About

See what students say:

Academics

This moderately sized elite academic establishment stays true to its Jesuit foundations by educating its students with the idea of “cura personalis,” or “care for the whole person.” The “well-informed” student body perpetuates upon itself, creating an atmosphere full of vibrant intellectual life, that is “also balanced with extracurricular learning and development.” “Georgetown is...a place where people work very, very hard without feeling like they are in direct competition,” says an international politics major. Located in Washington, D.C., there’s a noted School of Foreign Service here, and the access to internships is a huge perk for those in political or government programs. In addition, the proximity to the nation’s capital fetches “high-profile guest speakers,” with many of the most powerful people in global politics speaking regularly, as well as a large number of adjunct professors who, either are currently working in government, or have retired from high-level positions.

Georgetown offers a “great selection of very knowledgeable professors, split with a good proportion of those who are experienced in realms outside of academia (such as former government officials) and career academics,” though there are a few superstars who might be “somewhat less than totally collegial.” Professors tend to be “fantastic scholars and teachers” and are “generally available to students,” as well as often being “interested in getting to know you as a person (if you put forth the effort to talk to them and go to office hours).” Though Georgetown has a policy of grade deflation, meaning “A’s are hard to come by,” there are “a ton of interesting courses available,” and TAs are used only for optional discussion sessions and help with grading. The academics “can be challenging or they can be not so much (not that they are ever really easy, just easier)”; it all depends on the courses you choose and how much you actually do the work. The school administration is well-meaning and “usually willing to talk and compromise with students,” but the process of planning activities can be full of headaches and bureaucracy, and the administration itself “sometimes is overstretched or has trouble transmitting its message.” Nevertheless, “a motivated student can get done what he or she wants.”

Student Body

There are “a lot of wealthy students on campus,” and preppy-casual is the fashion de rigueur; this is “definitely not a ‘granola’ school,” but students from diverse backgrounds are typically welcomed by people wanting to learn about different experiences. Indeed, everyone here is well-traveled and well-educated, and there are “a ton of international students.” “You better have at least some interest in politics or you will feel out-of-place,” says a student. The school can also be “a bit cliquish, with athletes at the top,” but there are “plenty of groups for everybody to fit into and find their niche,” and “there is much crossover between groups.”

Campus Life

Students are “extremely well aware of the world around them,” from government to environment, social to economic, and “Georgetown is the only place where an argument over politics, history, or philosophy is preceded by a keg stand.” Hoyas like to have a good time on weekends, and parties at campus and off-campus apartments and townhouses “are generally open to all comers and tend to have a somewhat networking atmosphere; meeting people you don’t know is a constant theme.” With such a motivated group on such a high-energy campus, “people are always headed somewhere, it seems—to rehearsal, athletic practice, a guest speaker, [or] the gym.” Community service and political activism are particularly popular, as is basketball. Everything near Georgetown is in walking distance, including the world of D.C.’s museums, restaurants, and stores, and “grabbing or ordering late night food is a popular option.”

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Address
Admissions Office
37th and O Streets, N.W.
Washington, DC 20057-1002

Phone
202-687-3600


Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
White-Gravenor
Copley Hall
The Observatory
The Quadrangle
Healy Hall
Yates Field House,Uncommon Grounds

Most Popular Places Off Campus
US Capitol
Museums of the Smithsonian Institution
National Mall and Monuments
Library Of Congress
Arlington National Cemetery

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
Monday-Friday and Saturday
9am-5pm and 9am-1pm
202-687-3600

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Mon-Sat on a varied schedule
Average Length: 1 hour

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
No

Information Sessions
Available

Times
Weekdays and Saturday mornings

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Coach Directly

Advance Notice
Other

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available

Limitations
N/A

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Subways (the Rosslyn station on the Metro Blue Line is a half-hour walk) all travel to campus from the airport. If you fly to Dulles International Airport, you can take the Washington Flyer limousine to many downtown hotels and then reach campus by taxi. (Taxis all the way from Dulles to campus are very expensive.) Amtrak train service arrives at Union Station in Washington; from there, take a taxi or the Metro Red Line to DuPont Circle and transfer to the G-2 bus to campus (37th and O Sts. N.W.). Greyhound buses also serve Washington.

Driving Instructions to Campus
From the north, take I-95 S. and exit to I-495 W. (the Capital Beltway). Follow I-495 W. to the George Washington Memorial Pkwy. Follow the parkway toward Washington and exit onto Key Bridge. Cross the bridge, and turn right on M St.; then turn left on 33rd St., and left again on Prospect St. Prospect ends at the entrance to the university's parking lot #3. From the west, take the Pennsylvania Tpke. east to Exit 12 (Breezewood). Follow I-70 S. to Frederick where Rte. 270 S. begins. Proceed on 270 toward Washington. When 270 intersects with I-495 (Capital Beltway), keep right and follow I-495 toward Northern Virginia and the George Washington Memorial Pkwy. Follow the preceding directions from that point. From the south, take I-95 N. to I-395 N. Exit I-395 to Virginia Rte. 27 (Washington Boulevard) headed north and east. Watch carefully for signs to Rosslyn and the Key Bridge. Cross the Key Bridge and follow the above directions from the north.

Local Accommodations
A very popular, convenient place is the on-campus Georgetown University Guesthouse (3800 Reservoir Rd.; 202-687-3200). Nearby Georgetown Holiday Inn (2101 Wisconsin Ave. N.W.; 202-338-4600) has special rates for students and their families (though they're not always available). Our choice is the Georgetown Inn (1310 Wisconsin Ave. N.W.; 202-333-8900 or 800-424-2979). Within walking distance (6 blocks) of campus, this moderately expensive place has a special countrified charm. A glitzy alternative is the Marriott Key Bridge (1401 Lee Hwy., Arlington, VA; 703-524-6400). Moderate prices, a pool and health club, and views that overlook the Potomac are its finer points. Kalorama Guesthouse (1854 Mintwood Pl.; 202-667-6369) is an interesting possibility. Rates range from inexpensive to moderate. The atmosphere is personal, and it's but a Stone's throw to the Metro.

Admissions

Applicants: 22,872
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average HS GPA: 3.89






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