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McDonough School of Business – Georgetown University

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CLASS SIZE 248
Women 31%
MEAN GMAT 695
MEAN GPA 3.34

The McDonough School of Business is located on the main Georgetown University campus in Washington D.C. Located at the intersection of business, government, and international relations, Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business develops principled leaders with a global mindset to be in service to business and society. Guided by that purpose, the business school produces knowledge and educates leaders to address the most significant challenges and opportunities facing business and society today. In addition to the Full-time MBA program, McDonough also offers Executive and Evening MBA options. Distinguishing aspects of the program include an emphasis on global business, a focus on principled leadership, and support of the school’s Jesuit heritage and values.

FAQ

What is the tuition for McDonough's MBA program?

The tuition for McDonough’s MBA program is $64,600 per year.

How hard is it to get into McDonough's MBA program?

The acceptance rate for McDonough is 47.5% It is important to consider the acceptance rate in the context of the student profile of those who are admitted. For example the average GMAT score is 695.

What is the average GMAT score for admission to McDonough's MBA program?

The average GMAT score for the incoming class at McDonough is 695.

Does the McDonough MBA program accept the GRE?

Yes. The McDonough MBA program has accepted the GRE for a few years now.

What is the average GRE score for admission to McDonough’s MBA program?

The average GRE score for admissions to McDonough's MBA program is 318.

What is the minimum number of years of work experience required for admission to McDonough’s MBA program?

McDonough does not state a minimum requirement for years of work experience. However, it is important for candidates to be aware that they are being considered against other candidates with an average of 5.5 years of experience.

What is the average number of years of work experience for admission to McDonough’s MBA program? (or, What is the average age of a McDonough student?)

The average number of years of work experience among students in McDonough’s MBA program is 5.5. The average age of a McDonough MBA student is 29 years.

What is the average starting salary for graduates of the McDonough MBA program?

The average starting salary for McDonough MBA graduates is $138,552. The salary will vary by industry, with consulting and finance jobs generally commanding the higher salaries.

How long is McDonough’s full-time MBA program?

McDonough offers a traditional 2 year MBA program.

What are the application deadlines for McDonough’s MBA program?

The Round 1 MBA application deadline is October 2, 2023. The Round 2 application deadline is January 4, 2024. The Round 3 deadline is March 26, 2024. The Round 4 deadline is April 30, 2024.

What percent of McDonough MBA students are women?

The percentage of the class at McDonough that are women is 31%.

What type of interview does McDonough use for MBA admissions?

McDonough offers interviews by invitation. The interviews are resume-based. This means the interviewer has not had access to the application materials.

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Admissions

The Class Profile

Of the 1,428 people who applied to the McDonough Class of 2025, 248 ultimately matriculated into the program. Women comprise 31% of the class and 59% are international. Forty-two percent identify as U.S. minorities, which includes African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Native American. Nineteen percent identify as underrepresented U.S. minorities.

Georgetown MBAs had an average GPA of 3.34 during their undergraduate years. A quarter had majored in business and 19 percent in humanities. Fifteen percent earned degrees in math/physical sciences followed by 14 percent in engineering. Another 10 percent had studied economics. Nine percent came from government and international studies.

New members of the Class of 2025 matriculated with an average of 5.5 years of work experience at an average age of 29. Fourteen percent had worked in financial services and 12 percent in consulting. Another 12 percent hailed from the tech & new media industry followed by seven percent from government work. Five percent came from manufacturing. When it came time to take the GMAT, Georgetown MBAs averaged a score of 695. For those who took the GRE, the average score was 318. Executive Assessment test takers landed at an average score of 153.

Application Procedures

Prospective students may apply to McDonough in one of the four admissions rounds, which occur in October, January, March and May. In addition to a completed application form, candidates are asked to submit GMAT scores, one professional recommendation, essays, a résumé, transcripts from all collegiate and post-collegiate institutions attended, and TOEFL or IELTS scores, if applicable. McDonough also requires an application fee of $175. After applications are evaluated, the admissions committee will offer interviews by invitation only. An interview is required for admission into the full-time MBA program.

Application Checklist

  • Application Fee of $175
  • Application form (online)
  • Personal essays (online)
  • Professional reference (online)
  • Current résumé (online)
  • Official GMAT score
  • Official English language proficiency test score (TOEFL or IELTS), if applicable
  • Official transcripts/academic documents

Essay Topic Analysis

Need help with your essays? Get our experts' advice.

Interview Reports

Georgetown-mcdonough Q&As

Georgetown / McDonough LiveWire and DecisionWire

MBA LiveWire

March 18, 2024 4:25pm ET
Accepted to Georgetown / McDonough
Round: Round 2
Received via portal March 18, 2024
GPA: 3.93
GRE: 316
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Application Location: DC
Note:

Consortium Applicant; 100% scholarship. Vimeo was viewed 5-6 weeks after consortium application submission and interviewed 3 days after.

March 18, 2024 4:20pm ET
Accepted to Georgetown / McDonough
Round: Round 2
Received via phone March 18, 2024
GPA: 3.33
GRE: 313
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Marketing
Application Location: Washington, DC
Note:

Full tuition

March 18, 2024 4:11pm ET
Accepted to Georgetown / McDonough
Round: Round 2
Received via phone March 18, 2024
GPA: 3.37
GRE: 319
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Healthcare
Application Location: Los Angeles
March 18, 2024 4:10pm ET
Accepted to Georgetown / McDonough
Round: Round 2
Received via portal March 18, 2024
GPA: 7.81/10
GMAT: 730
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Application Location: India
Note:

Was tensed when I did not get a call from adcom but got in with $30k scholarship

March 18, 2024 3:40pm ET
Waitlisted at Georgetown / McDonough
Round: Round 2
Received via email March 18, 2024
GPA: 3.49
GMAT: 680
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Consulting
Application Location: Los Angeles
Note:

Got better offers at other schools, will not be joining waitlist!

March 18, 2024 3:33pm ET
Waitlisted at Georgetown / McDonough
Round: Round 2
Received via portal March 18, 2024
GPA: 3.2
GRE: 320
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Consulting
Application Location: California
Note:

Consortium app. The funniest part was that they didn't even watch my Youtube video essay! It’s disappointing to have confirmation that your application was not fully reviewed. Will not be joining the waitlist.

March 18, 2024 3:24pm ET
Accepted to Georgetown / McDonough
Round: Round 2
Received via phone March 18, 2024
GPA: 3.4
GRE: 312
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Entrepreneurship
Application Location: South Florida
Note:

Very pleased with receiving the call this morning.

March 18, 2024 2:42pm ET
Waitlisted at Georgetown / McDonough
Round: Round 2
Received via portal March 18, 2024
GPA: 3.6
GMAT: 655
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Consulting
Application Location: Canada
Note:

Received an email to check the portal. Waitlisted without interview. They will notify of any further updated to status on May 1.

MBA DecisionWire

NYU
March 18, 2024 4:04pm ET
Enrolled: NYU Stern
Admitted: NYU Stern , USC / Marshall
Applied: NYU Stern, USC / Marshall
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Consulting, Technology, Investment Banking, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Asset Management, inc. Hedge Funds
GPA: 3.11
Notes:

Born and raised in the NYC area and NYU has always been a dream school of mine. No scholarship info so far but I plan on taking loans to supplement my savings and what my company will pay for. I work at a BB in technology/ops, but looking to switch roles.

I scored a 162 on the EA, which I used in my application instead of a GMAT or GRE score.

NYU
March 18, 2024 3:59pm ET
Enrolled: NYU Stern
Admitted: Berkeley / Haas , Carnegie Mellon / Tepper $
$20000
,
Georgetown / McDonough $
$4000
,
NYU Stern , UCLA Anderson
Applied: Berkeley / Haas, Carnegie Mellon / Tepper, Georgetown / McDonough, NYU Stern, UCLA Anderson, U. Washington / Foster
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Consumer Goods Companies: Coca Cola, General Mills, Mondelez, Nestle, PepsiCo, Proctor & Gamble
GPA: 3.2
Location: Portland OR
Notes:

I want to end up on the east coast (so therefore want to build my network out east). I also want to stay in the marketing & CPG space as well. I wanted to do more part time programs, so really focused on part time programs that have hybrid programs.

Advice: Really take the time to reflect and understand what you want out of an MBA. Do the work!

McD
March 18, 2024 11:10am ET
Enrolled: Georgetown / McDonough
Admitted: Georgetown / McDonough
Applied: Georgetown / McDonough
Entering Year: 2024
GRE: 328
Location: India
?
March 18, 2024 5:44am ET
Enrolled: Undecided
Admitted: Emory / Goizueta , Georgia / Terry , Rice / Jones
Applied: Emory / Goizueta, Georgia / Terry, Rice / Jones, UNC Kenan-Flagler
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Consulting, Technology, Undecided
GPA: 3.1
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Academics

Faculty

Across its six academic areas of focus, the McDonough School of Business employs 104 full-time faculty members. Faculty members both teach courses and help staff the school’s nine research centers and initiatives, which investigate topics ranging from global social enterprise to financial markets and policy.

Curriculum

Professors at McDonough utilize a variety of teaching methods, including case studies and lectures. The McDonough academic calendar runs on a two-semester system, and each semester is further divided into twelve-week Core Courses and Elective Modules of six weeks or half a semester. The fall semester begins in late August and runs until mid-December. Following a three-and-a-half week winter break, the spring semester starts in early January and ends in mid-May; graduation takes place shortly thereafter. There is a brief exam period every six weeks after a module is complete, with career weeks and holiday breaks occurring between modules.

At the start of the program, incoming students complete a weeklong Opening Term in which they take one course, Leading Teams for Performance and Impact. They then spend the year fulfilling the 15 core requirements. The incoming class is divided into cohorts that complete the core curriculum and residences together. The core features foundational business concepts in finance, accounting, statistics, economics, marketing, management and operations. Students may waive certain core courses and opt to take electives in lieu of familiar coursework. In the spring semester of their first year, MBA candidates pursue two electives of their choosing.

During their second year, students must complete an additional 11 electives out of the roughly 70 offered across accounting, finance, management, marketing, operations and information management, and strategy. McDonough students are not required to declare a major, although there are special initiatives focused on entrepreneurship, global social enterprise and real estate finance in which students can participate. To allow students to gain international exposure, McDonough has created a Global Business Experience program. Beginning in the fall semester of the second year, Global Business Experience requires students to complete classwork and a consulting project for an international organization. Students then travel to the client country to discuss their solutions with senior managers and also present their findings to classmates at the end of the spring semester.

Other MBA Degree Options

Outside of the full-time MBA program, McDonough offers a four-year MBA/JD program with the Georgetown University Law Center and a five-year MBA/MD program with the Georgetown Medical School.  Other options include a MBA/MPP program with the McCourt School of Public Policy and a MBA/MSFS program with the School of Foreign Service, both of which take three years to complete.  Part-time offerings include a 34-month Evening MBA program and a 20-month Executive MBA program.

Special Initiatives

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Georgetown University Women’s Leadership
  • Global Business
  • Business for Impact

Degree Offerings at McDonough

Full Time and Flex MBA
https://msb.georgetown.edu/mba/

Executive Education
https://msb.georgetown.edu/executive-mba/

Dual Degrees
JD/MBA, MBA/MD, MBA/MPP, MBA/MSFS
https://msb.georgetown.edu/mba/dual-degree/

Campus Life

Clubs, Conferences & Competitions

McDonough students have many opportunities to become involved in extracurricular activities, with over 40 student organizations to choose from catering to a range of professional and personal interests. For example, many MBA students participate in community service activities through the clubs MBA Volunteers and Net Impact. Meanwhile, students can prepare for potential post-MBA careers by joining clubs such as the Business and Government Alliance, the Georgetown Entertainment and Media Alliance and the Graduate Marketing Association. A popular tradition on campus is the International Festival, hosted each fall by McDonough’s international clubs, which showcases international cultures through dance, music and food. The student government also hosts informal social events on Thursdays, meant to help students relax at the end of the week.

Every year, McDonough’s student organizations run a variety of conferences on campus. Conferences have included, among others, the Georgetown Women in Business’s annual conference regarding the professional development of businesswomen. McDonough students also participate in a large number of business competitions each year, such as the Georgetown Ventures & Values Pitch Conference and the Venture Capital Investment Competition.

Campus Space

The McDonough School of Business is located in the Rafik B. Hariri Building in the center of Georgetown University’s campus in northwestern Washington, D.C. Opened in 2009, the building includes student lounge spaces and breakout rooms, a 400-seat auditorium, 120 faculty offices, 15 classrooms, 15 conference rooms and nearly a dozen rooms for interview purposes. Although all graduate students at Georgetown University live off campus, many find housing in the surrounding neighborhoods of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia. If admitted, the MBA Admissions team provides a Housing Guide that references neighborhoods and types of communities where current students live.

MBA Careers

Career Services

The MBA Career Center provides McDonough students with a vast array of resources, including career fairs and corporate presentations. The Center also organizes annual treks off campus to allow students to explore industries such as consulting, marketing and real estate, as well as key business regions like Wall Street, San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Students can receive additional help with their job searches by pairing with a Career Coach to help guide them through the job search process. On-campus interviews for full-time positions begin in late September and run through mid-December, while those for internships begin in mid-January.

Career Statistics

Ninety-six percent of the Class of 2022 received a job offer within three months of graduating and 95% accepted job offers within that time frame. These newly minted MBAs received an average salary of $138,552 and an average signing bonus of $36,342.

The most popular post-MBA industry was consulting, chosen by 29% of graduates, followed by financial services at 25%. Eighteen percent of the class accepted positions in technology, while another 7%  went into consumer goods. Seven percent selected to pursue roles in the non-profit/social impact sector.

In regards to regional placement, 43% of McDonough MBAs stayed in the Mid-Atlantic region. Twenty-six percent headed to the Northeast and 11% headed West. Eight percent settled in the South U.S. and seven percent in the Southwest U.S.

Financing

The tuition for the 2023-2024 year at McDonough is $64,600. Given other expenses such as fees, housing, travel and books, however, the school estimates that students will pay $103,513 during that time. The MBA program provides students with financial assistance through merit-based scholarships. First-year MBA students are automatically considered for these awards upon admission and do not need to fill out any additional applications. The school notes, however, that applicants who apply to McDonough’s MBA program during the first or second rounds of admission are given priority consideration for scholarships. McDonough offers an array of loan options to students, with federal loans available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents and private loans, such as the MBA Loans Program, available to international students with a U.S. citizen co-signer. McDonough also offers research and teaching assistantship opportunities to graduate students.

Cost of Attendance

  • Tuition & Fees $68,063
  • Avg. Living Allowance $26,578
  • Avg. Books $2,646
  • Avg. Travel $3,126
  • Federal Direct Loan Fees $3,100
  • Total $103,513

Contact

Mailing Address:
Georgetown University
McDonough School of Business
Full-time MBA Admissions Office
Rafik B. Hariri Building, Suite 390
3700 O Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20057
Phone: 202-687-4200
Fax:  202-687-7809
Email: [email protected]
Web: msb.georgetown.edu/programs/MBA
Blog: http://msbgumba.tumblr.com/
Twitter: @msbgu