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How to Write Georgetown’s Personal or Creative Essay

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Alexander Oddo in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered: 

• What You Can Write About for Georgetown’s Personal Essay
• Do I Have to Write About Diversity?
• How Can I Write This as a Diversity Essay?

Georgetown’s final supplemental essay prompt, often referred to as their Diversity Essay, asks: 

As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you. (1 page, single-spaced)

Remember, this is only one of many essays required to submit a Georgetown application. Have questions about the other Georgetown essays? Read CollegeVine’s Guide to Georgetown’s Essays or these Examples of Great Georgetown Essays .

What You Can Write About for Georgetown’s Personal Essay 

This is an open-ended, personal essay prompt. As such, applicants should use this essay to describe who they are. Because Georgetown has a standalone application, this is a great place to reuse or repurpose parts of your Common App essay .  

If in your Common App essay you responded to prompts one, two, three, or five — which focus on personal traits, overcoming challenges, questioning beliefs, and accomplishments — it can likely be submitted without changes. There is no need to edit it to include keywords from the Georgetown essay prompt. 

Need help with your Common App essay? You can find CollegeVine’s post about how to write all of the Common Application essays . 

Do I Have to Write About Diversity? 

No. Georgetown is a diverse campus with many students from different backgrounds and perspectives. However, this is not a diversity essay. Getting tripped up by the first sentence of the prompt is a common mistake students make. Applicants should avoid feeling boxed in by the prompt, its main purpose is to further help the admissions committee better understand who you are, what you care about, and what you will bring to their community. 

How Can I Write This as a Diversity Essay? 

For some applicants, answering this prompt as a diversity essay may feel natural and make sense. In that case, consider what you are trying to convey to the reader. 

To do this, first think about what makes you stand out among other applicants. This could include hobbies, perspectives, experiences, languages, family, or personality traits. The topic of your essay does not have to be crazily unique. It just has to be something fundamental to who you are. 

As with all essays, showing is better than telling. Think about a story that exemplifies the aspect of yourself you want to highlight. Illustrate your experience to the reader through an anecdote, rather than just stating what is important to you. From there, discuss how this aspect of yourself shapes your outlook and actions. It must be important to who you are as a person, or you would not have chosen to write about it here. How does it influence your life now, and how would it continue to do so on their campus? 

For more tips and writing do’s and don’ts, check out CollegeVine’s post about how to write The Diversity College Essay . 

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3 Top Tips for Writing Exceptional Georgetown Essays

College Essays

With an acceptance rate of less than 12 percent , Georgetown is ranked as an extremely competitive school . If you want to be a part of the student body, you need to impress, and one of the best opportunities you have to do that is in your Georgetown essays.

Don't let the Georgetown essay prompts intimidate you. Though they may look complicated at first—and they do ask complex questions—some foresight and planning will help you write essays that are sure to impress.

This guide will walk you through the Georgetown essays, giving you a look into the expectations and thought process behind each of the essay prompts .

Feature Image: Patrickneil /Wikimedia Commons

What Should You Know About the Georgetown Essay Prompts?

Georgetown doesn't use the Common or Coalition Application . Instead, you'll be filling out an application tailored specifically to their desires, though it may cover most of the same information.

Because of that, you'll want to pay extra close attention to what you discuss in your essays. Your essays should be tied specifically to Georgetown rather than the more general approach of the Coalition or Common Application .

The Georgetown essays include one short essay of about a half-page, single-spaced, one longer one-page essay required of all students, and a second one-page essay specifically tied to one of Georgetown's four schools: Georgetown College, the School of Nursing and Health Studies, Walsh School of Foreign Service, and the McDonough School of Business.

Students in the arts—specifically music, dance, theater, and studio art—may submit additional portfolios as part of their application, but it isn't required.

What Are the Required Georgetown Essay Prompts?

Because Georgetown's application is only for Georgetown, you'll immediately notice that they're a lot more specific than the Common or Coalition prompts. You should keep that specificity in mind as you answer the questions, thinking not just about why you want to go to a good school, but why you want to attend Georgetown specifically .

How to Answer the Georgetown Short Essay Prompt

Discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved. (One half-page, single spaced.)

This question is pretty straightforward. Though you've no doubt discussed your extracurriculars throughout your application, this question asks you to think deeper about one of them . Ask yourself why you do those activities, and what they personally mean to you.

"Why," not "what," should be the question you're answering . Flesh out your mentions of extracurriculars in your application with discussions of why you do them and what you've learned. The activity you discuss should be significant to you—not something you do purely for fun or something you do because your parents make you.

As with the first question, don't inflate things to look more impressive. If you spent most of your summer watching TV, that might be relevant if you're an aspiring screenwriter, and you can mention it—but again, answer the question of why . Why did you choose the shows you did? What did you learn from them?

That said, watching TV isn't the best choice. You'd be better off discussing how you spent your summer working on an original short film or participating in a workshop for aspiring screenwriters—but no matter what your preferred activity, there is a way to discuss why it's significant to you and what you learned from it.

This prompt gives you space to discuss your interests, particularly the things that can't be represented by numbers as grades and test scores can. It gives Georgetown a clearer picture of you, which helps in their decision.

This is also a space to expand on participation. Maybe you never became captain of the swim team and you've been worried that the lack of leadership might count against you. In this essay, you can explain that though that was your goal, you didn't quite make it—but that you learned a lot anyway.

This essay really is about what's significant to you, so there are no wrong answers—it's your execution that matters . Avoid being too general, or focusing too much on picking the most impressive thing from your roster if that thing didn't actually matter to you. Be genuine with what's significant to you and your essay will be stronger for it.

How to Answer the Georgetown Essay Prompt for All Applicants

As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you. (One page, single-spaced.)

Notice how the emphasis on this question is on you. This is called a "Why You?" style essay — though the application is for Georgetown, the admissions office wants to know why you'll be a good fit for the college and what you in particular will bring to the student body .

What this means is that Georgetown doesn't want to hear about how they have the best program or the greatest campus. They want to know about you and what makes you unique .

When answering this question, think about what makes you a good fit for Georgetown's student body. Consider their mission statement , their origin as a Catholic and Jesuit college , and what that means today.

That doesn't mean that you need to identify yourself as Catholic if you aren't (please don't do that), but that you should consider the role that faith plays in Georgetown's approach to education . How does their mission statement connect to your own life and educational goals?

Demonstrating that you understand the school's mission and how you can contribute to it as a student is one of the most important parts of this question.

But "Why You?" is only part of the question . The specific mention of diversity is important, too. Its inclusion in the question means that it's important to Georgetown, and they want you to demonstrate that it's important to you, too.

Don't get too fixated on typical meanings of "diverse." We often use the word to refer to the variety of genders, sexualities, races, socio-economic statuses, and so on that exist in the world, but diversity of thought is worthwhile, too. Of course, you should write about your gender, sexuality, race, and so on if it's relevant to what you'll bring to campus—and it often is—but don't feel like it's all you have to offer.

Think about what your experience has taught you, and how those lessons will contribute to Georgetown's diverse student body. That can mean discussing overcoming socio-economic hardship, or it can mean relating how you and your seven brothers used to squabble until you realized working together got chores done faster. Everybody has a unique story to tell, and this is Georgetown offering you space to tell yours .

Georgetown invites you to get creative here, but if you want to take a more embellished approach than a traditional essay, be sure that that creativity comes through in your writing and language rather than in the events . Don't inflate things to look more interesting or diverse than you are—this is your chance to flesh out the grades and test scores with your personality, so be sure it's your personality that the admissions office sees.

How to Answer the Georgetown College Essay Prompt

Georgetown College is the largest undergraduate school at Georgetown University, and contains many of the school's arts and sciences programs.

What does it mean to you to be educated? How might Georgetown College help you achieve this aim? (Applicants to the Sciences and Mathematics or the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics should address their chosen course of study.) (One page, single-spaced.)

This question is asking about your personal relationship with education and learning. But more than that, it's asking you why you want to attend Georgetown, making it a "Why Us?" essay .

When answering this prompt, think about your goals and how Georgetown fits into them . They don't need to hear about how they're a good school and you've always wanted to attend a competitive college—they already know that, and most other students also want to attend a good school. Why Georgetown specifically, as opposed to all the other possible schools you could apply to?

This is a good place to demonstrate familiarity with their mission and curriculum. Are there particular classes or faculty driving your decision to attend? Mention them!

Think holistically here. How will attending Georgetown enrich your education and help you reach your career goals? Keep their mission statement in mind as you write—consider the ideas of diversity, service to humanity, and community and how those fit into your goals.

Again, avoid generalities. Your essay should have enough concrete connection to Georgetown that you couldn't easily swap another school's name in and still have it make sense. Of course, there will always be some overlap with other schools, but be sure that the true spirit of Georgetown comes through in your essay.

How to Answer the Georgetown School of Nursing & Health Studies Essay Prompt

Georgetown's School of Nursing and Health Studies is exactly what it sounds like. This is where you'll be applying if you're interested in any of the health care fields, which is reflected in the prompt.

Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. Please specifically address your intended major (Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, Human Science, or Nursing). (One page, single-spaced.)

This question isn't quite a clear-cut "Why Us?" or "Why You?" question, unlike the previous ones. Instead, it's asking "Why Health Care?"

Again, always keep in mind Georgetown's mission as a college: diversity, discussion, and the well-being of humanity. All of these things can factor into your essay in a meaningful way.

Think beyond health care being a reliable and well-paying field. Why do you want to care for people? Why the health field, specifically? Tying Georgetown's mission into this question is a great way to demonstrate your interest in the field, but also in the specific ways that this school teaches.

In this question, Georgetown wants you to demonstrate your interest in the field. If you're invested in health care, you're more likely to succeed in the program. The admissions office also wants to know what passion and interest you'll bring to the school, making you a student they want to invest in.

If you don't already know why you've chosen to pursue health care over other fields, now's the time to start thinking about it. Health care can often be thankless, difficult, and even frightening if you're working in emergency situations. What drives you to do it anyway?

Maybe you've struggled with illness yourself, and you want to commit to researching cures. Or maybe you're fascinated by the ways that disease impacts society, and you want to learn more about prevention and how to enact it on an individual basis. No matter what your career goal is, it's important that you can explain why you've chosen this field over all others.

However, be sure you can tie your interest to Georgetown specifically. Your essay will be even stronger if it explains not just what appeals to you about health care, but why Georgetown is the right college to help you achieve your goals.

How to Answer the Walsh School of Foreign Service Essay Prompt

If you're interested in international relations, Wash School of Foreign Service is likely where you'll be applying.

The Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders to solve global problems. What is motivating you to dedicate your undergraduate studies to a future in service to the world? (One page, single-spaced.)

This is a perfect example of a  "Why Us?" question. Of all the schools out there, and all the programs, what led you to apply to Georgetown's school of foreign service? 

The trick to this question is being specific. Sure, the Walsh School of Foreign Service has interesting classes, great professors, and a strong track record for job placements, but so do a lot of other schools out there. What does it offer that other schools can't? In your response, be sure to mention specific courses/internship opportunities/professors who will give you opportunities unique to Georgetown.

We give more advice on how to answer this question under the next prompt, which is also a Why Us question!

How to Answer the McDonough School of Business Essay Prompt

The McDonough School of Business is exactly what it sounds like. If you're attending Georgetown with an interest in business, you'll need to answer the following prompt:

The McDonough School of Business is a national and global leader in providing graduates with essential ethical, analytical, financial and global perspectives. Please discuss your motivations for studying business at Georgetown. (One page, single-spaced.)

Like the Walsh School of Foreign Service, the McDonough School of Business prompt is a classic "Why Us?" question , asking you to identify not just that Georgetown is a good school, but why it's the right school for you and your interests.

To answer this question, consider the university's ethos and curriculum. Look at their course offerings and consider those as well as whatever reasons you have for applying. Think specifically, not generally— beyond it being a well-respected university, what does Georgetown have to offer you that other well-respected universities do not?

Georgetown wants to hear that you're committed to their program specifically, so answer in specifics. Identify features of their program in particular, and be sure to answer the question of why those features draw you to Georgetown.

If you have a personal anecdote about Georgetown, such as a moment on a tour, a personal connection to the campus, or admiration for a particular alumni, this essay is a good place to discuss it. If not, it's always a good idea to use concrete specifics, such as classes and extracurriculars that appeal to you. Fold those into a discussion of Georgetown's mission and your own career goals to paint a complete picture of why this is the right school for you.

What Does a Successful Georgetown Essay Look Like?

Planning an essay can be difficult as you try to weigh what the school might want against everything you could possibly cover. Thankfully, there's at least one successful Georgetown essay out there you can read in its entirety :

"Listen, girl. He's over 60 and speaks no English. There is no way we would hire him." His tone was rude, but I sadly understood why my dad wasn't hired. I faced my hopeful dad and watched his smile drop as I told him that Dave just remembered that they hired someone yesterday and that they really couldn't afford to hire anyone else. My dad was disappointed, but nonetheless he graciously shook Dave's hand and thanked him for his time. Job searching is difficult for everyone, but in a world full of Daves, it's almost impossible. Daves are people who look at my family and immediately think less of us. They think illegal, poor and uneducated. Daves never allow my dad to pass the first round of job applications. Daves watch like hawks as my brother and I enter stores. Daves inconsiderately correct my mother's grammar. Because there are Daves in the world, I have become a protector for my family. I excuse their behavior as just being a "typical American." I convince my mother that they are only staring at her lovely new purse. I convince my dad they are only shouting about store sales to us. Aside from being a protector, I am also an advocate. As an advocate, I make sure my family is never taken advantage of. I am always looking out for scams and discrepancies. I am the one asking the questions when we buy or sell a car. I make sure all details are discussed and no specifics are left unanswered.

It's not hard to see why the writer was accepted to Georgetown. This essay clearly demonstrates her experience and understanding of the world. The last paragraph is a great example of how to turn that experience into something actionable—she wants to go into public service, politics, or diplomacy because of how she's helped her parents and the bigotry she's witnessed as she's done so.

We know from reading exactly what the writer will bring to Georgetown: an understanding of the world and the way it's treated her and her family. She demonstrates her understanding of diversity clearly, which answers the first prompt—it shows what makes her unique as well as what she'll contribute.

The essay shows her personal story and how that's influenced her lifelong plans. Because the admissions office understands where she comes from and the essay finishes with where she hopes to go—as well as covering some of the obstacles she's overcome—they have a complete picture of her as a student.

One area the essay could be improved is strengthening the connection to Georgetown specifically. This essay is quite strong—she did get into Georgetown with it—but spending a little more time reflecting on how her life experience connects to Georgetown's mission would give it a little extra oomph . As it is, this could be an application essay for pretty much any school. Drawing a clear connection from your experiences to the college you're applying to demonstrates a stronger degree of interest, making your essay stand out.

Key Points of Advice for Georgetown Essays

No matter which prompts you're answering, it's a good idea to follow general advice for your Georgetown essays, too. Though the application for Georgetown is unique to the school, it still follows most of the common rules of college applications, so be sure to read up on some common tips for college applications .

#1: Read Prompts Carefully

Don't just answer the surface-level question. You have quite a bit of space to answer each of these, so read each one carefully, understand the deeper questions it might be asking, such as "Why You?" and be sure to answer those as well. Brainstorming will be a huge help here, as you can get all of your ideas out and select the ones that support your point the best.

#2: Connect Your Story to Your School

When you're writing "Why Us?" essays, think about your story—the things that have made you who you are, your ambition, your goals—and add in how Georgetown is the next step on your journey. Think beyond that it has a good reputation or that lots of impressive people have graduated from there. Draw a clear line between you and Georgetown by tying your experience in with its curriculum and mission statement. This will demonstrate that you're not just reusing the same essay for a bunch of schools, and that Georgetown is your real goal.

#3: Edit and Revise

Editing and revision are your best friends when it comes to a polished Georgetown essay. Don't just fire off a draft and call it good. Spend some time planning, writing, editing, and revising , being sure to start early so you can let your drafts rest between readings.

Spending more time will take some of the stress out of writing and let you put in more effort to get it into shape. The longer you have, the more thought you can put into it, so start early!

What's Next?

Give yourself plenty of time to get your Georgetown essay done by staying on top of all the deadlines for your application .

What else do you need to get into your dream school aside from stellar essays? This guide has all the requirements to get into Georgetown .

Even if you're not going to Georgetown, you should understand the college application process from start to finish. This helpful guide will walk you through applying to college starting from your freshman year of high school!

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Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

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Command Education Guide

How to write the georgetown university essays, updated for 2024-2025, required prompt 1:.

Please elaborate on any special talents or skills you would like to highlight.

Explanation:

When responding to this prompt, it’s important you convey your unique qualities by selecting a skill or talent that genuinely sets you apart from others. As you brainstorm, reflect on your interests, achievements, or experiences—how do you spend your free time? What activities bring you joy? What aspects of your personality shine when you work as a part of a team? These questions could lead you to talents or skills that are central to who you are. You can write about an academic ability, a creative skill, a leadership accomplishment, or something else entirely. No answer is wrong as long as your writing is passionate and engaging! Finally, discuss how this skill or talent has contributed to your personal growth and development, explaining how it has shaped your character, perspectives, and goals.

One night at a campfire, I heard deep, rich tones reverberating through my ears; someone was playing an unfamiliar instrument. Intrigued by its distinct timbre, I followed the sound, searching for its origin. The sounds stemmed from a ukulele, and from that night, its captivating music inspired me to create tunes of my own. Since my very first strum, I fell in love with the way the strings on the sculpted wood sustained a perfect vibration and created a smooth pitch. Before I knew it, I was sounding out chord patterns to play my favorite John Mayer song.

The ukulele is the primary way through which I express my feelings; it allows me to communicate and connect with others. Quickly, it allowed me to discover that I have the power not only to create beautiful melodies but to bring people together while doing so. Through music, we let down our walls and find commonalities. Beyond the barriers of culture and language, music unites us. When my fingers find the rhythm, I witness transformations: an introvert becomes an extrovert, an elder finds youth, and a lost mind develops insight.

Since the campfire, this instrument has become a part of me. I’ve played it at Christmas, on road trips with my friends, and even keeping patients company at the hospital. Though I am just someone with a ukulele, I know that my talent is in fact much more: it brings joy to others, helps them find serenity, and creates community.

Required Prompt 2:

Briefly discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved. (approximately 1/2 page, single-spaced).

In order to tackle this prompt, you should reflect on your activities in light of your experiences, values, and personal growth. Perhaps the most important phrase in this prompt is “significance to you”—while the admissions committee wants to understand more about your extracurricular involvements, this question is also a vehicle for them to gain insights into your values. What you do outside of the classroom can go a long way in conveying what is important to you, and these activities also shed light on the type of community member you will be on Georgetown’s campus, as most of your time in college will be spent outside of the classroom.

You can choose to write about an extracurricular, volunteer work, a job, or any experience that has had a significant impact on your life and worldview. Discuss a particular anecdote or experience within the activity that was transformative for you. This could be a challenge you overcame, a lesson you learned, or a new perspective you obtained. Be sure to use active verbs, descriptive imagery, and engaging detail to make your response vivid and captivating.

“Join, join!” I distinctly remember a student saying to me in the hallway. She asked if I was interested in volunteering for the National Honor Society (NHS). At the time, NHS was foreign to me, but the passion in her eyes instantly ignited my curiosity. As the “new kid” at school, I hoped that joining would bring belonging and a sense of acceptance.

Quickly, I learned that NHS’s core values aligned perfectly with my own: the pillars of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character are essential to who I am both in and out of the classroom. I observed NHS members who organized events, planned fundraisers, and selflessly worked on behalf of the community. Aspiring to do the same, I joined their ranks; I wanted to be more than a volunteer.

Eventually, I became a member, and then President! Truthfully, over the last few years, NHS has become my second home. I love that it is an entirely student-led organization—while participation is voluntary, our passion for service is unyielding. In NHS, everyone is a leader; we each share an equal commitment to our community and yearn to see it flourish.

During my first semester as a member, I conducted a needs assessment for the organization and calculated that we were in need of money; shortly after, I led a team for a fundraising auction. It was the first time I was responsible for a large event from start to finish. In fact, due to the event’s success in raising over $10,000, it will become a yearly tradition. Through this experience, I learned to manage groups, navigate bureaucracy, and find a balance between expressing my opinions and listening to those of others.

Most importantly, I’m proud of our many accomplishments. For instance, we provided support for a socioeconomically disadvantaged elementary school: NHS has remodeled classrooms, built a new library, and installed water tanks. As President, I’ve personally overseen new tutoring programs, several supply drives, and a Covid-relief initiative.

My weekly visits to the school have been the highlight of my high school career. Through recognizing the experiences of others, I’m reminded daily of the power of education. I’m inspired by the students’ resilience, openness, and sense of hope. In all, as I continue my journey into college and the professional world, I’ll continue to live out the NHS values that define my character.

All Applicants: As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief personal or creative essay which you feel best describes you and reflects on your own background, identity, skills, and talents. (approximately 1 page, single-spaced).

With this essay, the Georgetown admissions committee is looking for maturity, self-reflection, and a distinct perspective. When responding to this essay prompt, pick a topic that involves a significant aspect of your identity, experiences, or values that you have actively engaged with or considered deeply. This can be a personal trait, a pivotal moment, a cultural connection, an intellectual curiosity, or anything else that defines you. Whatever you choose, you should demonstrate your intentional exploration of this facet of your identity and the ways in which you have grown as a result. For example, if you are from a military family, you could write about how you went from dreading your frequent moves to starting a club for other military kids to connect and build community as they adjust to new places. Conveying your active role in your own growth and development is critical to crafting a standout essay.

You should start with an attention-grabbing opening that introduces your chosen theme. This can be an anecdote, a vivid description, a quote, or a thought-provoking question to draw the reader in. Then, highlight any specific skills and talents you possess and explain how they contribute to your identity.

Since Georgetown does not use the Common App, feel free to repurpose your Common App personal statement to answer this question!

Question: What happens when you alter the hydration to make sourdough bread?

It always begins like this: a question pops into my mind, and I seek to answer it to a degree that might be considered obsessive. My curiosity can’t help itself, as making sourdough fuels my technical brain. Which microorganisms enable the fermentation process? What’s the best temperature to ferment it? In this specific case, how does the volume of water influence the end result of the sourdough?

I still remember my first experiment: when I was 7; I wanted to see how honey would affect the taste of a taco al pastor (it was a bad idea). Since then, I’ve experimented with everything from analyzing ant behavior to synthesizing capsaicin, but nothing compares to sourdough experimentation. Ever since that fateful day when it came out on the talavera plate (traditional Mexican plate), beautifully golden-brown, warm, and radiating an impeccable smell—I fell in love. I asked the chef: what is this? “Es pan de masa madre” he replied (it’s sourdough bread).

Hypothesis: By adding more water, the kneading process will be easier.

In previous attempts, my sourdough dough would always be compacted, proving difficult to knead. Adding water should certainly resolve this, right? I’ve always been encouraged to ask questions and seek their answers by gathering evidence. My father would always say “búsquele, joven” (search for it, young man). I treat knowledge like looking for light in a heavy fog: it might be difficult, but if you keep searching, you’ll eventually find it.

Thus, I decided to increase the water by 375 grams, doubling the normal amount. I begin mixing. The dough’s texture instantly became silkier, eventually taking on a pancake batter-like consistency. The white flour was now creamy brown, and the smell was far more potent than before.

Visions swirled in my head about how much better the sourdough would turn out; I get over-eager if the beginning of an experiment seems promising. Once in Robotics Club, I was over-confident in my Python Script: the robot was going to detect an obstacle with its sensors and turn automatically. Unfortunately, the robot slammed into a brick, and I had to go back to the drawing board. Results always speak for themselves.

I let it ferment for 8 hours (3 at room temperature, 5 in the fridge) and then baked it for 60 minutes at 250 degrees Celsius. I anxiously checked the dough, staring at it for what seemed like hours. I was hungry for the result, and as the smell floated throughout the house, my mouth salivated for what was promising to be an incredible sourdough loaf.

Results and Analysis

Unfortunately, it was one of the worst sourdough breads I’ve ever tasted.

It was nothing like the beautiful sourdough bread I first had on the talavera plate. But the beauty of science is always looking for justification. I searched for the answers, and this is what I found: the flour didn’t have enough protein to sustain the amount of water used in the experiment; therefore, the loaf lacked structure. The more time the sourdough was given to ferment, the better its consistency and flavor were (however, don’t leave it in the fridge for more than 3 days). When baking high-hydration dough, it’s best to use a stretching and folding technique to knead the bread.

A high protein flour, a stretch and fold kneading method, and a high fermentation time are the three aspects required to create the best 100% hydration sourdough bread.

Since this experiment, I’ve made hundreds of sourdough breads: from cinnamon rolls and babka to bolillos and pain au levain. It’s not only the exquisite taste that draws me to sourdough bread, but the methodology required to make it. It’s the kind of thinking I love: asking “what if,” “how,” and “why.” Always pondering questions, always searching for answers.

Applicants to the College of Arts & Sciences:

Founded in 1789, the Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences is committed to the Jesuit traditions of an integrated education and of productive research in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Describe your interest in studying at College of Arts & Sciences. Applicants interested in the sciences, mathematics, or languages are encouraged to make specific reference to their choice of major.

In this classic “why this school?” prompt, Georgetown is asking you to write about your reasons for pursuing your intended area of study and for studying this subject at Georgetown’s College of Arts and Sciences. As with all supplemental essays, the key to answering this question well is specificity. You should begin your writing with an anecdote that introduces your interest in your intended field of study. Maybe you learned something in a course or book, had a particular experience that sparked your initial interest in your field, or encountered something later on in your learning journey that deepened your understanding of your topic. No matter the anecdote, ensure that it conveys your passion for your intended field.

Next, provide specific reasons as to why you want to study what you want to study at Georgetown—is there a specific academic program you are keen to be a part of? Does the department have a particular pedagogy that matches your academic interests, needs, and goals? Are you interested in working with a particular professor or pursuing a research opportunity?

When approaching this essay, don’t forget to address the first part of the question, which mentions that Georgetown values both Jesuit pedagogy and research. To that end, make sure that you mention how the university’s Jesuit values will enrich your study in your field of interest.

“Why don’t sharks bite lawyers? Professional courtesy.”

I shot my dad a weary smile and turned my focus back to the landslide of papers and binders I had strewn across my desk before he could see me roll my eyes. Though he meant no harm by his cliché joke, I knew from my years spent on the Mock Trial and speech and debate circuits that, to many, their lawyer jokes held a grain of truth: excellent attorneys must be driven, analytical, strategic, and unyielding.

As I’ve grown as a debater and mock trial-er, I’ve taken pride in these traits—the thrill of puncturing an opponent’s argument, the exhilaration of finding a new angle that sways a judge’s opinion. However, I refuse to believe these qualities must be used for evil.

Like the ocean, the United States legal code is often murky, dense, and disorienting. As an intern for the ACLU and a volunteer for the Freedom Project, I was awash in stories of individuals and entire families struggling to navigate the complexities of our nation’s existing systems, caught in the nets of bureaucracy and stymied by the winding legal paths that stretched in front of them. It’s true that the legal system is difficult to navigate, and my primary aspiration is to use a keen eye and a deep understanding of law as a human rights lawyer, leveraging the sharpness intrinsic to the legal profession to clear paths forward and cut people free.

Georgetown shares my belief that compassion and drive are not mutually exclusive. Its identity as an intellectually rigorous university at the forefront of breakthroughs across disciplines is grounded in its Jesuit values—each advancement made at Georgetown is motivated by a firm commitment to service, envisioned with the betterment of society in mind. While taking advantage of programs that will propel me toward a dynamic legal career, like the Georgetown Law Early Assurance Program and assisting Professor Marc Howard in his Prisons and Justice initiative, I will simultaneously have access to myriad service opportunities and find strength to pursue this challenging work through a community that shares my values.

Applicants to the School of Nursing:

Georgetown University’s School of Nursing is committed to the formation of ethical, empathetic, and transformational nursing leaders. Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying Nursing at Georgetown University.

Unlike most ‘why this school?’ prompts, this question seeks to identify how the pedagogical values of the School of Nursing align with your own vocational goals. Beyond the traditional components of an academic skill set, the program seeks to inculcate specific values by training ethical, empathetic, and transformational leaders. In answering this question, demonstrate why those values are important to you and how you hope to develop or hone such qualities. As you describe your reasons for studying nursing, be sure to show (rather than tell) the admissions committee where your passion for the field originates. Perhaps a particularly impactful experience led you to realize that empathy is key to communication and care. Perhaps a teacher or mentor helped you to see that empathy is the foundation of healing . Whatever your reason(s), be sure to clearly articulate why you want to study the profession at a school that holds these particular values.

Applicants to the School of Health:

Georgetown University’s School of Health was founded to advance the health and well-being of people locally, nationally, and globally through innovative research, the delivery of interdisciplinary education, and transformative engagement of communities. Describe the factors that influenced your interest in studying health care at Georgetown University, specifically addressing your intended related major: Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, or Human Science.

Like most “why this school?” questions, this prompt is asking you to answer two different questions: why do you want to study what you want to study and why do you want to do it at Georgetown in particular? Be sure to explain why your educational goals align with the mission of the School of Health—note that the prompt specifically names innovation, interdisciplinarity, and community engagement as central to the school’s mission. You should therefore seek to tie your own interests and goals back to these core values.

Be specific in the discussion of your intended major: what aspects of the academic program interest you and why? Are there specific faculty, courses, or research pathways that you want to take advantage of? If so, be sure to explain how taking advantage of such opportunities will allow you to reach your vocational goals after graduation.

Applicants to the Walsh School of Foreign Service:

Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders with the foundational skills to address global issues. Describe your primary motivations for studying international affairs at Georgetown University and dedicating your undergraduate studies toward a future in global service.

This question is similar to those posed by Georgetown’s other schools: what factors have influenced you to commit to the Walsh School of Foreign Service? How will your pursuit of education help you to create positive change in your local, national, or international community? Write about the major you intend to pursue and the direct impact you hope to have on specific systems or populations. Think about any gaps in your local or larger community you wish to address with your education and determination. Finally, remember that the best way to show the admissions committee your values is by pointing to your past experience of putting them into action. As such, point to meaningful experiences in your high school career that have exposed you to issues and opportunities in your field before connecting these experiences to your goals and intentions as a student and community member in the Walsh School of Foreign Service. Give detailed examples that can testify to your critical thinking skills, ability to apply what you’ve studied, and awareness of current affairs.

Applicants to the McDonough School of Business:

Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business provides graduates with essential global, ethical, analytical, financial, and diverse perspectives on the economies of our nation and the world. Describe your primary motivations for studying business at Georgetown University.

Provide a thorough explanation as to why you value this school’s pedagogy. Although analytical, financial, and global perspectives are important topics, make sure to think carefully about what an “ethical” perspective means to you. Recount your past experiences and describe your future endeavors with the foundation provided by the Mcdonough School in mind.

Ultimately, the most important task in answering these prompts is to do your research! Look for the resources that are only available at Georgetown that draw you to apply to the school. Explore the school-specific programs, faculty, research, and study abroad programs that will strengthen your learning experience and enhance your academic enrichment. Think about ways you will be challenged in your area of study in Georgetown’s unique environment.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, university of chicago supplemental essays questions.

Hey everyone, so I’m applying for University of Chicago soon, and I’m kind of freaking out about their supplemental essays. Could someone please provide some guidance on how to approach them?

The University of Chicago is renowned for its intellectually rigorous core curriculum, the beauty of its Gothic campus, and, perhaps most notably, its quirky, intellectual essay prompts. Rightly so - the prompts can often seem daunting, but they’re also a unique chance to reveal your intellectual curiosity and love of learning.

Start with a close reading of each prompt: what are they really asking? A lot of prompts essentially ask "how do you think?" - they want to see your thought patterns and how you engage with complex ideas.

Next, choose a prompt that genuinely excites you. You don’t have to pick the most "intellectual" one or the one that you think will make you seem the smartest. Your passion will shine through if you pick a topic that genuinely intrigues you, and your enthusiasm is going to be far more convincing than any attempt to sound sophisticated.

The key to these quirky prompts is they want you to think creatively and critically. Do not hesitate to take risks (within reasonable bounds) on these essays—you're meant to think outside the box! Be analytical, be argumentative, see all the possible sides and nuances of the prompts. UChicago loves to see applicants who are not afraid to reflect on and challenge their own ideas.

One UChicago essay that stood out in the past was a student who used the "I am not a bot" checkbox prompt to write about the Turing test and the nature of artificial intelligence. The essay dove deep into A.I. philosophy, while also showing Minsky's insight into the conversation. It can help to think of demonstrating your interest in academics through these essays.

Lastly, be sure to revise, revise, revise. Your first draft will likely be rough, but that’s okay. The more you work on it, the more refined and articulate your argument will become. Good luck!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

ENGL 5312: Shakespeare, or, What You Will (Kaplan)

Literature liaison & reference librarian.

Finding Books

• HoyaSearch This link opens in a new window HoyaSearch is the GU Library's discovery layer and catalog. HoyaSearch data comes from Georgetown and WRLC Consortium holdings, many of the Georgetown databases, and a variety of other resources. You can find books, journal and newspaper articles, encyclopedias, images and media, and primary sources in HoyaSearch.
• Library Maps & Call Number Locations

Finding Scholarly Articles

Literature databases.

• MLA International Bibliography This link opens in a new window Provides access to worldwide scholarly research in literature (including drama), language, linguistics, folklore, film, radio, television, and theater, representing all national literatures. Does not include book reviews.
• ABELL (Annual Bibliography of English Language and Literature) This link opens in a new window ABELL is part of the Literature Online (LION) database and covers all aspects and periods of English-language literature, linguistics, folklore, drama, and cultural studies. Indexes literary criticism, book reviews, periodical articles, critical editions of literary works, collections of essays, and doctoral dissertations published worldwide. Includes material in languages other than English. ABELL is linked to 325+ full text journals in the LION database.
• World Shakespeare Bibliography Online This link opens in a new window Annotated entries for articles, book reviews, dissertations, theatrical productions, reviews of productions, audiovisual materials, electronic media, and other scholarly and popular materials related to Shakespeare. more... less... The scope is international, with coverage extending to more than 92 languages and representing every country in North America, South America, and Europe, and nearly every country in Asia, Africa, and Australasia." Also includes reviews of books, productions, films, and audio recordings. See the Johns Hopkins University Press guide to searching the World Shakespeare Bibliography Online at http://www.shakespeareans.org/pdfs/EWS_Online_Ref.pdf . Location: Includes and expands upon the annual issue of Shakespeare Quarterly entitled World Shakespeare Bibliography .

History Databases

• Historical Abstracts This link opens in a new window Primary index to materials for research in non-U.S./non-Canadian history, including social and cultural history. Includes abstracts (summaries) of journal articles. Covers world history from 1450 to the present.
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• URL: https://guides.library.georgetown.edu/english5312