Georgetown University
Source: georgetown.md
Georgetown University
Admissions (Class of 2029 / Fall 2025)
- Total applicants: 26,000
- Overall acceptance rate: 12.0%
- Early round: Early Action (non-binding, non-restrictive) — 12.9% vs 13.0% RD
- Class size: 1,600
- Yield: 79%
Academics
- SAT middle 50%: 1400–1540
- ACT middle 50%: 32–35
- Avg unweighted GPA: 3.9
- Top 10% of HS class: 91%
- Testing policy: Required
Demographics
- Women: N/A%, Asian: N/A%, Black: N/A%, Hispanic: N/A%, White: N/A%, International: N/A%
Financial Aid / Net Cost
| Income Bracket |
Net Price |
| $0–$30,000 |
$7,578 |
| $30,001–$48,000 |
$10,010 |
| $48,001–$75,000 |
$15,403 |
| $75,001–$110,000 |
$25,775 |
| Over $110,000 |
$46,480 |
Athletics
151 varsity athletes (~2.6% of undergrads). NCAA Division I, Big East Conference.
Notable
Jesuit Catholic university in Washington D.C. Highest yield (79%) in its tier — students who are accepted overwhelmingly enroll. EA provides minimal advantage over RD.
Admissions Strategy
- EA provides essentially no advantage (12.9% EA vs 13.0% RD) — one of the only elite schools where early application doesn't help. Georgetown does not offer ED.
- Georgetown is one of few top schools that still REQUIRES standardized tests (no test-optional). Forums widely note this filters the applicant pool.
- Yield is exceptionally high (79%) — highest in its tier. Forum interpretation: students who apply to Georgetown genuinely want to attend, creating a self-selected pool. This eliminates yield protection concerns entirely.
- Demonstrated interest is listed as "considered" on CDS. Campus visits, interviews, and attending information sessions are recommended on forums.
- School-specific application (not Common App) signals institutional independence and may deter casual applicants.
Campus Culture & Fit
- Jesuit Catholic identity shapes curriculum (theology/philosophy requirements) but campus is described as more politically diverse than most elite schools — D.C. location attracts students across the political spectrum.
- Government, policy, and international affairs are signature strengths. SFS (School of Foreign Service) has separate, more competitive admissions.
- Greek life exists but is not dominant. Social scene centers on D.C. nightlife and political engagement.
- Students describe a "preppy, politically engaged" culture. Proximity to Capitol Hill and K Street provides unmatched internship access.
Financial Aid Reputation
- Need-based only — no merit scholarships (except limited athletic scholarships). Meets full demonstrated need.
- Forum reputation: somewhat less generous than HYPSM peers. Families above $110K face $46K+ net cost — higher than comparable schools.
- Bogleheads and CC forums note Georgetown's financial aid packages sometimes include more loans than peer institutions.
- 1789 Scholars (donor-funded) graduate with ~$7K debt vs ~$19K for typical aided students.
Simulation-Relevant Takeaways
- No early round advantage to model — EA and RD rates are nearly identical. This is unusual and should be reflected in simulation.
- Extremely high yield (79%) means virtually no yield protection. Self-selection is the dominant mechanism.
- Test-required policy filters applicant pool differently from test-optional peers — model should account for this.
Sources
- Georgetown University Common Data Set 2024–2025
- research_colleges.json simulation data
- BestColleges: Is Yield Protection Real? (bestcolleges.com)
- Bogleheads Forum: Georgetown financial aid discussion (bogleheads.org)
- College Confidential: Georgetown merit aid thread (talk.collegeconfidential.com)
- The Hoya: Groves Talks Admissions, Diversity, Financial Aid (thehoya.com)