How should I approach the supplemental essay for Georgetown College of Arts and Sciences?

The Georgetown College of Arts and Sciences supplemental essay is meant to showcase your intellectual curiosity and highlight what excites you most academically. The prompt’s openness is intentional—it gives you the chance to show how your interests have evolved and how they connect to what you hope to pursue at Georgetown.

Since you mentioned political science, debate, student government, and literature, you have a great opportunity to present yourself as an intellectually curious person with a multifaceted profile. Instead of listing every interest, try to create a narrative that shows how these areas connect or inform each other in your life. For instance, you could describe a moment in debate or student government where your love for literature shaped your approach to persuasion, empathy, or argumentation. Maybe reading a certain novel influenced how you thought about leadership or social justice, which you then put into action while serving in student government.

Georgetown values students who not only have strong academic interests, but who also demonstrate the ability to engage deeply and make unique connections. Rather than trying to cover everything you’ve ever done, choose one or two key experiences that let you dig deep. A specific anecdote is often the most powerful way to stand out. For example, instead of saying, “I love debating and literature,” you might highlight an instance where you quoted a piece of literature in a debate round and how that shaped the judge’s perspective. Use sensory details and reflection—show what you learned, how you grew, and why these experiences matter to your future studies.

Structurally, start with a vivid snapshot or a genuine question that guides the essay. Then, weave in your experiences, explain how they sparked your curiosity, and finally, look forward: What are you excited to explore at Georgetown specifically? Are there professors, classes, programs, or resources that tie into your interdisciplinary interests?

In summary: focus on depth over breadth, create connections between your interests, and use story-driven examples. The more you reveal about how you think, the more memorable you’ll be to the admissions team. Ultimately, Georgetown is looking for students who are both passionate and intellectually nimble—demonstrate that you are one by showing how your interests intersect and propel you forward.