mcdonough mba essays

Georgetown McDonough MBA Essays: Tips, Analysis, Frameworks for 2025 Admissions

By admitStreet Team

30 September 2024

Applying to Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business for the 2025 MBA program requires more than just showcasing your professional achievements.

The McDonough MBA essays are designed to help you reflect on personal experiences, demonstrate your values, and show how you will contribute to their community. Whether you’re writing about diversity, supporting others, or achieving excellence, your essay should align with Georgetown’s Jesuit mission of care, inclusion, and leadership.

In this article, we break down each essay prompt, offer tips, and provide a framework for crafting a winning response to help you stand out in the admissions process.

Personal Essay

Essay option one – georgetown community, essay option two – cura personalis, essay option three – achieving excellence, video essay, optional essay, final thoughts.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Prompt: “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.”

What the Admissions Committee Seeks

Georgetown McDonough is searching for candidates who not only recognize the importance of diversity but also understand how their personal experiences contribute to a richer, more inclusive environment.

The school values a community that brings together people from various walks of life who are eager to share their unique perspectives. If you have a story that highlights your cultural background, educational path, or any personal challenges, this is your chance to showcase how it has shaped you and will benefit the Georgetown community.

Framework to Write a Winning Essay

To write a compelling response:

Start with Self-Reflection: Take the time to think deeply about the experiences that have shaped who you are. These could be familial, cultural, economic, or any other personal factors that have contributed to your worldview. Reflect on the challenges and opportunities you’ve encountered and how they’ve influenced your perspective.
Focus on Specific Experiences: Instead of generalizing, dive into a couple of concrete experiences that have made an impact on you. Perhaps you’ve navigated a cross-cultural environment, overcome socio-economic challenges, or gained unique insights from your educational background. Highlight moments that had a transformative effect on you.
Connect to Georgetown: Once you’ve identified your key experiences, explain how they will allow you to contribute to Georgetown’s inclusive community. Emphasize the perspectives, ideas, and values you’ll bring to the table that align with the school’s mission of creating a diverse and supportive environment.
Look Forward: End by discussing how your time at Georgetown will not only benefit you but also enrich the experiences of others. How do you plan to engage with the community, share your insights, and learn from others in return?

Tips for Writing

Be Authentic: Don’t try to fit a mold—embrace your uniqueness and tell your story genuinely.
Highlight Growth: Show how your experiences have shaped your ability to empathize with and understand others from different backgrounds.
Be Specific: Use anecdotes and examples to make your essay more relatable and engaging.

Prompt: “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 concept of “cura personalis” reflects the Jesuit value of caring for the whole person.

Georgetown McDonough is looking for candidates who are not only collaborative but also show empathy and leadership by supporting others in their personal and professional growth. They want to see that you understand the importance of community and teamwork and that you can extend your skills and experience to help others succeed.

Here’s how to structure this essay:

Identify a Moment of Support: Think of a specific example from your professional or personal life where you made an effort to support someone—a coworker, teammate, or peer. This should be a situation where your intervention or guidance made a real impact.
Describe Your Actions in Detail: Explain the context of the situation, why the person needed support, and what steps you took. Highlight any challenges you faced in helping them and how you navigated these challenges with empathy and care.
Show the Impact: Detail how your actions positively influenced the person you helped. Did their performance improve? Did your relationship grow stronger? This is your chance to demonstrate the tangible results of your supportive leadership.
Relate it to Georgetown: After discussing this instance, reflect on how you would bring this supportive, empathetic leadership style to the collaborative environment at Georgetown. How will you contribute to the growth of your classmates and create a caring community?
Focus on contribution: Focus on how your actions would make a difference for the Georgetown McDonough community..
Highlight Leadership: Emphasize the leadership qualities you demonstrated, such as listening, mentoring, or guiding.
Make It Personal: Share how this experience changed you and shaped your approach to teamwork and leadership.

Prompt: “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.”

Georgetown McDonough looks for students who are not only high achievers but also have the potential to leave a lasting legacy. In this essay, they’re looking for examples of excellence from your professional life, where your skills and leadership directly contributed to exceptional results. This is your opportunity to highlight your key strengths and connect them to the larger Georgetown community.

To structure your response:

Choose a High-Impact Experience: Pick a moment from your professional career where your contributions were critical to a successful outcome. This could be a project you led, a challenge you overcame, or a significant achievement that stands out on your resume.
Explain Why It Exemplified Excellence: Don’t just describe what happened; explain why this moment represents excellence. Discuss the goals, the stakes, and how your efforts exceeded expectations.
Highlight Your Strengths: Break down the specific skills, qualities, or leadership abilities you used to achieve this success. Was it strategic thinking? Team leadership? Problem-solving? Be clear about what you brought to the table.
Link to Georgetown’s Legacy: Discuss how these strengths will help you contribute to the legacy of excellence at Georgetown. How do you plan to apply these skills to leave a lasting impact on the program, your classmates, and the alumni community?
Be Confident but Humble: Show your achievements without coming across as boastful. Focus on the team or broader goals as well.
Showcase Key Strengths: Use this essay to demonstrate your leadership, strategic thinking, or other core competencies.
Be Forward-Looking: Don’t just dwell on past accomplishments—discuss how you will continue to strive for excellence at Georgetown and beyond.
Provide Specific Examples : Use the STAR/CARL approach to offer concrete instances where you demonstrated your skills, ensuring your examples are detailed and clearly illustrate the impact you made.

Prompt: “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.”

What Georgetown McDonough MBA Admissions Committee Seeks

Georgetown McDonough values a well-rounded individual. In this video, they’re looking to understand your personality beyond your resume. They want to see what makes you tick, what brings you joy, and what kind of person you’ll be within their community.

The admissions committee seeks students who not only excel in their professional lives but also bring diversity of thought, experiences, and personal interests into the program. Through this video, they’re evaluating your fit within McDonough’s inclusive, vibrant, and collaborative culture.

The key is to highlight something that matters to you personally, showcasing your authenticity. The admissions committee isn’t expecting you to present a groundbreaking passion or complex hobby—they want to see a glimpse of who you are when the suit comes off. How do you balance life? What sparks joy in your day-to-day life?

Framework to Craft a Winning Video Essay

Start by reflecting on what truly brings you joy outside of work. This could be a hobby, a recent adventure, time spent with family or friends, or even a small but meaningful part of your routine, like a favorite book or evening run. Whatever it is, ensure it’s something that reflects your personality and values.

Next, plan the structure of your video. Since you only have one minute, think about pacing and clarity. A simple structure could include:

A brief introduction of the activity or interest.
Why this activity brings you joy.
How it helps you disconnect from the stresses of professional life or enhances your overall well-being.

For instance, if you’ve recently started painting, you could say, “I’ve always found joy in creativity, and painting has allowed me to channel my thoughts in a new, meaningful way.” Share the emotional or personal connection rather than just listing the activity.

When recording the video, make sure your surroundings are well-lit, your audio is clear, and there are no distractions. Being candid and conversational is key. Georgetown recommends unscripted videos, so rather than memorizing lines, speak from the heart. The goal is to give the admissions committee a glimpse of the real you.

Tips for Writing and Recording the Video Essay

Be authentic : Don’t overthink what will impress the admissions committee. Choose something that genuinely brings you joy—whether it’s hiking, reading sci-fi, or cooking with your family. Authenticity shines through.
Stay relaxed : The video doesn’t have to be perfect. You don’t need professional editing skills. What matters is the clarity of your message and the sincerity of your delivery.
Practice briefly : While Georgetown encourages unscripted videos, practicing once or twice can help ensure you’re comfortable with the content and timing. Keep it conversational, like you’re talking to a friend.
Focus on lighting and sound : Ensure the video quality is clear enough for your audience to see and hear you. Use natural light if possible and choose a quiet space for recording.
Showcase your personality : Let the admissions committee see your enthusiasm for whatever brings you joy. Smile, be energetic, and let your true self shine.

Prompt: “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).”

The optional essay is your chance to address any gaps or anomalies in your application that haven’t been covered elsewhere. The admissions committee uses this essay to gain more context about your background and story.

If there’s something you think might raise questions—like gaps in employment, low test scores, or a switch in career paths—this is the place to provide clarity.

Beyond addressing potential concerns, you can also use this essay to highlight an aspect of your candidacy that isn’t fully captured in your resume or other essays. Maybe you’ve undertaken a personal project or had a life experience that’s deeply shaped your perspective and motivation to pursue an MBA at Georgetown McDonough.

Framework to Craft a Winning Optional Essay

Start by identifying what additional information would strengthen your application. This could be explaining a job gap, lower-than-expected grades or test scores, a unique life circumstance, or even your choice of recommenders.

Structure your essay in three clear parts:

Introduction : Briefly state the issue or additional information you want to address.
Context : Provide the necessary background. For example, if you’re explaining a gap in employment, discuss why the gap occurred and what you learned from it.
Resolution : Explain how you’ve grown from this experience, how it has prepared you for an MBA, or how it shaped your goals. Ensure the essay ends on a positive note, emphasizing your readiness for the rigorous MBA program.

For example, if you’re addressing a low GMAT score, you could say, “While my test scores may not fully reflect my abilities, my work experience and academic record demonstrate my capability to succeed in the Georgetown MBA program.”

Tips for Writing the Optional Essay

Be concise and clear : This essay should be straightforward and focused on delivering a clear message. Avoid over-explaining or going off-topic.
Stay positive : While you’re addressing potential weaknesses, frame them as learning experiences that have contributed to your personal and professional growth.
Be honest : If there’s a gap in your resume or an academic challenge, be transparent about it. Admissions committees appreciate candor, especially when it’s followed by an explanation of how you’ve improved or what you’ve learned.
Avoid using this essay unnecessarily : If your application already provides a full picture of your qualifications, and there’s nothing else you need to address, it’s okay to skip this essay. Writing something just for the sake of filling the space can dilute your application’s overall impact.

Your Georgetown McDonough MBA essays are a powerful way to showcase your unique qualities and how you align with the program’s values.

Whether you write about the diversity of your experiences, your care for others, or your pursuit of excellence, your goal should be to reflect deeply and present an authentic version of yourself. Paired with a compelling video essay and optional statement, your application can effectively demonstrate your fit for McDonough’s collaborative and inclusive environment.

By following the tips and framework provided, you’ll be on your way to crafting a thoughtful, standout application.

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August 5, 2024

Georgetown McDonough MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2024-2025], Class Profile

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

Mcdonough application deadlines, mcdonough class profile, 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.

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Essay Option One – Georgetown Community

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

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

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.

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.***

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!

Related Resources:

Should I Use AI for My MBA (Grad/College) Applications?
How to Get into Georgetown McDonough’s MBA Program , podcast Episode 512
GMAT, GPA, and MBA Acceptance Rates: The Selectivity Index

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2024-2025 Georgetown McDonough MBA Essay Tips and Analysis

Admit expert.

September 12, 2024

The Georgetown McDonough School of Business, known for its commitment to Jesuit principles and emphasis on personal growth, diversity, and leadership, invites MBA applicants to reflect on key experiences and values in their application essays. The 2025 admission cycle offers applicants the chance to showcase their unique qualities through thoughtful reflection on the personal essay, video essay, and optional essay. Let’s break down what the admissions committee seeks in each essay prompt and how you can craft winning responses.

Personal Essay

The personal essay allows you to choose from three different prompts: Georgetown Community , Cura Personalis , or Achieving Excellence . Each of these prompts is designed to help the admissions committee understand how you align with Georgetown McDonough’s values.

Essay Option One – Georgetown Community

What the Admissions Committee Seeks:

Georgetown McDonough fosters a deeply inclusive and diverse environment, drawing inspiration from Jesuit values that emphasize equality and respect. The committee wants to see how your background—whether educational, familial, cultural, or economic—will add to the diversity of the student body. They’re looking for a candidate who can contribute to a rich, intersectional dialogue, bringing in perspectives and experiences that might challenge the status quo or offer fresh ideas. It’s about how your individuality will enrich the collective learning environment.

Tips for Writing:

Reflect on your uniqueness : Think about the experiences or aspects of your identity that are most formative to who you are today. Did you grow up in a multicultural environment? Did certain social or familial challenges shape your perspective on life? These are great starting points for your narrative.
Connect personal experiences to the Georgetown community : Be sure to make the link between your background and the value you’ll bring to Georgetown. Maybe your educational journey taught you resilience, or perhaps your economic background has given you an empathy for others in similar situations. Tie your experiences to how they will benefit the McDonough community.
Show intersectionality : If possible, highlight more than one dimension of your identity. For instance, if you grew up in a working-class immigrant family, explore both the cultural and economic challenges you faced. Show the admissions committee that you have a broad understanding of diversity.

Essay Option Two – Cura Personalis

The concept of cura personalis —or “care of the whole person”—is central to Georgetown McDonough’s mission. The admissions committee is looking for candidates who demonstrate empathy, personalized care for others, and a commitment to the well-being of those around them. This essay is your opportunity to show how you’ve supported a teammate, coworker, or peer in a meaningful way, and how you can bring that spirit of caring and collaboration to the Georgetown community.

Focus on a specific instance : The essay prompt asks you to reflect on a time when you exemplified cura personalis , so choose a situation where your support had a clear and positive impact on someone. It could be helping a colleague through a personal crisis, mentoring a junior team member, or even advocating for someone’s needs in the workplace.
Highlight your actions : The key here is to demonstrate what you did and how you did it. Detail the steps you took to support the person—whether through guidance, mentorship, or simply being a good listener. Be specific about your approach to solving the problem or offering care.
Discuss the broader impact : After detailing the situation, tie it back to the Georgetown MBA program. How will this experience shape your future leadership style? How do you plan to contribute to the McDonough community with these skills in collaboration, empathy, and guidance?

Essay Option Three – Achieving Excellence

In this prompt, Georgetown McDonough is asking you to reflect on a professional achievement that exemplifies excellence. The committee is seeking candidates who not only excel in their field but also bring skills and strengths that will help them thrive in the rigorous academic environment of Georgetown and leave a lasting legacy.

Choose a standout achievement : Look through your resume and select a professional experience where your contributions made a substantial impact. This could be a time when you led a high-stakes project, implemented a significant change, or achieved exceptional results against tough odds.
Showcase relevant strengths : It’s not just about what you achieved, but how you achieved it. Were you particularly innovative? Did you demonstrate strong leadership or analytical skills? Be sure to emphasize the strengths that Georgetown McDonough values, such as strategic thinking, leadership, and resilience.
Tie it to your future at Georgetown : Explain how this achievement has prepared you for the challenges of an MBA and how the qualities you demonstrated will help you contribute to the McDonough community. Consider discussing how you intend to leave a lasting impact on the school, perhaps through leadership in student clubs or by initiating meaningful projects.

Video Essay

The video essay is an opportunity for the admissions committee to get to know you on a more personal level. While your application essays and resume have given them insights into your professional life, the video essay allows you to showcase your personality and interests beyond work. Georgetown McDonough values individuals who bring joy and enthusiasm into all aspects of their lives, not just their careers.

Be yourself : The admissions committee is looking for authenticity. Don’t over-script or rehearse your response. Instead, speak candidly about something that genuinely brings you joy outside of work. Whether it’s a hobby, an experience, or a recent adventure, keep the tone light and personal.
Choose something meaningful : While you want to be relaxed and natural, it’s important to select an activity or topic that reflects something core to who you are. If you’re passionate about photography or recently took up a new fitness challenge, talk about why it’s important to you.
Ensure clarity : The video doesn’t need to be overly polished, but make sure that it’s easy to hear and see you. Ensure that the audio is clear, and the lighting is good so that the admissions committee can focus on you and your story.

Optional Essay

The optional essay gives you the chance to provide additional context to your application. This space is ideal for addressing any gaps in your resume, explaining unusual circumstances in your academic or work history, or offering any extra information that could help the admissions committee fully understand your candidacy.

Be concise : This is not the place to repeat information from other parts of your application. Focus on providing clarity on any potential red flags, such as employment gaps, academic struggles, or an unusual recommender choice.
Stick to the facts : While it’s important to explain the context, avoid going into unnecessary detail. State the issue, provide an explanation, and, if possible, show how you’ve addressed or overcome the situation.
Show growth or reflection : If applicable, use this space to demonstrate how you’ve grown from the challenges you’re addressing. Whether it’s learning from a failed business venture or bouncing back from a difficult period in your career, highlight the lessons learned and how they’ve shaped you.

Final Thoughts

The Georgetown McDonough MBA essay prompts are more than just an opportunity to share your story—they’re a chance to align your personal and professional values with Georgetown’s commitment to developing leaders who care deeply for others and who strive for excellence. Take the time to reflect on your most impactful experiences, be authentic in your responses, and show the admissions committee how you will contribute to and benefit from their vibrant, values-driven community. By doing so, you’ll be well-positioned to craft a compelling application that resonates with Georgetown McDonough’s vision of leadership and service.

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Georgetown MBA Essays for 2024-2025

Is the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University on your shortlist of target MBA programs? Then get ready because the new Georgetown MBA essays and deadlines for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle have been confirmed.

Georgetown MBA Essays

Notes from the school:.

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.

Essay option one – georgetown community.

Essay Option Two – Cura Personalis

Essay Option Three – Achieving Excellence

Video Essay

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).

Re-Applicant Essay

Required for re-applicants. 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).

For more information on applying, please visit the Georgetown MBA admissions website. If you need guidance on your Georgetown MBA essays or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help!

Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team .

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School HBS MBA

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School Kellogg MBA

Director HBS Admissions at Harvard Business School MBA, the Wharton School

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School

Director HBS Admissions at Harvard Business School HBS MBA

Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)

Asst Director MBA Admissions at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) Director MBA Admissions at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business

MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) Minority Admissions, the GSB Diversity Programs, the GSB

Associate Director MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute

Director, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania Professional Writer

Assistant Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS) NYU Admissions

Assistant Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS) M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania

Associate Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS)

Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ...

Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ...

A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ...

Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ...

Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ...

Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ...

Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ...

Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ...

Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ...

Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ...

Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ...

Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ...

Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ...

Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ...

Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ...

Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants.

With deadlines around the corner, you may be interested in the world-famous SBC Flight Test . Once a full set of application materials for your initial school have been drafted, but not finalized, the application will be sent to a former admissions committee member for a one-time review, adcomm style. You’ll have the benefit of a true admissions committee review while still having the ability to tinker and change. You will receive written feedback within two business days after submitting.

Georgetown MBA Deadlines for 2024-2025

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How to Write Georgetown’s School of Business Essay

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

What’s Covered:

Understand the prompt, reflect on your goals and values, discuss your interests and motivations.

Georgetown asks applicants to The McDonough School of Business to respond to 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. – 1 page, single-spaced

In this article, we will discuss what the prompt is asking for and how to approach writing a response for this essay. For more information on Georgetown’s other essays, read our article on how to write the Georgetown essay supplements .

The McDonough School of Business prompt is like many “ why major ” essays in that it asks you to discuss your motivations for choosing your program, which, of course, in this case is business at Georgetown.

The prompt gives you a brief description of McDonough’s school mission as context, saying that it’s both a national and global leader in providing graduates with essential ethical, analytical, financial, and global perspectives. This is a strong hint that you should aim to integrate the goals and focus areas highlighted in the mission within your response.

Supplemental essays are a key part of any college application as they give you an opportunity to showcase your personal voice and unique perspective. But they also allow you the opportunity to reflect on how your goals and values align with the values of the university or specific program to which you’re applying.

Take another look at the prompt and think about the aspects of the mission statement that resonate most deeply with you and why. Which questions are you looking to answer? What problems interest you most? What about McDonough’s approach to business education is most appealing? Reflecting on questions like these will help guide you as you begin to draft your response.

While you certainly don’t need to address every single way that you could benefit from a degree in business, your motivation for applying to the program needs to go beyond your goal of getting a high paying consulting job after graduation. Wanting to have a successful post-grad career is a given, however focusing more on the intellectual value of the program will help you craft a successful response to this prompt and stand out from the pile.

Perhaps you love data and consequently value McDonough’s emphasis on both ethics and analytics. Or maybe you’re interested in the unique global perspectives you could get at the McDonough school. Focus on aligning your current interests and experiences directly with the program’s unique set of values and educational opportunities.

One tip to remember is that while the prompt asks you to discuss your motivations for studying business, be sure to tie your response into your major of interest and the specific resources that the McDonough school offers especially as they relate to the mission as outlined in the prompt.

Looking to learn more about undergraduate business programs across the states? Check out this post for a list of the top business programs in the country and their acceptance rates.