Georgetown McDonough continues to require two essays from all its applicants. Sharing the same structure as last year, the first required essay allows you to choose to answer one of three prompts. The program’s second required essay is a video essay. The admissions office also provides an optional essay, and reapplicants have a dedicated essay.
Don’t forget to take advantage of the opportunity to be granted an application fee waiver. You’ll find the details about how to do so in the Application Fee section of McDonough’s Applications Component page.
Ready to get to work on your McDonough application? Read on.
McDonough application essay tips
Required essay
Our goal at Georgetown McDonough is to craft a diverse class with people who have had varying personal and professional life experiences. As such, we want to give our applicants the opportunity to select one essay (from a list of three) that allows them the ability to best highlight their experiences, characteristics, and values that showcase the value proposition that they can bring to the McDonough community. Please select one of the following three essays to complete in 500 words (approximately two pages, double spaced) and include the essay prompt and your first/last name at the top of your submission.
Each prompt allows you to provide a different perspective on your candidacy. When deciding which option to respond to, consider which one resonates with you most and will allow you to showcase yourself best.
Essay Option One – Georgetown Community
Our mission is rooted in Jesuit principles of equality and respect for everyone and an ethos of caring for the whole person. Inclusivity and diversity are core to supporting a community of people with an intersectional understanding of themselves and the world around them. Share how your educational, familial, cultural, economic, social, and/or other individual life experiences will contribute to the diversity of perspectives and ideas at Georgetown University.
Community is a vital aspect of any MBA program experience, and Georgetown’s Jesuit values underscore the importance of contributing to its community. Throughout your life, you have had many experiences that have shaped who you are and are the basis for your unique perspectives and ideas. This essay provides an opportunity to consider your most impactful experiences, how they influenced you, and how you will add value to your community because of them. As the prompt suggests, the experiences you decide to discuss in this essay can be from any aspect of your life. Take this opportunity to share formative experiences and how you navigated them. How did these examples influence your values and outlook? Whether you overcame tough personal circumstances or enjoyed a rich cultural upbringing, your life experiences are unique to you. Once you have decided what experiences you will share in this essay, make sure to connect them to how your presence and contributions to the McDonough community will enrich your classmates’ time in the MBA program.
Essay Option Two – Cura Personalis
As the oldest Jesuit institution in the United States, cura personalis is a Latin phrase deeply ingrained within our community and translates to “care of the person.” It encompasses a profound sense of care and responsibility for one another, rooted in personalized attention to each individual’s needs, unique circumstances, gifts, and limitations, fostering the growth of each person. Please reflect on a specific instance where you exemplified cura personalis by supporting a teammate or coworker. Describe the particular actions you took to guide them, and explain the impact of these efforts. Additionally, discuss how you would leverage these experiences to contribute to the collaborative environment at Georgetown McDonough.
The strength of the Georgetown community can be found in its members’ sense of responsibility for one another. This essay asks you to focus on a teammate or coworker you have supported. Consider an example from your professional life when you demonstrated a sense of responsibility for another person and actively offered guidance. I suggest using the CAR method to convey the example, laying out the Context, Action, and Result.
Context: Begin by explaining the situation. Who was the teammate or coworker? What were the circumstances? What challenge did they face?
Action: Next, describe the action you took to support them. Begin with one of the key parts of the essay: Why were you compelled to help them? Why did you think you could make a difference? Describe how you navigated the situation and what steps you took to make a difference for this person.
Result: Finally, share the outcome. What was the impact of your actions? How did your support transform the expected outcome your teammate or coworker otherwise would have experienced? Show how your support not only changed the outcome but also empowered your teammate or coworker.
The final part of the essay prompt asks you to articulate how this experience, and your natural inclination to support others, will enrich and strengthen the McDonough community. Your unique perspective and commitment to responsibility will undoubtedly make a significant difference.
Essay Option Three – Achieving Excellence
Georgetown McDonough is committed to achieving greater excellence to enrich the legacies of our students and alumni. Please reflect on a professional experience from your resume where you achieved outstanding results. Describe why this experience exemplified excellence, highlight the strengths or skills you utilized that contributed to this achievement, and share how these qualities will help you leave a legacy at Georgetown.
This essay option allows you to showcase professional excellence from a personal perspective. You will share the experience referenced in the prompt and describe how you contributed to achieving outstanding results. Consider whether you want to highlight an example of a time when you worked with a team versus when you were an individual contributor. What does one experience communicate about you compared to the other? Make sure you share specifics about what you did. Consider what skills you could draw on and what strengths you leveraged to achieve the highlighted outcomes. Next, explain why you believe this example demonstrates excellence. You achieved a desired result; why were your actions meaningful or impactful? What motivated you to take the action you took? Did you consider any other options? How did you include other people in the process? How did you decide to pursue the direction that led to achieving excellence? As you bring your essay to a close, reflect on the personal growth and learning you gained from the experience. For instance, if your experience was in leading a community service project, you might have learned about the importance of empathy and understanding. What legacy do you want to leave at Georgetown? What example do you want to be remembered for by the Hoyas who follow?
Video Essay
We believe a vibrant community is built on diverse and unique individuals, and we want you to bring your whole self to Georgetown McDonough. We’ve learned about your professional and leadership qualities throughout the application, but now we want to know more about you beyond work. Whether it’s a new hobby, a fun adventure, or a simple pleasure, in one minute, share what has recently brought you joy outside of work.
- You may use your phone, computer, or other means to record the video, but please ensure all audio and visual components are clear. We recommend a well-lit room and minimal noise distraction.
- The admissions committee would like for you to appear in person during part of your video.
- Please adhere to the time guideline of one minute.
- We recommend unscripted, conversational videos – help us get to know the real you!
- Upload your video to an accessible website (such as YouTube, Vimeo, Youku, or Tudou), and submit the direct video URL into your online application.
- Please note that all videos must remain active and accessible to the admissions committee online for a minimum of five years for record retention purposes.
- For your privacy: Do not include your name in the title of your video. You may submit “unlisted” videos via YouTube or password protected videos through Vimeo. If using a password, please include immediately after your link in the text box below. [Ex: www.youtube.com/123, password: Hoyas]
The great thing about McDonough’s video essay is that you get to present yourself to the admissions committee. For some applicants, this might be intimidating. But with preparation and practice, you can confidently submit your video essay. This essay is an opportunity to share something about your life that has brought you joy. You needn’t worry about choosing the “right” example as long as you can describe how it has brought you joy.
When creating your video essay, remember that authenticity is key. Start by introducing yourself in a genuine and sincere manner, and don’t forget to smile! Even though you’re speaking to a camera, your smile will help you come across as warm and approachable. If it helps, imagine that you’re sharing your story with a friend. This will help you maintain a genuine and authentic tone throughout your video so the viewer can imagine you as a member of the McDonough community! Consider the following example:
“I work with a local youth group, and each summer, we take a group of inner-city kids on a white water rafting trip on the Youghiogheny River. I enjoy working with kids who are unsure of their ability to complete the journey. I enjoy coaching them and helping them realize they can learn how to work with the others in their group to maneuver the raft through the rapids. Last week, I was working with a teenage boy who seemed to separate himself from his group of classmates. I took notice and paid particular attention to ensure that he felt included. About halfway through the trip, we stopped for lunch along the river. This young man asked if he could talk to me and shared that he had spent the whole week before the trip thinking about how he was not going to be able to participate in rafting because he wasn’t very athletic. He told me I changed that for him by explaining how to position himself in the raft and lean into each stroke as we fought against the rapids. He hadn’t experienced anything like it and couldn’t wait to go again. Then he gave me a big hug. My heart ballooned, and I felt a profound happiness that a seemingly ordinary day made such a difference for this kid.”
Here are some practical tips to remember when recording your video:
- Prepare at least five and no more than ten facts to share in the 60 seconds.
- Write a few bullet points to help you recall the experience you will discuss.
- Do not read from a script. You want to come across as relaxed and conversational.
- Start the video by briefly introducing yourself – and remember to smile!
- Practice what you want to say in your video, record yourself, and then review the recording to make note of how you sound and appear. Make adjustments before recording your next practice video. Do this as many times as it takes for you to feel comfortable!
- Follow all the instructions that the admissions office outlined.
Optional Essay
Please provide any information you would like to add to your application that you have not otherwise included (300-350 words, approximately one page, double spaced).
Is there an experience, special circumstance, or other information you couldn’t convey in the other parts of your McDonough application? If so, the optional essay is the place to do so. Here are some topics to consider, along with our advice on how to address them:
- Do you have a gap in your employment, or are you currently unemployed?
Provide the details of the period of unemployment, including ways you were or have been engaged in your community or otherwise enhancing your skills or preparing for business school.
- Did your grades suffer during a period in college?
You might have had a difficult period during your undergraduate studies for many reasons. Perhaps you were a first-generation college student and didn’t have sufficient parental guidance, or you were ill during a semester. Whatever the reason, rest assured that the admissions committee took note of your academic anomaly when reviewing your transcripts. Use this space to explain the circumstances of the situation.
- Have you overcome difficult personal circumstances?
Often, situations we have overcome personally influence how we view the world and interact with others. Share information demonstrating your “grit” or your ability to succeed despite challenging circumstances.
- Have you been involved in supporting others who are less fortunate, with the goal of providing opportunities and the chance for a better life?
Georgetown University is committed to social justice and life-changing service. Your work in this area aligns with the Jesuit identity of the university and will resonate with the adcom.
One important thing to remember is that if the information you want to share is deeply personal, ensure that you provide enough detail to convey the situation without oversharing. Part of what the admissions committee will consider is your judgment regarding what you include in your essay.
If you feel you have thoroughly communicated your candidacy in other areas of the application, you needn’t feel compelled to provide an optional essay.
Reapplicant Essay
Required for reapplicants. How have you strengthened your candidacy since your last application? We are particularly interested in hearing about how you have grown professionally and personally (300-350 words, approximately one page, double spaced).
This essay is straightforward. Update the committee about how you have improved your candidacy since you last applied. In addition to having another year of work experience, what achievement(s) can you share? Did you work on any special projects? Learn new skills? What interesting things have you done outside of work that might affect your contributions to the community? How have your career goals evolved? If you retook a test and improved your score or took additional classes to prepare for the MBA, note that in this essay, even if there is another place to include the information in the application as a data point. The reapplicant essay should comprehensively summarize what you have done to strengthen your candidacy.
McDonough application deadlines
| Application Deadline | Decision Notification | |
| Early Action | September 9, 2024 | October 30, 2024 |
| Round 1 | October 1, 2024 | December 10, 2024 |
| Round 2 | January 6, 2025 | March 20, 2025 |
| Round 3 | April 2, 2025 | May 14, 2025 |
Source: Georgetown McDonough website
All complete applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on the deadline day.
***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with Georgetown McDonough directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***
McDonough class profile
Here is a look at McDonough’s full-time MBA entering class of 2023 (data taken from the McDonough website):
Applications received: 1,428
Enrolled: 258
Female: 31%
U.S. diversity: 42%
Underrepresented minorities: 19%
International: 59%
Countries represented: 40
Military: 11%
Average years of work experience: 5.5
Average age: 29
Average GPA: 3.34
Mid 80% GPA range: 2.72-3.84
Average GMAT: 695
Mid 80% GMAT range: 630-743
Average GRE: 318
Mid 80% GRE range: 305-328
Percentage taking GRE: 37%
Average EA: 153
Mid 80% EA range: 147-158
Undergrad fields of study
- Business: 25%
- Humanities: 19%
- Math/Physical Sciences: 15%
- Engineering: 14%
- Economics: 10%
- Government and international studies: 9%
Major industry backgrounds
- Financial services: 14%
- Consulting: 12%
- Technology and new media: 12%
- Government: 7%
- Manufacturing: 5%
- Consumer Product Goods: 3%
You’ve worked so hard to get to this point in your journey. Now that you’re ready for your next achievement, make sure you know how to present yourself to maximum advantage in your Georgetown McDonough application. In a hotly competitive season, you’ll want a member of Team Accepted in your corner, guiding you with expertise tailored specifically for you. Schedule a free consultation today!
As the former executive director of admissions at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School and assistant dean of admissions at Georgetown’s McDonough School and the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz School, Kelly Wilson has 23 years’ experience overseeing admissions committees and has reviewed more than 38,000 applications for the MBA and master’s programs in management of information systems, computational finance, business analytics, and product management. Want Kelly to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!
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