Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Washington, District of Columbia
13.1% Acceptance Rate
Georgetown University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
13.1%Acceptance Rate
3.89Avg GPA
1494Avg SAT
33Avg ACT
$84,696Annual Cost
$103,494Grad Salary
10.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
13.1%
Avg GPA
3.89
Avg SAT
1494
Avg ACT
33
Selectivity
Extremely Competitive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1390–1550
ACT Middle 50%
32–34
Need-Based Aid
10.3% receive Pell
Georgetown University, established in 1789, is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the U.S. Located in Washington, D.C., Georgetown excels in international relations, law, and medicine. The university's Walsh School of Foreign Service is a pipeline to diplomatic careers. Georgetown's research addresses global challenges through institutes like the McCourt School of Public Policy.
The campus blends historic Healy Hall with modern facilities like the Hariri Building. Alumni include U.S. presidents and global leaders. Georgetown's emphasis on men and women for others shapes its service-oriented culture. Its D.C. location provides unmatched access to policy and internship opportunities.
Georgetown University Acceptance Rate
Georgetown University accepted just 13.1% of applicants last cycle, roughly 13 out of every 100 who applied, placing it among the most selective schools among colleges in District of Columbia.
What GU Admissions Looks For
- Curriculum Rigor: AP, IB, or Honors coursework is treated as a baseline, not a bonus.
- A Defined Strength: Leadership, original research, or a national-level achievement carries more weight than a long activity list.
- Essay Distinctiveness: Reviewers read thousands of similar transcripts. The essays are where genuinely different applicants stand out.
Selectivity at a Glance
Extremely Competitive
Selectivity scale: Extremely Competitive — 13.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Average scores just get you in the conversation here. What actually separates admits from the rest of a strong pool is the essays and recommendations.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.89 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.69 – 3.88
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.44
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Georgetown University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Georgetown University (Early Action — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 83 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
January 10
Decision by: April 1
Regular Decision
January 10
Decision by: April 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
GU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at GU is 3.89. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.59 and 3.89, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.09–4.29.GU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.89 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.69 – 3.88
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.49 – 3.68
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.48
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Georgetown's Jesuit identity is not incidental to the admissions process - the committee actively looks for evidence of a cura personalis ethos (care for the whole person), a commitment to service and ethics, and intellectual engagement beyond pure career ambition; applicants who engage seriously with this dimension of Georgetown's identity in their essays are meaningfully stronger candidates than those who treat it as a tagline.
- Georgetown's Early Action acceptance rate and its Regular Decision acceptance rate have historically been quite similar - unlike many peer institutions where EA provides a dramatic statistical boost - meaning the strategic advantage of EA comes primarily from demonstrating commitment and gaining a December decision, not from a numerically higher admit rate.
- Georgetown's location in Washington, D.C. is itself an academic resource: proximity to federal agencies, NGOs, think tanks, embassies, and international organizations gives Georgetown undergraduates access to internships, research, and professional networks that are genuinely unmatched at any campus-bound institution, and the strongest applicants reference this geographic advantage as a substantive academic reason for choosing Georgetown, not merely an exciting city feature.
- Georgetown is joining the Common Application beginning with the Class of 2031 admissions cycle - a major structural change after decades of using its own proprietary application system; applicants for current cycles must still use Georgetown's own two-step portal, but future applicants should verify the platform before beginning their application.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at GU
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Georgetown University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Georgetown University (GU) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at GU. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into GU Without SAT or ACT?
Test scores are mandatory at GU. Book your SAT/ACT dates early and plan on a retake if your score comes in under the averages below.
Georgetown University Average SAT Score: 1494
Admitted students at Georgetown University average a 1494 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1494 — Very Competitive
GU's SAT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1550 SAT or 34 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Georgetown University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1390? A retake is worth it at GU. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 735 | 690 | 780 |
| SAT Reading | 735 | 700 | 770 |
| SAT Composite | 1494 | 1390 | 1550 |
A score under 1390 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1550+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1500
Can I get into Georgetown University (GU) with a 1550 SAT?
At 1550, your SAT is squarely in GU's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Georgetown University (GU) ACT Requirements
GU's admitted students average an ACT of 33.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 33 — Very Competitive
GU's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 32 | 29 | 35 |
| ACT English | 35 | 34 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 33 | 32 | 34 |
Can I get into Georgetown University with a 34 ACT?
At 34, you're in the top quarter of GU's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, GU weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for GU
Elite Strategy: The 'Spike' Approach
To succeed at a world-class institution like GU, move beyond 'well-rounded' and show you're institutionally necessary, with a specific, undeniable strength rather than a broad set of decent ones.
Submit Scores and Maximize Your Full Testing Record - Georgetown Is Not Test-Optional
Georgetown is one of the very few remaining highly selective universities in the country that requires SAT or ACT scores from all applicants - there are no exceptions and no test-optional pathway. This single policy fundamentally changes your preparation strategy. Strong standardized test scores are a genuine differentiator at Georgetown in a way they are no longer at most peer institutions. Critically, Georgetown does not participate in Score Choice - you must submit your complete testing history, including every sitting. Consistent upward improvement across sittings can leave a positive impression, but erratic or declining scores will raise flags. Submit AP scores as well; Georgetown recommends them and strong AP results reinforce your academic transcript in the committee's eyes.
Master Four Essays, Including the School-Specific Supplement
Georgetown requires four essay responses: a special talents or skills essay (250 words), a "most meaningful activity" essay (roughly half a page), a personal or creative diversity essay, and a school-specific essay that changes based on which of Georgetown's four undergraduate schools you are applying to. The school-specific prompt is the one most applicants underinvest in - and it is the one the committee uses most directly to assess fit. Applicants to the College of Arts and Sciences must describe something that genuinely changed their thinking; SFS applicants must connect their goals to Georgetown's global leadership mission; MSB applicants must articulate their professional and ethical vision. Each requires deep, specific engagement with Georgetown's identity. Generic or recycled essays from other applications are transparently obvious to readers who evaluate Georgetown applications exclusively.
Prepare for the Required Alumni Interview With Purpose
Georgetown is one of the only elite universities still requiring alumni interviews for virtually all applicants - a meaningful distinction that most prospective students underestimate. Submitting the Georgetown Application immediately initiates the interview assignment process, conducted by local alumni between September and February. EA applicants are prioritized for October interviews, so submitting early gives you more preparation time. Treat this as a genuine two-way conversation: Georgetown explicitly encourages you to use the interview to learn about the school, not just to perform for the reader. Come prepared to discuss your essays in depth, reference specific programs, faculty, or Georgetown initiatives that align with your goals, and ask substantive questions. Interviewers who feel you have genuinely researched Georgetown - its Jesuit identity, its D.C. location, its research institutes - leave the conversation with a stronger impression of your fit.
Apply Early Action, but Understand the Unique EA Mechanics
Georgetown offers non-binding Early Action with a November 1 deadline and decisions by mid-December - but its EA mechanics are critically different from most peer institutions. EA applicants who are not admitted outright are deferred to the Regular Decision round rather than denied, and only about 15% of deferred students are ultimately admitted. Georgetown's EA is also restrictive, meaning you cannot simultaneously apply to binding Early Decision programs at other schools. If Georgetown is a genuine top choice, apply EA - the committee views early applicants favorably for their demonstrated seriousness of interest. Importantly, Georgetown does not formally track demonstrated interest metrics like campus visits or email contacts, but proactively mentioning in your essays why Georgetown specifically fits your goals is not the same thing as manufactured demonstrated interest, and it is actively rewarded.
Expert Insight: Applying to Georgetown without a clear, school-specific reason for choosing the School of Foreign Service, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown College, or the School of Nursing - and treating your school-specific supplemental essay as a brief formality - is one of the single most common reasons otherwise competitive applications are declined; Georgetown's committee reads these essays precisely to determine whether an applicant has chosen their school deliberately or is simply applying to the Georgetown name, and the difference is immediately apparent to experienced readers.
GU Profile
Full Name
Georgetown University (GU)
City
Washington
State
District of Columbia
ZIP Code
20057-0001
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a GU Degree Worth It?
Whether GU is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $82,200, and graduates see a 3.09% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from GU Cost?
Listed tuition runs $84,696/year at GU. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At GU, 10.3% receive a Pell Grant and 19.4% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming GU on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a GU Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, GU graduates report a median income of $103,494, about 155% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Georgetown University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1472 | 32 |
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | 1447 | 31 |
| Bates College | Lewiston, ME | 1446 | 32 |
| University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | 1463 | 34 |
| Boston University | Boston, MA | 1473 | 33 |
| Brandeis University | Waltham, MA | 1473 | 33 |
| Smith College | Northampton, MA | 1480 | 33 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Georgetown University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 1501 | 34 |
| Grinnell College | Grinnell, IA | 1486 | 33 |
| Colby College | Waterville, ME | 1500 | 33 |
| Amherst College | Amherst, MA | 1494 | 33 |
| Boston College | Chestnut Hill, MA | 1501 | 34 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Georgetown University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey Mudd College | Claremont, CA | 1537 | 35 |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | 1534 | 34 |
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 1554 | 35 |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | 1526 | 34 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | 1553 | 35 |
Degree Programs at GU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About GU Admissions
Graduates of Georgetown University earn a high median salary of $103,494/year, varying by field.
Tuition at Georgetown University runs high, at roughly $84,696+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
10.3% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Georgetown University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Georgetown University's acceptance rate is 13.1%, in the 10–20% band. Admission is very competitive and requires a strong academic profile.
The average GPA of admitted Georgetown University students is 3.89, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.59 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Georgetown University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.49 or below makes admission tougher at Georgetown University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Georgetown University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1494, and within the 1390–1550 range, keeps you competitive.
Georgetown University's deadline is November 1 (Early Action), with decisions out by December 15.
Georgetown University charges an application fee of 75; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before February 1, 2026. That's Georgetown University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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