How To Get Into Georgetown

Hoya saxa! Georgetown University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States. The first federally chartered university, it boasts a 235-year history of excellence and is the alma mater of 2 US presidents (Lyndon B Johnson and Bill Clinton), 25 state governors, more than 450 members of Congress, and even international royalty. In short, if you have political ambitions, this might just be your dream school. Georgetown alumni also enjoy careers in finance, law, medicine, business, foreign service, and many other fields.

While a Georgetown education is highly desirable, and the school offers incredible opportunities for its students, it is highly selective. How selective? Well, not to spoil anything, but the average GPA for admitted undergraduate students is between a 4.01 and a 4.07… on a scale that’s traditionally capped at 4.0. This means that you must be an extremely strong student with high grades, great test scores, a good class history, a strong personal statement, great teacher recommendations, and extracurriculars that support your application. Georgetown values a holistic approach to education, and they carefully consider every element of the application. 

Georgetown Standardized Test Scores

One of the ways that Georgetown maintains its high standards is by requiring standardized test scores. This allows their admissions officers to see how students perform under pressure and apply their logical reasoning and problem-solving skills. While these requirements were dropped briefly, they are now a permanent part of the Georgetown application process.

For the SAT, Georgetown University considers the EBRW (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) and Math sections for the SAT, and they will consider the highest EBRW score and the highest Math score from multiple test administrations.

For the ACT, Georgetown only considers the English, Math, Reading, and Science sections. They do not use the new ACT super score reports, where your highest scores from all  your test attempts are totaled; in fact, they are not a score choice school at all. What that means is that their approach to standardized tests is a bit different than other colleges. They require the complete submission of your standardized test record, including all ACT, SAT, and SAT Subject test scores. This can work in your favor if you show consistent high scores… or consistent improvement! 

The average SAT score of a successful Georgetown applicant is 1480, with the 75th percentile SAT score at 1550. This means that a 1550 or higher puts you in the top 25% of Georgetown applicants from a testing perspective. The average ACT score is 33, and the 75th percentile score is 34. 

Georgetown does not have a minimum score for either test, but with a 13% acceptance rate, aspiring students need to score high on these exams! Fortunately, test-taking is a skill that anyone can learn– you just need to be strategic. Earning a high SAT or ACT score often starts with enrolling in a good test prep course. These courses provide expert guidance, proven strategies, and structured study plans tailored to your needs. Experienced instructors can help you identify weaknesses and turn them into strengths, offering personalized feedback and tips for tackling challenging question types. Test prep courses also provide access to valuable resources, such as practice questions, study materials, and full-length practice exams. By following a structured curriculum, you can streamline your preparation and focus on the strategies most likely to improve your score.

In addition to the support from test prep courses, practicing under realistic conditions is essential. Any prep course worth taking includes timed practice tests to simulate the pressure of test day, helping you develop stamina and a feel for the pacing of each section. These tests highlight areas where you can improve and provide an opportunity to apply strategies learned in class, such as process of elimination or prioritizing easier questions first. Combined with consistent study habits and targeted effort, test prep courses ensure a comprehensive approach to preparation, boosting your confidence and performance on test day.

Georgetown GPA

Incoming Georgetown students must have high GPAs. Georgetown doesn’t publish the average and doesn’t have a minimum GPA requirement, but the average GPA is estimated 4.01-4.07 on a weighted scale and 3.89 on an unweighted scale. To increase your chances of getting into Georgetown, focus on a rigorous high school curriculum that challenges you and demonstrates your academic readiness. Take advanced courses such as AP, IB, or honors classes in core subjects like English, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign languages. 

Georgetown values well-rounded applicants, so aim for strong performance across all disciplines while excelling in areas aligned with your interests, such as political science, history, or economics, which tie into Georgetown’s strengths in global affairs and public policy. A minimum of three to four years of a foreign language is highly recommended, especially because Georgetown has an emphasis on global engagement. 

Also, make sure to prioritize classes that develop critical thinking and writing skills, as these are essential for success in Georgetown’s rigorous academic environment. By pursuing a challenging course load and maintaining strong grades, you can demonstrate your ability to thrive at a competitive university like Georgetown.

Georgetown Extracurriculars

So what extracurricular activities are best for students who want to pursue Georgetown? First, your extracurriculars should be things that you’re interested in– but they should also be unique and reflect on you as a person. For a student aiming to get into Georgetown, extracurricular activities should reflect leadership, academic dedication, and a strong commitment to service, aligning with the university’s academic and social values. 

Long-term volunteer work is a great way to show your dedication to improving your community and addressing social justice issues, which are central to Georgetown’s mission. Whether you tutor underserved youth, organize local food drives, or participate in broader initiatives like Habitat for Humanity, sustained involvement in service projects demonstrates your alignment with the school’s values. 

Leadership roles in clubs or student government show that you can take initiative and inspire others. Positions like student council president, captain of a sports team, or founder of a club display your ability to lead and make an impact.

Activities that showcase global awareness and academic interests are also highly valued by Georgetown. Participation in Model United Nations, debate teams, or world affairs councils demonstrates a passion for understanding and engaging with global issues, which ties closely to the university’s strengths in international relations and public policy. 

Georgetown also appreciates creative pursuits, so involvement in performing arts, visual arts, or creative writing can highlight your individuality and versatility. Internships or unique personal projects, such as starting a community organization or hosting a podcast on topics like social justice or politics, can help you stand out even more.

Applying to Georgetown

So, you’ve got your GPA, your test scores, and your extracurricular activities. What else does Georgetown consider in their application? Georgetown takes a holistic approach to admissions, meaning they consider more than just GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities. In addition to basic information that the application gathers, you will have multiple opportunities to showcase why you should be considered for admission during the application process.

One critical element is your essays, where you have the opportunity to showcase your personality, values, and goals. Georgetown’s supplemental essays often ask about your interests and how you’ll contribute to the campus community, so it’s important to be authentic and specific about why Georgetown is the right fit for you. Admissions officers look for a genuine connection between your experiences and the university’s mission, so use these essays to highlight your commitment to service, leadership, or intellectual curiosity.

Another significant factor is your letters of recommendation, which are part of the school report and the teachers report. Georgetown requires recommendations from both a teacher and a school counselor or principal. These letters and reports should provide insight into your character, work ethic, and potential to succeed in a rigorous academic environment. Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your growth and achievements. While you might not have a choice for your guidance counselor or principal, you will have a choice of teacher! You can access these forms yourself for reference on the first year application page, so you can see exactly what your recommenders will be asked.

Georgetown also pays attention to your demonstrated interest in the university. While they don’t track interest through visits or contact, showing a deep understanding of Georgetown’s values and programs in your application can make a strong impression. A great place to express this is in your alumni interview. This conversation allows you to discuss your goals and enthusiasm for Georgetown while giving the interviewer a sense of who you are beyond your application.

It’s also important to know that Georgetown does not use the Common Application, and has their own application program and deadlines that are completely separate from anything on the Common Application. 

Date	Application Requirement
November 1	Deadline for Early Action applications
December 15	Announcement of Early Action results
January 10	Deadline for Regular Decision applications
February 1	Deadline for financial aid forms
April 1	Announcement of Regular Decision results
May 1	Reply date for all accepted first year students

Georgetown also allows performance and studio art students to submit supplemental materials showcasing their abilities. These are due the same day as the rest of the application.

Getting Into Georgetown

As you can see, getting into a highly selective school like Georgetown requires hard work– but it’s worth it for the education and opportunities the school offers! If Georgetown is your dream school, then you need to start thinking about admissions early and build a high school career that prepares you for the rigor of the university. 

You also need to start thinking about your standardized test scores. When you take an SAT or ACT course with Prep Expert, you get access to 99th percentile teachers who know these tests inside and out. With their help (and our score improvement guarantees), you’ll learn strategies for time management, problem-solving, and more, giving you the best chance at getting into Georgetown. Check out our SAT courses and ACT courses today and get ready to earn those high scores!