Applying to Georgetown University: Everything You Need to Know

Founded in 1789, Georgetown University is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit institution of higher education in the United States. Situated just two miles northwest of the White House in Washington, D.C., it has long been recognized as a hub for political thought and global engagement. With a strong focus on government, international relations, and the social sciences, Georgetown has earned a reputation as a “politician’s paradise.” 

Georgetown University is also a member of the Patriot League, a prestigious athletic and academic conference that includes elite institutions such as MIT, West Point, and the United States Naval Academy. While not an Ivy League school, the university holds comparable academic prestige, especially in fields related to public policy, international service, and business.

Class of 2028 Profile

The Class of 2028 represents a highly selective cohort:

• Applications received: Over 26,000
• 12% received an admissions offer.
• Acceptance rate: 13%
• Average academic standing: Top 6% of high school class
• Gender breakdown: 57% female, 42% male, 1% other gender identity
• Geographic diversity: All 50 U.S. states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 82 countries
• First-generation college students: 12%
• Pell Grant-eligible students: 15% 
• International students: 8%

Race/Ethnicity (among domestic students reporting):

• Asian American: 26%
• Black: 9%
• Hispanic/Latine: 12%
• Native American: 1%
• Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 1%
• White: 63%
• Did not report: 9%

Academic Experience

• Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1
• Class environment: Encourages open discussion, personalized support, and faculty mentorship
• Fulbright U.S. Student Grantees: Over 560 Georgetown students have received this prestigious award

Application Process and Deadlines

Georgetown offers two admissions options: Early Action and Regular Decision.

Required materials for all applicants:

• Georgetown Application
• Secondary school report (with transcript)
• One teacher recommendation
• Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT)
• $75 non-refundable application fee

Important deadlines:

• Early Action Application: November 1
• Early Action Decision Notification: December 15
• Regular Decision Application: January 10
• Regular Decision Notification: April 1
• Enrollment Deadline: May 1

After submitting the Georgetown Application, applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview with a local alumni representative. Georgetown emphasizes personal engagement, and interviews offer students a chance to share their stories in a conversational format.

Tuition, Housing & Fees (2025–2026 Academic Year)

Tuition and Fees at Georgetown University

• Full-time tuition (per semester): $35,568
• Part-time tuition (per credit): $2,964
• Extra courses (per credit above 20 credits): $2,964
• English as a Foreign Language (EFL) tuition – full-time (per semester): $10,408
• English as a Foreign Language (EFL) tuition – per credit: $1,301

Housing (varies by residence hall):

• Range: $6,041 – $11,917 per semester

Meal Plans:

• All Access 7+ Plan (includes $500 Flex): $4,224/semester
• 14 Meals per Week Plan (includes $250 Flex): $3,576/semester
• 7 Meals per Week Plan (includes $250 Flex): $1,914/semester

Other contingent fees include registration, non-payment, and service charges.

Opportunities in Washington, D.C.

Georgetown’s location gives students direct access to career-launching opportunities in politics, business, the arts, and social innovation.

• Internships: Many students intern during the academic year at Capitol Hill, nonprofits, think tanks, and multinational firms.
• The CALL Program: A semester-long immersive program that allows students to live downtown, take classes, and intern full-time.
• Georgetown Venture Lab: Aspiring entrepreneurs can develop and launch ventures with support from mentors and alumni.
• Beeck Center for Social Impact & Innovation: Students collaborate on data-driven solutions to social challenges alongside leading policymakers and researchers.
• Events and Speakers: Georgetown regularly hosts global leaders, from cabinet members and diplomats to filmmakers and industry pioneers.

Research and Internship Opportunities at Georgetown University

Georgetown University offers a wide range of research and internship opportunities designed to give students real-world experience and prepare them for meaningful careers across disciplines. From on-campus fellowships to partnerships with national institutions in Washington, DC, students are encouraged to apply their academic knowledge in practical settings and develop the skills needed for future success.

On-Campus Research Programs 

Department of Performing Arts Summer Creative Research Awards
These awards support undergraduate students pursuing interdisciplinary research or professional development in the arts. Funding may cover living expenses, travel, and other project-related costs. While preference is given to majors in American Musical Culture and Theater and Performance Studies, the program is open to all Georgetown students.

Royden B. Davis Fellowship
This fellowship offers summer support ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 for independent research or experiential learning projects. Awards are based on the project’s scope, duration, and budget.

Mortara Undergraduate Research Fellows
In collaboration with the School of Foreign Service, this program pairs select first-year students with faculty on long-term research projects in international relations and global affairs.

Figge Fellows
This fellowship supports students interested in theological reflection on contemporary social issues. It is open to students of all religious backgrounds and academic disciplines.

Education and Social Justice Project
Students selected for this program receive summer fellowships to conduct international research, often in partnership with Jesuit institutions. Projects focus on education access, equity, and innovation.

CyberCorps Scholarship for Service Program
Funded by the National Science Foundation, this program provides scholarships to students pursuing degrees in cybersecurity in exchange for government service following graduation.

Tocqueville Forum Student Fellows
This selective program engages students in the study of American democracy and Western political thought through seminars, readings, and research projects.

Beeck Center’s GU Impacts Fellowship
This eight-month program includes a summer placement with public or social-sector organizations, giving students the chance to work on innovative projects that address real-world challenges.

John Carroll Summer Internship Program (Saint-Omer, France)
Through the French Department, students can intern abroad in France while living with host families and gaining cross-cultural work experience.

gui2de Student Experiences
Students in economics or international development can participate in internships supporting research in locations such as East Africa and India.

Global Business Experience (GBE)
Offered through the McDonough School of Business and the School of Foreign Service, this program enables students to consult with international companies and travel abroad as part of an immersive business course.

Center for Social Justice Alternative Breaks Program (ABP)
This student-led program organizes spring break trips focused on social justice issues in the U.S. and abroad.

100 Projects for Peace
Georgetown undergraduates can apply for funding to implement grassroots peace initiatives anywhere in the world. Selected projects receive $10,000 in support.

Green Commons Awards
These awards fund student proposals aimed at promoting environmental sustainability on campus.

Social Innovation and Public Service (SIPS) Fund
SIPS offers grants for public service projects both domestically and internationally. Funding is available to both current undergraduates and alumni.

BSFS Summer Awards
These grants provide financial assistance to students pursuing unpaid internships, thesis research, or other professional development experiences over the summer.

Security Studies Program Summer Research Grant
This grant supports students in the Security Studies Program who pursue internships, language immersion, or research domestically or abroad.

Global Health Research Abroad
Global Health majors spend a semester abroad in countries such as Ghana, Brazil, and India to complete independent research projects related to public health.

Biology Department Fellowships
Biology majors in their sophomore, junior, or senior year may apply for the Zukowski-Kolleng Fellowships, which offer research support and living stipends.

BSFS Circumnavigator Grant
This grant funds one student each year to conduct an around-the-world research project exploring a major international issue.

Center for Latin American Studies Research Grants
Students can apply for funding to support internships and research projects in Latin America.

Provost Undergraduate Research Presentation Awards (PURPAs)
These awards support students presenting original research at academic conferences or publishing in scholarly outlets.

Political Science Predoctoral Summer Institute
This fully funded program offers juniors and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to strengthen their research skills and prepare graduate school applications.

Diversity in Cancer Research Internship Program
This 10-week, full-time internship is open to undergraduates interested in STEM or biomedical research, particularly those from underrepresented groups.

U.S.-China Student-to-Student Dialogue
This program promotes cross-cultural exchange and dialogue on U.S.-China relations, including both virtual and in-person sessions.

Off-Campus Research and Internship Opportunities 

Georgetown’s location in Washington, DC provides access to some of the nation’s most influential institutions, allowing students to pursue internships in government, policy, science, the arts, and environmental research.

Government and Public Policy Internships:

• Woodrow Wilson Center
• Center for Legislative Archives
• Institute for Policy Studies
• American Enterprise Institute (AEI)
• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• President’s Council of Economic Advisers
• USDA – Economic Research Service
• Maryland Governor’s Internship Program

STEM and Science Internships:

• NASA, NIH, DOE, and NOAA undergraduate research programs
• Sigma Xi Research Grants
• Mayo Clinic SURF Program
• NIST Summer Fellowships
• Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP)
• U.S. Energy Information Administration
• American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Environmental Internships:

• Mohonk Preserve Summer Research
• National Park Service Internship Programs
• Apacheria Fellowship
• Piedmont Environmental Council
• Hubbard Brook Research Experience

Education and Museum Opportunities:

• Smithsonian Institution
• National Museum of the U.S. Navy
• The Prosecution Project (applied research on political violence)

Georgetown University offers a rigorous and enriching undergraduate experience grounded in academic excellence and real-world application. Its small class sizes, deep alumni network, and dynamic setting in Washington, D.C. make it a top choice for students seeking both a strong liberal arts foundation.

At Ivy Talent, we help families understand every step of the college admissions process. If you’re considering applying to Georgetown, we’re here to provide expert guidance and personalized support to help your child stand out.