Georgetown Waitlist Acceptance Rate: Stats and Tips

For the Class of 2028, the Georgetown waitlist acceptance rate is just 8.1%. This means that the competition is high and the odds of getting off the waitlist are slim. Your application must stand out from the rest if you are serious about Georgetown.

But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! This blog explains the waitlist acceptance rates, helps you weigh the decision to stay or move on, and provides actionable tips to increase your chances of admission.

• What Is Georgetown’s Waitlist Acceptance Rate?
• Georgetown Waitlist Acceptance Rate vs Ivy League Schools
• What to Do If You’re Waitlisted by Georgetown
• Is It Worth Staying on Georgetown’s Waitlist?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Is Georgetown’s Waitlist Acceptance Rate?

Getting waitlisted at Georgetown can feel like sitting on the fence: you are not fully in, but you are not completely out either. The silver lining is that Georgetown does accept students off the waitlist every year.

Nevertheless, Georgetown’s waitlist acceptance rate is extremely unpredictable and usually quite low, making the process stressful for many applicants. To give you a clearer picture, let’s look at Georgetown’s waitlist numbers over the past decade:

Looking at the past decade, the average waitlist acceptance rate at Georgetown is about 6.1%. On average, the university waitlists around 2,472 students each year, with about 1,716 choosing to remain on the list. From those, only about 98 students per year were admitted.

Here are the highest and lowest points:

• The highest waitlist acceptance rate came with the Class of 2024, when 275 students got off the waitlist, giving an acceptance rate of 15.9%.
• The lowest waitlist acceptance rate was for the Class of 2022, when only 16 students were admitted, resulting in a rate of just 0.9%.

So, what does this mean for you? In simple terms, Georgetown’s waitlist is tough but not impossible. Some years, the university pulls in a relatively high number of students, while in other years, the chances are extremely slim. Much depends on how many admitted students decide not to enroll.

Therefore, your best strategy is to stay prepared, show continued interest, but keep solid backup options in place.

Georgetown yield rate 

Georgetown University has an unusually high yield rate, the percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll. For the Class of 2028, nearly 79% of admitted students—about 1,600 out of 3,200—decided to enroll.

That yield rate has stayed pretty steady in recent years, while the national average is much lower: only about 30% overall, 33% at private schools, and 25% at public ones. Clearly, Georgetown is in a different league.

So, why do so many students choose Georgetown? A lot comes down to the school’s reputation and strong programs that make it a dream choice for many. Plus, being right in Washington, D.C., means endless opportunities for internships, networking, and jump-starting careers.

And because so many admitted students accept their offers, there are very few open seats left to fill later, which makes the Georgetown waitlist acceptance rate extremely low. In short, Georgetown’s high yield leaves little room for the waitlist to move.

Georgetown Waitlist Acceptance Rate vs Ivy League Schools

Georgetown is often mentioned in the same breath as Ivy League schools and other top universities because of its prestige and competitiveness. While it is not part of the Ivy League, its admissions process is just as selective, and the waitlist is no exception. 

Since not all Ivies have released their Class of 2029 data yet, let’s break down the Class of 2028 numbers to see how Georgetown stacks up against them:

Looking at the Class of 2028 data, Georgetown’s waitlist acceptance rate of 8.1% stands out as one of the highest among top universities. Here are the key insights:

• Higher odds than Ivies. Georgetown admitted 163 students, giving applicants a better chance compared to schools like Dartmouth (1.3%) and Yale (4.1%).
• Above Cornell’s large pool. Even though Cornell admitted the most students from the waitlist (388), its acceptance rate (6.3%) was still lower than Georgetown’s 8.1%.
• More generous than UPenn and Princeton. Both Ivies admitted around 40–66 students each, with rates under 3%, far below Georgetown.

This suggests that, at least for the Class of 2028, students on Georgetown’s waitlist had relatively stronger odds of admission than those waitlisted at most Ivy League schools.

However, these numbers are not always consistent. In past cycles, Georgetown’s waitlist acceptance rate has dipped as low as 0.9%, showing how unpredictable the process can be. 

So, while the Class of 2028 data paints a more encouraging picture, future applicants should still keep backup plans in mind.

Is It Worth Staying on Georgetown’s Waitlist?

Staying on Georgetown’s waitlist can feel pretty unnerving. On one hand, the Class of 2028 numbers show an 8.1% acceptance rate, which is stronger than most Ivy League schools. That means some applicants do make it off the list, and if Georgetown is your dream school, keeping your spot could pay off.

But the other side of the story is important too. Georgetown’s waitlist acceptance rate has dipped as low as 0.9% in recent years, and the overall decade average is just 6.1%. In most cycles, the odds are slim and unpredictable, since it all depends on how many admitted students actually enroll.

So, is it worth it? The answer depends on you:

• If Georgetown is your clear top choice, it makes sense to stay on the list and submit updates to strengthen your case.
• If you value certainty and don’t want months of waiting, it might be better to commit fully to another school and move forward with confidence.

In a nutshell, staying on Georgetown’s waitlist keeps the door open, but it also keeps you in limbo. The decision comes down to whether you’re willing to carry that uncertainty for the small—yet real—chance of getting admitted.

What to Do If You’re Waitlisted by Georgetown University

Finding yourself on Georgetown’s waitlist can stir up mixed emotions—excitement that you are still in the running, but also stress because the outcome is uncertain. The truth is, the waitlist is not the end of the road; it is a second chance that only works if you use it wisely.  Below are the most important steps you must follow:

1. Accept your waitlist position immediately.

Your first and most crucial step is to formally accept your position on Georgetown’s waitlist through the official Waitlist Response Form. This form requires your Georgetown ID and Application ID numbers, which can be found on the second line below your name on the waitlist notification you received.

Without completing this step promptly, you cannot be considered for admission if spots become available.

The waitlist response process is time-sensitive because Georgetown may consider timeliness as an indicator of genuine interest. If you delay responding, you are risking being perceived as less committed to attending, which could impact your chances when the admissions committee reviews your application.

2. Submit a letter of continued interest (LOCI).

A well-crafted letter of continued interest serves as your opportunity to reaffirm your commitment to Georgetown while providing updates on recent achievements and explaining why the university remains your top choice. 

Here are a few things to remember:

• This letter should be approximately 500 to 650 words and addressed to your regional admissions representative.
• Include recent accomplishments, awards, or experiences that strengthen your candidacy, but avoid repeating information already in your original application. 
• The letter should convey genuine enthusiasm for Georgetown while maintaining a professional tone throughout.

Here’s how you can write one:

Dear Georgetown Admissions Committee,

Thank you for continuing to consider my application to Georgetown University. I remain deeply committed to attending Georgetown and would enthusiastically accept an offer if extended. 

Since submitting my application, I have continued to pursue both academic and personal growth, and I am pleased to share several recent updates that reflect my dedication and strong fit for Georgetown.

This semester, I have maintained high grades across all my AP classes, including AP Government and AP Spanish, and was honored as a National Merit Finalist for academic excellence.

Additionally, I won second place in the state Model United Nations conference, and my essay on international diplomacy was published in a student journal.

Beyond academics, I was elected President of my school’s Debate Society, where I organized a virtual town hall on civic engagement that drew over 300 participants across our community.

I also interned with the Washington Policy Institute, contributing research to a policy paper on youth civic participation, which is slated for publication later this year.

Georgetown stands out as my absolute first choice because of its commitment to educating future leaders in service, particularly through initiatives such as the Baker Center for Leadership & Governance and the unique opportunities at the School of Foreign Service.

If admitted, I would accept my place at Georgetown without hesitation and would be honored to join such an intellectually rigorous and vibrant campus community. Thank you once again for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,  

[Your Full Name]  

[Your Georgetown Application ID]  

[Your Email Address]

Georgetown gives multiple submission options for your LOCI. You can upload the letter through their admissions portal or email it directly to their regional admissions representative. 

3. Maintain strong academic performance.

Continue excelling academically during your final semester of high school, as Georgetown may request updated transcripts. The admissions committee values consistency and commitment, so maintaining or improving your grades is a reflection of your continued dedication to academic excellence.

4. Stay engaged but respectful.

While it’s important to demonstrate continued interest, avoid overwhelming the admissions office with excessive communications. Georgetown’s admissions staff appreciate respectful, meaningful contact rather than frequent check-ins that don’t add value to your application.

5.  Be patient.

Georgetown’s waitlist decisions usually follow this timeline:

• Late March/Early April. Waitlist notifications sent to students.
• April. Students accept waitlist positions and submit LOCIs.
• Early May. The admissions committee reviews waitlist candidates.
• Mid-May. Waitlist decisions communicated by May 15.

Some students may be placed on an extended waitlist beyond May 15 if Georgetown needs additional time to assess enrollment numbers. Extended waitlist candidates occasionally receive admission offers into the summer months, although this is rare.

6.  Have a solid backup plan ready.

Despite your best efforts, remember that Georgetown’s waitlist acceptance rates are historically low, with most years seeing fewer than 100 students admitted from waitlists having over 2,000 candidates. So, make sure you commit to another institution by May 1 and begin preparing for that college experience emotionally and practically.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Georgetown rank students on the waitlist?

Georgetown doesn’t rank students on the waitlist. Like many top schools, it reviews waitlisted applicants holistically. This means decisions are based on a student’s potential and how they fit into the incoming class, not on a numbered list.

2. How many students usually get off Georgetown’s waitlist?

Looking at the past several years, Georgetown admits an average of about 98 students from the waitlist. The numbers vary a lot: 275 students were admitted for the Class of 2024 and 149 for the Class of 2019, while only 16 got in for the Class of 2022 and 29 for the Class of 2025. Most recently, 163 students were admitted for the Class of 2028.

3. Can I increase my chances while on Georgetown’s waitlist?

Yes, you can. First, confirm your spot on the waitlist right away. Then send a thoughtful letter of continued interest (LOCI) with real updates, like new awards, higher grades, or activities that add to your profile. Georgetown values genuine interest, but they don’t want extra recommendation letters or constant emails.

Takeaways

• Georgetown’s waitlist acceptance rate is unpredictable, averaging about 6.1% over the past decade, with some years as high as 15.9% and others as low as 0.9%.
• For the Class of 2028, 163 students were admitted off the waitlist (8.1%), which was stronger than most Ivy League schools in that cycle.
• Waitlist decisions usually come out after May 1 and may extend into June or July, so be ready for months of uncertainty.
• If you stay on the waitlist, confirm your spot quickly and send one strong letter of continued interest (LOCI) with genuine updates.
• Always secure a place at another college by May 1 to avoid risk. While staying on Georgetown’s waitlist can work out, it’s still a long shot for most applicants.
• Want to boost your chances of standing out while waitlisted? An experienced admissions consultant can help. Check out our private consulting program.