Gavin Howe
Georgetown Law School is a challenging school to get into, with an acceptance rate of 20.13%. The school has a separate campus from the undergrad campus, with a law-student-only gym, and a huge alumni network for job-seeking. The application process includes a non-refundable $85 fee, one letter of recommendation, and a personal statement of around two double-spaced pages. Georgetown Law also offers applicants the opportunity to submit an optional essay or video to showcase their personality, creativity, and a new side of themselves. These optional essays are considered silly and provide fun prompts for applicants to answer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $85 non-refundable fee |
| Fee Waivers | Granted on a case-by-case basis; available for active Teach for America corps members and alumni, Peace Corps volunteers, military veterans and service members, and Truman Scholars |
| Letters of Recommendation | 1 required, but additional letters are welcome |
| Personal Statement | No minimum or maximum length, but should be around 2 pages double-spaced; can be on any subject |
| Optional Essays | 5 fun and silly essay prompts to choose from, with a 250-word limit |
| Optional Video | One-minute video that says something about the applicant |
| Acceptance Rate | 20.13% |
| Median GPA | 3.92 |
| Median LSAT Score | 171 |
| Median GRE Score | 323 (164 in Verbal Reasoning, 159 in Quantitative Reasoning, and 5 in Analytical Writing) |
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What You'll Learn
Georgetown Law optional essays
The Georgetown Law School admissions process is unique in that it focuses on the individual. The optional essays are an opportunity for the Admissions Committee to get to know you better. The essay prompts change regularly, so it is important to check the current year's prompts when applying.
The optional essays are an opportunity to showcase your writing skills and express your personality, creativity, and a new side of yourself. It is important to be authentic and truthful in your response, as catering to what you think the committee wants to read can make your essay seem disingenuous. The Admissions Committee is made up of multiple personalities from various backgrounds, so it is impossible to tailor your response to every member. Some applicants choose to submit a one-minute video instead of a written essay, which should also communicate something about you that cannot be learned from reading your personal statement or diversity statement.
The optional essay prompts for Georgetown Law are typically fun and silly, with previous prompts including: "What's the best (or worst) piece of advice you ever received?", "If you could 'uninvent' one thing, what would it be?", and "Tell us about a moment in your life that you regret." These prompts allow applicants to let loose, be memorable, and get creative with their responses.
When writing your optional essay, it is important to stay within the word limit, which is typically around 250 words. A strong essay will communicate your personal perspective honestly and effectively, and it is beneficial to put effort into writing a great essay rather than submitting a video.
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Personal statements
The personal statement is a crucial component of the Georgetown Law application. While it is optional, it is highly recommended, as it provides applicants with an opportunity to showcase their personalities, creativity, and unique perspectives. The admissions committee encourages applicants to use this space to share additional personal perspectives, reflections, or experiences that have contributed to their growth and aspirations as future legal scholars and lawyers.
When crafting your personal statement, it is essential to focus on authenticity and truthfulness. Be yourself and write about a subject that reveals important aspects of your life that may not be covered in the rest of your application. Share how your background, experiences, and perspectives have influenced who you are today and your goals for the future. This statement is your chance to add depth to your application and leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee.
There is no minimum or maximum length requirement for the personal statement at Georgetown Law, but it is recommended to keep it around two double-spaced pages. This length provides ample space to develop your ideas and narrative while maintaining the admissions committee's interest. Remember, the goal is to stand out and make a memorable impression.
In addition to the personal statement, Georgetown Law offers optional essay prompts that change annually. These essays provide another opportunity to showcase your writing skills and give the admissions committee further insight into your personality. The prompts are designed to be fun and allow applicants to express themselves freely. While you can write about any topic that inspires you, it is essential to ensure your response is authentic and honest.
The optional essays are an excellent opportunity to showcase your creativity and a new side of yourself. However, it is crucial to ensure that your essay does not overlap with the content of your personal statement or diversity statement. Instead, use this space to highlight something new about yourself and your experiences. Remember to stay within the word limit, typically around 250 words, and make every word count.
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Diversity statements
The personal statement is an integral part of the Georgetown Law application. While the Admissions Committee does not have a minimum or maximum length for the personal statement, they recommend around two pages double-spaced. This statement is an opportunity for the Admissions Committee to get to know you—how you think, what you value, and how you write. You can write about any subject and include additional personal perspectives, reflections, or experiences that have contributed to who you are as a person and as a future legal scholar and lawyer.
For example, you may choose to answer one of the following prompts in your diversity statement:
- What's the best (or worst) piece of advice you ever received?
- If you could "uninvent" one thing, what would it be?
- Tell us about a moment in your life that you regret.
While you can (and should) receive and incorporate feedback on drafts, the only person who may be engaged in the actual writing is you. The Admissions Committee wants to hear your unique voice and perspective, so be yourself and write with honesty and authenticity.
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Video submissions
Georgetown Law School is an extremely competitive school with an acceptance rate of 20.13%. The school's admissions process is focused on the individual, and applicants are encouraged to submit additional personal perspectives, reflections, or experiences that have contributed to their character and their aspirations to become a legal scholar and lawyer.
One of the ways in which applicants can do this is through a video submission. This is an optional component of the application, and applicants are given the option of submitting a one-minute video that showcases their personality and provides the admissions committee with insights that they cannot gain from the rest of the application package.
The video should be uploaded to an easily accessible website, and the URL provided in the application. If using YouTube, it is recommended that the video be set to 'unlisted' so that it does not appear in any of YouTube's public spaces. The video should be creative and authentic, and applicants should be mindful not to include information that is already included in their application. The video is an opportunity to showcase a different side of the applicant and to make a memorable impression on the admissions committee.
The video submission is a chance for applicants to be creative and showcase their personalities. It is important to ensure that the video is well-prepared and thoughtfully constructed to effectively communicate the applicant's unique qualities and characteristics.
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Letters of recommendation
Georgetown Law requires only one letter of recommendation, but additional letters are welcome. If possible, the letter of recommendation should be written by a professor who can provide valuable insights into your academic accomplishments. This is an opportunity to showcase your academic work and achievements, so it is important to choose a professor who knows your work well and can speak positively about your performance and potential.
The professor should be able to highlight your strengths and provide specific examples of your academic abilities. For example, they may discuss your research skills, critical thinking, or ability to handle complex legal concepts. If you have conducted any independent research projects or presented your work at conferences, this would be an excellent opportunity to mention these achievements.
In addition to academic accomplishments, the letter of recommendation can also speak to your personal qualities and characteristics that would make you a strong law student and future legal professional. For example, they may discuss your work ethic, leadership skills, or ability to work collaboratively with others. If you have faced any challenges or obstacles, the letter could also speak to your resilience and determination in overcoming these difficulties.
It is important to choose a professor who can provide a strong and comprehensive letter of recommendation. You may consider meeting with them to discuss your application and provide any additional information or materials that could be helpful. This will ensure that they have a clear understanding of your background, accomplishments, and goals, and can write a compelling letter on your behalf.
While Georgetown Law only requires one letter, it is worth considering additional letters if you feel they would add valuable perspectives to your application. For example, if you have worked or volunteered in a legal setting, a letter from a supervisor or mentor could highlight your practical skills and experiences. Alternatively, if you have been involved in extracurricular activities or community service, a letter from a coach or advisor could speak to your leadership, teamwork, or commitment to social impact.
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Frequently asked questions
The acceptance rate for Georgetown University Law Center is 20.13%. Out of 11,319 students who applied, only 2,276 were accepted.
Georgetown Law requires a non-refundable $85 fee, one letter of recommendation, and a personal statement. The personal statement should be around 2 pages double-spaced and can be about any subject that will enable the Admissions Committee to get to know you. You can also include an optional essay or video that showcases your personality, creativity, and a new side of yourself.
Some examples of optional essay or video topics include:
- What's the best or worst piece of advice you've ever received?
- If you could "uninvent" one thing, what would it be?
- Tell us about a moment in your life that you regret.
- Prepare a one-minute video that says something about you.
Georgetown Law has a rigorous academic environment and is ranked as the 14th-best law school in the nation. It is known for having a large class size, an extensive alumni network, and a separate campus from the undergraduate program. The median GPA of accepted students is 3.92, and the median LSAT score is 171, which falls within the 96th percentile.
