Last updated: April 2026 |Reviewed by ARINGO MBA Admissions Experts

Georgetown McDonough MBA Admissions, Essays, and Class Profile

The McDonough MBA | Top MBA Programs in the US

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

The Robert Emmett McDonough School of Business, commonly shorted to the McDonough School of Business and abbreviated as the MSB, is the business school of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1957, it grants both undergraduate and graduate degrees, and is one of the university’s nine constituent schools.
Graduate work offered by the school includes Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs, two Global Executive MBA programs, a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program, a Master of Science in Management and an Executive Master’s in Leadership degree.
The Georgetown MBA full-time program is a general management program oriented toward those with liberal arts, science, or technical undergraduate degrees. Typical students include mid-level managers. During the program, students are required to participate in four one-week residences, of which one is international.

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business campus image | Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

For the class of 2019, 34% of enrolled students were international and 77% lived, worked, or studied abroad. There were 1,742 applicants and 276 were enrolled.
The Full-time MBA Program at Georgetown McDonough provides a global management degree based upon the foundations of ethics and leadership, preparing you to build a career in today’s increasingly global business environment. From the opening term course, Structure of Global Industries, to the global discussions infused throughout the curriculum, you will develop a global mindset.

Georgetown McDonough MBA Evaluation Framework

Georgetown McDonough is a strong fit for applicants who want a globally minded MBA grounded in principled leadership, ethics, and service. The school looks for students who are intellectually serious, community-oriented, and ready to contribute to a collaborative cohort.

  • Principled leadership:Georgetown values judgment, integrity, and responsibility.
  • Global perspective:The school appreciates applicants who can connect business goals to international awareness and cross-cultural understanding.
  • Community and service:McDonough wants people who will contribute meaningfully to the class and broader Georgetown community.

Why Georgetown McDonough and Washington, D.C. Matter

Georgetown’s location in Washington, D.C. is one of its biggest advantages. The school sits at the intersection of business, policy, international affairs, and government, which creates unique opportunities for students interested in consulting, global business, finance, technology, and impact-driven careers. The D.C. setting also reinforces the school’s global and public-service orientation, giving students a broader perspective on leadership and business. Also being STEM MBA, this program attracts the international candidates for post-MBA career flexibility in the U.S.

If you want an MBA that combines strong academics with values-driven leadership, Georgetown deserves a close look.

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Georgetown McDonough Class Profile

Class size

Average GMAT

Average GPA

Average Age

Acceptance Rate

FT Ranking

Profile data is approximate and may vary slightly by intake.

See Real Georgetown McDonough MBA Essay Examples

Review successful ARINGO Georgetown MBA essay examples and analysis to see how admitted applicants explained their goals, leadership style, global awareness, and reasons for choosing Georgetown.

Real essays from ARINGO admits. Use for inspiration only — AdComs can spot copied answers quickly.

More About the Georgetown McDonough MBA

Percent of Hires in Each Industry:

  • Consulting 35.1%
  • Financial 25.2%
  • Technology 18%

Median Starting Salary per industry:

  • Consulting – $175K
  • Financial – $148K
  • Technology – $143K
  • Consumer – $118K
  • Health Care – $130K
  • Manufacturing – $125K
  • Real Estate – $123K
  • Nonprofits – $105K

International Management ; Marketing

Program: Full-time MBA

Duration: 21 months

Start date: August

Location: Washington, US

Class size: 259

Website: https://msb.georgetown.edu/mba/

  • $20,000
  • $130,000
  • $30,000
  • $29,000
  • $60,000
  • $80,000

Georgetown McDonough has a values-driven, collaborative culture shaped by its Jesuit foundation and the school’s emphasis on principled leadership. Students often describe the experience as close-knit and intellectually serious, with a strong sense of community both inside and outside the classroom. Washington, D.C. adds a distinctive layer to student life, giving MBA candidates access to a city where business, policy, consulting, and global affairs intersect. That mix makes Georgetown especially appealing for students who want a rigorous MBA experience in a city with real professional and personal energy.

Georgetown McDonough offers a strong combination of brand reputation, location, and purpose-driven leadership development. Its Washington, D.C. setting creates access to a wide range of employers and adds a global, policy-aware dimension to the MBA experience. The school’s collaborative cohort culture, strong alumni network, and emphasis on ethics and service make it attractive for applicants who want more than just a traditional business education. For students targeting consulting, finance, global business, or impact-oriented roles, Georgetown can be a smart and distinctive choice.

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Georgetown McDonough MBA Essays: Frequently Asked Questions

Georgetown tends to fit people who care about leadership, ethics, and impact.

It works especially well for applicants who want to connect business with a broader mission. If you can show that your goals are ambitious but grounded in service and responsibility, that will resonate here.

Super direct. Georgetown is not the place for vague goal statements. The school responds better when you clearly name the function, industry, and type of role you want after the MBA, then explain how Georgetown helps you get there.

Yes, if it strengthens your story. D.C. is a real advantage for Georgetown because it gives you access to the following in one market:

  • Business
  • Policy
  • Consulting
  • Global Institutions.

If your goals connect to those areas, it is worth mentioning naturally.

Yes, very much so.

Georgetown has a strong global identity, and applicants who can think across markets, cultures, and industries often fit well. The key is to show that your global interest is real and tied to your long-term plans, not just a generic buzzword.

Generic essays are the biggest disappointment to Adcoms. If your essays do not mention Georgetown’s values, D.C. location, or global positioning in a meaningful way, is showcases lower interest and research. The best essays sound like they were written with this exact school in mind.

Yes, absolutely. In fact Georgetown can be a strong fit for people from a wide range of backgrounds, as long as the story is coherent. If your path is a little unusual, that can actually help — as long as you explain what you learned and where you are headed next.