The Georgetown McDonough MBA Program: An Overview

• Class Profile
• Employment Report & Careers
• Academic Programs
  • MBA Curriculum
  • Research Centers
  • MBA International Study Programs
• Application
  • Essays
  • Letters of Recommendation
• Admissions Interviews
• Useful Links
• What Makes Georgetown McDonough Unique?

Georgetown University’s McDonough MBA program takes global experience to another level due to its prime location in Washington DC. Not only will you be among a culturally diverse population, you will also gain exposure to other cultures through the program’s strong ties with the diplomatic community. Through Georgetown’s Embassy Series, internationally-oriented events often take place at one of the many Embassies in the city.

One of the other perks of attending Georgetown is that you will get to enjoy its beautiful campus during the two years of the program. We often hear people rave about the majestic sight of Healy Hall as they first set foot on campus. The campus on the hilltop also overlooks the Potomac River, and you can enjoy the view at the school’s library in one of the few rooms reserved specially for graduate students.

Class Size	258
Acceptance Rate	Does not disclose
GMAT Average	695
GPA Average	3.34
Average Age	29
Avg. Years Work Experience	5.5
Diversity Women	31 i in percentage (%)
Diversity Intl.	59 i in percentage (%)
Pre-MBA Industries	Financial Services: 14% Consulting: 12% Technology & New Media: 12% Government: 7% Manufacturing: 5% Consumer Product Goods: 3%
Undergraduate Majors	Business: 25% Humanities: 19% Math/Physical Sciences: 15% Engineering: 14% Economics: 10% Government & International Studies: 9%

The data above is from 2023 and represents the Georgetown McDonough class of 2025.
See the full report: Georgetown McDonough MBA Class Profile

Student Experiences

Georgetown McDonough MBA Employment Report & Careers

Salary Average	$160,180.00 i The average salary is a total of average salary + signing bonus ($126,107+$34,073)
Offers Upon Graduation	Does not disclose
Offers At 3 Mos.	95
Post-MBA Industries	Financial Services: 32% Consulting: 26% Technology: 17% Consumer Goods: 7% Social Impact/Nonprofit: 6% Real Estate: 5% Healthcare: 4% Manufacturing/Transportation/Energy: 2% Government: 1% Hospitality: 1%
Post-MBA Locations	United States: 96% Mid-Atlantic: 42% Midwest: 5% Northeast: 30% South: 4% Southwest: 5% West: 10% Non-US: 4%
Post-MBA Companies	Does not disclose
Career Development Resources	Georgetown McDonough Career Center

The data above is from 2021 and represents the career statistics of the Georgetown McDonough class of 2021.*
See the full report: Georgetown McDonough MBA Employment Report

Georgetown McDonough MBA Academic Programs

MBA Curriculum

Georgetown McDonough’s curriculum is distributed over the fall and spring semesters of years one and two of the MBA. Before beginning their first fall semester, students complete an opening term, where they take three courses: Leading Teams for Performance and Impact, Structure of Global Industries, and Accounting Fundamentals. Students are required to take 16 courses as part of the core curriculum, including classes in Managerial Statistics, Firm Analysis and Strategy, Analytical Problem Solving, and Ethical Leadership. At Georgetown, the elective curriculum provides students with over 70 course offerings to choose from. Some of these classes cover topics in Negotiations, Applied Data Visualization, Corporate Social Responsibility, Strategic Pricing, and Game Theory.

See a list of course offerings: Georgetown MBA Courses

Majors

Georgetown McDonough’s MBA program does not require its students to declare a major or concentration; however, students may decide to pursue an academic area to help them shape their selection of elective coursework. Georgetown offers a total of six fields that students may choose to explore. 

• Accounting
• Finance
• Marketing
• Management
• Operations and Information Management
• Strategy, Economics, Ethics, and Public Policy

Experiential Learning Programs

Through Georgetown McDonough’s experiential learning program, students can choose from several ways to gain practical experience during their MBA. For instance, students can underwrite real estate investments as part of the Real Estate Clinic. Additionally, students can complete an apprenticeship at a Venture Capital or Private Equity Firm through the Venture Fellows Program.

Research Centers

Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business hosts nine research centers and initiatives, including the Center for Business and Public Policy, the Women’s Leadership Institute, and the Global Business Initiative. 

MBA International Study Programs

Georgetown McDonough’s MBA has a deep emphasis on the global component of the program. The school maintains a strong relationship with the embassies in DC, and regularly hosts events in collaboration through the Embassy Series. Students also have the opportunity to consult for a global company abroad as part of the Global Business Experience’s International Consulting Projects. 

Video Resources on Georgetown McDonough Academics

Georgetown McDonough MBA Application

The latest application requirements set by the Georgetown McDonough MBA admissions office are described below.

Essays

Here are the prompts for Georgetown McDonough’s 2023-2024 application:

Personal (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]  

Behavioral Essay

• Choose one of the following essays:
  • 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?
  • 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.
  • Contribute to 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.

Career Goals

• What is your short-term goal following graduation from the Georgetown McDonough School of Business? (text box, 1-2 sentences max)
• What is your long-term goal following graduation from the Georgetown McDonough School of Business? (text box, 1-2 sentences max)

Optional Essay

• You may use this essay to provide any additional information that you have not otherwise included in your application. You may address anything in your academic or professional background or anything you feel the admissions committee may need to know regarding your application. (300-350 words—approximately 1 page, double spaced, or less.)

Reapplicant Essay

• How have you strengthened your candidacy since your last application and why do you feel that you are better-positioned this year to begin the MBA Program? We are particularly interested in hearing about how you have grown professionally and personally. (300-350 words—approximately 1 page, double spaced, or less.)

Read more: 2023-2024 MBA Essays: Tips for Georgetown McDonough

Video Resources on Georgetown McDonough Admissions

Georgetown McDonough MBA Admissions Interviews

Georgetown McDonough’s MBA interviews are offered by invitation only. Former interviewees report that the interviewers only have access to the applicant’s resumes, and not the entire application package. They also report that several of the questions asked in the interview are behavioral questions or those related to your career goals.

Georgetown McDonough Useful Links

Admissions Info	MBA Program Home Page Admissions Home Page Application Process MBA Application Components
How to Apply	Request Information Start an Application
Meet Georgetown Business School	Visit Campus Admissions Events – Upcoming Admissions Events – Recorded Connect with a Student
Do Your Research	McDonough MBA Admissions Blog McDonough News Faculty Directory
News	McDonough Welcomes Second MiM Class Class of 2022 Breaks Diversity Records

What Makes Georgetown McDonough Unique?

• Only-in-DC Experiences: When at Georgetown, “global” takes on a whole new meaning with the city’s and the university’s relationships with the embassies. Moreover, students have access to DC’s lively and growing entrepreneurial hub.

• Venture Fellows Program: Through the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative, this program offers students a year-long opportunity at a local Venture Capital firm in place of a summer internship.

• Global Business Experience (GBE): Each MBA student is required to complete a Global Business Experience, where students spend months consulting an international company. During the spring semester, one week of this experience is completed abroad.

*All data retrieved from the Georgetown McDonough MBA Program webpages, unless otherwise stated.