McDonough School of Business (Georgetown University)

37th and O Streets N.W.
Washington D.C. 20057

msb.georgetown.edu

1,026people follow this school

731members applied here

Key facts

Full-Time MBA

Start the application Program website

Class profile

Class size: 275
Applications: 1,362
Average GMAT (old exam): 694
GMAT range (old exam): 650-740
Average age: 29
Work experience: 4.9 years on average
Women: 30%
International students: 30%
Rolling admissions: No

Application deadlines

Round 1Jan 5, 2023Passed
Round 2Mar 30, 2023Passed
Round 3May 2, 2023Passed

Rankings

Bloomberg Businessweek: #26
U.S. News: #22
Financial Times: #27

Cost and jobs

Median base salary: $116,946
Median salary with bonus: $147,982
Employed after graduation: 98%

Essay questions

We want to hear your story. When responding to our required essays, be authentic and take time to reflect on your goals and past experiences. Craft a response that explains how these experiences led you to pursue an MBA.

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 or less and include the essay prompt and your first/last name at the top of your submission.

Essay Option One: It can be said that life begins outside your comfort zone. Describe a situation when you were asked to lead outside of your comfort zone. What leadership characteristics did you exemplify in this situation that allowed you to succeed?

Essay Option Two: "Failure is not something to be ashamed of, it's something to be POWERED by. Failure is the high-octane fuel your life can run on. You've got to learn to make failure your fuel." -Abby Wambach.
Describe a situation when failure has been your fuel. What was your failure (or when did you not succeed to your full potential), and how did you use this as motivation to move forward and be successful in a future situation?

Essay Option Three: Think of the business leader or role model you admire or aspire to be. What are the defining characteristics of their personal brand that you see in yourself, why would you highlight those qualities, and how will those characteristics enrich the community at McDonough?

Video Essay: We ask that you introduce yourself to your cohort in one minute or less. The Admissions Committee would like for you to appear in person during part of your video, and we strongly encourage you to speak outside of the experiences we can read on your resume. Use this video as an opportunity to bring life to your application. For more instructions, view our Video Essay Guide.
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.
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]

Optional Essay: Please provide any information you would like to add to your application that you have not otherwise included. (500 words or fewer)

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. (500 words or fewer)

Part-Time MBA

Start the application Program website

Class profile

Class size: 135
Applications: 304
Average GMAT (old exam): 662
GMAT range (old exam): 590-710
Average age: 29
Work experience: 5 years on average
Women: 44%
International students: 11%
Rolling admissions: Yes

Application deadlines

Round 1Jan 5, 2023Passed
Round 2Mar 30, 2023Passed
Round 3May 2, 2023Passed

Rankings

U.S. News: #17

Cost and jobs

Median base salary: $124,119
Employed after graduation: 98%

Essay questions

We want to hear your story. When responding to our required essays, be authentic and take time to reflect on your goals and past experiences. Craft a response that explains how these experiences led you to pursue an MBA.

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 300-350 words (approximately one page, double spaced) and include the essay prompt and your first/last name at the top of your submission.

Essay Option One – Principled Leadership: Georgetown McDonough places a strong emphasis on principled leadership, providing both curricular and co-curricular opportunities to strengthen your leadership skills. Describe a time when you have led a team in a professional environment to implement a new idea or process. What leadership characteristics did you utilize? What could you have done to be more effective? And most importantly, what skills will you be able to bring to the teams you lead at McDonough?
Essay Option Two – Hoyas for the Common Good: Georgetown McDonough embodies the ethos that people and organizations can and should contribute to the greater good. The admissions committee would like to better understand how you have demonstrated these values during uniquely challenging times. Describe a time where you have put the needs of others ahead of your own or ahead of the bottom line. We look forward to learning more about the challenge you faced, what unique characteristics you brought to that scenario, and what you learned from it.
Essay Option Three – The Georgetown Community: Georgetown McDonough is a diverse, global community. We look to understand the contribution that your personal background would make to our community. As appropriate, you may wish to address any obstacles or challenges you have overcome; any educational, familial, cultural, economic, and social experiences that have helped to shape your educational and professional goals; or how your background (e.g. first-generation student, resident outside the U.S.) or activities (e.g. community service and leadership) will contribute to our community.
Video Essay: Building a cohort of diverse and unique individuals is important to the admissions team. We want you to bring your whole self to Georgetown McDonough. Throughout the application, we’ve learned about what you would add as a professional and leader. Just as important is learning about your interests outside of work. In one minute, please describe a hobby, passion, or what you do for fun in your free time – and why.
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.
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]
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).

These numbers were last updated in 2023. GMAT scores here are from the old 200 to 800 exam, which ended in early 2024. Check the school's own website for this year's numbers.

What members who applied here reported

729 Beat The GMAT members shared their profile when they applied to McDonough between 2011 and 2020. Their GMAT scores are from the old 200 to 800 exam.

682Average GMAT (old exam)

3.3Average GPA

4.2Years of work before applying

27Average age when applying

Members

Work before the MBA

Financial Services20%
Other19%
Consulting12%
High Tech11%
Non-Profit6%
Sales / Business Development5%

College major

Engineering31%
Business Administration26%
Social Sciences12%
Economics10%
Other8%
Humanities7%