Georgetown University

Key Highlights

• Private non-profit institution with strong academic tradition
• Located in a major metropolitan area with excellent opportunities
• Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Student life at Georgetown pulses with an energy that reflects both the intensity of academic pursuits and the joy of belonging to a close-knit community united by shared values and aspirations. The hilltop campus creates natural gathering spaces where friendships form across differences of background, belief, and discipline, embodying the Jesuit principle of finding God in all things and all people. Over 200 student organizations offer outlets for every interest, from acapella groups filling Red Square with harmonies to advocacy organizations addressing social justice issues to club sports competing against regional rivals. Georgetown's Division I athletic programs, led by the storied basketball team that has produced NBA stars and captured the national championship, generate tremendous excitement and school spirit throughout campus. The community's Catholic identity expresses itself through extensive retreat programs, service opportunities, and liturgical celebrations, while remaining genuinely welcoming to students of all faiths and none. Georgetown's commitment to service manifests in programs that send students into the local community and around the world to learn from and with those facing poverty, injustice, and marginalization. The vibrant social scene includes formal events, casual gatherings on the waterfront, and exploration of Washington's cultural offerings. Residential life fosters community through house systems and living-learning programs.

Location & Surroundings

Washington, D.C. serves as both Georgetown's home and its extended classroom, providing students unparalleled access to the institutions, leaders, and conversations shaping the nation and world. The historic Georgetown neighborhood combines cobblestone streets and Federal-era architecture with upscale boutiques, diverse restaurants, and lively nightlife along M Street and Wisconsin Avenue. Students explore the monuments, museums, and memorials of the National Mall, attend congressional hearings on Capitol Hill, and intern at organizations ranging from the State Department to international development agencies to major media outlets. The city's position as a global capital means that distinguished speakers regularly visit campus, world leaders pass through for international summits, and policy debates play out in real time just miles from campus. The Potomac River and adjacent trails provide opportunities for running, cycling, and crew practice, while Rock Creek Park offers green space for escape from urban intensity. Public transportation connects Georgetown to the broader metropolitan area, though the neighborhood itself maintains a walkable village atmosphere. Cultural offerings include world-class museums, theaters, and concert venues, many offering free or discounted admission to students. The city's diversity exposes students to communities and perspectives from around the world without leaving the country.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Georgetown University represents a significant investment in education that yields exceptional returns through career outcomes, graduate school placement, and the formation of graduates prepared for lives of purpose and accomplishment. As a private nonprofit institution committed to accessibility, Georgetown provides substantial financial aid to families demonstrating need, meeting 100% of calculated need for all admitted students. The university does not offer merit-based scholarships, concentrating resources on need-based aid to maximize access for talented students regardless of economic background. Work-study opportunities connect financial aid with valuable professional experience, often in congressional offices, research centers, or community organizations. The career center provides comprehensive services from freshman year through graduation and beyond, helping students identify interests, develop skills, and connect with opportunities. Georgetown's alumni network operates as an extraordinary resource, with graduates in leadership positions across government, business, law, medicine, media, and nonprofit sectors eager to mentor current students and create opportunities. Recruiting activity is intense, particularly for business and foreign service students, with major consulting firms, investment banks, government agencies, and international organizations maintaining strong relationships with the university. Graduate school placement rates are exceptional, with Georgetown graduates gaining admission to the nation's most competitive law, medical, and doctoral programs.

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