Georgetown University has a competitive admissions process, with the Class of 2029 seeing just a 12% acceptance rate. To stand out, you’ll need strong supplemental essays. Three, to be exact: one short response and two longer ones.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this blog, we’ll break down each prompt, share brainstorming tips, and offer advice on structuring your essays. Plus, we’ll include examples to help spark inspiration for your own writing.
- Georgetown Supplemental Essay Prompts
- How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essay #1
- How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essay #2
- How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essay (College of Arts & Sciences)
- How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essay (School of Nursing)
- How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essay (School of Health)
- How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essay (Walsh School of Foreign Service)
- How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essay (McDonough School of Business)
- Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Georgetown Supplemental Essays
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
Georgetown Supplemental Essay Prompts
Georgetown’s application is highly personalized to the school. You won’t be using the Common App or Coalition since the institution has its own application portal. That being said, you won’t need a personal statement, so you’ll need to give your all in your Georgetown essays.
| Georgetown Supplemental Essay Prompts 2025-2026 |
Here are the essay prompts for 2025-2026:
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Below, we’ll give you some detailed tips on how to write Georgetown supplemental essays.
How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essay #1
| Prompt #1 |
| Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved. (Approximately one-half page, single-spaced, around 250 words) |
For this supplemental essay prompt, Georgetown wants your depth of involvement in your chosen school or summer activity. They also want to understand why this activity matters to you, how it has shaped you, and what it says about your character, passions, or values.
Brainstorming ideas
To help you reflect on meaningful participation in an activity or at school, here are some brainstorming ideas:
- List down activities. List your most significant school or summer activities. Don’t just stick to academic ones. Did you have a summer job or internship? A personal creative project or research experience? A sport, art, or performance activity?
- Reflect on its impact. For each activity, think of how it affected you. What were your responsibilities? What did you learn? How did you grow?
- Think of why they matter. Think about why the activity is important to you. Why did you dedicate so much time to this activity? What drove you? What did you gain from it?
Essay structure tips
Once you’ve chosen your most meaningful summer or school activity, here’s how you can write about it:
- Introduce the activity. Start with a brief, compelling statement about your activity then clearly state what it is.
- Discuss the activity and its significance. Talk about the activity in more detail. Focus on specific moments, mention your contributions, and explain why the activity is important to you.
- Talk about the impact. How did this activity shape your character, skills, or goals? Did you develop resilience, leadership, confidence, or a new passion? What did you learn? What other insights did you gain?
Let’s say your most meaningful activity is debate. Give a vivid moment or strong statement that immediately hooks the reader, such as:
- “The clash of ideas, the pursuit of truth, the art of persuasion—debate is a trial for intellectual growth.”
After you’ve properly introduced debate, talk about one experience or a string of related experiences that made you especially appreciate being a debater. For instance, you can talk about a debate contest on the economic impact of renewable energy:
- “My opponent presented a compelling argument about job losses in traditional industries, and for a moment, I felt my carefully constructed counterarguments falter. I had to quickly pull up data on new green energy jobs, and the future economic impact of climate change, and reframe my argument.”
How did that particular experience affect you? Maybe it made you realize the importance of anticipating opposing viewpoints and adapting my strategy in real-time. What does debate, in general, teach you? Maybe it showed you that even the most deeply held beliefs can be challenged and that true understanding comes from considering multiple perspectives. You can say it instilled in you a lifelong commitment to critical thinking and open-mindedness.
To end your essay, say how the skills and values debate has taught you can help you in Georgetown, such as how they can help you engage in and contribute to meaningful discussions on campus.
| Supplemental Essay Example |
| The buzzer screamed. I stood at center court, clutching the ball, my sneakers rooted to the gym floor like they were made of cement. Coach’s whistle cut through the noise, and every pair of eyes turned toward me.
“Bring it in!” he called. I had never planned to become a team captain. I wasn’t the tallest, the fastest, or the one with the flashiest three-point shots or dribbles. But somehow, over the years, I became the one people looked to when the scoreboard didn’t favor us, when we were tired, when we wanted to quit. Basketball had started as just a sport, something to burn energy after school. But somewhere between the early morning practices and the late-night bus rides home, it became something else entirely. It became the place where I learned how to lead without barking orders, how to listen before speaking, and how to hold a team together with both words and trust. We didn’t win every game (honestly, we didn’t even come close in some seasons), but I learned to show up anyway, with grit, heart, and belief. I learned that leadership isn’t all about being the loudest voice in the huddle, but about making sure every voice is heard in that huddle. I carry that with me now off the court through activities like organizing service projects in my community or collaborating in the classroom. I want to keep building teams that uplift, include, and fight for something bigger than a final score. |
How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essay #2
| 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 personal or creative essay which you feel best describes you and reflects on your personal background and individual experiences, skills, and talents. (Approximately one page, single-spaced, around 500 words) |
This Georgetown supplemental essay prompt wants your story in your own words. This includes experiences, talents, and background. It proves how well you understand yourself, your strengths, weaknesses, and values.
Brainstorming ideas
This is a broader, more open-ended prompt. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
- Think of your roots. Consider your family background, cultural heritage, or community influences. Community can include everything from your small group of friends to your school club.
- Look for big moments. What experiences have significantly impacted your life? These moments of challenge, change, or discovery don’t need to be grand. They can be personal, such as realizing you’re very good at mixing paint to get the exact color you want.
- Identify talents and skills. Think of creative, academic, or personal achievements that set you apart. What are you particularly good at? How did you develop those skills? Did you practice faithfully every day for years to be good at playing Paganini on the violin? Maybe you set aside time every week to bake to perfect complex recipes like croissants.
Essay structure tips
Georgetown is asking for a personal or creative essay, so how you structure your essay really depends on how you want to write it. Maybe you want a “mosaic” essay, which has a series of short, interconnected vignettes that showcase different aspects of your personality and background.
But let’s just say you want to write a personal essay on a passion project. You can write it down like this:
- Start with the hook. Grab the reader’s attention and make them want to learn more. Maybe your passion project was developing a community garden. You can hook the reader with “The scent of damp earth and blooming basil was a stark contrast to the cracked asphalt and discarded wrappers that had once dominated the corner lot.”
- Introduce the project and context. Explain the initial spark of the project. In this case, describe the community’s initial state and the challenges you faced in starting the garden. For example: “The vacant lot across from the library had always been an eyesore, a neglected space in our neighborhood. But one afternoon, while volunteering at the local food bank, it hit me that maybe we could also grow our own produce. That’s when the idea of a community garden started.”
- Talk about the process. Talk about all the steps you took. Highlight specific challenges—in this case, lack of funding, community skepticism, and unexpected weather. How did you overcome them? You can also emphasize the skills you developed. Maybe you learned project management, teamwork, and problem-solving. Maybe you learned the art of persuasive communication by writing grant proposals and presenting the vision to potential donors.
- Reflect on the impact. Think of how the project affected you and the people around you. Maybe the garden provided fresh produce, created a gathering space, and fostered community connections. Maybe this taught you the power of collective action and the importance of addressing community needs. You can say you also discovered a passion for sustainable living because of this project.
- Connect to Georgetown. While not explicitly mentioned, the prompt does hint that it wants to know your background and experiences to see how it fits in with Georgetown’s diverse community. For our example, you can say, “At Georgetown, I hope to continue cultivating my passion for community engagement and sustainable development. I am excited to contribute to a campus that values service and empowers students to make a difference.”
| Supplemental Essay Example |
| I can still hear the crinkle of the blueprints as I spread them across our dining room table. They weren’t mine since they technically belonged to my dad, who spent his days designing bridges and highways. But every evening, without fail, I’d beg to “help” after dinner, dragging my colored pencils across the sheets like I was sketching the future myself.
I was eight the first time he let me trace the lines. My hand trembled, careful not to smear the ink. I remember asking how he knew everything would fit together when the pages just looked like floating shapes and numbers. He smiled and said something I didn’t fully understand at the time: “It’s all about trusting that the pieces also trust each other to hold the weight.” It didn’t really click until years later, when my high school robotics team fell apart three weeks before a competition. Motors stopped working, deadlines loomed, and people quit. Our drive team shrank from five students to two, which included just me and my best friend. I almost gave up, too. But in a moment that felt weirdly like déjà vu, I pulled out a notebook and started sketching. Not blueprints this time, but a list. A list of every person in our school who might have a talent we hadn’t tapped yet: programmers, graphic designers, writers, builders, artists, problem-solvers, and pretty much anyone brave enough to try. I spent the next week recruiting like my life depended on it. One by one, people stepped up. Most of them didn’t know how to build a robot, but they believed they could learn. Our team grew bigger than ever before, packed with students who never thought they belonged in STEM. I watched them tinker, test, fail, and try again. I watched them trust the process, and more importantly, trust each other. We didn’t win the championship, but standing in that arena, watching a team I had helped rebuild from scratch, I realized something that stuck with me even more than any trophy could. Some people can code or build faster than me, but I see the hidden connectors between people—like the spark that turns strangers into teammates, ideas into blueprints, and problems into possibilities. Going forward, I want to build machines and systems that bring people together. I’m especially drawn to the intersection of engineering and community development: designing structures, technologies, and spaces that serve people, not just the bottom line. I want to help build futures where everyone feels like they belong in the process by making cities more sustainable, creating accessible public transportation, supporting STEM outreach in underrepresented communities, or improving infrastructure for people with disabilities. Because the truth is, nothing great is ever built alone. And if I’ve learned anything from my dad’s blueprints or from a nearly broken robot, it’s that the best designs are usually the ones held together by people who trust each other to carry the weight. |
How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essay (College of Arts & Sciences)
Your final Georgetown supplemental essay will depend on the specific program you’re applying to, as each school within the university has its own unique prompt. Let’s talk about the one for the College of Arts & Sciences.
| Prompt |
| Founded in 1789, the Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences is committed to the Jesuit traditions of an integrated education and of productive research in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Describe your interest in studying at College of Arts & Sciences. Applicants interested in the sciences, mathematics, or languages are encouraged to make specific reference to their choice of major. (Approximately one page, single-spaced, around 500 words) |
Georgetown’s integrated education and rigorous inquiry across the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and fine arts support the Jesuit value of cura personalis—which is caring for the development of the whole person. With that in mind, this prompt wants to see why this (and other aspects of the college) appeals to you.
Brainstorming ideas
To help you dig into your interest in the College of Arts & Sciences, here are some ideas to guide you:
- Reflect on your academic journey. How have your past experiences shaped your interest in your chosen major? Did a particular project, teacher, summer program, or research experience spark your curiosity? Maybe a trip to the museum got you hooked on anthropology or the natural sciences.
- Explore Jesuit values. Consider how the Jesuit values of ethical inquiry, service, and holistic learning resonate with your personal values. For example, how are you a “person for others?”
- Think of future aspirations. Visualize your academic and professional future. How will an integrated education and the various centers at Georgetown help you reach these goals? Maybe you’re an environmental advocate and you want to be involved at The Earth Commons, which aims to help address environmental issues through education, research, and action at Georgetown and beyond.
Essay structure tips
When you’ve made the connection between your values and aspirations and what the college offers, here’s how you can talk about it:
- Introduce your academic passion. Start with a compelling statement about your academic passions or your interest in Georgetown’s approach to education. You can also briefly show your understanding of Georgetown’s Jesuit traditions.
- Show how you fit. Explain how your past experiences have prepared you for your chosen major. Then mention specific courses, professors, or research opportunities that you find appealing. You should also explain how you see your academic interests connecting to Georgetown’s Jesuit traditions.
- Connect to Georgetown. Explain how your academic goals align with Georgetown’s mission and values and how you plan to contribute to the intellectual community at Georgetown.
Let’s say you’re an aspiring biology major. You can start your essay with the moment you realized you wanted to take up biology, such as during frog dissection at school. You can specify that your journey has brought you to the decision of hoping to concentrate on Molecular and Cellular Biology. To connect it to Georgetown’s values, you can say:
- “Georgetown’s College of Arts & Sciences, with its commitment to both scientific rigor and ethical inquiry, provides the ideal environment for me to pursue my passion.”
Explain why you’re interested in the institution’s biology program. What other experiences led you to like biology, and which aspects of Georgetown do you believe will help you pursue your interests? You can write:
- “The course ‘Molecular Genetics’ excites me and I want to participate in the undergraduate research programs, particularly in biomedical research.”
Connect your values to Jesuit values. For example, how does Jesuit emphasis on “cura personalis” resonate deeply with your desire to use scientific knowledge to improve the lives of others? Maybe you believe that scientific research should be guided by a strong ethical compass.
Lastly, how do your aspirations connect to Georgetown’s mission? Maybe being able to explore connections between biology and other fields, such as philosophy and ethics, can help you gain a deeper understanding of the world around you.
| Supplemental Essay Example |
| The first time I cracked open a psychology textbook, I was sitting on the cold floor of our town library, though I wasn’t preparing for a test or working on an assignment. I’d just wandered down the aisle, looking for something to distract me while waiting for my little brother to finish his summer reading worksheet, when the title caught my eye: Thinking, Fast and Slow.
I flipped it open and started reading about cognitive biases, the way our brains take mental shortcuts without us even realizing it. I remember staring at a sentence about confirmation bias, rereading it over and over, because it felt like someone had just handed me a mirror. I started thinking back to all the moments I had doubled down on an opinion, because it was comfortable rather than true. I left the library that day with a new obsession: trying to understand why we think the way we do. I started paying closer attention to the people around me. In student government, I saw how groupthink would sneak in during meetings, pressuring people to go along with the loudest voice in the room. Even in myself, I caught moments where I defended ideas more out of pride than actual belief. That curiosity led me to courses in psychology, sociology, and philosophy—each one peeling back another layer of human behavior. Why do we resist change? What drives our moral decisions? How do beliefs shape our perception of reality? The more I learned, the more questions I had. That’s why I’m drawn to Georgetown’s College of Arts & Sciences and to the interdisciplinary study of Psychology and Philosophy. I believe these fields are strongest when they work together: one rooted in observation and data, the other in abstract reasoning and ethical inquiry. Georgetown’s commitment to integrated education, from the Philosophy Department’s focus on moral frameworks to the Psychology Department’s dedication to cognitive research, feels like the perfect academic home for the kinds of questions that keep me up at night. Outside the classroom, I look forward to joining the Georgetown Ethics Lab, where I can collaborate with students and faculty on real-world projects that explore how values intersect with technology and society. I’m also interested in the Philodemic Society, Georgetown’s historic debate organization that fosters eloquence and critical thinking through weekly debates on topics ranging from public policy to ethics. Most of all, I hope to get involved with the Center for Social Justice and its literacy and education initiatives. There, I can put my learning into practice by working with local schools to promote critical thinking and media literacy, especially in underserved communities. In doing all these, I believe I’ll be living out the Jesuit ideal of “cura personalis” by helping others grow academically and ethically. Because, at the end of the day, understanding the mind isn’t enough on its own—what matters is using that understanding to help build a society that values truth, reflection, and the common good. |
How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essay (School of Nursing)
| Prompt |
| Georgetown University’s School of Nursing is committed to the formation of ethical, empathetic, and transformational nursing leaders. Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying Nursing at Georgetown University. (Approximately one page, single-spaced, around 500 words) |
Georgetown wants to see a deep-seated passion for nursing and an understanding of the importance of ethics, empathy, and transformational leadership in nursing. You should be able to present your experiences and factors that have shaped your interest in nursing.
Brainstorming ideas
To help you reflect on what nursing truly means to you and why Georgetown is the university that will help you pursue it, here are some ideas:
- Reflect on personal experiences. Have you had any personal experiences with healthcare that sparked your interest in nursing? Think of classes, projects, or research experiences that deepened your curiosity or understanding of nursing or healthcare. Maybe you cared for a family member or volunteered at a local clinic. Maybe you were involved in the Health Career Institute at Dartmouth.
- Explore nursing values. What does “ethical nursing” mean to you? How do you demonstrate empathy in your daily life? What qualities do you believe make a transformational nursing leader? Think about how you have demonstrated empathy in situations involving vulnerable populations or in community service roles. You can also try to envision yourself transforming patient care or influencing the healthcare system as a future nursing leader.
- Research Georgetown’s nursing program. What specific aspects of Georgetown’s program appeal to you? How does Georgetown’s Jesuit tradition influence its nursing program?
Essay structure tips
When you’re ready with your ideas, your essay can be structured like this
- Highlight your passion for nursing. Start with a compelling anecdote that shows your passion for nursing or an event that sparked your interest in nursing. For example: “The sterile scent of antiseptic, the rhythmic beep of a heart monitor, and the gentle touch of a nurse’s hand—these sensory memories from my grandmother’s hospital stay sparked a desire to pursue a career in nursing.”
- Discuss your personal influences. Describe specific experiences that have shaped your interest in nursing. Focus on the emotional impact of these experiences. For instance, you can talk about your volunteer work at the local hospice. You can say “I was particularly moved by the nurses’ ability to provide comfort and support during difficult times. I watched as one nurse held the hand of a dying patient, and spoke softly to them, providing comfort during their final moments.”
- Show that you understand nursing values. Explain how you understand and embody the values of ethics, empathy, and transformational leadership. Don’t forget to give concrete examples. You can say empathy is a skill that requires active listening, compassion, and a genuine desire to understand another person’s perspective. Then recount moments when you practiced that empathy.
- Connect to Georgetown’s program. Explain why you specifically want to study nursing at Georgetown. Namedrop specific aspects of the program that appeal to you, such as faculty, research opportunities, or clinical placements. Maybe you’re amazed by and interested in the state-of-the-art O’Neill Family Foundation Clinical Simulation Center. Maybe you feel that the 800+ clinical, lab, simulation and experiential hours in different clinical settings will push you to be the best nurse you can be.
- Mention future goals. What’s your vision for your future as a nursing leader? Explain how Georgetown’s program will help you achieve your goals. Maybe you aim to become a nurse practitioner specializing in palliative care. You can say that “Georgetown’s School of Nursing will train me to provide compassionate and holistic care to patients and their families.”
| Supplemental Essay Example |
| My mom always joked that I was born with a “helper gene.” As a kid, I couldn’t walk past someone struggling with grocery bags without offering my tiny hands that would have barely managed to carry a gallon of milk. But the moment I really felt the pull toward caring for others came one winter night in the emergency room.
I was ten, and my younger sister had taken a nasty fall on the playground. We rushed to the hospital, where the waiting room hummed with that strange mixture of urgency and stillness. While my parents spoke with the triage nurse, I noticed an older man sitting alone across the room. His hands were trembling as he clutched his arm, wincing with every breath. His coat had slipped off his lap and lay crumpled on the floor. It’s such a small thing when I think back on it now, but at the time, gathering up that coat and draping it gently back over his knees felt like the most important job in the world. I didn’t know what he was facing. I couldn’t fix what hurt, but I could ease a fraction of his discomfort. That simple moment stayed with me. In high school, my curiosity about healthcare only grew. I completed a Certified Nursing Assistant program the summer before my junior year, learning clinical skills like taking vitals and assisting with mobility and what it meant to care for people with dignity and patience. My clinical rotations in a local long-term care facility were challenging and included bathing, feeding, and supporting patients who could no longer care for themselves. But they were also deeply human. I learned how to read faces before words, how to sit in silence without rushing to fill it, and how every small action, like smoothing a blanket or holding someone’s hand, carries meaning. This is why I’m drawn to Georgetown’s School of Nursing’s balance of rigorous clinical training and ethical reflection that aligns with how I hope to grow as a nurse. I’m especially eager to participate in the Hoya Clinic, Georgetown’s student-run free clinic that serves people facing housing insecurity in Washington, D.C. It’s the kind of hands-on, community-centered experience that reminds me why I first felt called to nursing—to help treat conditions while also caring for people in their most vulnerable moments. I’m also drawn to the Health Justice Alliance, where nurses, doctors, and law students work side by side to address the legal and social barriers that impact health. This kind of interdisciplinary, justice-focused work embodies the Jesuit values I hope to practice, such as “men and women for others”, which challenges us to use our gifts in service of justice and human dignity. Ultimately, I don’t just want to be the person who shows up when someone is in crisis. I want to be the person who stays, listens, and makes sure no one feels like they’re facing their illnesses alone, no matter their circumstance. |
How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essay (School of Health)
| Prompt |
| 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. (Approximately one page, single-spaced, around 500 words) |
Georgetown wants to see candidates who are passionate about advancing health and well-being on multiple levels—locally, nationally, and globally. So for this prompt, you have to show a clear connection between your interests and your chosen major and present the experiences and factors that have shaped your interest.
Brainstorming ideas
If you’re trying to trace your interest in your chosen major, here are some ideas to help you:
- Recount experiences. Reflect on a personal or community experience that sparked your interest in health care. Did your family face health challenges? Did you witness health disparities in your neighborhood? Were there classes, research projects, or internships that deepened your understanding of health care systems or global health challenges?
- Research your intended major. The prompt specifically asks for you to address your intended major. If you’re applying to Global Health, what global health issues are you most passionate about? What skills are needed to address them? If you’re trying for Health Care Management & Policy, what aspects of healthcare administration or policy interest you? What challenges do you see in the field? If you want to get into Human Science, what aspects of human biology and health are you most curious about? How do you see this knowledge being applied?
- Imagine your future in your field. How do you see yourself making an impact in your chosen field? Connect that to your major as well. For instance, if you get accepted into Health Care Management & Policy, what policies do you hope to create or revise?
Essay structure tips
When you’ve researched enough about your program and know what influenced you to choose that, here’s how you can structure your essay:
- Highlight passion for health care. Start with a compelling anecdote or statement that highlights your passion for health care. Then, state your intention to study at Georgetown’s School of Health and your intended major.
- Discuss your journey. Describe specific experiences that have shaped your interest in your chosen major.
- Connect to your major. Say why your chosen major aligns with your interests and goals. How do your background and experiences provide a foundation for success in this field?
- Show alignment with Georgetown’s mission. Explain how Georgetown’s focus on innovative research, interdisciplinary education, and community engagement resonates with your goals.
Let’s say you’re an aspiring Global Health major. Your hook can be your observation of the contrast between the bustling city hospital and the remote village clinic, which reveals the inequities that you wish to bridge.
What personal influences pushed your interest in global health? One experience can be something like this:
- “My volunteer work with a local organization providing health education to immigrant communities exposed me to the social determinants of health and the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. I saw first hand how access to clean water, nutritious food, and education greatly affected overall health.”
Move on to discuss why you’re drawn to Georgetown’s Global Health program. Is it the curriculum that highlights how the health status of whole populations are affected by the environment, culture, economics, and politics? Is it the opportunity to be exposed to international affairs, health science, public health, and health systems management?
Connect all that to Georgetown’s mission. Maybe Georgetown’s commitment to community engagement resonates with your belief that sustainable solutions to global health challenges must be community-driven. What are your future goals? Maybe you hope to improve access to essential health services for underserved populations.
| Supplemental Essay Example |
| The map on my bedroom wall has pins in places I’ve never been to, including Nepal, Malawi, Honduras, and Ukraine.
It started when I was twelve, after watching a documentary on Doctors Without Borders. I remember sitting cross-legged on the floor, wide-eyed, as nurses and physicians carried medical supplies on foot to reach remote communities. The film showed the stories behind medicine: mothers walking for hours to get clean water, children receiving their first vaccinations, and health workers doing everything possible with very little. When the credits rolled, I ran to my desk, pulled out an old corkboard, and started pinning the names of every place mentioned in the film. I didn’t know it then, but that map would grow to represent something much bigger than places on a screen. It became a daily reminder that health is both personal and political, both local and global. In high school, I started volunteering at a free health clinic in my city, organizing patient intake forms and helping with basic health education materials. I saw firsthand how health disparities aren’t just something that happens “out there.” They exist here too, in my own community. I noticed how patients struggled to navigate transportation, language barriers, and gaps in insurance coverage. More than just diagnosing illnesses, it was also about breaking down systems that made care hard to reach in the first place. This realization is what draws me to study Global Health at Georgetown’s School of Health. Georgetown’s interdisciplinary approach that blends policy, ethics, economics, and science reflects how I believe health should be understood: as a system shaped by both human needs and human structures. Courses like “HAPI 6004: Health Economics” excite me because they go beyond symptoms and examine the root causes of health inequality. I’m interested in participating in the Global Health Initiative to collaborate on research and service projects that address real health challenges around the world. I’m also drawn to the Center for Social Justice, where I can serve locally while learning to think globally—especially through programs like the DC Schools Project that supports immigrant and refugee families through health literacy education. Both opportunities reflect the Jesuit value of “men and women for others”, pushing me to move beyond awareness into meaningful action. I also hope to practice “magis” by asking how I can serve more fully and intentionally rather than doing more for the sake of a busier schedule. I want to grow as a student, a collaborator, and a servant leader. I believe I can do this through student organizations like GlobeMed at Georgetown, which partners with grassroots health organizations around the world, or through research with faculty at the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. Because for me, those pins on my wall used to be just markers of faraway places. Now, though, they also represent lives, stories, and futures I hope to stand alongside as someone working to build health systems that leave no one behind. |
How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essay (Walsh School of Foreign Service)
| Prompt |
| 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. (Approximately one page, single-spaced, around 500 words) |
For this prompt, you’ll have to show your passion for international affairs and commitment to global service.
Brainstorming ideas
To help you uncover the factors behind your interest in international affairs, here are some brainstorming ideas:
- Think of defining moments. Think about an event that made you aware of global interdependence. Maybe it’s travel, cultural exchange, or a community issue. Were there classes, research projects, or Model UN experiences that deepened your understanding of global issues? What about experiences with NGOs, community organizations, or international programs?
- Envision your future in global service. Imagine yourself in global service. How do you see yourself making a difference in diplomacy, international policy, or humanitarian work? What global issues are you most passionate about and how do you hope to make a difference?
- Explore the curriculum. What specific programs, courses, or concentrations within the school appeal to you? Is it its interdisciplinary curriculum, its network of global leaders, or study abroad opportunities?
Essay structure tips
Once you’ve reflected on your future role in global service and how Georgetown can help you attain that, here’s how you can write about it:
- Introduce your passion for international affairs. Start with a vivid anecdote, a compelling quote, or a personal insight related to international affairs.
- Talk about your primary motivations. Describe the specific factors that have influenced your interest in international affairs. Try to connect your personal experiences to broader global issues.
- Connect to the school. Explain why you specifically want to study at Georgetown. Mention specific programs, courses, or faculty that appeal to you and highlight how the school’s mission and values align with your own.
- Describe your vision. Describe your vision for your future in global service and explain how the SFS will help you achieve that.
For example, you want to work in the field of international diplomacy. You can start with a hook where you realized how interconnected our world is. Maybe it’s the flickering images on the news or the stories of distant conflicts and humanitarian crises.
What personal experience pushed you to walk down the path of international affairs? Maybe you had experience volunteering at a refugee resettlement center, which opened your eyes to the human cost of global conflict. Maybe that inspired you to dedicate your life to creating a more just and peaceful world.
Why is Georgetown the school for you? You can say:
- “Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, with its emphasis on preparing ethical and effective global leaders, is the ideal place for me to pursue my passion for international affairs. I am especially drawn to the program’s focus on diplomacy and conflict resolution.”
Connect that to your vision. Maybe the curriculum can give you a strong foundation in international diplomacy, focusing on conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Reiterate your excitement in contributing to the school’s community and dedicating your life to addressing the challenges facing our world.
| Supplemental Essay Example |
| The first letter I ever mailed across an ocean had exactly three words on it.
I was seven, and my neighbor, a retired Foreign Service officer, had given me the address of her friend living in Geneva, along with an international postage stamp and a challenge: send something meaningful. I wasn’t poet material, so after an hour of chewing on my pencil, I wrote three words in shaky block letters: “What’s it like?” That letter never came back with answers, but it stayed with me as I started Model United Nations in eighth grade, sitting nervously in a circle of students debating topics I barely understood. I quickly learned that knowing facts wasn’t enough. Nope, you also had to understand the context, human impact, and the layers of history and power beneath every headline. I started following international news, reading books about diplomacy and conflict resolution, and learning how language shapes negotiation. The more I learned, the more I realized how little I actually knew. In high school, I served as president of our Model UN team, but what mattered most to me surprisingly wasn’t the awards or resolutions: it was the practice of listening. I learned that the real challenge was to be willing to hear the story behind someone else’s position even when you disagreed, rather than just proving you were right. It wasn’t about winning debates, but building bridges. That’s what draws me to the Walsh School of Foreign Service. Georgetown’s mission to prepare leaders for “service to humanity” matches what I hope to pursue through the International Politics major. I’m especially interested in the International Law, Institutions, and Ethics concentration, where courses like GOVT-2603: International Law, GOVT-2602: International Organizations, and GOVT-4660: Ethical Issues in International Relations would challenge me to examine how legal frameworks and ethical considerations shape diplomacy, conflict, and cooperation. Georgetown’s location in Washington, D.C. (steps away from embassies, NGOs, and policymakers) also makes it the ideal place to put theory into practice. I also look forward to joining the Georgetown International Relations Club to sharpen my skills through diplomatic simulations and connecting with students who share my passion for global affairs. The Alternative Breaks Program is also interesting to me, letting me engage in community-based service and reflection rooted in solidarity. These experiences will allow me to practice “men and women for others”, turning academic learning into meaningful action. I also hope to embrace “contemplation in action,” another Jesuit tradition that challenges us to pause, reflect, and realign our work with a deeper purpose. I want to continuously ask why I’m doing what I’m doing, no matter the activity, from policy analysis and negotiation practice to community engagement. In the end, my seven-year-old self was onto something: the world is a collection of human stories waiting to be understood. At Georgetown, I hope to keep asking “What’s it like?” and dedicate my life to bridging divides with empathy, curiosity, and action. |
How to Write the Georgetown Supplemental Essay (McDonough School of Business)
| Prompt |
| Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business provides graduates with essential global, ethical, analytical, financial, and diverse perspectives on the economies of our nation and the world. Describe your primary motivations for studying business at Georgetown University (Approximately one page, single-spaced, around 500 words) |
For this Georgetown supplemental essay prompt, you should show your passion for business and how your goals and values align with those of the school.
Brainstorming ideas
To help you think of your aspirations and background and how Georgetown fits in with that, here are some tips:
- Reflect on your experiences. Think about an experience that sparked and nurtured your interest in business. Do you have a family business? Did you sell cookies as a Girl Scout? Did you participate in the Leadership in the Business World program at the Wharton School of Business?
- Explore the curriculum. What specific programs, courses, or concentrations within the MSB appeal to you? How does its emphasis on global, ethical, and analytical perspectives align with your goals?
- Think of your goals. Imagine your ideal role in the business world—whether in finance, consulting, entrepreneurship, or another area. How do you hope to contribute to the business world? What impact do you want to make? How can the school’s interdisciplinary approach prepare you?
Essay structure tips
When you know why you want to be in a business school and why it has to be Georgetown, here’s how you can talk about it:
- Start with your hook and thesis statement. Start with a compelling anecdote or statement that shows your passion for business. Clearly state your primary motivation for studying business and hint at why Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business is the ideal place for your undergraduate journey. For example, you can start your essay with “The dynamic interplay of innovation, strategy, and impact that drives successful businesses has always fascinated me, fueling my desire to become a leader in the global economy as well.”
- Talk about your motivations. Describe the specific factors that have influenced your interest in business. Connect your personal experiences to broader business trends and challenges. Maybe you led your high school investment club, which taught you the importance of financial analysis and strategic decision-making. Maybe you were amazed at the way businesses create value and navigate complex market forces.
- Connect to the school. Explain why you specifically want to study business at Georgetown. You can talk about courses, faculty, and opportunities that appeal to you. Maybe you’re especially drawn to the Global Business Experience, which partners students with executives from multinational organizations to address complex business challenges.
- Mention your goals. Describe your vision for your future in business and explain how Georgetown will help you achieve your goals. For example: “My goal is to work in the field of sustainable finance, focusing on investments that create both financial and social value. Georgetown’s curriculum that combines liberal arts core and business core courses will provide me with the knowledge, skills, and network I need to make a positive impact on the world.”
- Reinforce your commitment. Summarize your primary motivations for studying at the MSB and reiterate your commitment to ethical and impactful business leadership. Say how Georgetown can give you a strong foundation to become a responsible and impactful business leader who is committed to creating a more sustainable and equitable global economy.
| Supplemental Essay Example |
| I was eleven when I sold my first product: my dad’s old tennis racket. It was collecting dust in the garage, and after watching one too many videos about “flipping” used items online, I decided to give it a shot.
I cleaned it up, took a few pictures, and posted it on a local resale app. It sold the next day for $25. I remember staring at the notification, heart pounding because I had just created value out of something forgotten, and someone actually wanted to buy it. That small win sparked something bigger. Over the next year, I started reselling everything from vintage jerseys to used electronics. I wasn’t making a fortune, but I became obsessed with figuring out what people needed, communicating value, and building trust through customer service. But the more I learned, the more I realized business is about far more than buying and selling. It’s about understanding systems, solving problems, and making decisions that affect real people. That realization deepened during my internship at a local startup accelerator. I worked alongside social entrepreneurs who wanted to make a profit while also trying to make a difference. From building water filtration systems for rural communities to creating eco-friendly packaging solutions, these founders showed me that business can be a force for good when driven by purpose. That’s why I’m drawn to the McDonough School of Business: Georgetown’s approach of integrating global awareness, ethical leadership, and analytical rigor in its curriculum matches my belief that business education should prepare students to lead both successfully and responsibly. I’m excited to take courses like “STRT 230 Ethical Values of Business,” which explore how companies navigate real-world dilemmas where financial outcomes and human impact intersect. I’m also very interested in the Global Business Experience, where students consult for international organizations and apply classroom learning to solve real problems across industries and borders. Outside the classroom, I also hope to engage with Business for Impact, collaborating on initiatives that leverage business to address social and environmental challenges. From supporting local health equity efforts to working with companies to improve sustainability practices, I’m excited by the opportunity to apply business knowledge to serve communities in need. This aligns with the Jesuit value of “men and women for others,” reminding me that businesses should never lose sight of the people they impact. I also hope to practice “magis” not by filling my schedule with activities for the sake of being busy, but by asking how I can use my talents for the greatest possible good. I want to challenge myself to lead with both head and heart, balancing profit with purpose. I believe I can do this through case competitions, consulting projects, or student-led ventures with StartupHoyas. In the end, my goal is to build not only businesses but also better systems that create value. In dollars, yes, but most importantly in dignity, opportunity, and long-term impact. At McDonough, I know I’ll be challenged to do that. |
Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Georgetown Supplemental Essays
At best, your essays should show your intellectual curiosity, ability to reflect, and potential contributions to the community. But while you’re outlining or writing your responses, here are some mistakes you should avoid:
1. Lacking specificity
Vague statements without concrete examples don’t reveal anything about you. It weakens your writing since your claims will lack credibility and shows you haven’t researched much about your program or Georgetown.
For example, only saying “I am passionate about helping others” doesn’t give admissions officers an idea of your true personality, values, and potential contributions. Being a person for others is important in Georgetown, but you need more proof of how you’re like that.
This can be a better way of showing you’re passionate about helping others: “I volunteered at the local soup kitchen where I once also helped a veteran find resources for housing.” It gives evidence for your claims and also shows what you value doing in your spare time.
2. Lacking authenticity
Admissions officers read countless essays and can usually spot insincerity. Some signs of this are forced language, exaggerated claims, or attempts to portray a certain persona that you won’t be able to maintain in your other essays. Not being authentic also stops the reader from connecting with you.
Let’s say you’re interested in finance. You might try to impress the admissions team with something like this: “I have always been passionate about finance, and I dream of becoming a Wall Street tycoon.” Does this really reflect your true interests?
Georgetown emphasizes ethical leadership and personal integrity, and being inauthentic contradicts these values. Be genuine about your passions and experiences. For example:
- “While I’m drawn to the analytical side of finance, what truly excites me is its potential to drive meaningful change. I’m especially interested in how businesses can use financial tools to tackle social and environmental challenges. From impact investing to sustainable finance, I want to explore how capital can be a force for good—helping companies grow while making a real difference in the world.”
It shows that you’re interested in finance, but you also mention what aspect of it you’re particularly drawn to. You also support that interest with your aspirations, which also aligns with Georgetown’s values.
3. Poor writing
Submitting an essay with grammatical errors, typos, or poor sentence structure can also negatively affect your credibility. That’s because it shows a lack of attention and can signal that you might have rushed your writing.
Go over your essays multiple times. Revise them as many times as needed to end up with something you can be proud of. A college essay expert can make the process easier by pointing out specific aspects of your responses that you can still improve on.
4. Ignoring reflection
Georgetown wants to see your ability to learn from your experiences. Just describing events without reflecting might give the impression that you don’t have the capacity for learning and development.
Just saying “I volunteered at a hospital” doesn’t show much about you. Did you volunteer because you really wanted to? Did you learn anything from the experience? Try this instead:
- “Volunteering at our local clinic completely shifted my perspective on healthcare. I once saw it as purely clinical, but after spending time with patients—listening to their stories, holding their hands during difficult moments, and celebrating small victories—I realized how much compassion matters. This experience showed me that even the smallest gestures can bring comfort and dignity to someone in need. This experience solidified my commitment to patient-centered care and deepened my passion for making a difference in healthcare.”
This shows that you’re an active learner who can find meaning in experiences and apply it to future endeavors. It also shows self-awareness.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Georgetown have supplemental essays?
Yes, Georgetown has supplemental essays. Your last essay will depend on the program you’re applying to.
2. How many supplemental essays does Georgetown have?
Georgetown requires three supplemental essays: one short essay and two longer essays.
3. How important are Georgetown supplemental essays?
Georgetown supplemental essays are very important since they show your personality, values, and fit with Georgetown’s Jesuit traditions. They also show how you connect to your specific program.
Takeaways
Georgetown supplemental essays give admissions officers a deeper understanding of who you are beyond academics.
- Georgetown requires three supplemental essays, one short and two longer responses. One of the longer essays will depend on the school you’re applying to.
- Some mistakes to avoid when writing Georgetown supplemental essays are lacking specificity and authenticity, having poor writing, and ignoring reflection.
- Your Georgetown essays should be powerful demonstrations of how you are a person for others. A private consultant can help you tailor your essays (and application in general) to show how you embody this value.
