Letters of Recommendation for Georgetown

Hi, I'm thinking about applying to Georgetown this year and I'm wondering about what they're looking for in letters of recommendation? I mean, do they value more academic oriented or do personal and EC-related qualities matter too?

Georgetown University, like many other schools, appreciates comprehensive and well-rounded letters of recommendation that can shed light on several aspects of an applicant's personality and capabilities. While academic prowess is certainly important, it's not the only factor they're interested in. Here are the important qualities that should ideally stand out in the letters:

1. Academic abilities: Your recommender should shed light on your academic strengths, engaging with intellectual curiosity, and problem-solving skills. They should also highlight your classroom contributions, commitment to learning, and how you've challenged yourself acadically.

2. Extracurricular involvement: Your recommender should discuss your level of commitment, leadership skills, and impact within your extracurricular activities. This is where your involvement in clubs, sports, volunteer work etc., comes into play.

3. Personal character: Georgetown values qualities like integrity, resilience, empathy, and personal growth. Your recommender should discuss your interpersonal skills, values, and personal development.

4. Future potential: A note on your potential for future success will not go amiss. This could include how the recommender sees your chosen discipline and Georgetown as a good fit for your future ambitions.

To give a comprehensive picture, try selecting recommenders who've observed you in different settings. For instance, one may be a teacher who's seen your academic abilities and part of your character. Another can be a coach or a supervisor from an extracurricular activity, who can vouch for your commitment, leadership, and teamwork.

As the process is entirely holistic, both academic and personal qualities are valued equally and provide a more complete picture of the applicant. Georgetown's aim is to understand you as an individual -- beyond numbers and stats. Therefore, consider working closely with your recommenders to ensure they highlight these different aspects of your profile.