How to Get into the Georgetown MBA Program? A Complete Guide

Located in Washington DC, Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business has the unique natural advantage of being closed to industries as well as US policymakers. The B-school is well known for encouraging its students to have a global focus while practicing compassion, accountability, and self-control.

Georgetown McDonough lives by the Jesuit concept of Cura Personalis- “Care for the whole person”. The B-school wants its MBA grads to follow a leadership model that cares for a person’s mental, physical, and emotional growth. Naturally, the B-school campus thrives on collaboration and emphasizes helping each other.

The B-school wants its MBA grads not only to succeed in their respective careers but also to benefit society. McDonough MBA pass-outs are expected to make the world a better place.

McDonough School of Business Ranking

The latest Georgetown University MBA ranking from various reputed publications shows that the B-school has consistently maintained its standards and ranking among the top US B-Schools.

Georgetown McDonough MBA Program Types

McDonough School of Business offers three different types of MBA programs.

Full-time MBA

The 21-month traditional full-time MBA program is renowned for its academic rigors and emphasis on developing strong leadership principles. The program provides an immersive learning environment where students gain experience from hands-on consulting projects and leadership experiences. The program is ideal for those with 2-5 years of work experience who want to make a successful career in a global management framework.

Flex MBA

As the name suggests, flex MBA is an innovative part-time MBA program that provides greater flexibility in course delivery and duration of the degree. The Flex MBA duration can be 26-60 months, depending on the individual’s learning pace.

Executive MBA

The 20-month executive MBA program is specifically tailored for mid-to-senior level managers. Classes are organized on alternating weekends allowing students to maintain a better work-life balance. The course allows executives to pursue their MBA while working.

The average work experience in the incoming 2022 executive MBA class is 14 years. So, you can say that the course is suitable for experienced professionals.

While all the MBA courses are good and maintain the same quality in terms of course, we will mainly focus on the more popular full-time MBA course in our further discussions.

Georgetown MBA Acceptance Rate

As per the data provided on its official website, Georgetown McDonough received 1,537 applications in its Fall 2022 application cycle, out of which 249 applicants were selected. This brings the Georgetown MBA Acceptance Rate to 17.40 %, suggesting a moderately selective admission process. However, your chances of making it to the McDonough MBA program depend on various other factors. Check the Georgetown MBA class profile to get a clearer view.

Georgetown MBA Class Profile

Following is the Georgetown MBA class profile of the entering class of 2022. Study the data carefully to understand how your application might fare compared to an average Georgetown MBA student profile.

Georgetown University MBA Fees

Knowing how much the McDonough MBA Fees can cost you will help you arrange for finances accordingly. Below is a table showcasing the overall cost of pursuing a full-time MBA program at McDonough School of Business.

Disclaimer– The estimated costs mentioned above are taken from McDonough’s official website for the academic year 2022-23. Check with the B-school directly to get an idea of the cost involved based on the program you apply for.  The costs may vary every year as per the decision of the B-school’s management. However, you can expect about 2-4% yearly inflation on the overall costs. 

McDonough MBA Scholarships

While the MBA program certainly comes at a high cost, you don’t have to worry about funding your MBA if you get a scholarship at McDonough School of Business. The B-school offers a wide range of merit-based and gender-based scholarships to all its deserving candidates. Some important scholarships open to the US and international students are listed below.

Georgetown MBA Merit Scholarships

Georgetown University McDonough School of Business awards these scholarships to MBA applicants with exceptional personal, academic, and professional accomplishments. The scholarship will be awarded based on the application and the interview. The committee will look for people who can demonstrate a willingness for ethical leadership and have a strong application.

John F. Dealy Scholarship

The merit-based scholarship is awarded to students with experience and interest in working toward gender equality. The recipients should show their work toward supporting the cause of gender parity in the field of finance, consulting, and technology.

Applicants are required to submit one short essay of 250 words or less in the “Background Information” section of the application form on the following topic.

In this essay, you should write (in 250 words or less) about your contribution to the cause of gender equality. Make sure you tie this contribution to any of the abovementioned fields, such as consulting, technology, or finance. 

MBA Entrepreneurship Fellowship

The fellowship is provided to students who have demonstrated a strong entrepreneurial mindset, such as setting up a business, making innovative decisions in their current organizations, or taking an entrepreneurial journey in their career so far.

There are many other different types of scholarships available for international applicants at McDonough School of Business. You don’t need to apply separately for merit-based scholarships. All applicants are automatically considered for these scholarships.

Georgetown McDonough MBA Deadlines

The latest Georgetown MBA deadlines are as follows. All deadline dates end at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

Disclaimer: While the dates are retrieved from McDonough’s official website, applicants are advised to continue checking the website for any further updates. 

McDonough MBA Eligibility Criteria

You should have a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in the USA or an equivalent degree from any other country. The B-school doesn’t give preferences to any particular educational stream during the Georgetown MBA admission process.

Georgetown McDonough MBA Application Requirements

The Georgetown MBA application process consists of different components designed to evaluate every application holistically. This means your application needs to be good in all aspects. Besides, the admission committee also wants to know whether you would be able to undertake the rigors of the MBA program.

The process of selecting the right candidate is a lengthy one involving many stages, as discussed below.

1. Application Form

This is the first step in the Georgetown MBA application procedure. Create your application account in the B-schools admission portal to fill out your online application form.

2. Test Score Requirements

Submit a valid GMAT score. In some cases, a GMAT waiver might be allowed, but it is strongly recommended to submit a robust score anyway. A good GMAT score can help in distinguishing your application among numerous applications.

3. English Language Proficiency Test

International applicants from Non-English speaking countries are required to submit a valid TOEFL or IELTS score as proof of English language proficiency. The minimum acceptable score for

• TOEFL is 100 (internet-based), 250 (computer-based), or 600 (paper-based). 
• IELTS is 7.5. 

4. Transcripts

Upload all the unofficial transcripts for all the academic coursework you undertook. You can upload them directly into the online application. Your transcripts should include the following-

• Course names
• Name of the degree
• Date and place of conferring the degree
• Cumulative GPA
• The official grading scale of the institution/ university
• Certified translation of transcripts if the documents are in a Non-English language

5. Essays

You need to submit one mandatory essay of 300-350 words. You can choose from the essay options provided by the B-school. Additionally, you can choose to submit an optional essay of 300-350 words to add any information that is otherwise excluded from your application.

Tips to Write Good Essays

Georgetown MBA essays are an excellent opportunity to tell your story and make an impression on the admission committee. So, take your time to craft impactful essays by following certain tips.

(i) Keep it Real

Originality is still valued across industries, especially in MBA essays. Never curate your essay using online or offline sources. Instead, be authentic in your responses. Share your real-life anecdotes and experiences and how they helped you grow as a leader.

(ii) Have Clarity

Your goals (whether long-term or short-term) should reflect your clarity of thought. You should be able to clearly communicate the reasons behind your decision to pursue an MBA or how the MBA education would help you further your career.

(iii) Reveal Yourself

The Georgetown MBA admission committee always looks for interesting and unique personality traits. So, take this opportunity to highlight the positive aspects of your character that are otherwise unknown or hidden.

For instance, give a subtle hint about a fascinating part-time job you once pursued or refer to an exciting or rare book you read and lessons you learned.

6. Video Essay

Describe your hobby, passion, or something you like doing in your spare time in a 1-minute video essay. Record the video in a well-lit room using your phone or computer and upload it on YouTube or any other accessible site. Submit the direct URL of the uploaded video in your application.

Don’t include your name in the video title to protect your privacy.

7. Resume

Upload an updated resume outlining all your work experiences and professional accomplishments. State the nature of your work experience, such as internships, part-time, or full-time work experiences. Also, state the tenure, the company’s name, and the job title in the heading for each work experience.

8. Letter of Recommendation

Your McDonough MBA application must be accompanied by a professional letter of recommendation. The B-school strongly recommends your current supervisor as a potential recommender. Don’t send any additional recommendation letters.

Once you complete the “Recommendation” section of your application, your recommender will receive detailed instructions regarding submitting the recommendation online.

9. Application Fees

To apply, you’ll have to pay a $175 non-refundable application fee via credit card or online payments. Note that the application fee keeps changing each year. So check the Georgetown MBA website to know the current fees and whether you’re eligible for any application waiver.

10. Interview

This is the last stage of the application process. Once you submit your application, the admission committee will thoroughly evaluate it. If selected, you’ll get an invitation for the interview.

The invitation for the interview may arrive anytime until the decision release date.

Apart from a strong MBA curriculum, acclaimed faculty members, and a vibrant campus pulsating with international diversity, McDonough School of Business is also home to some world-class research centers like

• The Center for Financial Markets and Policy
• The Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy
• Senior Policy Fellows at the Center for Business & Public Policy

With a supportive, collaborative culture at its core, Georgetown University MBA programs constantly evolve and update as per international business demands. Moreover, a 2,00,000+ strong Global Georgetown Alumni Network helps current students network within the community and helps them find the right job.

Most importantly, Georgetown McDonough University MBA believes in creating true empathetic leaders rather than an assembly line of managers obsessed with bottom lines.

FAQs related to Georgetown University McDonough School of Business MBA

1. Is Georgetown MBA STEM designated?

The Full-time MBA and Flex MBA programs at Georgetown McDonough MBA offer a STEM-designated management science major to prepare students for an era of evolving business practices.

2. How many admission intakes do Georgetown University McDonough School of Business offer in a year?

McDonough School of Business offers only fall admission for its full-time & part-time flex MBA programs.

3. Does Georgetown accept a 3-year bachelor’s degree?

Applicants with a 3-year bachelor’s degree may be eligible for admission to the Georgetown University MBA. However, the Admissions Committee will review the applicant’s grades and course selection on a case-by-case basis to determine if they are adequately prepared for graduate study.

4. Is GMAT required for Georgetown MBA?

While a strong GMAT score can certainly improve your chances, it’s not the only criteria for the Georgetown MBA admission. The quality of your work experience, professional and academic achievements, essay responses, and interviews also play a crucial role in the selection of a student.

5. What GMAT score do I need for Georgetown University MBA?

Georgetown McDonough MBA requires full-time MBA applicants to submit an average GMAT score of 697.