Georgetown University Admissions Guide

Overview

Georgetown University's first-year admissions process is evaluated separately from its transfer process, with its own applicant pool, review committee, and timeline. Most highly selective schools admit first-year applicants at a meaningfully different rate than transfers, so the numbers above should not be assumed to mirror the transfer figures below.

Applicants generally apply through Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision depending on the school's specific offerings, and should weigh the tradeoffs of each round carefully, since binding Early Decision plans and non-binding Early Action or Restrictive Early Action plans have different implications for financial aid and other applications.

What Georgetown Looks For

• A rigorous high school course load, including the most advanced classes available (AP, IB, honors, or dual enrollment)
• Strong, consistent grades throughout high school, particularly in junior and senior year
• Meaningful extracurricular involvement, leadership, or personal responsibilities that show depth rather than a long list of shallow activities
• Thoughtful, authentic essays that reveal genuine voice and self-reflection
• Strong letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors who know the applicant well

Requirements & Deadlines

• Common Application, Coalition Application, or the school's own first-year application, submitted by the relevant deadline above
• Official high school transcript and school profile
• Letters of recommendation from a counselor and one or more teachers
• Standardized testing policy varies by school and by year — confirm current SAT/ACT requirements before applying
• Decisions released according to the applicant's chosen round (Early Decision/Action vs. Regular Decision)

First-year acceptance rates and deadlines shift from cycle to cycle and can differ meaningfully from the transfer figures below. Confirm current numbers, deadlines, and testing policy on Georgetown University's official admissions website before applying.

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Overview

Georgetown's transfer acceptance rate has swung meaningfully from cycle to cycle, generally ranging from roughly 3% to 15%, out of applicant pools that typically run between 1,900 and 2,600 students annually across the university's six undergraduate schools.

Georgetown uses its own transfer application rather than the Common App, with a primary deadline of March 1. The university's main transfer intake is for fall entry, though in some recent cycles it has also considered a smaller cohort of applicants for spring admission. Decisions are released on June 1, with admitted students given until June 15 to reply.

What Georgetown Looks For

• A cumulative college GPA of B+ (roughly 3.3) or higher, though competitive applicants often present GPAs closer to 3.7 or above
• Coursework aligned with the requirements of the specific undergraduate school applied to — the College of Arts & Sciences, McDonough School of Business, and others each expect different preparation
• A completed one full-time semester (at least 12 transferable credits), but no more than four full-time semesters, of college coursework
• A clear, well-argued case for why Georgetown's specific programs and Jesuit educational approach fit the applicant's goals
• Strong evaluations from a current college dean and professor, ideally one tied to the applicant's intended major

Requirements & Deadlines

• Georgetown's own Transfer Application and Transfer Application Supplement, due March 1
• Official high school transcript and official transcripts from every college attended
• Dean's Report, Professor's Report, and Secondary School Report completed by relevant officials
• SAT or ACT scores, unless the applicant has been out of high school for five or more years
• Decisions released June 1, with a reply deadline of June 15

Georgetown's transfer acceptance rate has varied significantly across recent cycles, and spring transfer availability is not guaranteed every year. Applicants should confirm current rates and options on Georgetown's official admissions site before applying.