Compose two brief essays (approximately one page, single-spaced each) on the topics given below. Essays should be typed.
Essay One: As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief personal or creative essay which you feel best describes you and reflects on your own background, identity, skills, and talents.
Georgetown Essay Slides
Q: What makes an essay stand out?
A:
A specific narrative reveals your background. Instead of "I am a leader," show a moment of leadership.
Your skills are a unique contribution. Connect a talent to a problem Georgetown might face.
It is an introspective piece, not a list of achievements. Show how an experience changed your perspective.
Q: What story should you tell?
A:
Choose a single, specific anecdote about your background.
The story should highlight a core value or skill.
Example: A creative essay about your daily commute shows your observation skills.
Example: A personal story about running your family's small business shows your perseverance.
Q: How to structure the essay?
A:
Start with a specific moment.
Describe the actions you took and the skills you used.
Conclude with a reflection on how this experience shaped you.
The reflection should be more than a simple summary of the event.
Q: What to emphasize in the essay?
A:
Focus on your specific actions and the tangible results.
Explain the lesson you learned.
The essay's core is the insight you gained, not just the problem you solved.
Essay Two (School-Specific): You must also respond to one of the following school-specific prompts.
College of Arts & Sciences: Founded in 1789, the Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences is committed to the Jesuit traditions of an integrated education and of productive research in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Describe your interest in studying at College of Arts & Sciences. Applicants interested in the sciences, mathematics, or languages are encouraged to make specific reference to their choice of major.
Georgetown College Essay Slides
Q: What is this essay proving?
A:
You understand Georgetown's "integrated education."
You have a clear plan to connect your passions to Georgetown's research.
You can articulate a specific academic purpose.
Q: How do you show intellectual vitality?
A:
Start with a specific question or problem, not a major.
Connect this question to two distinct fields.
Example: To study the impact of climate change on trade, you must bridge Environmental Science and International Relations.
Q: How do you connect your spark to Georgetown?
A:
Name specific professors whose research aligns with your question.
Mention research centers like the "Center for Contemporary Arab Studies" or the "Global Health Initiative."
Example: "The work of Professor Smith in economics and Professor Chen in government will help me analyze the impact of public policy on market dynamics."
Q: How to structure the essay?
A:
The Spark (≈ 40 words): State your core question or problem.
The Bridge (≈ 80 words): Connect your question to specific Georgetown resources.
The Future (≈ 80 words): Explain the unique insight you hope to gain from this research.
Q: Final check?
A:
Is your essay specific?
Does it show intellectual humility?
Does it demonstrate an understanding of integrated education?
Berkley School of Nursing: Georgetown University’s School of Nursing is committed to the formation of ethical, empathetic, and transformational nursing leaders. Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying Nursing at Georgetown University.
Georgetown Nursing Essay Slides
Q: What does Georgetown look for in a nursing essay?
A:
A personal story that explains your specific interest in nursing.
Proof that your values align with Georgetown’s mission of forming leaders.
A strategic plan to use Georgetown's resources to become a nursing leader.
Q: What factors influenced your interest?
A:
Choose a specific, personal moment. Not "I want to help people," but a moment where you saw a real need.
Example: Translating a doctor's complex medical instructions for a family member.
Example: Observing a lack of mental health resources in your community.
Example: A summer internship that revealed a specific health care inequity.
Q: How does Georgetown's mission fit your story?
A:
Connect your personal story to specific Georgetown programs and mission.
Example: A story about translating for a family member connects directly to Georgetown's "Global Health Initiative" and the need for culturally competent nurses.
Example: A story about mental health inequity connects to a specific professor's research on community-based care.
Q: How to structure the essay?
A:
The Origin Story: Start with a personal moment that sparked your interest in nursing and leadership.
The Georgetown Connection: Show how specific Georgetown resources will help you become an ethical, empathetic, and transformational leader.
The Future: Conclude with a clear vision of the impact you hope to make as a nursing leader.
Walsh School of Foreign Service: Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders with the foundational skills to address global issues. Describe your primary motivations for studying international affairs at Georgetown University and dedicating your undergraduate studies toward a future in global service.
Georgetown SFS Essay Slides
Q: What does Georgetown's SFS look for?
A:
A personal story that sparked your interest in a specific global issue.
Proof that your values align with the SFS mission of forming "leaders with foundational skills."
A strategic plan to use Georgetown's resources to prepare for a career in global service.
Q: What is your motivation for global service?
A:
Choose a specific, personal moment. Not "I am a global citizen."
Example: I spent a summer studying supply chains in an international factory and observed how local labor laws created a global economic ripple effect.
Example: A personal experience navigating two different cultural systems in my own family sparked my interest in diplomacy.
Q: How does the SFS enable your vision?
A:
Connect your motivation to specific SFS resources.
Mention a specific major, research center, or professor.
Example: To solve the global supply chain issue, I will study under Professor Smith at the "Center for Security Studies" to understand how international policy can shape global commerce.
Q: What is your future in global service?
A:
Translate your academic interest into a tangible career path.
The path should be a logical outcome of your SFS education.
Example: My studies will lead to a career in diplomacy, where I will draft and negotiate international trade agreements that are fair to all parties.
McDonough School of Business: Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business provides graduates with essential global, ethical, analytical, financial, and diverse perspectives on the economies of our nation and the world. Describe your primary motivations for studying business at Georgetown University.
Georgetown Business Essay Slides
Q: What does McDonough look for?
A:
A personal story that sparked your interest in a specific business problem.
Proof that your values align with the McDonough's global, ethical, and analytical mission.
A strategic plan to use Georgetown's resources to prepare for a career in business.
Q: What is your motivation for business?
A:
Choose a specific, personal moment. Not "I am a future entrepreneur."
Example: I spent a summer studying how a small local market used social media to drive business, revealing the power of data-driven marketing.
Example: A personal experience of starting a small business taught me about financial literacy and strategic planning.
Q: How does the McDonough School of Business enable your vision?
A:
Connect your motivation to specific McDonough resources.
Mention a specific major, research center, or professor.
Example: To solve the small business marketing issue, I will study under Professor Jane Smith at the "Institute for the Study of Markets and Ethics" to learn how business can be a force for social good.
Q: What is your future in business?
A:
Translate your academic interest into a tangible career path.
The path should be a logical outcome of your McDonough education.
Example: My studies will lead to a career in finance, where I will use my skills to help small businesses secure funding and grow.
McCourt School of Public Policy: For nearly 50 years, Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy has equipped leaders and changemakers with the interdisciplinary skills to address local, national and global policy problems. Undergraduate public policy students at Georgetown will have the unique opportunity to live and study on two campuses, spending their first two years immersed on the Hilltop, before completing the second half of their time at Georgetown on the Capitol Campus, immersed in the policy world. Describe your primary motivations for studying public policy at Georgetown University and dedicating your undergraduate studies toward a future related to public service.
Georgetown Public Policy Essay Slides
Q: What does Georgetown’s McCourt School look for?
A:
A personal story that sparked your interest in a specific public policy problem.
Proof that your values align with McCourt’s mission of forming leaders and changemakers.
A strategic plan to use Georgetown's resources to prepare for a career in public service.
Q: What is your motivation for public policy?
A:
Choose a specific, personal moment. Not "I want to be a politician."
Example: A summer internship that revealed a specific local policy issue, like a broken public transit system.
Example: A personal experience of working with a non-profit taught me about the need for better funding and policy.
Q: How does the McCourt School of Public Policy enable your vision?
A:
Connect your motivation to specific McCourt resources.
Mention a specific major, research center, or professor.
Example: To solve the public transit issue, I will study under Professor Jane Smith at the "Georgetown Transportation Policy Institute" to learn how to create a more efficient and equitable transit system.
Q: What is your future in public service?
A:
Translate your academic interest into a tangible career path.
The path should be a logical outcome of your McCourt education.
Example: My studies will lead to a career as an urban planner, where I will use my skills to help create sustainable and equitable cities.
Earth Commons: Through this joint program between the College of Arts & Sciences and the Earth Commons Institute, you’ll explore theories and practical skills in the classroom, in the field, and around the world, and put it all together to make a difference. Describe your primary motivations for studying environment and sustainability at Georgetown University to effect positive change in the world.
Georgetown Earth Commons Essay Slides
Q: How do you show intellectual vitality?
A:
Start with a specific problem. Avoid general issues like "climate change."
Connect your problem to two distinct fields.
Example: To solve the issue of urban food waste, you must bridge Chemistry (composting) and Government (policy).
Q: How do you connect your passion to Georgetown?
A:
Name a specific professor whose research aligns with your problem.
Mention research centers like the "Earth Commons Institute" and classes from the "College of Arts & Sciences."
Example: "The work of Professor Smith in environmental science and Professor Chen in government will help me analyze the policy behind urban farming."
Q: How to structure the essay?
A:
The Spark: Start with a personal moment that sparked your interest in the issue.
The Bridge: Show how specific Georgetown resources will provide the solution.
The Impact: Conclude with a clear vision of the tangible change you hope to make.
Q: Final check?
A:
Is your essay specific and focused?
Does it show genuine enthusiasm for environment and sustainability?
School of Health: Georgetown University’s School of Health was founded to advance the health and well-being of people locally, nationally, and globally through innovative research, the delivery of interdisciplinary education, and transformative engagement of communities. Describe the factors that influenced your interest in studying health care at Georgetown University, specifically addressing your intended related major: Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, or Human Science.
Georgetown School of Health Essay Slides
Q: What does Georgetown's School of Health look for?
A:
A personal story that explains your specific interest in health care.
Proof that your values align with Georgetown's mission of forming leaders.
A strategic plan to use Georgetown's resources to become a health leader.
Q: What factors influenced your interest?
A:
Choose a specific, personal moment. Not a generic statement.
Example for Global Health: A public health project in a local immigrant community that revealed a global health disparity.
Example for Health Care Management & Policy: An experience shadowing at a local clinic that revealed a specific logistical inefficiency.
Example for Human Science: A passion for an academic subject like neuroscience that has a clear human health application.
Q: How does Georgetown's mission fit your story?
A:
Connect your personal story to specific Georgetown programs and resources.
Example for Global Health: "The Global Health Initiative will provide the interdisciplinary framework to study the connection between local and global health issues."
Example for Health Care Management & Policy: "The O'Neill Institute will help me study the legal policies behind vaccine distribution, which I saw firsthand in my county."
Example for Human Science: "I will pursue research with Professor Smith to study the cognitive basis of decision-making and its impact on public health."
Q: How to structure the essay?
A:
The Origin Story: Start with a personal moment that sparked your interest in your specific major.
The Georgetown Connection: Show how Georgetown’s resources will help you become a leader in health.
The Future: Conclude with a clear vision of the impact you hope to make.
