What is Georgetown’s acceptance rate for the Class of 2029?
Georgetown admitted approximately 3,200 of 26,800 applicants for the Class of 2029, an overall rate of 12% (The Hoya, March 2025). Early Action admitted 11.11% (917 of 8,254) and Regular Decision admitted 12.31% (2,283 of 18,546). The Class of 2030 numbers are pending; Georgetown released EA decisions in December 2025 admitting 13% but has not yet released the full RD or final overall rate. Selectivity has steadily intensified – Georgetown’s acceptance rate fell from 15.68% for the Class of 2021 to 12% for the Class of 2029, a 3.7-point decline over eight cycles.
| Round | Applications | Admits | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action | 8,254 | 917 | 11.11% |
| Regular Decision | 18,546 | 2,283 | 12.31% |
| Overall Class of 2029 | 26,800 | ~3,200 | 12% |
For broader context, see our most competitive colleges in America overview.
How do Georgetown’s four undergraduate schools differ in admissions?
Georgetown is unusual in requiring applicants to apply directly to one of four undergraduate schools, each with its own admissions committee, supplemental essays, and admit rate. The school choice cannot be changed after admission – applicants admitted to one school cannot transfer to another internally without reapplying. For the Class of 2029 Early Action round, the school-specific admit rates were:
| Undergraduate School | EA Applications | EA Admits | EA Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Arts & Sciences | 4,396 | 480 | 10.92% |
| School of Foreign Service (SFS) | 1,525 | 177 | 11.61% |
| McDonough School of Business (MSB) | (not separately reported) | (not separately reported) | (not separately reported) |
| School of Health | 537 | 81 | 15.08% |
| School of Nursing | 194 | 32 | 16.49% |
For applicants weighing school choice, the College and SFS are the most competitive. Health and Nursing have higher admit rates but smaller applicant pools and require demonstrated commitment to the specific career pathway. Strategic positioning matters: applicants whose academic profile signals “future doctor” but who apply to the College rather than Health may appear less prepared for the College’s broader liberal arts mission, even if their grades and scores are strong.
Why does Georgetown’s Early Action not provide an admissions advantage?
Georgetown’s Early Action operates differently from the Restrictive Early Action programs at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, or Stanford. Georgetown’s REA is restrictive in one direction (applicants cannot apply Early Decision elsewhere) but not the other (applicants can apply Early Action to other schools, including non-binding programs at MIT, Caltech, Notre Dame). The university has explicitly stated that there is no statistical advantage to applying EA, and the Class of 2029 numbers confirm this: EA admitted 11.11%, while RD admitted 12.31%.
The strategic implication: applicants should not apply EA to Georgetown solely to improve their odds. Apply EA only if (1) Georgetown is genuinely a top choice and the applicant wants the early decision, (2) the academic file is finalized at a competitive level by November 1, and (3) the applicant is comfortable being deferred to RD if the EA outcome is not admission (deferred applicants are reviewed alongside the RD pool). Georgetown also notes that approximately 15% of deferred EA applicants are eventually admitted in the spring round. For ED strategy comparisons, see our Early Decision strategy guide.
What does Georgetown actually look for in applicants?
Georgetown’s Common Data Set lists rigor of secondary school record, application essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, and character/personal qualities as “very important” admission factors. Standardized test scores are listed as “important” rather than very important, reflecting Georgetown’s emphasis on the qualitative file. Roughly 85% of admitted Class of 2029 students placed in the top 10% of their high school class, and 78% of enrolled students submitted SAT scores while 30% submitted ACT scores.
Georgetown’s Jesuit identity matters more in admissions than at most peer institutions. The university is selecting for applicants whose extracurricular and academic profiles signal genuine engagement with social purpose, public service, ethics, or substantive academic inquiry – the “men and women for others” framing rooted in Jesuit education. Applicants whose profile is purely competitive achievement (national-level athletics, business plan competitions) without underlying engagement with ideas or service often appear less prepared for Georgetown than for peer institutions with different cultural orientations.
What GPA and course rigor does Georgetown expect?
Georgetown does not publish a strict GPA cutoff, but the practical reality is that competitive applicants hold a 3.95+ unweighted GPA at a strong high school, with at least 8-10 AP or IB Higher Level courses by senior year. The transcript narrative matters: admissions readers expect upward trajectory, deliberate course selection that signals intellectual focus appropriate for the chosen undergraduate school (e.g., SFS applicants typically take AP government, AP economics, AP world history, and at least three years of a foreign language), and clear evidence the applicant took the most rigorous program available to them.
For SFS applicants specifically, demonstrated foreign language proficiency is critical – Georgetown requires foreign language study in SFS, and applicants who completed only the high school minimum (two years) appear less prepared. McDonough Business applicants benefit from quantitative coursework rigor (AP Calculus, AP Statistics) and concrete business or finance engagement (DECA, FBLA, internships). For more on academic positioning, see our Academic Index calculator.
What test scores does Georgetown require?
Georgetown is test-optional through the current cycle (testing policy adoption across US colleges is tracked annually in the NACAC State of College Admission report). Applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores or apply without them. Most admitted students still submit scores: 78% of enrolled Class of 2029 students submitted SAT, 30% submitted ACT (some submit both). The mid-50% SAT range for admitted Class of 2029 students sits at approximately 1410-1540 with the top of the range higher for SFS and the College. Submitting strong scores (1500+ SAT, 33+ ACT) strengthens the file; submitting scores significantly below the 25th percentile typically does not help.
| Test | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | Submit If You Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Composite | 1410 | 1540 | 1450+ |
| SAT EBRW | 700 | 770 | 720+ |
| SAT Math | 710 | 790 | 730+ |
| ACT Composite | 32 | 35 | 33+ |
Important: Georgetown does not allow Score Choice on the SAT – applicants must submit all SAT scores ever taken. For testing strategy, see our which colleges require the SAT or ACT guide and our SAT vs ACT decision guide.
How does Georgetown’s application process differ from peer institutions?
Georgetown is one of only a few top-ranked U.S. universities that does not currently use the Common Application. Class of 2030 applicants (current 2025-26 cycle) must use Georgetown’s proprietary application portal, with separate supplemental essays and a different application structure. Beginning in Fall 2026 (Class of 2031), Georgetown will accept the Common Application alongside its own application. This transition has practical implications: Class of 2030 applicants cannot reuse the Common App essay and must complete Georgetown’s distinct supplemental short answers.
Georgetown also requires an alumni interview as part of the application – one of the few elite institutions where the interview is genuinely required rather than encouraged. Interviews are conducted by Georgetown alumni in the applicant’s region and are part of the holistic file the admissions committee reviews. Applicants who skip the interview (where it is offered) often appear less prepared. The interview is generally informational rather than evaluative, but the willingness to engage and the specificity of the applicant’s interest in Georgetown matter.
How Should Applicants Approach Georgetown Supplemental Essays?
Georgetown’s supplemental essays carry significant weight in admissions decisions because they differentiate among academically qualified applicants. Strategy varies meaningfully by prompt, word limit, and the specific qualities Georgetown looks for. For complete prompts, strategic approach for each prompt, common rejection patterns, and the timeline applicants should follow, see our deep-dive guide: Georgetown Supplemental Essays Strategy.
Does legacy or recruited athlete status matter at Georgetown?
Yes, both meaningfully. Georgetown has been the subject of public scrutiny over its legacy admissions preferences in recent years, and the university has acknowledged that legacy applicants – those whose parents earned a Georgetown degree – benefit from preferential review. The D.C. State Board of Education is currently considering legislation that would end legacy preference at private universities in the District. As of the current cycle, legacy preference remains part of Georgetown’s process and likely covers 8-10% of admitted classes.
Recruited athletes account for roughly 12-15% of Georgetown’s admitted class, with coaches signaling support to admissions during the pre-read process for applicants meeting the institutional academic threshold. For non-legacy, non-recruited applicants, the practical implication is that 20-25% of seats are pre-allocated through these institutional preferences, and the remaining 75-80% are decided through the conventional academic and extracurricular review.
What does Georgetown cost, and what financial aid is available?
For 2025-26, Georgetown’s tuition is approximately $69,392, and total cost of attendance (tuition, room, board, fees, books, personal expenses) is approximately $94,500. Georgetown commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted U.S. students, including domestic applicants from low-income backgrounds. International students are need-aware in admissions but receive full-need aid if admitted. Georgetown’s financial aid is need-based; the university does not offer merit-based scholarships for first-year applicants.
| Family Income | Typical Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under $75,000 | $0 parent contribution | Full-need grant package; no loans expected |
| $75,000-$150,000 | Sliding scale aid | Need-based grants typical for this band |
| $150,000-$250,000 | Variable | Aid possible with multiple students in college simultaneously |
| $250,000+ | Generally full pay | Aid rare absent unusual circumstances |
For families earning $200,000+ with significant assets, Georgetown typically expects full pay. Run Georgetown’s Net Price Calculator before applying to confirm the aid estimate. Georgetown does not require the CSS Profile but does require the FAFSA and a Georgetown Financial Aid form.
How does Georgetown compare to peer institutions for similar applicants?
For applicants choosing between Georgetown and Ivy League options, Georgetown’s distinctive value is its location in Washington, D.C., its Jesuit identity, and its specialized undergraduate schools (particularly the School of Foreign Service for international affairs and the McDonough School for business). Compared to Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, Georgetown has a higher acceptance rate (~12% vs ~4-5%) and a slightly different academic identity – more pre-professional, more policy-oriented, more directly connected to government and international institutions. Compared to Duke and Northwestern, Georgetown offers a smaller, more residential, and more traditional undergraduate experience.
For complete school comparisons, see our guides: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Duke, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Johns Hopkins, and UChicago.
What is the Georgetown application timeline for Class of 2030 and 2031 applicants?
For students applying in the 2025-26 cycle (Class of 2030), Georgetown still requires its proprietary application. Early Action applications are due November 1, with decisions released in mid-December. Regular Decision applications are due January 10, with decisions released in late March. Beginning Fall 2026 (Class of 2031), Georgetown will also accept the Common Application alongside its own application.
| Milestone | Early Action | Regular Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Application deadline | November 1 | January 10 |
| Financial aid forms due | November 15 | February 1 |
| Decision release | Mid-December | Late March |
| Reply deadline | May 1 | May 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgetown Admissions
Georgetown is in Washington, D.C., in the historic and affluent Georgetown neighborhood overlooking the Potomac River, with a traditional campus anchored by landmark buildings. Its location in the nation’s capital is a defining feature, giving students unmatched access to government, diplomacy, think tanks, internships, and politics. The combination of a classic campus and immersion in Washington shapes much of the Georgetown experience and its strengths.
Georgetown is a private Catholic, Jesuit research university renowned for international affairs through its School of Foreign Service, government and politics, law, business through the McDonough School, and the humanities. Its Washington location reinforces strength in public service and diplomacy. Among top universities it stands out for producing leaders in government, foreign service, and law, supported by deep connections to the policy and political world of the capital.
No; Georgetown is not part of the Ivy League, a specific Northeastern athletic conference. It is a private research university that is highly selective and prestigious, often grouped with elite national universities for its reputation and outcomes, especially in international affairs and law, but it holds no Ivy membership. Families should evaluate Georgetown on its distinctive strengths rather than on whether it carries an Ivy label.
No; Georgetown is unusual in that it does not superscore and asks applicants to submit scores from all sittings of the SAT or ACT, rather than only their best. It then reviews the full testing history. This differs from many peers that superscore or accept Score Choice, so Georgetown applicants should plan testing carefully and confirm the current requirements on its admissions site, since the policy affects how scores are presented.
Largely no; Georgetown primarily awards need-based financial aid and meets full demonstrated need, without broad merit scholarships of the kind some universities use to attract applicants. A few specialized or external awards may exist, but strong grades alone do not earn a tuition discount. Most aid is tied to financial circumstances, so families seeking support should focus on the need-based process rather than expecting merit money at Georgetown.
Georgetown enrolls roughly 7,000 to 7,500 undergraduates and around 20,000 students total including its large graduate, law, and medical programs. The undergraduate body is mid-sized, larger than a small college but smaller than major public flagships, supporting program breadth alongside a strong undergraduate focus and a connected community. Students who want a sizable university in the nation’s capital with abundant resources often find Georgetown’s scale appealing.
Georgetown’s Catholic and Jesuit heritage shapes campus life through a commitment to educating the whole person, service, ethics, and reflection, along with a theology requirement and active campus ministry serving many faiths. Students of all backgrounds and beliefs attend and are welcomed, and religious participation is not required. The Jesuit emphasis on service and intellectual inquiry influences the culture, so applicants should consider whether this values-driven environment fits them.
No; Georgetown requires its own separate application rather than the Common Application or Coalition Application, so students must complete a distinct process with its own essays and requirements. This is unusual among selective universities and means Georgetown applicants cannot simply add it to a Common App list. Applicants should budget extra time for the standalone application and confirm current requirements and deadlines on Georgetown’s admissions site.
About Oriel Admissions
Oriel Admissions is a Princeton-based college admissions consulting firm advising families nationwide on elite university admissions strategy. Our team includes former admissions officers from Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia. To discuss your family’s admissions strategy, schedule a consultation.
