The Georgetown McDonough MBA is the full-time MBA at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business in Washington, D.C. It is ranked No. 31 by U.S. News (2026 edition), and Poets&Quants puts its acceptance rate at 64.4% for the fall 2025 intake, the most accessible admit rate in the U.S. News top 35. About 44% of the class that entered in 2026 is international, and the school’s location gives you access to government, policy, consulting and international finance employers that few business schools can match.
Round 1 closed on 1 October 2026, so your Deadline is Round 2 on 6 January 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Georgetown asks F-1 visa applicants to apply by Round 2 at the latest. First-year tuition for 2026-27 is $75,016 and the full estimated cost of attendance is $115,171. Below are the Georgetown MBA requirements for international students, the essays, the interview, costs, scholarships and career results.
Georgetown McDonough MBA at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme | Full-time MBA, two years, Washington, D.C. |
| U.S. News rank | No. 31, 2026 Best Business Schools (released April 2026) |
| Acceptance rate (fall 2025 intake) | 64.4% of 1,617 applicants (Poets&Quants, from U.S. News data) |
| Class that entered in 2026 | 197 students from 1,269 applications |
| International students | 44% |
| Average GMAT / GMAT Focus | 713 / 626 |
| Average GPA | 3.3 |
| Average work experience | 5.3 years |
| Application fee | $175 (waivers and a $100 reduced fee for some applicants) |
| Tuition, first year 2026-27 | $75,016 |
| Total cost of attendance, first year | $115,171 |
| STEM | STEM-designated Management Science major (optional) |
Georgetown McDonough MBA ranking
U.S. News placed Georgetown McDonough at No. 31 among full-time MBA programmes in its 2026 Best Business Schools list, released on 7 April 2026. Poets&Quants ranks it higher, at No. 25 in its own 2026 composite ranking. For international applicants, the bigger draws are a large international student body and an address a short ride from the World Bank, the IMF and the federal government.
Georgetown McDonough MBA acceptance rate and class profile
Georgetown does not print an acceptance rate on its admissions pages. Poets&Quants, analysing data the school reported to U.S. News, gives these figures for the last three intakes:
| Intake | Applications | Acceptance rate | Yield | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 1,617 | 64.4% | 23.8% | 248 |
| Fall 2024 | 1,642 | 60.3% | 26.6% | 263 |
| Fall 2023 | 1,428 | 61.8% | 29.2% | 258 |
Georgetown admits many good candidates and then loses most of them to other schools, which is why its yield is under 25%. For you, that has two consequences: a solid application has a real chance, and scholarship money is one of the tools the school uses to win admitted students, so it is worth negotiating with competing offers in hand.
Georgetown’s own class profile page describes the full-time class that entered in 2026:
| Georgetown full-time MBA, class entering 2026 | Figure |
|---|---|
| Applications | 1,269 |
| Enrolled | 197 |
| Average GMAT (middle 80%) | 713 (672 to 752) |
| Average GMAT Focus (middle 80%) | 626 (555 to 682) |
| Average GRE total (middle 80%) | 315 (299 to 330); 30% submitted the GRE |
| Average GPA (middle 80%) | 3.3 (2.86 to 3.8) |
| Average work experience | 5.3 years |
| Average age | 29 |
| International | 44% |
| Women | 33% |
| U.S. military | 17% |
| First generation | 13% |
The middle 80% GPA range starts at 2.86, so a modest undergraduate record is not disqualifying if your test score and career story are strong. Pre-MBA industries were led by financial services (19%), education (14%), government (10%) and consulting (9%). The school says the 33 countries it lists cover its full-time, part-time and online classes together.
Georgetown McDonough MBA requirements for international students
- A four-year bachelor’s degree or a foreign equivalent. International applicants upload a degree certificate as well as transcripts.
- Unofficial transcripts showing every course, grade, cumulative GPA, degree conferral and the grading scale.
- A resume that matches the Employment section of the form, with month and year for every job, including internships and part-time work.
- One recommendation, ideally from your current supervisor. Georgetown discourages letters from faculty or family, and extra letters.
- GMAT, GRE or Executive Assessment taken within the last five years. Expired GMAT or GRE scores are also accepted, and you can ask for a test waiver through the Pre-assessment.
- A 500-word personal essay, a one-minute video essay and, if needed, an optional essay.
- An English test score if you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have no four-year or advanced degree from an English-medium university.
- The $175 application fee, paid by credit card, unless you qualify for a waiver or reduction.
English requirements
Scores must be no more than two years old. Georgetown’s minimums are:
| Test | Minimum |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT (test centre or Home Edition) | 100 |
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 |
| PTE | 68 |
| Duolingo English Test | Not listed as accepted |
TOEFL Essentials is not accepted. If your four-year degree was taught in English, you may be exempt, so ask your university for an English-medium letter early. Many West African and Indian universities issue these, but they can take weeks.
Pre-assessment, test waivers and fee waivers
Georgetown runs a free Pre-assessment that gives feedback within 10 business days. It may tell you to continue, to request a test waiver, to submit a score, or to consider another McDonough programme. You upload an unofficial score report at application; official scores are needed only after admission. Codes: GMAT full-time JT7-G0-20, GRE 7821.
The full fee waiver covers several groups, including citizens of countries on the UN list of least developed countries. Many African countries are on that list, among them Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Malawi and Zambia, so check it before you pay. Non-U.S. citizens earning under $15,000 a year qualify for a reduced fee of $100, as do Forté members.
Georgetown McDonough MBA deadlines 2026-2027
| Round | Deadline (11:59 p.m. ET) | Decision | Deposits ($2,000 each) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action, binding (closed) | 9 September 2026 | 29 October 2026 | 16 November 2026; 11 January 2027 |
| Round 1 (closed) | 1 October 2026 | 10 December 2026 | 16 February 2027; 31 March 2027 |
| Round 2 | 6 January 2027 | 19 March 2027 | 28 April 2027; 11 May 2027 |
| Round 3 | 1 April 2027 | 13 May 2027 | 3 June 2027; 1 July 2027 |
| Round 4 | 17 May 2027 | 4 June 2027 | 9 June 2027; 1 July 2027 |
Both deposits are non-refundable, so you commit $4,000 to secure a seat. Rounds 3 and 4 are open to everyone in principle, but Georgetown encourages F-1 visa applicants to apply in Early Action, Round 1 or Round 2, because the I-20, bank statements and visa interview take months.
Visa applicants
Treat 6 January 2027 as your real Deadline. A Round 3 admit on 13 May 2027 leaves very little time for the I-20, a U.S. visa appointment and travel before an August start.
How to apply, step by step
- Use the Pre-assessment: Submit it early to learn whether a test waiver is realistic before you book the GMAT or GRE.
- Take the GMAT, GRE or EA, and an English test if you need one. Allow time for a retake.
- Gather transcripts and your degree certificate, with certified translations if they are not in English.
- Brief your supervisor at least a week before the deadline; Georgetown requires only one letter.
- Write the 500-word essay and record the one-minute video, hosted on YouTube or Vimeo and kept online for five years.
- Pay the $175 fee or claim a waiver, and submit by 6 January 2027.
- Interview if invited; invitations go out after each deadline.
- After admission: Pay the deposits, then send proof of funds for the I-20.
Georgetown McDonough MBA essays 2026-2027
| Essay | Prompt (summary) | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Personal essay (choose one) | Georgetown Community: how your life experiences will add diverse perspectives | 500 words |
| Human-Centered Leadership: which leadership qualities will matter most as AI spreads, and an experience that shaped them | 500 words | |
| Achieving Excellence: an outstanding professional result from your resume and how it reflects excellence | 500 words | |
| Video essay | What has recently brought you joy outside of work | 1 minute |
| Optional | Anything not covered elsewhere | 300 to 350 words |
| Reapplicant | Professional and personal growth since your last application | 300 to 350 words |
Put the prompt and your full name at the top of the essay. Georgetown allows AI for brainstorming and editing, but you must not paste AI text or let a tool write the essay.
Georgetown Community
Pick this if your background is your strongest card: growing up between countries, working in a sector most MBA students never see, or leading people across tribal, religious or language lines. Spend one paragraph on the experience and the rest on what classmates will learn from you in a study group or club.
For illustration: “For three years I settled payment disputes between traders in Kano and suppliers in Guangzhou, and I learned to read what a person needs before I read the contract.”
Human-Centered Leadership
Name one or two qualities, such as judgement or trust, and prove them with a specific episode where technology changed your team’s work. Avoid a general essay about AI; the question is about how you lead.
For illustration: “When our bank automated loan scoring, my job became explaining to 40 branch officers why the model said no, and why sometimes it was wrong.”
Achieving Excellence
Choose one result from your resume with a number attached, then use most of the words on how you got there and what it says about your standards. This is the safest prompt for applicants with a clear professional record.
For illustration: “The line on my resume says I cut vaccine stock-outs across 62 clinics by half. The real story starts with a broken spreadsheet in Lilongwe.”
The one-minute video
This is about you outside work. Talk to the camera in person for at least part of it, keep it unscripted and warm, and do not put your name in the video title. A short story about cooking for your family, coaching a youth team or learning an instrument works better than a list of hobbies.
The Georgetown interview
Interviews are by invitation only. Invitations go out after each deadline and up to the decision date, and waitlisted candidates may also be invited. Georgetown’s application page does not describe the format, so ask the admissions team whether yours will be virtual or in person and who will conduct it. Prepare a clear two-minute answer on why you want an MBA, why now, and why Georgetown in Washington, D.C.
What the admissions committee looks for
- Professional results you can show, with dates that match your resume exactly.
- A supervisor who can speak to your work, since you get only one letter.
- Academic readiness, shown by a test score or a convincing waiver case.
- A personality beyond work, shown in the video.
- A genuine interest in global business and in what Washington offers.
Georgetown McDonough MBA tuition and cost of attendance
Georgetown’s 2026-27 budget for a first-year full-time MBA student:
| Item | 2026-27, first year |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $75,016 |
| Graduate Student Activity Fee | $54 |
| Health insurance (estimate, can be waived with comparable cover) | $4,785 |
| Direct costs | $79,855 |
| Housing and food (average) | $24,180 |
| Books, supplies and personal costs (average) | $7,946 |
| Transportation (average) | $3,130 |
| Loan fees | $60 |
| Total cost of attendance | $115,171 |
Starting in fall 2026, Georgetown offers a tuition lock-in: if you enrol for at least one full-time semester, your tuition rate stays fixed for up to four academic years. Deferring your entry forfeits it. Expect a two-year total above $230,000 before scholarships.
Costs not covered
- The two $2,000 non-refundable deposits, which count toward tuition but are lost if you withdraw.
- English test, GMAT or GRE fees and score reports.
- The SEVIS fee, U.S. visa fee and flights.
- Rent deposits and furniture when you first arrive in Washington, D.C.
- Optional international trips and treks, if you choose to join them.
- Proof of funds for a spouse or children.
Georgetown McDonough MBA scholarships for international students
Georgetown says more than $4 million in scholarships is available to McDonough MBA applicants, and nearly 60% of full-time students received funding in 2026, averaging about $30,000 a year. All admitted applicants are considered; the school does not say any award is closed to international students.
- Dean’s Fellows: A scholarship plus leadership, academic and networking benefits for high-achieving full-time candidates admitted in the binding Early Action round. Amounts are not published. Early Action for 2027 entry closed on 9 September 2026.
- Graduate assistantships: About 90 a year. First-year students typically earn $1,100 to $2,300 a semester for 5 to 10 hours of work a week.
- Private loans: Georgetown lists Ascent, Citizens Bank, College Ave, Earnest, Sallie Mae and SoFi for domestic and international students. Most require a U.S. co-signer for international borrowers, so check each lender’s terms. Georgetown’s page does not mention Prodigy Finance or MPOWER.
For outside funding, see our list of American scholarships for international students.
STEM designation and OPT
The whole Georgetown MBA is not STEM-designated. Since 2020 the full-time MBA has offered a STEM-designated Management Science major. To earn it you complete the core and 12 elective credits from an approved list covering statistics, analytics, operations, finance, forecasting, modelling and digital marketing; you can declare it at the end of your first fall term. International graduates who complete the major can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of the standard 12 months of OPT. If you need U.S. work time, plan your electives around this from the start.
Georgetown McDonough MBA salary and employment
Georgetown’s report on the full-time MBA Class of 2025, published in December 2025, gives these results:
| Measure | All graduates | International graduates |
|---|---|---|
| Received a job offer within three months | 78% | 72% |
| Average base salary | $146,265 | $144,515 |
| Average signing bonus | $33,768 | $29,379 |
International students made up 59% of that graduating class, from 40 countries, which is a useful sign that the career team is used to visa-dependent job searches. The school reports averages only; no median base salary is published.
| Industry | Share of Class of 2025 hires |
|---|---|
| Consulting | 25% |
| Financial services | 25% |
| Technology | 16% |
| Real estate | 8% |
| Manufacturing | 6% |
| Healthcare | 5% |
| Hospitality | 5% |
Employers named include Amazon, Bank of America, Boston Consulting Group, Bristol Myers Squibb, Deloitte, EY, Jefferies, JPMorganChase, M&T Bank, McKinsey, Microsoft, PwC and the U.S. Department of State. Note that federal government jobs usually require U.S. citizenship, so international students should aim at the consulting, banking and technology recruiters on that list.
Common mistakes international applicants make
- Applying in Round 3 or 4 and running out of time for the visa.
- Paying the $175 fee without checking the waiver for UN least developed countries or the $100 income-based fee.
- Choosing a faculty member as the only recommender when a supervisor is strongly preferred.
- Resume dates that do not match the application’s Employment section.
- Missing the five-year rule on the video: deleting or privatising it after submission.
- Assuming the MBA is STEM by default and not taking the Management Science electives.
- Submitting a three-year degree without checking it meets the four-year equivalence.
Who should apply to Georgetown McDonough, and who shouldn’t
Apply if you want consulting, finance, government-adjacent or international development careers, value a Washington network, and have around five years of experience. With a 64% admit rate and a GPA range that starts below 3.0, Georgetown is a realistic choice for strong professionals whose academic record is uneven.
Think twice if you need guaranteed STEM OPT without planning electives, or if you cannot fund roughly $115,000 a year after scholarships. If you want a Dean’s Fellowship, you need the binding Early Action round next year.
Georgetown vs peer MBA programmes
| School | U.S. News 2026 | Avg GMAT | Tuition or cost | International | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown McDonough | No. 31 | 713; Focus 626 (2026 entrants) | $75,016 first-year tuition, 2026-27 | 44% | 6 January 2027 |
| Emory Goizueta | No. 23 | Not published | $79,200 a year | 40% | 6 January 2027 |
| Rice Jones | No. 29 | 625 GMAT Focus (Class of 2027) | $79,116 a year tuition (2026) | 41% | 6 January 2027 |
| WashU Olin | No. 27 | 702 (Classes 2025 to 2027) | $72,700 a year tuition | 47% (median) | 7 January 2027 |
| Notre Dame Mendoza | No. 34 | 680 (Class of 2026) | $75,460 a year tuition, 2026-27 | 25% | 7 January 2027 |
For undergraduate study at the same university, see our Georgetown University admission requirements for international students.
FAQ
What is the Georgetown MBA acceptance rate?
Poets&Quants, using U.S. News data, reports 64.4% of 1,617 applicants admitted for the fall 2025 intake. Georgetown does not publish the rate on its own pages.
What GMAT score do I need for Georgetown McDonough?
There is no minimum. The class that entered in 2026 averaged 713 on the GMAT and 626 on the GMAT Focus, and you can ask for a test waiver through the Pre-assessment.
Is the Georgetown MBA STEM designated?
Only the optional Management Science major is STEM-designated. International students who complete it can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
What is the Georgetown MBA deadline for international students?
The Deadline is Round 2 on 6 January 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Georgetown encourages F-1 visa applicants to apply no later than Round 2.
Sources and updates
Deadlines, essays, recommendations, tests, English minimums, fees and interview rules are from Georgetown McDonough’s MBA application components page. The class profile is from the school’s full-time MBA class profile page. Tuition, cost of attendance, the tuition lock-in, scholarships, assistantships and lenders are from its full-time MBA admissions and tuition page and Georgetown’s 2026-27 graduate cost of attendance page. The STEM major is from McDonough’s May 2020 announcement, and the Dean’s Fellows details from Poets&Quants’ July 2026 profile of the Class of 2027. Employment figures are from McDonough’s December 2025 article on the Class of 2025. Acceptance rates and yield are from Poets&Quants’ August 2026 article on acceptance rates at the top 100 U.S. MBA programmes. The ranking is from U.S. News 2026 Best Business Schools (released 7 April 2026), as reported by Poets&Quants. Checked on 29 October 2026.
I am Jude Chinecherem, a final-year MBBS student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I know what it feels like to want an education your family cannot afford. When my parents could not pay for my schooling, I had to learn how to find scholarships and work the system out on my own, with nobody to guide me. I came out the other side, and now I share everything I learned so the next student does not have to figure it out alone. This is the advice I wish someone had given me back then.
