any unique challenges that you've had to overcome, or did your identity play a pivotal role in guiding your personal development? 'Background' includes experiences, such as interactions and relationships with family and friends; training in the arts, music, and sports; and political, social, and economic environments. 'Identity' is closely related to background and includes ethnic, cultural, sexual, and religious identity. If framed and discussed correctly, these topics can lead to compelling essays.

For example, you could discuss the unique challenges you faced given your socio-economic background and how that impacted you. Or you can explore how your multi-cultural background taught you the importance of intercultural dialogue and how to act as an ambassador between two different worlds. The latter example provides an opportunity to highlight the intersection between multiple backgrounds/identities and show how it has positively impacted your personal growth.

So, what are the ideas that you can use to describe yourself from all the best angles? It is all about planning and working on every element of your application as on the puzzle. Look through the application and identify the gaps. Are there any skills, talents, or achievements you still have not indicated in it?  If so, write them down in this piece. Mind that this college applicant essay has a word limit for a reason. Avoid repeating the information you used somewhere else in your application essay. 

Unlike the previous prompt, this one does not require bringing something fresh. On the opposite, look through your application and find a juicy story that taught you something, hit home hard, in other words. It might be a case of you trying to master some skill, and failing in it. It might be a story of rejection and realization of the need for improvement. Another good idea is writing about the case of you showing leadership potential. The setting given in the requirements is school or summer activity, and it narrows down your choice. The intention is to see how easy it is for you to adjust to the community. The campus life is similar to school. It will demand you to be proactive and involved. The admissions committee is looking to find proof that you are unique. Writing down a set of epithets that describe your well-rounded personality is not a valid way to persuade the assessment officers. Find the real stories that serve as evidence. 

You should use the essay to highlight how the activity you are passionate about has shaped you as a person - always remember to relate the activity to a personal narrative. Like with the first essay, make sure to write from experience. Pick vivid moments you remember from starting, practicing, or participating in the pursuit you're describing. Then, think about how your involvement with the activity has changed over time. Did persistence in pursuing it teach you something about determination? Work ethic? Emotional expression? Forming friendships or communities? You should ask yourself why you spend time on this activity; thinking this through will help you to understand what about the pursuit of this activity is unique or individual to you. Why is/was it significant, how did the experience transform you, your previously held conceptions, or goals? For example, you could discuss your involvement in a volunteer program for underprivileged kids, and demonstrate how it inspired you to pursue public policy in education or child development. For this example, you would, if possible, express how you have followed up on (or plan to) this interest through other activities. Similarly, you could write about their experience as a peer-tutor and how it became an unlikely vehicle by which you simultaneously made new friendships, became more sympathetic to others, or learned about your strengths and weaknesses.

“ Prompt 3:  As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you. ” 

This section lets you be semi-formal. It allows you to showcase your sense of humor and weird passions. The funny occasion that happened to you and lessons learned can be described here. By introducing your life experiences your essay becomes unique. The grades and certificates all candidates provide may coincide, meanwhile the life events are different for everyone. So, dedicate enough time to thinking and recalling the life-changing occasions that enhanced your knowledge or understanding of the world.

Since the community at Georgetown is quite diverse, members of the Admissions Board would love to learn about you in words of your own choosing. Write a short Georgetown university essay , either of a creative or personal nature, in which you describe yourself as best you can.

Even though Georgetown University does not accept Common Applications, this second prompt is really asking the same questions as the prompts in the year 2019-2020 Common Application. Your response here is a chance for the admissions committee to become acquainted with you and the person you are. From what you write, readers want to understand who you really are, what values you live by, what makes you get up each morning and drives you through the day - i.e. what is unique about you. In this case, the best approach may be to copy the personal statement from your common application.

Take note that the emphasis in this prompt is diversity and its importance. Irrespective of whether you use your Common Application essay or not, be sure to highlight the unique contribution you will make to the community at Georgetown in your essay. Do bear in mind that discussing diversity does not absolutely mean membership of a particular religion or ethnic group, a belief that a lot of students are initially prone to gravitating towards. If, for instance, you have spent a lot of time traveling, you could mention that exploring new places is an integral part of your character and personality. If all your spare time is devoted to creating theatrical sets for your school's performances, you could draw attention to your artistic talents and the fact you enjoy teamwork.

Remember, the committee you are addressing will have countless applications to choose from and many of the candidates will be similar to you in terms of their academic achievements, scores, and grades. The real key to succeeding in your response to this prompt is to make yourself memorable to your readers.

“Describe what you think being educated means with specific reference to your own definition. How do you think your aim might be achieved at Georgetown College? (Students applying to the Mathematics and Sciences Faculty or to the Languages and Linguistics Faculty are asked to address the course they have chosen).”

Describe what you think being educated means with specific reference to your own definition. How do you think your aim might be achieved at Georgetown College? (Students applying to the Mathematics and Sciences Faculty or to the Languages and Linguistics Faculty are asked to address the course they have chosen).

When answering this prompt, you should emphasize your education and career goals in your essay and say why the perfect place to achieve these is Georgetown. Make sure you make reference to the special Jesuit values at Georgetown and the university's other unique characteristics. If, for instance, you hope to major in politics, talk about your desire to improve the lives of other people and link this to Georgetown's principle for serving and/or helping others.

With regards to this particular prompt, another thing that is important is establishing the meaning of education for you. Define this in the early part of your essay before providing real-life examples. Getting educated can have several meanings and an open-ended question like this is an opportunity for you to describe education in a manner that reflects and draws attention to your unique life experiences.

You may want to talk about the fact that, to you, education means widening your horizons outside the classroom by visiting events in your local town, e.g., movies, art exhibitions, and so on. Your definition of education may center on being open to new perspectives and ideas by engaging with people whose viewpoints and opinions are different to your own. It may be that you see education as the process of learning other languages so that you can discover more about different beliefs and cultures. However, irrespective of the stance you take, make sure you directly address your view of education and its explicit meaning for you in the introductory section of your essay.

Try not to put your sole focus on the advantages of DC to the detriment of the unique opportunities at Georgetown. In the event you decide to talk about the National Archives and the numerous resources it offers, focus your discussion on how being a student at Georgetown will have you unprecedented access to these. Any resident or tourist can visit a museum but speaking to a museum specialist and observing some conservation activity or process is something only a Georgetown student has the chance to do!

Do not forget that being asked what education means for you is not an exclusive reference to attendance at classes. The primary difference between an average and an outstanding response means highlighting the outside-classroom opportunities afforded to Georgetown students.

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

This question isn't quite a clear-cut "Why Us?" or "Why You?" question, unlike the previous ones. Instead, it's asking "Why Health Care?" Think beyond health care being a reliable and well-paying field. Why do you want to care for people? Why the health field, specifically? Tying Georgetown's mission into this question is a great way to demonstrate your interest in the field, but also in the specific ways that this school teaches.

There is an opportunity in this prompt to elaborate on or explain why you are electing to study health sciences. Make absolutely sure you research your chosen major before starting to write your essay in order to understand what distinguishes it from others and to show your understanding to the admissions committee.

For instance, majors in policy and healthcare management are very much focused on the policy aspects of this sector, understanding how policy is made, learning who the main stakeholders are, and having a firm grasp of the industry processes involved in improving and managing healthcare. Therefore, when applying to major in healthcare, you need to draw attention to the managerial and legislative elements of this sector instead of just discussing your desire to look after the patients who may come your way. More than anything, this prompt is a chance for reflecting upon and narrowing down your academic interests.

As is the case with almost every essay aimed at a specific school, be it Georgetown,  Emory supplemental essays , Johns Hopkins supplemental essays , or Carnegie Mellon supplemental essays , it is important that what you write makes you stand out from other candidates. Most likely, they will also be able to talk about having worked in laboratories and/or volunteered at a hospital. Hence, it is essential you find a focus or angle that draws attention to your special approach and perspective.

Some more ideas:

  • If it is the case you have suffered a chronic or serious illness, it may be that you want to refer to your unique experiences in your essay as a means of illustrating why the health sector is of specific interest to you. Although writing about a serious illness can be a very personal or emotive topic to cover in an essay and extremely challenging, it is possible to focus on how this created a passion within you to help others or to carry out some research - this is one way of portraying your academic achievements in a relevant context.
  • In the event a member of your family already works in healthcare, you may want to talk about how you first came into contact with this field through someone you love. Maybe your doctor aunt has devoted many hours to highlighting inefficiencies in how larger hospitals are currently managed. You may want to reminisce on her conversations as a way of introducing your interest in healthcare and possibly list a few projects you would like to work on in your future career to solve problems you have heard about.
  • If it is the case you have spent many hours after school or during the summer working as a volunteer in a hospital or some other medical institution, you could recount an anecdote that describes a particular experience as a way of underlining why you are interested in the health industry. Remember that a lot of other applicants are likely to have written similar things in their resumes. Your just is to attempt to identify an angle that exemplifies your unique experience(s).

At what particular moment did it dawn on you that you wanted to start studying health? What was it you were doing when this realization struck you? Did a particular event or conversation lead to your decision? It may be that you worked as a volunteer in a caregiving center or hospital for children and time spent with a special child made you realize you derived great fulfillment from caring for others. Maybe it was while you were working on a biology-based research project that you developed a fascination for genetic illnesses and this prompted you to look for a summer holiday internship in a laboratory. Regardless of the angle you decide on, make sure you study the questions in the prompt when preparing to write and do your best to choose an anecdote that reveals your unique personality.

“Briefly discuss a current global issue, indicating why you consider it important and what you suggest should be done to deal with it.”

To prepare a strong supplemental essay in this case, you should be prepared to address an appropriately specific global issue, justifying both its importance to you, and how exposure to foreign service education like that offered at Georgetown might help better clarify or craft a solution of reformation. To write this essay, you will need to prepare in two ways. Firstly, you should be well-versed on a narrow topic of international importance. Issues like "the economy" will read as overly vague - topics like "the economy of apartment rentals in fast-growing African and Asian cities" will provide a more manageable arena for a 1-page essay to seem well-reasoned. Secondly, you must be prepared to craft a personal narrative around your chosen issue. How did you happen to become aware of the issue? Has it affected you or one of your own communities intimately? Does it concern the violation or manipulation of a value that is central to you? Are academicians, especially those at Georgetown, striving to remedy it? Not trying hard enough? Explaining your passion, i.e., why you think it is important, takes deeper insight and personalizes a rather impersonal topic.

It is expected that anyone applying to this school is conversant with international affairs. Your application essay is a great chance to show how passionate you are about issues that are currently important and that you understand them. Choosing an essay prompt for Georgetown's School of Foreign Service should be done with care and it is very important you select one that is quite unique and has a bearing on your experiences and interests. It is best not to try writing about finding a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict since this topic is currently a very hot one. Try and think of one that is unique to you, whether this means something you have extensively researched or something that has personal meaning for you.

The admissions committee will want to gain an understanding of why you feel strongly about the issue you have chosen and the best way to get this across is by relating personal stories and anecdotes.

A few examples of good responses:

  • In the event you have raised money for a charitable organization that finances education for needy children, you could link your experience of this to the bigger issue of disparities in education or income. Devote a paragraph to talking about how you first became interested in this particular issue and flesh it out the topic with a more detailed analysis of it.
  • Perhaps you have attended classes or participated in a project that gave you exposure to various global issues that now explain your interest in this topic. Even if you have no direct knowledge or experience of a particular issue, you could try finding ways of connecting it in some way to your life.
  • If you feel passionately that more women should participate in politics, then you might want to talk about the first time you voted and draw attention to how your interest was aroused by the absence of female names on the ballot. Or it may be you want to mention how there are too few female political role models and that struck a chord with you when you were still a child.
  • Even in the event you cannot draw on any extracurricular or scholarly experience that you can connect to current affairs, you can still personally connect yourself to this topic in other ways. For example, if you have read a book or watched a movie concerning a global issue of great significance and one that still arouses curiosity in you, this could be your connection! Just ensure the admissions committee can see why you are interested in this particular topic and that they can see your intellectual passion and curiosity.

Regardless of which college essay ideas  you decide on, just remember that what you write should be thoroughly researched. While citations may not be necessary, you do need to be familiar with your chosen issue, anything that has been done to resolve or resist it, and the main players involved. This application essay is an opportunity for you to showcase your ability to think in an analytical manner and your research skills. Remember also to end your essay with a policy recommendation - it does not have to be very long but it should be appropriate, realistic, and accurate.

“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.”

To answer this question, consider the university's ethos and curriculum. Look at their course offerings and consider those as well as whatever reasons you have for applying. Think specifically, not generally - beyond it being a well-respected university, what does Georgetown have to offer you that other well-respected universities do not?

This question is very clear and direct with the task presented to the applicant–explain their interest in pursuing business studies at Georgetown. Note that the prompt is not asking for a vague discussion about your passion for business or finances; rather, it wants you to connect your passion with the specific elements offered by the McDonough School of Business (MSB). Therefore, you must address the following question: why, out of any business school available to you, does this one appeal to or complement your interests best? To this end, carefully studying both academic and extracurricular offerings at the MSB will be crucial to writing an effective supplement essay. Lots of strong, analytical sentences that directly relate the necessity of MSB programs to pursuing an ideal field of inquiry or topic of study will create successful supplement essays. Additionally, the applicant should mention aspects about Georgetown as a whole that truly makes studying there appealing. For example, the applicant could mention how Georgetown's global perspective, inherent in its location in D.C. (a hub for international politics and finance), perfectly supports their interest in international finance or international business development, especially given the university's proximity to related organizations and institutions, such as the Treasury Department, Department of Commerce, the International Money Fund, and the World Bank. If you are interested in entrepreneurship, you could mention an interest in developing their business acumen and that Georgetown offers a variety of opportunities for students to participate in real-life financial, business, and social ventures, whether by participating in the Compass Fellowship program or by working at the Georgetown University Alumni & Student Federal Credit Union. Specifics like this are what make an essay stand out, and are recommended not only for the MSB essay, but also the supplemental essays for the School of Foreign Service (SFS), College, and School of Nursing and Health Studies (SNHS).

Aim at impressing the reader with your writing. Learning to ace the essay prompts is vital for your successful university enrollments. It can save your application or ruin it. So, approach the 

Issue responsibly. Writing a response to an essay prompt is not a piece of cake. In reality, this text is a tricky task that the university/college admissions committee puts forward to select the most talented students. If you have any doubts while preparing for your admissions, try using the admission writer’s help. 

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Georgetown Supplemental Essays: 2022-2023

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Georgetown Essay Guide Quick Facts:

  • Georgetown acceptance rate: 12%— U.S. News ranks Georgetown as a highly competitive school.
  • 1 half-page (~250 word) essay
  • 1 full-page (~500 word) essay
  • 1 school-specific essay (~500 words)
  • Georgetown application note : Georgetown DOES NOT accept the Common Application or Coalition Application. Students must submit an application via Georgetown’s own application portal.  
  • #1 Georgetown Essay Tip : We recommend answering ALL Georgetown University supplemental essays comprehensively and thoughtfully, highlighting in all of your Georgetown essays why Georgetown is the perfect school for you.

Does Georgetown have supplemental essays?

Yes. You will be required to answer three Georgetown University essay prompts as part of the Georgetown application requirements.

While many students may find the Georgetown supplemental essays stressful, the Georgetown essays are actually a great chance to show Georgetown admissions who you are. In particular, pay attention to your “why this college essay” (in this case, the why Georgetown essay). Georgetown admissions loves this question when assessing a Georgetown application. 

Still stressed about getting the Georgetown University supplemental essays right? This guide will break down each of the Georgetown essays, giving you the best chance to impress Georgetown admissions.

Note: Georgetown does not use the Common App . Instead, you will respond to the Georgetown essay prompts through the Georgetown Application portal . Since the Georgetown application does not go through the Common App , keep a close eye on Georgetown’s application deadlines in order to ensure you have plenty of time to work on your Georgetown essays.

What are Georgetown’s supplemental essays?

The Georgetown essay prompts are found only in the Georgetown application. Your responses to the three Georgetown University essay prompts will discuss your extracurriculars , background , and motivations for attending Georgetown.

Above all, the Georgetown University supplemental essays aim to help the Georgetown admissions officers get to know you . Each of the Georgetown essay prompts is broad. This gives you the freedom to write your Georgetown supplemental essays about who you are with relatively few limitations. Take advantage of each of the Georgetown University essay prompts to maximize your Georgetown admissions odds .

Georgetown Supplemental Essays — Prompt 1 ( Required ):

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

In the first of the Georgetown essays, Georgetown admissions asks about the activity in which you are most involved. Most strong Georgetown applicants will engage meaningfully with several extracurricular activities . So, highlight what extracurriculars make you unique in your Georgetown supplemental essays. 

This Georgetown essay prompt gives you the chance to demonstrate how your extracurricular pursuits make you special. This will help you impress Georgetown admissions.

Answer the “why,” “what,” and “how”

This prompt for the Georgetown essays asks you to discuss three key things: 

  • Why you chose to do your chosen activity
  • What you’ve done to show dedication to this activity
  • How this activity has impacted your community

Strong Georgetown University supplemental essays will address each of these things. Don’t get bogged down in statistics when answering the first of the Georgetown supplemental essays: why you chose to do an activity and the results of your involvement matter more than the sheer number of hours you’ve spent doing something.

The best Georgetown essays will discuss topics that you haven’t already emphasized elsewhere in your application. Use this Georgetown application essay to offer new insight into your extracurricular life, and be careful not to be repetitive. This Georgetown application essay should provide a response that Georgetown admissions hasn’t seen in another part of your application. 

Show another side of yourself

Additionally, note that the activity that you write about in this Georgetown application essay doesn’t need to connect directly to your major. After all, your Georgetown supplemental essays should help admissions officers understand all aspects of who you are, both as a student and as an individual.

In this Georgetown application essay, use your chosen extracurricular to highlight your collaboration and leadership skills. Think about how your extracurricular engagements will inform what you do in the future and weave it into the first of the Georgetown University supplemental essays. While your accomplishments are relevant and important, Georgetown admissions will ultimately admit you based on your potential. 

The Georgetown supplemental essays are a great way to show admissions what you will do with your education. You want admissions officers to come away from your first Georgetown application essay with an understanding not only of what you’ve done in high school but, also, of what you will do on their campus.

Think outside the box

georgetown supplemental essays

In your Georgetown supplemental essays, try to avoid writing about an activity that lots of students could write about such as sports, Model UN, or volunteering at homeless shelters. Georgetown essays about these topics can feel cliché. That being said, if you have a unique story to tell about one of these topics, tell it in the Georgetown supplemental essays. 

As you craft this Georgetown application essay (as well as the other Georgetown University supplemental essays), make sure that your response is as unique and personal as possible. Additionally, all of your Georgetown essays should be vivid, descriptive, and deeply authentic. With that in mind, if you read over your Georgetown essays and feel like someone else could have written them, you might want to rethink your topics and responses to the Georgetown University essay prompts.

Successful Georgetown supplemental essays focus more on the applicant than the organization. In other words, don’t waste time describing the logistics of your activity or program when responding to the first of the Georgetown essay prompts. Instead, just write about what you did and why it mattered . Write about your actions, leadership, and impact. Finally, balance storytelling with reflection. How can you use your Georgetown application essay to reveal your values and goals?

Georgetown Essay Reflection Questions:

  • Is your response to this Georgetown application essay personal and unique?
  • Did you use the first of the Georgetown supplemental essays to write about one of the activities in which you are most involved?
  • Does your Georgetown application essay focus on you more than the organization or club you describe?
  • Do you avoid repeating details found elsewhere in your application?

Georgetown Supplemental Essays — Prompt 2 ( Required ):

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).

As stated above, Georgetown does not use the Common Application or the Coalition Application. As a result, many students reuse their Common App essay for the second of the three Georgetown essay prompts. 

For many students, this is a good choice for this Georgetown application essay. In general, applicants tend to spend more time editing and reworking their Common App Personal Statements than any other college essays. So, if you feel like your Common App essay “best describes you,” you might consider repurposing it for this Georgetown application essay prompt.

When (and when not) to use your personal statement

georgetown supplmental essays

That being said, the second of the Georgetown essay prompts does differ from the Common App essay prompts in some notable ways. Often, your Common App essay topic was chosen because it “best describes you.” This Georgetown application essay prompt, however, also highlights how Georgetown is a “ diverse community ,” essentially asking how you would supplement this diversity. 

While not necessarily a standard “why this college essay,” the second of the Georgetown University essay prompts asks what you would bring to campus in terms of “diversity.” Remember, the term “diversity” can mean many things. In other words, it doesn’t just relate to your cultural background or heritage. Essentially, your second Georgetown application essay should revolve around what makes you unique and what your perspective would bring to the Georgetown community.

To strengthen your Georgetown University supplemental essays, consider writing a new personal statement if your Common App essay was primarily about academics. You might also edit your Common App essay to better suit this Georgetown application essay by emphasizing how your diverse attributes will inform your presence on Georgetown’s campus. Successful Georgetown supplemental essays will do just that. 

One more note: Georgetown supplemental essays in response to this prompt can either be “personal or creative.” If you are a creative writer, this Georgetown application essay is your time to shine! If you have a deeply personal and impactful story, tell it in the second of the Georgetown essay prompts—even if you don’t do so in a conventional essay form.

  • Does this Georgetown application essay response highlight the unique perspective you would contribute to Georgetown’s diverse community?
  • Do you reveal what “best describes you”?
  • Does your essay present a part of your background and experience that you did not already write about for one of the other Georgetown University essay prompts?
  • Does your essay “show” your message more than it “tells” it?

Georgetown Supplemental Essays — College Specific Prompts

The Georgetown supplemental essays in this section will vary depending on your intended major or area of study. Responses to these Georgetown essays should focus on your intellectual interests and intended educational goals. Successful student responses to these college specific Georgetown University supplemental essays should be unique and passionate. Lackadaisical and cliche responses to these Georgetown supplemental essays will not stand out to admissions amongst the many Georgetown essays that are submitted. 

What’s the best way to impress admissions when responding to these college-specific Georgetown essay prompts? Successful college-specific Georgetown supplemental essays will write a why Georgetown essay that shows how applicants will enrich Georgetown specifically. These Georgetown University supplemental essays should also show how applicants would benefit from and utilize Georgetown specific programs. 

While all the Georgetown essay prompts seem different, at the core they are each a why this college essay. Let’s check out what it takes to impress admissions officers when responding to each of these college-specific Georgetown supplemental essays. 

Unpacking the College Specific Prompts:

These Georgetown University essay prompts are school-specific. The school-specific Georgetown application essay responses should not exceed 1 page, single-spaced.

The third of the Georgetown supplemental essays will depend on which of the four colleges within the University to which you apply. The last of the Georgetown supplemental essays essentially poses the why this college essay prompt. Successful responses to these school specific Georgetown supplemental essays will include everything you’d want to see in a why Georgetown essay.

However, this why Georgetown essay should get specific. Your final Georgetown application essay should show why you want to study your major and why at Georgetown. 

When reading Georgetown University supplemental essays, the Georgetown admissions committee looks for applicants who accord with the University’s Jesuit values of service, ethics, and global awareness. Also, they want to see that you’ve considered why Georgetown is the place for you. This leads us to the “why Georgetown essay” and the college-specific “why school essay.”

Be specific

Successful Georgetown supplemental essays responding to this Georgetown essay prompt will make full use of the one single-spaced page limit. This Georgetown application essay will typically be around 650 words. The best Georgetown essays will use specific details to articulate a cohesive plan for studying at Georgetown. Research the specific programs, professors, classes, and opportunities that you want to participate in at Georgetown. Given the specific nature of Georgetown’s programs, it’s even more important that you know exactly why Georgetown is the place for you. Then, demonstrate that to Georgetown admissions through the last of the Georgetown University supplemental essays.

In your Georgetown application essay, avoid just writing about location. Many students write their why Georgetown essay about wanting to go to college in Washington D.C., but there are many universities nearby. When writing about D.C. in this Georgetown application essay, articulate how your engagement with the community will be made possible by opportunities at Georgetown . What makes Georgetown the perfect school for you?

Georgetown College Prompt: 

What does it mean to you to be educated how might georgetown college help you achieve this aim (applicants to the sciences and mathematics or the faculty of languages and linguistics should address their chosen course of study.).

georgetown supplemental essays

This Georgetown application essay prompt depends on a definition—namely, what it means to “be educated.” To begin, think about what education means to you—is it academic? Social? Cultural? All of the above? Now, consider how Georgetown’s programs can help you educate yourself as a professional and as a community member. This Georgetown College why school essay (or why this college essay) needs applicants to tie that all together.

In general, successful Georgetown essays (Georgetown supplemental essays that impress Georgetown admissions) for Georgetown College will use the definition of “educated” to address why a student wants to pursue a major. Impactful Georgetown University supplemental essays for Georgetown College will think critically about why you want to pursue your chosen field and how this field will inform what your education looks like. At the end of the day, this Georgetown application essay should make the case that you can only truly be educated by Georgetown to achieve your goals. Use specific details—courses, professors, and programs—to emphasize why Georgetown College is the place for you. 

School of Nursing & Health Studies 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, human science, or nursing)..

georgetown supplemental essays

When writing the Georgetown supplemental essays, keep in mind that everyone can say they want to make a difference and help people. If you want your “why school essay” for the School of Nursing & Health Studies to stand out, then, be sure to include specific details of how your interest in health and nursing originated and what you hope to do with it.

Successful Georgetown essays for the School of Nursing & Health Studies will be authentic and personal. Try to approach this prompt through a personal connection to healthcare. Then, connect your story to specific programs at Georgetown. Many students will write about their shadowing in the medical field or volunteering in medical facilities in their Georgetown essays. What sets you apart? 

Additionally, avoid focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic in this Georgetown essay—these essays can seem cliché unless you have a specific personal connection to healthcare in the age of COVID-19.

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.

georgetown supplemental essays

Effective Georgetown supplemental essays responding to the “why this college essay” for Walsh will detail how you plan to impact the world and how Georgetown will make that plan a reality. ”Global problems” and “service to the world” both take many forms. Successful Georgetown essays won’t narrow applicants’ interests solely to political science and international relations—instead, they’ll think broadly about the tools Georgetown can give them to make the world a better place. Like other Georgetown essays, your response to this prompt should be specific and personal.

Successful Georgetown University supplemental essays for this prompt should not just be aspirational. Instead, they should also include how your interest in solving global problems translates to your past and current activities.

If you aren’t sure how to begin answering this “why school essay” prompt, think about how you spend your time. Do you tutor underprivileged children, so you care about expanding access to education? Do you help people learn to speak English because you want to break down cultural and linguistic barriers? International problem-solving comes in many forms. The best Georgetown supplemental essays will depict Walsh as the next step in an applicant’s journey toward making a difference in the international sphere.

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..

georgetown supplemental essays

This Georgetown application essay prompt emphasizes the holistic nature of business—namely, how it relates to “ethical, analytical, financial, and global” perspectives. This holistic attitude also accords with Georgetown’s Jesuit values, which set McDonough apart from its competitors.

The best responses to this specific “why school essay” (“Why McDonough ?”) will answer all aspects of this prompt, emphasizing the Jesuit dimensions of McDonough’s programs. A moving “why business” and “why this college essay” will not focus on money or titles. Instead, the best Georgetown essays for the “why school” essay for McDonough will emphasize the impact that you will have at Georgetown and beyond.

The most impactful Georgetown supplemental essays will get personal. What are your current and prior experiences with your intended major? How have you developed the skills to succeed in business? Research the specific programs and opportunities you would join at McDonough.

College-Specific Georgetown Essay Reflection Questions:

  • Does your essay respond adequately to the essay prompt?
  • Do you discuss the specific clubs, classes, professors, and/or opportunities that you would be involved in?
  • Does your essay tell a personal and specific narrative?
  • Do you articulate a clear plan for your time at Georgetown?

How to write Georgetown Supplemental Essays

So, how should you answer the Georgetown University essay prompts?

First of all, keep in mind the word limits of the Georgetown university essay prompts. The first of the Georgetown essays is limited to 250 words. This Georgetown supplemental essay asks you to discuss the importance of an extracurricular activity in which you are most involved. The next two Georgetown essays– the personal statement and the “Why Georgetown” college-specific essay– have one-page single-spaced limits rather than word limits. 

All three Georgetown University essay prompts are required

Before you start writing, it’s important to understand how your essays will be assessed. 

In evaluating Georgetown essays, the admissions team looks at both content and writing skill. Essentially, this means it’s not just about what you say in the Georgetown supplemental essays, but how you say it. Use the Georgetown University essay prompts to tell your story, and approach each of the Georgetown Universityessay prompts holistically. Since there are three Georgetown University essay prompts, you can illustrate different parts of your identity in different essays. Each Georgetown application essay should tell your readers something new about you.

It may feel overwhelming to complete three Georgetown University essay prompts. However, if you give yourself enough time to plan, draft, and revise your Georgetown supplemental essays, you can help minimize your stress. In fact, using the tips from this guide will show you how to use the Georgetown University essay prompts to your advantage!

Focus on your identity

georgetown supplemental essays

In each Georgetown application essay, focus on one experience, event, or element of your identity. Then, introduce it in an intriguing way through a “hook” at the beginning of each of your Georgetown supplemental essays. Next, provide background and relevant details to each of your Georgetown essays. And finally, discuss in your Georgetown supplemental essays how this has impacted your life, motivations, and relationships with others. In each of the Georgetown essays, relate your stories, background, and discussion to a central message in order to best respond to the Georgetown essay prompts.

In this guide, we’ve broken down each of the Georgetown University essay prompts to help you write Georgetown supplemental essays that will stand out in admissions.

How much does Georgetown care about essays?

Georgetown is intentionally not part of the Common Application; they want to admit applicants who put in the extra effort to apply. This makes the “Why Georgetown” college specific supplemental essay even more important. However, of course, all of the Georgetown supplemental essays are important within the Georgetown application requirements.

Read the checklist of Georgetown application requirements to make sure you complete each step, including the three Georgetown supplemental essays. Many students have impressive GPAs and test scores, which means your Georgetown University supplemental essays give you the chance to stand out. 

Implement the tips in this essay guide to set yourself apart through your Georgetown supplemental essays. Use your Georgetown essays to engage your reader through interesting stories, vivid details, and an actionable plan for your time at Georgetown.

Top 3 Tips for Writing Georgetown Essays

In this guide, we’ve discussed how to specifically answer the three Georgetown essay prompts. But, what are some of the most important tips in making sure you impress the admissions team with your Georgetown supplemental essays?

How to write impressive Georgetown supplemental essays:

#1 – start early.

Be sure to leave yourself time to edit and revise each of your Georgetown University supplemental essays! Georgetown has two deadlines to turn in all of your Georgetown application requirements: November 1, 2021, and January 10, 2022. Apply by November to know your decision on December 15, 2021.

#2 – Look at the big picture

When writing your Georgetown supplemental essays, consider your application as a whole. Make sure that each of your Georgetown essays says something new about you. After all, no two Georgetown essay prompts are the same. Be sure to not repeat other parts of your application in the essays.

# 3 – Show your unique self

These Georgetown supplemental essays are an opportunity for you to stand out to admissions. Don’t generalize when writing your Georgetown essays. Get specific about your experiences. Use the opportunity to not only demonstrate who you are, but also to show off your writing style.

Georgetown Supplemental Essays — Final Thoughts

In each of your Georgetown essays, be unique and original, but also genuine and honest. Instead of trying to predict what your readers would like to hear in your Georgetown supplemental essays, just tell your personal story. 

Do your research on the specific college within the University to which you are applying so you can connect yourself with Georgetown. Be clear, concise, and specific in your responses to the Georgetown essay prompts. There is no cookie-cutter Georgetown student, so highlight what makes you stand out in your Georgetown supplemental essays. Good luck!

georgetown supplmental essays

This Georgetown supplemental essays guide was written by Sarah Kaminski .  Looking for more admissions support? Click  here  to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how  CollegeAdvisor.com  can support you in the college application process.

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How to Respond to the Georgetown Supplemental Essay Prompts

georgetown essay prompts

The Georgetown University supplemental essays are an important part of the overall application. Georgetown has a 17% 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. After this trio of prompts, Georgetown offers school-specific prompts for applicants based on the schools they are applying to. Therefore, in total, an applicant should respond to a minimum of four Georgetown supplemental essays. 

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

Georgetown Supplemental essay questions for all applicants

Indicate any special talents or skills you possess (250 words) 

Although this is the first question 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: 

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: 

While responding to this essay, you only have 250 words to describe your special talents. Therefore, 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.

Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved. (Approximately 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:  

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.

As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you. (Approximately 1 page, single-spaced) 

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: 

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:  

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!

Georgetown school-specific essay questions

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

Georgetown College essay

What does it mean to you to be educated? How might Georgetown College help you achieve this aim? (Applicants to the Sciences and Mathematics or the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics should address their chosen course of study.) 

The core of this question is simply a “Why us” question. To begin, first start off by addressing your chosen course of study. You can do this by detailing a small narrative or story as to “why” you selected this major. After that, connect back to Georgetown. Remember this is a “Why us?” essay so think about “Why Georgetown?” 

Make sure you have completed a lot of research on all aspects of Georgetown. Become familiar with the following:

After researching these topics, write down a list of your favorite aspects of Georgetown. This allows you to narrow down your personal interests. To stand out, do not write about cliches such as the beautiful Gothic-style campus buildings or how highly ranked Georgetown is. Rather, write about specific professors you cannot wait to hear lecture or a club that perfectly aligns with your interests.

School of Nursing & Health Studies essay

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

If you are considering the School of Nursing & Health Studies, 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: 

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:  

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. 

Walsh School of Foreign Service essay

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?

International service 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: 

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

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 motivation 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: 

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? 

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. Good luck!

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A Guide to the Georgetown Essays 2021-2022

Padya Paramita

October 14, 2021

georgetown essay prompts

Year after year, Georgetown University remains one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Understandably, gaining admission is not easy—Georgetown has an acceptance rate of only 15% (and reached a record low of 12% last year). Whether you’re applying to this DC school for its well-renowned undergraduate business program, or you see yourself becoming as successful in your field as alums Bill Clinton and Bradley Cooper, you first have to overcome the Georgetown essays 2021-2022 . 

Georgetown University is not a part of the Common Application and doesn’t use the Common App personal statement prompts, but rather offers its own set of essays to understand who you are and where your interests lie. Regardless of whether you’re an applicant to Georgetown College, the School of Nursing and Health Studies, the Walsh School of Foreign Service, or the McDonough School of Business, you have to write strong responses to the Georgetown essays 2021-2022 in order to frame yourself as a must-have candidate that stands out from other applicants.  

Prompts for the Georgetown Essays 2021-2022

Short essay.

Indicate any special talents or skills you possess (250 words).

If you are really proud of one of your abilities, now is the time to show it. Georgetown wants students who bring a variety of backgrounds and interests, this essay is a good opportunity to show a new side of yourself. Your talent doesn’t have to be an external ability such as playing the piano or writing sonnets. Neither is it required that you have received an award for this talent!

You can write about an internal characteristic such as an easy facility for making friends with new people. Or it can be something quirky like being a phenomenal cartoonist. In fact, it is better if the skill you mention is unique because your Georgetown essays 2021-2022 need to establish you as a memorable candidate. For questions like this, you don’t want to answer with a typical talent, or an ambiguous characteristic. We can assure you that many of your peers are going to be talented writers, musicians, and singers. You need to bring your own exceptional spin. As for personal characteristics, asserting that a trait like kindness is your greatest asset is frankly boring and vague. Think about what differentiates you.

The main point of your essay should emphasize why this talent or skill is meaningful to you. Why are you particularly proud of this talent? Make sure you’ve addressed all parts of the prompt. Is it a natural skill, or did it take time to develop? Will you continue to use this talent in your future goals and career? What have you learned about yourself while pursuing this skill? Let the reader understand why this talent matters so much, and exactly why it’s an admirable ability.

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.

Each year, Georgetown receives thousands of applications from students with stellar grades. By asking such a question through the Georgetown essays 2021-2022, the school is interested to know the kind of impact you’ve made in your community in order to distinguish you from the rest of the applicants. The school wants to know what part of your current high school career holds the most significance to you and how that in turn will influence the way you contribute to the Georgetown community. By asking this question, Georgetown wants to know the type of leader you are, how you collaborate with others, and what you care about the most.

To think about the activity you want to elaborate on, take a look at your activities list. A question like this should highlight one of the extracurriculars listed at or near the top of your activities list. In the activities section, you only had 150 characters, including spaces to describe what you did. But if it truly is an activity that has mattered, there’s far more to say. Reflect on what kind of leader you were while participating in the activity, if it’s an initiative that you started, why it is important to you, and the people you connected with. Half of a page is about 250 words, so really focus your answer on the impact rather than spending too much time describing what you did as part of the activity.

Long Essays

Compose two essays (approximately one page, single-spaced each) on the topics given below.

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 essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you.

While the previous question highlights what you’ve done and how you’ve made an impact, this question attempts to get more to the core of who you are. Alongside evaluating your academic achievements, Georgetown especially considers your “accomplishments outside of the classroom, demonstrated commitment to the broader community, and personal qualities such as resiliency, motivation and, ambition are certainly considered.” They want to see whether you possess qualities that can not only uniquely add to the Georgetown community but benefit from it as well. 

It can be difficult to figure out where to even begin brainstorming this question — you can probably name a few different points or facets of your life that you consider core to your personality and character. To write this essay, it would be wise to write about the same topic as the Common App personal statement . Since Georgetown admissions officers won’t be looking at your Common App, it’s absolutely okay to draw from your personal statement, as that essay is also about a story that is completely unique to you. This prompt provides you with a chance to tell a story that doesn’t apply to 99% of other students. Your response could also focus on a part of your background that has shaped you or it could highlight an experience that you believe distinguishes you from your peers. The prompt also says you can get creative with your essay, so don’t be afraid to think out of the box. Unlike the Common App, which isn’t school-specific, you can even add a sentence or two at the end of this prompt as you’re only submitting this response to Georgetown!

Essay 2 - according to your choice of college within Georgetown University

Applicants to georgetown college:.

What does it mean to you to be educated? How might Georgetown College help you achieve this aim? (Applicants to the Sciences and Mathematics or the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics should address their chosen course of study).

This question might sound intimidating at first, but if you break it down and read each part carefully, you’ll notice that this is a typical “why school” essay. Admissions officers use this question within the Georgetown essays 2021-2022 to determine your fit for not just the university, but Georgetown College itself. One of the biggest reasons colleges use supplemental essays is to make sure that the applicant and the school are a strong match for each other. By understanding what appeals to you about the college, and your choice of school within GU, as well as how you can benefit from its resources, the reader can understand whether you would thrive at this DC institution.

The most component part of any “why school” is to demonstrate that you’ve done research on the college. This is an academically-focused essay so make sure your response is centered around how an education at Georgetown College can hone your current skills and reach your goals. It’s absolutely essential that you mention resources that Georgetown specifically can offer you. What appeals to you about the Linguistics or Psychology major at GU specifically? Is there a particular professor whose research you have followed? Is there a course within your chosen department that fits perfectly with your dream career? Let the school know why you believe you’re the perfect fit — help them see it as well. 

Applicants to the School of Nursing and Health Studies:

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

Georgetown knows that all students applying to the School of Nursing and Health Studies have a passion for medicine, want to help people, and imagine a career for themselves in healthcare. This question asks you to dig deeper. What makes your specific interest in the field unique? The school wants to see that you have done your research on Georgetown’s nursing school specifically and understand the resources that make the college unique. 

In this essay — without overlapping with the previous question about who you are — you have to expand on a story related to your love for medicine that only applies to you. Lots of students may have been inspired by their own or their relatives’ illnesses, while others might have realized their calling for the profession through an internship junior year. Since you have about 500 words you can write in detail about how your interest in medicine originated, the ways in which you explored the interest further both academically and through extracurriculars, and then delve more into how your choice of major at Georgetown can help you reach your aspirations. Why Health Care Management & Policy, and why at Georgetown? Make sure the reader understands that you understand the school’s offerings and resources and that you’re ready to make the most of them. 

Applicants to the Walsh School of Foreign Service:

Briefly discuss a current global issue, indicating why you consider it important and what you suggest should be done to deal with it.

The Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown is one of the best known schools in the world for studying international affairs. Admissions officers use this prompt to understand both your personality, character, and values. The School of Foreign Service wants to see where your priorities lie, what your goals are, and how an education in one of the school’s unique majors such as Regional and Comparative Studies and International Political Economy can help you get there. The school is looking for ambitious, open-minded, and curious individuals, and using this prompt among the Georgetown essays 2021-2022 can be an effective way of doing so.

If you’ve answered the 4th prompt among the Common App personal statement essays ( Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve.) , you can write a similar response here. Remember that while this question asks for a current global issue, you’re still writing supplemental essays for your application. This prompt is less about what problem you’ve chosen, and more about getting to know what’s important to you and how you react when faced with one. Moreover, since it doesn’t have to examine a problem the world has already solved, you can use this prompt to delve deeper into your academic interests, specifically within the Walsh School. Is your desire to end climate change connected with your selection of the college’s Science, Technology & International Affairs major? Carefully choose an issue that shows your personal stake, as well as conveys you as an individual aware of the world around them.

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.

As one of the top undergraduate business schools in the United States, the McDonough School wants to know how you hope to benefit from a business degree from Georgetown specifically. They want to know what you want from a business degree at this stage — how will you take advantage of Georgetown’s hands-on opportunities? What impact have you made on your community and what are you bringing to the classroom? How will you add to the diversity of your cohort?

The word limit allows you to go into details about discovering your love for not just business — but your specific interest in the discipline. Whether it’s marketing or accounting, ask yourself questions to start brainstorming exactly what motivates you. Was there one instance that catalyzed your passion and goals? How have you explored the subject of your interest since then? How has your curiosity about the topic grown? The majority of your essay should be dedicated to tying your interest in with what McDonough has to offer. Note which professor you can’t wait to learn from or a class that stands out to you on your way to becoming a future entrepreneur.

Further Tips for Writing the Georgetown Essays

Georgetown University is a dream school for many students. Naturally, the competition is not easy. To help admissions officers understand what you can bring to campus and how the school can help you grow and thrive, take advantage of these prompts to explain what makes you unique. With the right amount of research, the extracurriculars and grades to back it up, and passion for your field of interest, you can give yourself a fair shot at this well-esteemed university. Good luck! 

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Home » Georgetown University » How Do You Answer Georgetown Special Talents Essay?

How Do You Answer Georgetown Special Talents Essay?

Table of Contents

Indicate any special talents or skills you possess (250 words).

How do you answer Georgetown essay prompts?

Answer the “why,” “what,” and “how” This prompt for the Georgetown essays asks you to discuss three key things: why you chose to do your chosen activity, what you’ve done to show dedication to this activity, and how this activity has impacted your community.

How do you answer Georgetown supplementals?

The most efficient approach here is to use your Common App personal statement . Notice the prompt’s emphasis on the importance of diversity. 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.

How do you write a Georgetown educated essay?

Here’s how you should write this essay.

What does Georgetown look for in applicants?

There are eight factors that Georgetown ranks as being “very important” to their admissions process: rigor of secondary school record, class rank, GPA, standardized test scores, the essays, recommendations, talent/ability, and character/personal qualities .

What makes Georgetown unique?

The sense of unity and the faculty are the two best features of Georgetown. It is truly a great learning institution with a history of propogating the Truth. The Catholic values and teachings because there are somethings more important than a degree.

How long should my Georgetown essay be?

Georgetown requires four essays. The first essay requires a short, 250 word response, and the second should be about half a page (single-spaced) . The other two essays should be approximately one single-spaced page each.

Does Georgetown track demonstrated interest?

Please note that Georgetown does not track demonstrated interest as part of the admission process . Online engagement is optional and will not be part of the review of your application.

What majors is Georgetown known for?

The most popular majors include Political Science and Government, International Relations (ranked number one in the country), Finance, and Economics .

What is Georgetown’s motto?

Both into OneUtraque UnumMotto

What is the acceptance rate of Georgetown University?

Georgetown’s University Seal It bears the founding date, 1789, the university motto “ Utraque Unum ” (both into one) and the Latin inscription Collegium Georgiopolitanum Ad Ripas Potomaci in Marylandia, which means “Georgetown College on the Banks of the Potomac in Maryland.”

Can I use my common app essay for Georgetown?

Georgetown University is not a part of the Common Application and doesn’t use the Common App personal statement prompts, but rather offers its own set of essays to understand who you are and where your interests lie.

How do I prepare for a Georgetown interview?

Come prepared with at least 5-10 questions to ask . If being interviewed by an alum, pick their brain about why they chose the school and what were their favorite and least favorite aspects, in an effort to basically get them talking about themselves for the last few minutes of the interview.

How can I increase my chances of getting into Georgetown?

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into Georgetown

Is it easier to get into Georgetown If you are Catholic?

Getting in is also easier if you’re Roman Catholic . Occupies a tree-lined neighborhood that is home to many of the nation’s most powerful people. As the oldest and most selective of the nation’s Roman Catholic schools, Georgetown University offers students unparalleled access to Washington, D.C.’s corridors of power.

Does Georgetown interview every applicant?

Are all applicants required to have an interview? All first-year applicants are required to have an interview unless it is not possible to assign the interview based on geographic area . Interviews are available in most parts of the 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and in many foreign countries.

Why did you choose Georgetown?

Georgetown University is for the dedicated, adventurous, inquisitive, and determined . Georgetown offers what a student puts into their education and experience. Attending this institution can be the best four years if you take all the opportunities afforded to you. I think everyone should be able to attend Georgetown.

What is great about Georgetown University?

Georgetown excels in its post-graduation opportunities : it is the 3rd best paid undergraduate in the US, the most recruited school on Wall Street, the most prominent school in the Foreign Service and the 2nd most represented school in the U.S Congress (after Harvard). Finally, Georgetown’s location is special.

What does Georgetown pride itself on?

Jesuit Values This probably won’t be the first time you hear Jesuit Values mentioned (and it certainly won’t be the last), but Georgetown prides itself on its Jesuit heritage .

Does Georgetown reject Early Action?

Georgetown does not deny students under our Early Action program . If a student is not admitted under EA, his or her application is automatically given a full second review during Regular Decision.

Is Georgetown Ivy League?

Many students assume that Georgetown is an Ivy League school, too, like Harvard. Unfortunately, it is not one of the eight Ivy Leagues. But the good news is that Georgetown University is considered a Hidden Ivy .

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Travis Thornton is an education expert who has dedicated his life to helping students achieve their academic goals. He has worked as a teacher, tutor, and administrator in both public and private schools, and he currently serves as the dean of admissions at a prestigious university.

Travis believes that every student has the potential to succeed, and he tirelessly works to help them reach their full potential. He is a passionate advocate for education, and he believes that every student should have access to a quality education.

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Georgetown University 2017-18 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

The Requirements: 2-3 brief essays

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Activity , Why

Georgetown 2017-18 Application Essay Question Explanations

Georgetown probably likes to think of itself as one of those holdout, maverick schools that has resisted the siren call of the Common Application. Well, we have bad news for them. (Which means we have good news for you, dear applicant.) The Gtown application is incredibly straightforward, comprising two of the most common supplemental prompts out there plus an opportunity for you to use your Common App personal statement anyway! The college admissions process rarely gives applicants a reason to release an evil cackle, so by all means, take the opportunity while you can. We’ll wait.

Short Essay (approximately one-half page)

Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved..

The Georgetown application kicks off with a fun twist on the classic activity essay, which asks you to expand on an extracurricular endeavor that you care about. For starters, we’d give you basically the same advice the prompt does: focus on one of the activities “in which you have been most involved.” Although we usually urge students to write about items that haven’t appeared elsewhere on their application, the activity essay is an exception since it specifically asks you to address an item on your resume. So, pick something with meat! When have you had the opportunity to take on a leadership role? How has four years of debate club shaped the way you communicate? Was it hard coaching pee wee soccer as a freshman, and what motivated you to stick with it?

On the other hand, Georgetown is also giving you the opportunity to talk about camp, so if you have amazing camp stories that show your character and personality, definitely write about it! But think more along the lines of The Parent Trap and less along the lines of Wet Hot American Summer . If you don’t have a fantastic camp story about the time you saved everyone in your cabin by knowing the cure for poison ivy, think about another activity you’ve been involved in and why you’ve decided to spend so much of your time doing this. Why is it meaningful to you?

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..

This is one of the hardest prompts! What do you mean; tell you about myself in my own words? What do you want to know?! Where do I start? Birth? School? Puberty? Calm down! Think about why they’re asking you this question and it will all fall into place. While many applications can often read similarly with impressive grades, extracurriculars, and teacher recommendations, this essay makes it so you can differentiate yourself with your personality. Do you have a very sarcastic sense of humor, do you make more dad jokes than your own father, do all of your friends refer to you as the “artsy” one? Georgetown wants to know that you’re more than your application, you’re a real person with quirks and weird habits and endearing qualities! It also doesn’t hurt to keep in mind that G-town specifically names “personal” and “creative” as two separate categories. If you fancy yourself a writer, now could really be your time to shine.

And remember, Georgetown isn’t on the Common App ! Did you write your Personal Statement on Common App prompt #1 ? You could be in luck. If you chose a different prompt, don’t worry, you still might be able to recycle your Common App essay here — and it’s never too late to take our good advice on writing an essay about your background!

APPLICANTS TO GEORGETOWN COLLEGE:

Please relate your interest in studying at georgetown university to your goals. how do these thoughts relate to your chosen course of study (if you are applying to major in the fll or in a science, please specifically address those interests .).

This is the classic “why” essay you always see us talking about. Georgetown is asking a broad, simple question of you, “Why us?” but the extra sentence in parentheses might give you some hint at the kind of information they’re really mining for. If you’re planning to study with the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics or any of the sciences, Georgetown specifically wants to get a feel for your academic commitment to these departments. Chances are, it will help you to place your academic interests front and center no matter what your major is. Just remember that whether you were specifically invited to do so or not, you are not the only person interested in Chemistry or English. So dig for the things that make you genuinely excited about the Georgetown program in your area of interest.

But the prompt asks about your goals! So keep the bigger picture in mind. Think about what you want to achieve: life-long friends, amazing memories, a high GPA, Dean’s List, President’s List, president of the drama club, quarterback of the football team, a degree that will land you a job in Marketing, Nursing, Business, you name it! Look into Georgetown’s clubs, majors, professors, sports leagues, and classes to be able to provide them with specifics when you tell them, “This is why I want to go here.”

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A.I.’s Threat to Jobs Prompts Question of Who Protects Workers

Tens of millions of jobs could be automated by generative artificial intelligence. The makers of new technologies are looking to the government to step in.

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By Emma Goldberg

When Congress held a series of hearings on jobs and technological advancement in October 1955, the head of a railroad worker organization took the stand to express his fears about automation. “There is uneasiness among our workers as they assess the advance of the new technology,” said W.P. Kennedy , president of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. “Will it bring increasing unemployment rather than economic security?”

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The same question could have been raised before Congress last week in its hearing on artificial intelligence. In effect, it was.

Sam Altman, chief executive of the San Francisco start-up OpenAI, testified last Tuesday before members of a Senate subcommittee, urging the government to regulate the fast-growing A.I. industry. Congressional leaders shared their worries about the threats that A.I. could pose, including the spread of misinformation and privacy violations.

One of their most emphatic concerns was job displacement: Who will assume responsibility to protect workers whose jobs might be transformed, or even eliminated, by generative A.I.?

Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, declared that his “biggest nightmare in the long term” is the job loss that A.I. could cause, before saying to Mr. Altman, “Let me ask you what your biggest nightmare is.”

“There will be an impact on jobs,” Mr. Altman replied. “And I think it will require partnership between the industry and government, but mostly action by government.”

Mr. Altman, like so many other executives unleashing new technologies on the world, has asked the government to assume the bulk of responsibility in supporting workers through the labor market disruptions prompted by A.I. It’s not yet clear how government will rise to that task.

Generative A.I. could automate activities equivalent to 300 million full-time jobs globally, according to a recent estimate by Goldman Sachs . Already the chief executive of IBM said he expected A.I. to affect white-collar clerical staffing, eliminating the need for up to 30 percent of certain roles while creating new ones. The White House on Tuesday is hosting workers for a discussion of their experiences with automation and monitoring technologies in the workplace.

Historically, when automation has led to job loss, the economic impact has tended to be offset by the creation of new jobs. Generative artificial intelligence, according to the Goldman report, could raise America’s labor productivity growth by nearly 1.5 percentage points per year over a decade. It could increase annual global gross domestic product by 7 percent. It could give rise to previously unimagined creative occupations.

But there will be immense instability for displaced workers. Automation has been a significant driver of income inequality in America, according to a study from researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Boston University. By their estimates, 50 to 70 percent of changes in the U.S. wage structure since 1980 were due to loss of income among blue-collar and office workers because of automation.

Areas of the country where robots have been adopted most intensively, particularly manufacturing-heavy parts of the Midwest, have also seen the most precipitous declines in employment, according to research from Daron Acemoglu, an economist at M.I.T.

While makers of A.I. have tended to focus on the technology’s potential for job creation, many workers will experience painful disruption as they try to train for and find new roles that pay well and are fulfilling.

“We’ve never been in a period where the scope of automation is so wide potentially,” said Harry Holzer, an economist at Georgetown. “Historically if your job gets automated, you find something new. With A.I. the thing that’s kind of scary is it could simply grow and take over more tasks. It’s a moving target.”

Workers in administrative and clerical support may have particular cause for concern about generative A.I., according to the Goldman research. And many of them are already expressing anxieties.

“It’s definitely scary,” said Justin Felt, 41, a customer service worker in Pittsburgh, who has worked for Verizon Fios for nearly 12 years. He feels that employers have not been entirely upfront with their workers about the ways they are incorporating generative A.I. into customer support roles, he said. “It’s definitely taking our work.”

These technologies are flooding into workplaces at a rapid clip. BuzzFeed just introduced a chatbot that offers up recipe recommendations, McKinsey is helping clients use A.I. to fix technological bugs and the accounting firm KPMG is using ChatGPT to generate code. So some economists have begun putting forward proposals to protect the workers most likely to be affected.

Workers could benefit, for example, from paid leave policies that allow them to take time away from their jobs to develop new skills. Germany already has a similar program, in which workers in most German states can take at least five paid days a year for educational courses, an initiative the labor minister recently said he planned to expand.

Another possibility is a displacement tax, levied on employers when a worker’s job is automated but the person is not retrained, which could make businesses more inclined to retrain workers. The government could also offer A.I. companies financial incentives to create products designed to augment what workers do, rather than replace them — for example, A.I. that provides TV writers with research but doesn’t draft scripts, which are likely to be of low quality.

“If the government sets the agenda in developing technologies that are more complementary to humans, that would be very important,” Mr. Acemoglu said. “Industry is looking to the government for leadership.”

The government’s previous efforts to support workers through periods of job displacement have had mixed results. A study of Trade Adjustment Assistance, a U.S. government program that provides financial assistance and training for workers who lose jobs because of trade, found that manufacturing employees who temporarily dropped out of the work force to participate in the program in the early 2000s still hadn’t caught up on earnings several years later compared with workers who lost jobs but didn’t qualify for T.A.A. support.

Many economists say employers could also play a role in helping displaced workers.

“Business always looks to government to deal with job loss,” said Simon Johnson, a professor at M.I.T. and a co-author with Mr. Acemoglu of the book “Power and Progress.” “But Microsoft and Alphabet — they are in the driver’s seat, in regards to where they choose to put their technological resources.”

Workers could benefit, for example, from employer apprenticeships and retraining programs. The accounting giant PwC recently announced a $1 billion investment in generative A.I., which includes efforts to train its 65,000 workers on how to use A.I. What spurred the initiative was the chief executive’s trip to the World Economic Forum’s gathering in Davos, Switzerland, where he heard constant discussion of generative A.I.

“A number of us walking out of that room knew something had changed,” recalled Joe Atkinson, the company’s chief products and technology officer.

PwC’s workers have expressed fears about displacement, according to Mr. Atkinson, especially as their company explores automating roles with generative A.I. Mr. Atkinson stressed, though, that PwC planned to retrain people with new technical skills so their work would change but their jobs wouldn’t be eliminated.

Some tech companies are offering employees courses in cloud computing, cybersecurity and generative A.I. Among them is IBM, which also has an apprenticeship program that trains workers, including those without four-year degrees, for high-paying roles in fields like software development and data science. The company C3 AI offers its 1,000 employees bonuses of $250 to $1,500 for becoming certified in technological subjects including A.I. and cloud computing. KPMG is working to train every one of its employees to use generative A.I.

Community colleges are intensifying their focus on A.I., too. Miami Dade College has received over $15 million in grants for its technology programs, with some of the money used to open two centers focused on preparing students for careers in A.I. Houston Community College recently announced a bachelor’s degree in A.I. and robotics, and Southwest Tennessee Community College is working to create an associate degree. The American Association of Community Colleges launched an A.I. incubator network focused on helping faculty teach about A.I. and colleges create A.I. degrees.

“As Wayne Gretzky once said when asked about his success, ‘I skate to where the puck is going,’” said Dennis Natali, a professor at Pikes Peak State College in Colorado, which released a plan this year to roll out A.I. certificates. “Our college constantly assesses the work force landscape and prepares to support displaced workers.”

As colleges and businesses scramble to retrain workers, some experts are optimistic about this technological transition. They note that throughout history people have feared technological advancement but often ended up benefiting from it, going back to the Luddites, weavers who protested the mechanization of the textile industry.

But that doesn’t mean the transition period will unfold smoothly. Michael Chui, an A.I. expert at McKinsey, pointed out that even the Luddites saw their income stagnate for decades.

“Anyone who loses their job involuntarily — it’s a difficult time,” he said. “In some ways the Luddites weren’t wrong about the risk.”

Audio produced by Jack D’Isidoro .

Emma Goldberg covers the future of work for the Business section. @ emmabgo

The Age of Artificial Intelligence

As a.i. systems continue to evolve and expand, so does their impact on our lives..

Few people are as involved in so many A.I. efforts as Reid Hoffman, a Silicon Valley investor. His mission? Showing how new technologies  can improve humanity .

The pop singer Grimes has “open-sourced” her voice using new A.I. tools and invited everyone to use her sound to generate new songs. She has been impressed by the results .

Tens of millions of American jobs could be automated by generative A.I. The companies  behind these new technologies  are looking to the government to regulate the industry .

Amid those making pledges and sweeping plans aimed at reining in A.I., New York City has emerged as a modest pioneer in its regulation with a focused approach .

The financial services industry is looking at how to incorporate tools like ChatGPT into its products. But humans will still be necessary to provide personal advice .

Meta has publicly released its latest A.I. technology  so people can build their own chatbots. Rivals like Google say that approach can be dangerous.

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  1. 2022-23 Georgetown University Essay Prompt Guide

    Georgetown 2022-23 Application Essay Question Explanations. The Requirements: 1 essay of 250 words; 1 half-page essay; 2 page-long essays. Supplemental Essay Type(s): Activity, Why. Prompt 1: Indicate any special talents or skills you possess. (250 words) This prompt may come first on the list, but we think you should save it for last!

  2. 3 Top Tips for Writing Exceptional Georgetown Essays

    How to Answer the Georgetown Essay Prompt 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 essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you. (One page, single-spaced.) Notice how the emphasis on this question is on you.

  3. Georgetown University's 2022-23 Essay Prompts

    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. Read our essay guide to get started. Submit your essay for free peer review to refine and perfect it.

  4. How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essays: Examples + Guide 2022/2023

    Georgetown's application offers a traditional blend of writing prompts, including a personal statement, a "Why us?" essay, and an extracurricular essay. Though the prompts may be standard, the tips, ideas, and examples below can help you stand out from the field.

  5. How to Write the Georgetown Essay Supplements 2022-2023

    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.

  6. 2022-23 Georgetown University Supplemental Essays

    Below are Georgetown's essay prompts for the 2022-23 admissions cycle along with tips about how to address each one. Georgetown Supplemental Essay Prompt 1. Indicate any special talents or skills you possess. (250 words) If you are a world-class athlete, you are likely already in the recruitment process. If you placed high in AIME or won a ...

  7. Georgetown University 2021-2022 Essay Prompts

    August 6, 2021. Georgetown has been a longtime Common Application holdout (photo credit: Patrickneil). Georgetown University, home of a college application that looks like it was invented in the early aughts, has released the 2021-2022 essay prompts for applicants to the Class of 2026. This year, applicants are asked to answer four essay prompts.

  8. How to Write Georgetown's Personal or Creative Essay

    Georgetown's final supplemental essay prompt, often referred to as their Diversity Essay, asks: 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) Remember, this ...

  9. 2 Great Georgetown Essay Examples

    Essay Example 2. Prompt: As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you. (Approximately 1 page, single-spaced) Faded dye. Loose threads.

  10. Georgetown essay prompts

    Table of Contents. Writing the Georgetown Essay Supplemental Essay Prompts. How to Write the Georgetown University General Supplemental Essays. " Prompt 1: Indicate any special talents or skills you possess. (250 words). ". " Prompt 2: Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most ...

  11. Georgetown Supplemental Essays

    Each of the Georgetown essay prompts is broad. This gives you the freedom to write your Georgetown supplemental essays about who you are with relatively few limitations. Take advantage of each of the Georgetown University essay prompts to maximize your Georgetown admissions odds. Georgetown Supplemental Essays — Prompt 1 (Required):

  12. Georgetown Supplemental Essays 2022-2023

    The Georgetown supplemental essays 2022 are each designed to give you the opportunity to share something different about yourself. The first prompt asks for a 250-word essay, the second essay is approximately one single-spaced half page, and finally a single-spaced full-page essay. We're going to look at each prompt individually and create ...

  13. How to Respond to the Georgetown Supplemental Essay Prompts

    Essay #1. Indicate any special talents or skills you possess (250 words) Although this is the first question 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.

  14. A Guide to the Georgetown Essays 2021-2022

    Prompts for the Georgetown Essays 2021-2022 Short Essay. Indicate any special talents or skills you possess (250 words). If you are really proud of one of your abilities, now is the time to show it. Georgetown wants students who bring a variety of backgrounds and interests, this essay is a good opportunity to show a new side of yourself. Your ...

  15. How to Write Outstanding Georgetown Essays

    Think of your "best experiences" before you start answering any of these essays. Don't take our examples too seriously — there are many "right" ways to answer Georgetown's prompts. Q1 — Tackle the "talent" question last, amplifying a trait you want to emphasize in your application. Q2 — Choose your "activity" based on ...

  16. Bioethics Research Library

    Bioethics Research Library. A destination library for bioethics scholars worldwide and an exceptional resource for the entire Georgetown community, the Library is home to the world's largest and most diverse collection of materials on the ethics of health, the environment, and emerging technologies. Intensive Bioethics Course information.

  17. Guide to Writing Georgetown Law Optional Essays

    Here is more information about Georgetown law optional essays and tips to follow to ensure you submit a strong one. Georgetown Law's Optional Essay Prompts. Georgetown Law regularly changes up their optional essay prompts, so you need to check their website for current prompts when you apply. In 2021, they provided these prompts for applicants ...

  18. Should you have ChatGPT write your college essay?

    Tuesday, May 23 at 05:00 PM PDT 30 mins. Learn the pitfalls of ChatGPT and why you'll want to use it wisely, if you use it at all, for your college essay. Brad Schiller, the President and Founder of Prompt, will discuss what ChatGPT is and why it's not good enough to write compelling college essays. 98% of students who used Prompt (https ...

  19. Georgetown College's 2022-23 Essay Prompts

    Applying to Georgetown College and trying to find all the correct essay prompts for 2022-23? Find them here, along with free guidance on how to write the essays.

  20. How Do You Answer Georgetown Special Talents Essay?

    Here's how you should write this essay. Step 1: Write out all the activities you've been involved inside and outside of school. Step 2: Research Georgetown's values. Step 2: Create a mission statement from your meaningful memory/experience. Step 3: Create a story around your mission statement.

  21. Georgetown University Supplemental Essay Prompts Writing Guide ️ Free

    Georgetown university essay prompts will require you to narrow down the department and course you seek admission to. Georgetown University offers undergraduate and post-graduate programs in different fields with its richly diverse faculty and student bodies. How Important are Georgetown entrance essays

  22. Georgetown University 2017-18 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

    Look into Georgetown's clubs, majors, professors, sports leagues, and classes to be able to provide them with specifics when you tell them, "This is why I want to go here.". Please note: the information below relates to last year's essay prompts. We are going to update this guide with the prompts for 2021-22 as soon as they become available.

  23. A.I.'s Threat to Jobs Prompts Question of Who Protects Workers

    The same question could have been raised before Congress last week in its hearing on artificial intelligence. In effect, it was. Sam Altman, chief executive of the San Francisco start-up OpenAI ...