Georgetown is one of our nation’s leading academic institutions and the country’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit University. Located in northwest D.C., the school is perched high on a hill overlooking the historic neighborhood of Georgetown, itself scenically situated along the Potomac River. To the approximately 7, 500 undergraduates who call Georgetown home, the university offers rigorous academic programs with a global perspective and a commitment to social justice. Students take full advantage of the proximity to D.C. obtaining incredible internships throughout their four years. Students love being just a few blocks from Georgetown’s main thoroughfare, M Street, bustling with shops, restaurants, and bars.
SHORTCUTS
Stay: Georgetown University Hotel & Conf. Center | Breakfast: Dog Tag Cafe
Lunch: Clyde's | Dinner: Farmers Fishers Baker
Visitor Information: Information session and campus tour reservation calendars are posted on the site three months at a time. Tour Georgetown
Transportation: Georgetown is easily accessible from Ronald Reagan National Airport, about 15 minutes to campus or Dulles International, approximately a 40- minute drive. Amtrak, MARC (Maryland Transit Administration), and VRE (Virginia Railway Express) all travel in and out of Union Station as well as BoltBus, Greyhound, and Megabus.
Mascot: Though the nickname for Georgetown’s sports teams (and students in general) is "the Hoyas," the University’s official mascot is a Bulldog named Jack, a beloved presence at Georgetown sports events. And he’s famous--the American Kennel Club ranks Jack as eighth among the 125 most famous dogs in pop culture. The first Jack brought to campus in 1964, was named "Hoya" by the students, but he stubbornly only responded to “Jack.” If you’re lucky enough to attend a basketball game during your visit, keep a look out for the current “Jack,” he is often seen skateboarding across the court. (The Georgetown Hoyas are part of the NCAA’s Division I and are well known for their dominant men’s basketball team.)
Stay: You can’t get more convenient than the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center, located right on campus between the Medical Center and the Main Campus. In the heart of Georgetown, the top choice for luxury has always been the Four Seasons on 29th and M. We are big fans of The Ritz Carlton Georgetown, on a quiet street by the waterfront exuding a hip, relaxed vibe and comfortable interiors. The Georgetown Inn is another popular choice and a less expensive option.
Coffee: On campus there is a Starbucks in the Leavey Center that opens at 6:30 am and Uncommon Grounds, also in the Leavey that opens at 7:30. (Located on the second floor of the bookstore.) Students steered us towards Saxby’s; just a few minutes walk from campus. In Georgetown we loved Baked and Wired, if we lived in D.C., we’d be regulars. Part coffee shop, part bakery, the vibe is eclectic, the design bohemian and the crowd a mix of students, locals, and tourists. Georgetown Cupcake may have the fame, but those in the know come here for some of the biggest, prettiest and best cupcakes in town.
Breakfast: Decorated in red, white and blue, with a unique dog-tag chandelier Dog Tag Cafe is a bakery with a purpose. Starting bright and early disabled military vets bake scones, muffins & other goodies all while gaining valuable work experience. It’s a cozy, feel-good spot for your morning coffee, sweets, and breakfast sandwiches. You’ll feel like you traveled to Europe at Café Bonaparte, a French creperie, and coffee shop. Will you be in town for the weekend? Brunch at Peacock Café has been a Georgetown hot spot for years. (It’s also a good choice for lunch.)
Lunch: Right on campus grab a quick bite at Leo O'Donovan Hall or the food court in the Leavey Center. There are three iconic institutions in Georgetown, all good for either lunch or a casual dinner: Clyde’s, J. Paul’s, and The Tombs. J. Paul’s has been opened for thirty years and is the newbie with Clyde’s dating back to 1963, and The Tombs to 1962. (The Tombs is right on the edge of campus—restaurant by day, and a wildly popular meeting/drinking place for students at night.) Of the three we’d suggest Clyde’s, one older alum told us he goes back every time he’s in town for the chili and the crab tower. The European-inspired menu at Leopold’s Kafe (just off M Street on Cady’s Alley) features salads, savory tarts, and entrees like schnitzel--there’s a lovely patio, a nice draw on a beautiful day. For a quick, healthy meal Sweetgreen’s salads have become a sensation across the East Coast with lines out the door—hats off to the three Georgetown alums who started this uber- popular salad chain. For awesome vegetarian tacos, ones that will wow even the carnivores in your group head to Chaia.
Dinner
Casual: At Georgetown’s lively Washington Harbour, Farmers Fishers Baker's diverse menu has everything from burgers to flatbreads to sushi to grilled meats and fish from the team behind downtowns Founding Farmers. Space is fun and whimsical, and an added plus is the patio overlooking the Potomac. There's a "First Bake" breakfast menu (available from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Monday through Friday) featuring everything from steel-cut oatmeal to fresh doughnuts and a Farmers Market weekend Buffet Brunch. The Sovereign celebrates the rustic cuisine and brewing culture of Belgian, featuring specially sourced Dutch-style mussels, flatbreads, and soups and stews. Thirsty? There’s 50 draft beers and more than 350 bottles to choose from.
A Step Up: Georgetown is home to two of Washingtonians favorite Italian restaurants Filomena, overlooking the canal and Café Milano just off M Street on Prospect Street. On the Georgetown waterfront lauded Chef Fabio Trabocchi’s Fiola Mare is a grown-up night out—elegant and expensive and known for its exquisite seafood.
Worth the Drive: No longer a steakhouse town, the restaurant scene is red hot in D.C. and downtown is just a quick uber or metro stop away. Some of the best include Jose Andres’ Zaytinya, Rasika for Indian cuisine, The Dabney for open fire cooking and Le Diplomate for French fare, just to name a few. For more top spots click here for our GW itinerary.
Late Night Snack: Taste the creations from sisters and stars of TLC’s hit series DC Cupcakes at Georgetown Cupcakes, open till 9 pm. For classic ice-cream, fro-yo’s and their signature blend-ins head to Thomas Sweet, open till 10:30 weekdays and midnight on the weekends. Students swear it’s the best ice cream in the Capitol.
Local Attractions: Stay local and explore Georgetown with the self-guided Kennedy Walking Tour providing an in-depth look at the architecture and history of the neighborhood. Washington D.C. is a worthy destination in its own right, offering a wealth of landmarks, museums, and cultural attractions. Short on time, must see iconic monuments include The Lincoln Memorial, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The WWII Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial, which is exceptionally beautiful at sunset. Spend some time on the National Mall where you can just relax on the lawn while soaking in the Capital or Lincoln Memorial. Tours of the Capitol are fascinating and need to be arranged in advance. Two very moving museums; The United States Holocaust Museum and the newest Smithsonian Museum, The National Museum of African American History and Culture, are not to be missed. The latter, opened in September 2016, takes visitors on a journey through 400 years of African American history, an emotional and powerful experience. Extremely popular since day one, you must have a timed ticket to visit; free timed entry passes are released monthly, for more information click here.
— This Is Georgetown —
— Quotes From Campus —
“It’s a beautiful campus in the heart of the nation’s capital. Everyone at Georgetown is passionate about something and that makes for a very special community. Though Georgetown is a relatively large school (about 8,000 undergraduates), the compactness of the campus makes it feel like a much smaller school, which allows for a greater sense of community than schools of similar size can provide.”
“Georgetown is the perfect mix between a city school and a typical college campus. The center of DC is only a five-minute cab ride away, but there is also plenty to do and enjoy in Georgetown. Also, being in the nation’s capital provides countless opportunities for internships that aren’t available elsewhere.”
“The Georgetown experience is a balanced one. It’s a great blend of a traditional campus and a major urban city. The balance also holds true for the student body. Everyone is pumped to be there and puts forth a lot of time and effort into schoolwork, activities, and causes. At the same time, it’s a very social school and students have a ton of fun.”
Tripper Tips:
Richmond, VA (URichmond) - 2 1/2 hours
Charlottesville, VA (UVA) - 3 hours
Philadelphia, PA (UPenn/Swarthmore/Haverford/Villanova) - 3 hours
Georgetown - 15 minutes
College Park, MD (UMaryland) - 30 minutes
Baltimore, MD (Johns Hopkins) - 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours
GEORGETOWN FAST FACTS
Established
1789
Mascot:
Jack the Bulldog
School Colors
Grey & Blue
Acceptance Rate
15.4%
Common Application
No
Supplement Essays
Yes
Early Action/Decision
Early Action
SAT
Average - 1480
ACT
Average - 32
Type
Private
Size
Medium - 7,050 Undergraduates
Website
Region
Admissions Office
Room 103 White Gravenor Hall
37th and O Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20057
(p) (202) 687-3600
(f) (202) 687-5084
guadmiss@georgetown.edu
Sports Divisions
NCAA Division I
Greek Life
Yes
Noteworthy Alumni
Bill Nye
Toni Morrison
SHOP
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
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