How to Write the Georgetown University Supplemental Essays

Feel free to have fun with this question while being descriptive and genuine. Do you have a special hobby you’ve been pursuing for years? A quirky skill not many people know about? Why is it meaningful to you? Try not to stick to the obvious, like a dazzling debate club accomplishment you would write about on the first line of your activities list. Instead, be creative and take the opportunity to be introspective. Your special talent or skill doesn’t have to be large and flashy—just something special that admissions officers wouldn’t learn about from other parts of your application. Make sure to address the significance of this talent as well, such as how it relates to you as a person, or your relationship to your family, friends, and community.

Think back to the Activities List you’ve filled out for the Common Application, and carefully consider your time commitment and passion for each of those activities. Which one were you most involved in? How was your role or involvement impactful? What leadership responsibilities did you have? How have you grown through the activity and what lessons did you learn?

For the admissions officers, your involvement in activities in high school translates to the roles and responsibilities you might take on in college. They want students who will actively shape Georgetown’s culture and purposefully impact the community. Make sure to address how you hope to continue this activity with the resources available to you at Georgetown. Lastly, think about the particular skills you gained through this activity as well as how you have applied these skills to other aspects of your life. This essay is also a great opportunity to write about how the Georgetown experience will help you take those skills to the next level!

Although this question asks a somewhat broad question, remember to be as specific as possible. Avoid the clichés. Do not repeat your resume or list of extracurricular activities. This question is similar in purpose to the Personal Statement required for the Common Application: what values will you bring to Georgetown University? Bearing this in mind, choose a clear theme and be coherent in your message. Instead of telling the reader, show the reader your best characteristics. This essay should detail your thought processes, actions you’ve taken based on your curiosity, and goals you hope to achieve in the future as a means of showcasing your character and personality. During this process, remember to demonstrate maturity in thinking and avoid sounding negative.

Make sure to address the traits or mindset you possess that will allow you to thrive in the Georgetown community and beyond, and remember that this essay should ideally relate to the unique experience you will gain at Georgetown. Think about the Jesuit and Catholic values of “restless inquiry” emphasized by the school, and why you would be a good fit based on your character and personal achievements!

Abstractly, you’ll want to speak to write about why Georgetown’s educational philosophy speaks to you. You might choose to write about Restless Inquiry and your curious nature. You might be drawn to Georgetown’s Jesuit foundation or traditions, such as people for others, and write about using your degree to make a positive difference in the world. You’ll want to tie this research into your answer to what it means to be educated. It’s okay to be direct here – you might begin your essay by writing; ‘To be educated means to…’

Next, you’ll want to segway into a concrete plan to achieve this educated ideal. This is the supplement in which you should directly discuss your intended plan of study and how you plan to involve yourself in the Georgetown community. If you know what you want to study, you can write about why you want to pursue your major. Are there specific classes you look forward to taking or professors you want to learn from? If you aren’t sure what you want to major in, worry not! You can write about why you think Georgetown is the school where you want to figure it out! What attracts you to their academic options? Are there a few different areas you are interested in exploring? You should also address opportunities outside of the classroom. Is there a research laboratory or institution that you can see yourself becoming involved in? Community-wise, is there a student life organization that you look forward to joining?

Here, the question asks about the “factors that have influenced your interest.” Be sure not to solely focus on abstract education values or future plans—instead, give concrete examples of moments, opportunities, or people in your life that have guided you in your decision to pursue your intended major.

This question is similar to the one posed above: what factors have influenced you to commit to the Walsh School of Foreign Service? How will your pursuit of education help you to create positive change in your local, national, or international community? Write about the major you intend to pursue, and the direct impact you hope to have on specific systems or populations. Think about any gaps in your local or larger community you wish to address with your education and determination. Give detailed examples that can testify to your critical thinking skills, ability to apply what you’ve studied, and awareness of current affairs.

Provide a thorough explanation as to why you value this school’s pedagogy. Although analytical, financial, and global perspectives are important topics, make sure to think carefully about what an “ethical” perspective means to you. Recount your past experiences and describe your future endeavors with the foundation provided by the Mcdonough School in mind.