Georgetown Transfer Acceptance Rate
Georgetown admitted 296 of 2,241 transfer applicants for Fall 2023 — a 13.2% rate. Georgetown runs its own application (not the Common App) and admits transfers to one of four undergraduate schools: SFS, McDonough Business, Nursing & Health Studies, or Georgetown College.
Georgetown transfer admissions, at a glance
Georgetown transfer figures
Georgetown publishes transfer admit data in its Common Data Set Section D2. Georgetown uses its own application — there is no Common App route.
| Cycle | Applicants | Admits | Acceptance Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2023 | 2,241 | 296 | 13.2% | Georgetown CDS |
What GPA do you need for Georgetown?
Georgetown is one of the few elite privates that does not use the Common App — applicants submit through Georgetown’s own application portal. The institution admits across four undergraduate schools.
School of Foreign Service (SFS) and McDonough School of Business run the highest competitive bars within Georgetown. Each school has additional preferred coursework and essay requirements.
What competitive Georgetown transfer applicants look like
Competitive Georgetown transfer admits share a consistent profile. Below any of these bars, you’re likely competing uphill.
What Georgetown actually requires
Six non-negotiable pieces. Georgetown runs its own application — there is no Common App route — so plan an additional supplemental writing burden.
Coursework Requirements
Major-relevant prerequisites should be substantially complete for SFS and McDonough Business.
Application Essays
Georgetown’s own application essays — typically a longer supplement than other privates. School-specific essays for each undergraduate school (College, SFS, McDonough, NHS).
Letters of Recommendation
Two academic letters required. Georgetown reads recommendations closely for fit with its Catholic-Jesuit mission.
Application Deadlines
March 1 for Fall transfer entry. Strict — no extensions.
Standing & Credits
Most Georgetown transfers enter as second- or third-year students.
Test Scores
Test-optional policy varies year to year. Many elite privates reinstated SAT/ACT requirements post-2024 — verify Georgetown’s current policy. If submitting, top-quartile scores strengthen a competitive application.
Not sure if you can transfer to Georgetown?
Book a free 60-minute consultation. We’ll look at your transcript, your prereqs, and your target majors — and give you a straight read on your chances.
Common transfer mistakes that kill Georgetown applications
We’ve reviewed thousands of transfer files. These five failures show up more than any other — and each one is fixable if caught early.
- Waiting until senior year to think about transfer.By the time you’re serious about Georgetown, your junior GPA is already locked in. Winners start planning transfer their first semester of freshman year.
- Assuming your current college’s grade is ‘good enough.’A 3.5 that got you honors at your current college won’t clear Georgetown. Benchmark against admit medians, not your peers.
- Writing the same personal essay for every school.Georgetown’s essays reward specific, researched fit. Generic ‘why transfer’ language is the #1 kill signal readers flag.
- Missing a prereq — or completing it at the wrong level.Community-college calc that transfers as elective (not prereq) doesn’t count. Check equivalency BEFORE you register — not after.
- Applying without a strategy for financial aid.Transfer aid pools shrink every year. Some elites cap need-based aid for transfers. Model this before you apply, not after.
Want us to spot these in your file before you submit? Book a 60-minute review →
Popular Georgetown majors for transfers
Georgetown’s most popular transfer destinations. SFS’s International Politics track is uniquely strong; McDonough Finance draws large applicant pools.
How Georgetown compares to peers
If Georgetown is your target, apply to these schools in parallel. Boston College and Notre Dame are Catholic peers; WashU offers a strong non-Catholic alternative.
Frequently asked questions
What is Georgetown’s transfer acceptance rate?
13.2% for Fall 2023 — 296 admits from 2,241 applicants.
Does Georgetown accept the Common App?
No. Georgetown runs its own application through its own portal — no Common App.
When is Georgetown’s transfer application deadline?
March 1 for Fall entry.
Which Georgetown schools are hardest to transfer into?
School of Foreign Service (SFS) and McDonough School of Business run the highest competitive bars.
Does Georgetown require SAT or ACT for transfers?
Yes — Georgetown reinstated the SAT/ACT requirement post-2024.
Where this data comes from
- Georgetown OIRE — Common Data Set — D2 transfer admit data
- Georgetown Admissions — Transfer — application portal, deadlines
Want a real shot at Georgetown?
Georgetown’s own application means additional supplemental essays. We’ll help you position your file for SFS, McDonough, or the College and craft the required ‘Why Georgetown’ response.