Georgetown McDonough MBA Essay Prompts & Writing Guide 2025–2026

Georgetown McDonough's diversity essay is fundamentally about your capacity to bring a distinct and authentic voice to their community. This prompt emphasizes not just who you are, but how your lived experiences have shaped the way you see the world. The school's Jesuit foundation means they are deeply invested in understanding the whole person; simply listing demographic categories is insufficient. Instead, focus on the intersections of your experiences. If you come from a working-class immigrant family, explore how both the economic and cultural dimensions have influenced your thinking. If you are a first-generation student who also happens to be a parent, discuss how those layered responsibilities have developed your perspective on leadership and resilience. The admissions committee wants you to connect the dots between your background and the distinctive lens you will bring to classroom discussions and group projects.

Your essay should feature a specific, vivid moment or realization that illustrates how your background shaped you, rather than broad generalizations. For instance, instead of simply stating that growing up in a multicultural neighborhood taught you about respect, describe a particular conversation or experience that changed how you understood privilege, identity, or belonging. The prompt explicitly invites you to draw from educational, familial, cultural, economic, and social experiences, so select the combination that feels most authentic to you. Remember that diversity is not limited to race or ethnicity; it encompasses everything from socioeconomic background to unconventional career paths to family circumstances that required you to develop unusual maturity or pragmatism. The key is demonstrating how these experiences have given you insights that others may not possess, which you can then apply to solve business problems or navigate complex teams with greater nuance and empathy.

Finally, close by explicitly connecting your background to your value as a member of the McDonough community. Georgetown emphasizes "bringing your whole self" to campus and fostering an environment where people develop an intersectional understanding of themselves and one another. Show the admissions team that you do not view diversity as a checkbox, but rather as a genuine commitment to understanding complexity and building trust across differences. A strong essay demonstrates that you have already done the internal work of reflection and that you are ready to engage meaningfully with classmates from backgrounds vastly different from your own. Avoid the temptation to position yourself as a savior or spokesperson for your identity; instead, focus on what you have learned about the world through your particular vantage point and why you are genuinely excited to expand that understanding through dialogue at Georgetown.

The cura personalis essay is about far more than just describing a kind gesture; Georgetown McDonough wants to see evidence that you genuinely understand what it means to care for the whole person, even when it requires your time and emotional investment. Choose a specific moment where you went beyond surface-level support and actively helped a teammate or coworker overcome a real challenge. This could be mentoring someone through a difficult career transition, helping a colleague navigate a personal crisis that was affecting their work, advocating for someone whose voice wasn't being heard in your organization, or guiding a struggling team member through a skill they needed to develop. The key is specificity: your example should involve a clear problem, concrete actions you took, and tangible outcomes that resulted from your care. Vague references to being "a good listener" or "supportive" will not stand out. Instead, describe the actual conversations you had, the resources you provided, or the time you carved out of your day to help this person succeed.

As you structure your story using a context-action-result framework, dedicate meaningful space to detailing your actions and why you chose that particular approach. Did you recognize something in this person's circumstances that resonated with your own experiences? Did you adapt your support based on what they specifically needed rather than offering generic advice? This demonstrates the personalized attention that cura personalis emphasizes. Be honest about challenges you faced in supporting them, or even ways you wish you had handled the situation differently; admissions readers respect self-awareness and the recognition that leadership is an ongoing learning process. Then reflect on what this experience taught you about empathy, patience, and your responsibility to those around you. How has this moment changed the way you show up for others today?

In your final section, make a direct and specific connection to how you will bring this mindset to the McDonough community. Don't simply say you will "mentor classmates" or "support your cohort"; instead, identify two or three concrete ways you would contribute to a collaborative culture. For example, you might explain how you would approach group projects with intentional attention to each teammate's strengths and limitations, or how you would create space for quieter voices in classroom discussions, or how you would take on a specific club leadership role that aligns with your commitment to supporting others' growth. This final push should demonstrate that you are not only reflective about your past but also forward-thinking about the specific community you want to build at Georgetown. Your genuine belief in Jesuit principles of equality and care should shine through as something that will shape how you operate as an MBA student and beyond.

Start with a standout professional achievement that genuinely excited you to accomplish. This essay is your chance to move beyond the bullet points on your resume and explain what excellence actually meant to you in that moment. Rather than selecting a story simply because the numbers are impressive, choose an experience where you faced a real challenge, made deliberate decisions, and saw the direct impact of your efforts. Georgetown's admissions team wants to understand not just what you achieved, but why the achievement mattered, how you overcame obstacles to get there, and what values drove you forward. Be specific about the context, the stakes involved, and the choices you made that contributed to the outcome; vague references to "strong performance" or "exceeded targets" will not resonate. What made this moment an example of excellence for you personally?

The second part of the essay requires you to articulate the specific strengths or skills you demonstrated. Rather than listing qualities like "leadership" or "problem-solving," show how you actually applied them. If you led a team, describe the specific approach you took; if you navigated a complex situation, explain the strategic thinking that guided your decisions. Georgetown is grounded in Jesuit principles, which means the school values not just individual achievement but how your actions served a broader purpose and benefited others. So as you highlight your strengths, connect them to the positive ripple effects your work created. Did your actions help develop other people? Did you set a new standard for your organization? Did your effort solve a problem that would have otherwise persisted? This is where authenticity matters; admissions readers can tell when an applicant is genuinely proud of what they accomplished versus when they're inflating a story for effect.

In your final section, move forward to imagine how these same qualities will shape your legacy at Georgetown McDonough. Be concrete and thoughtful about how you envision contributing to the community. The school is not asking for generic statements about wanting to collaborate or lead; instead, they want to see that you've done your homework and understand the specific spaces where your strengths will make a difference. Perhaps you'll bring your operational expertise to a student-led consulting initiative, or your experience in nonprofit management will enhance case competitions or the Social Impact Club. Maybe your background in a particular industry will elevate peer discussions in that sector, or your mentoring skills will benefit first-year students navigating recruiting season. The more specific you can be about how you will actually spend your time and energy at McDonough, the more compelling your case becomes. Georgetown is asking you to envision not just what you'll gain from the MBA, but who you'll become in that community and what you'll leave behind when you graduate.

With only three sentences, you have virtually no room for storytelling or elaboration, which means every word must count. Your goal here is not to explain why you want something, but rather to state clearly what you want to do immediately after graduation, in what industry or function, and ideally in what type of organization or role. McDonough's admissions team is looking for specificity and clarity, so resist the urge to be vague or hedge your answer. For example, rather than saying "I want to work in business," name a specific function "management consulting," mention the type of firm or industry you're targeting "technology-focused consulting at a top-tier firm like McKinsey or Bain," and describe the impact you hope to create "driving digital transformation for Fortune 500 companies". The more concrete your goal, the more credible you appear to admissions readers.

Given Georgetown McDonough's deep Jesuit values and emphasis on principled leadership and serving the common good, consider how your short-term role will set you up to create meaningful impact, not just earn a paycheck. McDonough consistently emphasizes the intersection of business and global affairs, sustainability, healthcare, and entrepreneurship for social impact. If your goal aligns with one of these areas, whether you're aiming to work in social enterprise consulting, sustainable finance, healthcare innovation, or policy-focused work, that alignment matters. You don't need to force a values narrative into three sentences, but if your short-term goal naturally reflects a commitment to addressing real-world problems or working with organizations that do, that resonates with the school's mission. For instance, a goal like "join the consulting team at a healthcare advisory firm to help governments design equitable healthcare systems" demonstrates both ambition and purpose in a way that feels authentic to McDonough's culture.

Finally, make sure your short-term goal is ambitious yet realistic for someone with your background. Admissions committees understand that your post-MBA role should stretch you professionally but remain achievable based on your skills and experience. If you're transitioning into a new industry or function, reference the specific skills the MBA will give you that position you in that role. For example, a software engineer transitioning to product management might write: "My short-term goal is to secure a product manager role at a scaling fintech startup, leveraging the strategic thinking and business acumen I'll develop at McDonough to drive user-centered innovation in financial inclusion." This frames your goal as both ambitious and grounded, showing the school you've thought through your path.

With just three sentences to work with, your long-term career goals essay needs to be laser-focused and strategic. McDonough admissions readers want to see concrete ambition paired with realistic thinking. They are not looking for vague aspirations; they want to understand the specific industry, function, and geography where you see yourself operating post-MBA, and crucially, they want to believe you can actually get there. Think of this micro-essay as your thesis statement about where you belong in the business world. Rather than trying to impress with novelty, show clarity of vision. A statement like "I want to move into technology" is too broad for just three sentences. Instead, name a target role, specify an industry sector or geographic region if relevant, and hint at why this path makes sense given your background.

Georgetown McDonough's location in Washington, D.C. is far more than a geographic fact; it shapes how the school thinks about career outcomes. McDonough emphasizes the intersection of business and policy, hosts over 200 guest speakers annually (many from the government, diplomatic, and nonprofit sectors), and actively encourages students to think about business as a force for good. Your long-term goal essay is your chance to signal that you understand and embrace this values-driven, globally-oriented perspective. If your goal involves policy impact, corporate sustainability, government relations, international development, or any field where social purpose intersects with business, McDonough will see direct alignment with its mission and culture. Conversely, if your goal is purely transactional (such as "maximize personal wealth" or "climb the corporate ladder for status"), it may land flat with this particular community. You don't need to write a lengthy explanation of your social mission, but the goal itself should subtly reflect the school's belief that business can address society's challenges.

Frame your answer in three tight, well-structured sentences: use the first sentence to name your target role and industry; use the second to specify geography or context if it adds dimension; and use the third to signal either the skills or mindset you will bring to that role, or a connection to why McDonough specifically positions you to achieve it. For example: "Within five years post-MBA, I aim to lead business development for a climate-tech company, scaling renewable energy solutions across Southeast Asia." That sentence immediately tells the reader your function (business development), industry (climate-tech), geography (Southeast Asia), and implicitly, that you care about impact. Then add a sentence about the next phase (perhaps: "Ultimately, I want to build my own venture that democratizes access to clean energy in emerging markets.") and close with a line that shows self-awareness (such as: "My MBA will build the financial modeling, stakeholder management, and cross-border negotiation skills essential to this journey.") Notice how none of these sentences feel generic; they are tailored, specific, and believable.

A final cautionary note: do not oversell or undersell yourself. Saying "I want to be a partner at McKinsey" in year five is undershooting ambition; saying "I want to found a company valued at $1 billion" without relevant experience reads as naive. McDonough wants to admit candidates whose goals are ambitious yet grounded in who they are. Your career goal essay is not the place to overcompensate or stretch credibility; the admissions committee has already read your resume, work experience, and recommendations. Use these three sentences to crystallize what you learned from your past, where you want to go next, and why you believe an MBA from McDonough is the bridge between them.

This optional essay is truly optional, but your approach to it matters a great deal. The admissions committee uses this space strategically. They are not looking for a new narrative or a completely separate story; they want clarity, context, or additional detail that helps them understand your candidacy more fully. Think of it as a chance to smooth out potential rough spots or to shed light on something that might otherwise raise questions. If you have an employment gap, periods when your grades dipped, a nontraditional career path, or an aspect of your background that deserves explanation, this is where you address it directly. The key is brevity and honesty: state the situation factually, provide context if relevant, and then highlight what you did during that time to grow. Did you take additional coursework, volunteer, develop a new skill, or gain relevant experience that strengthened your candidacy? Georgetown values resilience and a forward-looking mindset, so show the admissions committee not just the challenge but your response to it and what you learned.

Beyond addressing potential weaknesses, you can use this essay to provide color that genuinely clarifies your application. Perhaps you worked on a project that isn't fully explained by your resume title, or you have academic or professional credentials that deserve more context. If you are reapplying, this essay becomes more critical: the admissions committee wants concrete evidence that your candidacy has strengthened since your last submission. Share specific improvements in test scores, new leadership experiences, expanded technical skills, or evolved career clarity. Make the case that you are a fundamentally stronger candidate, not simply the same person trying again.

What you should absolutely avoid is using this space to introduce a brand new topic or to repeat stories you have already told in your main essays or video submission. Georgetown builds a holistic picture of who you are, and adding noise or redundancy can undermine that effort. Be selective and strategic. If there is truly nothing that needs explanation or clarification in your application, you can choose not to submit this optional essay. A tight, strong application without the optional essay is always better than a forced or unnecessary addition. Admissions officers respect clean applications and do not penalize candidates for declining to write when there is nothing meaningful to add.

Think of this as your formal explanation to the admissions committee about how you have evolved since your last rejection. McDonough places enormous weight on this essay because it directly demonstrates whether you have reflected deeply on feedback, learned from your experience, and taken concrete action to become a more compelling candidate. The school values candidates who show resilience, self-awareness, and genuine commitment rather than those who simply apply again without demonstrable growth.

Focus your essay on "delta", the measurable change and improvement in your candidacy since you last applied. Rather than apologizing for the rejection or spending words on regret, immediately pivot to what you've accomplished. Identify one or two major weaknesses from your previous application (perhaps unclear career goals, insufficient leadership experience, a borderline test score, or limited engagement with McDonough's community) and show how you have systematically addressed each one with specific examples. Did you take additional quantitative coursework or retake the GMAT, rising 20+ points? Did you earn a promotion or take on expanded responsibilities that demonstrate leadership growth? Did you complete a professional certification, volunteer on a major community initiative, or develop expertise directly aligned with your MBA goals? These concrete actions speak far louder than promises. Admissions committees want to see that you acted, not that you simply hoped things would be different this time.

Beyond professional improvements, demonstrate your deepened understanding of and connection to Georgetown McDonough's specific mission and values. McDonough is deeply rooted in Jesuit principles, particularly cura personalis (care of the whole person) and collaboration for the common good. Visit campus if you haven't already, attend classes or student events, speak with current students or alumni, and explore the school's centers and initiatives that align with your interests. In your essay, reference specific things you discovered, perhaps a student club that sparked your interest, a faculty research initiative that excites you, a course offering that fills a gap you identified, or the school's focus on ethical leadership and interdisciplinary problem-solving. Show that you've done your homework and explain why McDonough specifically is the right next step, not just any top MBA. This signals genuine interest and fit, which the school highly values.

Finally, frame your narrative around growth and learning rather than blame or excuse-making. If your goals have shifted since your first application, explain why in a way that shows mature reflection, not instability. For example, "In my first application, I stated X goal, but through deeper exploration in my role at Y company, I discovered that my true passion lies in Z, which is grounded in my value of serving the common good." This shows the admissions committee that you listen to feedback, think critically about your future, and are ready to bring a more authentic version of yourself to the MBA program.