Georgetown vs WashU: Two Elite Schools Hiding in Plain Sight

The "Other" Elite Schools

Harvard, Yale, and Stanford get all the headlines. But Georgetown and Washington University in St. Louis consistently rank in the top 15-20 nationally and produce graduates who go on to run countries and companies. Both are somewhat under the radar compared to the Ivies, which can actually work in your favor during admissions.

The Numbers

Georgetown

• Acceptance rate: ~12%
• Middle 50% SAT: 1430-1540
• Middle 50% ACT: 33-35
• Class size: ~1,600
• Endowment: ~$4.5 billion
• Location: Washington, D.C. (Georgetown neighborhood)

WashU (Washington University in St. Louis)

• Acceptance rate: ~10%
• Middle 50% SAT: 1510-1570
• Middle 50% ACT: 34-36
• Class size: ~1,800
• Endowment: ~$14 billion
• Location: St. Louis, Missouri (Clayton area)

WashU's stats are slightly higher, but Georgetown's location in D.C. and its unique programs make raw numbers misleading. Both are highly selective with different admissions cultures.

Admissions Differences

Georgetown

Georgetown's admissions process is unique among elite schools:

• Does NOT use the Common App (has its own application)
• No Early Decision (only has Restrictive Early Action)
• REA acceptance rate: ~10-12%
• Applies to a specific school: Georgetown College, SFS (School of Foreign Service), MSB (McDonough Business), or Nursing
• SFS is the most selective school within Georgetown
• Georgetown considers demonstrated interest seriously
• The separate application means fewer "shotgun" applicants

WashU

• Early Decision (binding): ~30-35% acceptance rate
• ED is a MASSIVE advantage at WashU (one of the biggest ED bumps at any school)
• Common App with WashU supplements
• Demonstrated interest is very important
• You can apply to specific programs (Olin Business, McKelvey Engineering, Arts & Sciences)
• "Why WashU" essay is critical

Strategic insight: WashU's ED acceptance rate being 3x the overall rate makes it one of the biggest ED advantages in college admissions. If WashU is your top choice, ED is almost mandatory.

Academic Strengths

Georgetown Excels In:

• International Relations and Foreign Policy (SFS is #1 in the world)
• Political Science and Government (location advantage is unbeatable)
• Business (MSB is top 10 undergraduate)
• Pre-law (Georgetown Law feeds into SCOTUS clerks)
• Languages and Linguistics
• Theology and Philosophy (Jesuit intellectual tradition)

WashU Excels In:

• Pre-med and Biology (Barnes-Jewish Hospital is a top teaching hospital)
• Business (Olin is excellent and growing)
• Architecture (Sam Fox School)
• Engineering (McKelvey)
• Social Work (#1 nationally)
• Psychology and Neuroscience

The Location Factor

Georgetown - Washington, D.C.

• You're IN the nation's capital
• Internships at Congress, State Department, World Bank, think tanks, embassies
• Georgetown neighborhood is charming and walkable
• Access to every government agency and international organization
• Incredible networking for politics, policy, law, and international affairs
• The social scene revolves around D.C.'s culture of power and influence

WashU - St. Louis, Missouri

• Campus is in the affluent Clayton neighborhood
• Forest Park (one of the largest urban parks in the country) is walking distance
• St. Louis has a lower cost of living than D.C.
• Strong local internship scene (Anheuser-Busch, Edward Jones, BJC Healthcare)
• Less glamorous city, but the campus itself is stunning
• Tight-knit campus community because there's less to "escape to"

If you want to go into politics, policy, international affairs, or law, Georgetown's D.C. location is an irreplaceable advantage. If you want a more traditional campus-centered experience, WashU delivers.

Campus Culture

Georgetown

• Jesuit values (service, intellectual curiosity, "cura personalis" - care for the whole person)
• Politically engaged campus (protests, debates, and policy discussions are constant)
• Diverse mix of preppy, political, international, and service-oriented students
• No Greek life (Jesuit schools generally don't have it)
• Georgetown basketball is a point of school pride
• Students tend to be ambitious, outgoing, and connected

WashU

• Collaborative and supportive academic culture
• Greek life is present but not dominant
• Students are high-achieving but less competitive with each other
• Strong community service culture
• The "WashU bubble" is real but comfortable
• Known for student happiness and quality of life (consistently ranks high)

Pre-Professional Tracks

For Pre-Law:

Georgetown wins. Being in D.C. with Georgetown Law right there and access to every court and government office gives you an unmatched foundation.

For Pre-Med:

WashU wins slightly. Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the medical school are literally across the street. Research opportunities are abundant and accessible to undergrads.

For Business:

It's a toss-up. Georgetown's MSB gives you D.C. connections (consulting, government contracting). WashU's Olin gives you a strong Midwest network and increasing national reputation.

For Engineering:

WashU wins. McKelvey School is larger and more established. Georgetown doesn't have a traditional engineering school.

Financial Aid

Georgetown

• Meets 100% of demonstrated need
• Need-based only (no merit scholarships)
• Financial aid is good but not as generous per-student as some peers (smaller endowment relative to class size)

WashU

• Meets 100% of demonstrated need
• Some merit scholarships available (though rare)
• Larger endowment per student means slightly more generous packages on average
• Annika Rodriguez Scholars and other named scholarships

WashU's larger endowment per student generally translates to slightly better financial aid outcomes, but both schools are committed to meeting full need.

Who Should Apply Where?

Georgetown if:

• Politics, policy, international relations, or law are your passion
• You want to be in D.C. and take advantage of the location
• You're attracted to Jesuit values and intellectual tradition
• You prefer no Greek life and a more individually driven social scene
• You're willing to complete a separate application (which means more committed applicants)

WashU if:

• Pre-med, engineering, or architecture are your goals
• You want a more traditional campus experience
• You value collaborative culture and student happiness
• You're willing to use ED to maximize your chances
• You want a beautiful campus with strong community

The Bottom Line

Georgetown gives you access to power. WashU gives you an exceptional campus experience. Both are significantly easier to get into than Ivies while offering comparable education and outcomes.

If either is your top choice, demonstrate that clearly. Georgetown wants you to use their unique application and show genuine interest. WashU rewards ED commitment with a significantly higher acceptance rate.

Check your chances at both. [Try AdmitOdds free](https://admitodds.com) for an honest, data-driven assessment.