What type of veteran attends Georgetown?

Georgetown University student veterans have a record of looking for the next level of achievement and

beating the odds to obtain it. For the Georgetown student veteran, simply going “back home” for college

isn’t enough; they seek not only a degree, but an educational experience that will mature their mind and

advance their intellectual horizon. Sound like you? Are you willing to reach further in your higher

education? Then here is your next step.

In this document we will show you that IT IS POSSIBLE, HOW BEST TO APPLY, and THAT OTHERS HAVE DONE IT BEFORE.

It Is Possible to Attend Georgetown

Often times, servicemembers and veterans falsely assume that an education at Georgetown is out of their

league academically and financially. On the contrary, attending Georgetown is a very real possibility.

Academically: Servicemembers may not have a stellar high school record to fall back on. Whether this is

true in your case or not, transitioning to civilian life and pursuing a higher education can

still be highly competitive in the admissions process. If you did do well in high school,

maybe you should be a first-year applicant. If not, no worries, applying as a transfer

student is the way to go.

First-Year Applicant: Strong high school academic record and fits the typical Georgetown

student profile (Click here for first-year student profile). Service experience only makes you

a more competitive applicant.

~ This is a product of the Student Veterans Association and has been endorsed by the Georgetown Office of Undergraduate Admissions.~ 1

The Plan – Making it to Georgetown Georgetown University Student Veterans Association

Transfer Student: If intending to transfer into Georgetown, a veteran can re-establish

themselves academically by attending a 4-year college or university, or a community

college, then submitting an impressive GPA as part of their application (Click here for

Transfer Profile). This new academic footing, coupled with your service experience, creates

a highly competitive transfer applicant. So what are you waiting for? Start planning!

Financially:

Do you think Georgetown is beyond your means

financially? Do you want to avoid endless debt yet study in

DC? Well, here’s good news. Georgetown is a “need-blind

admissions, need-based financial aid” institution. This

simply means two things: Georgetown doesn’t care how

much money you have when they consider your

application, and, if you get accepted, they provide the

difference in funds to help you attend if you are unable to

meet the cost of attendance. Between your Post-9/11 GI

Bill education benefits and possible financial aid, attending

Georgetown is very likely within your financial reach!

How Best to Apply to Georgetown

If you are applying to Georgetown as a first-year applicant or a transfer student, rest assured, all the

information you need to navigate the admissions process is available online. This document is simply a

tailored, information-added handout for servicemembers and veterans looking to attend Georgetown.

FIRST, YOU MUST READ THE ENTIRE ADMISSIONS WEBPAGE .

First-Year Applicants: Georgetown’s admissions process is highly personalized and thorough. If you are

close to the student profile of a first-year applicant, then that’s how you should

apply! Your experiences in uniform are considered unique and valuable to the

diversity of the campus and serve to make you a more competitive applicant. If

you are not admitted as a first-year applicant, you will still be able to apply the

following admissions cycle as a transfer student. In fact, your determination to

be a Hoya will be considered a positive factor in your transfer application.

~ This is a product of the Student Veterans Association and has been endorsed by the Georgetown Office of Undergraduate Admissions.~ 2

Estimated Financial Aid ( 100% post-9/11 recipient with $0 contribution)

Tuition & Fees 41,568

Post 9/11 G.I. Bill - 17,500

VA Yellow Ribbon - 5,000

GU Yellow Ribbon Match - 5,000

Federal Pell Grant - 5,500

GU Need-Based Scholarship - 8,518

Federal Student Loan 0

Balance $0.00

•Provided by GU Office of Student Financial Services, based on 2011-2012 year.

Transfer Applicants: News flash — not everyone was on the Honor Roll in high school. But Georgetown

understands that military service is a maturing experience and that you are no

longer the pimple-faced kid that couldn’t turn off the Xbox and study. The

transfer student application is a chance to show that you are academically

competitive and can handle the rigors of the college classroom. Have you ever

said to yourself, “If I could do it over, I’d study harder.” Here’s your chance.

Below is information in plain language, aimed to assist you in your planning and

application.

While Transitioning from the Military

Formulate and Follow a Dedicated Plan. Transferring to Georgetown is not something you wake up and

decide to do one day. Your move to Georgetown should be a well-planned maneuver executed with dedication

and purpose. Think of it as a four-phase plan: 1) choose and apply to the best college you can first attend; 2)

excel at that school with your future transfer in mind; 3) after your first semester or year of academic

excellence, apply to Georgetown; 4) get accepted, enroll, and strap yourself in for a challenging, rewarding

education among the best professors, students, and student veterans our nation has to offer.

File Your Taxes. To be eligible for federal financial aid and Georgetown University financial aid, you must first

do your taxes. You will most likely have to complete them in order to receive financial aid from your first

school, so start now!

Cash on Hand. The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays you at the end of each month. This means your first month’s rent,

utilities, and tuition difference, minus estimated VA education benefits, must be covered upfront before you

receive any money from the VA. Therefore, you should anticipate this need and have cash on hand to meet it.

How much? That depends on many factors, but having 90 days worth of expenses on hand is highly advised.

~ This is a product of the Student Veterans Association and has been endorsed by the Georgetown Office of Undergraduate Admissions.~ 3

Click to play video

Georgetown has a proud history of military service and takes great pride in educating our nation’s men and women in uniform. View this video for a special message from Georgetown University President, Dr. John J. DeGioia.

While Attending Your First School

Transition Adjustment. When’s the last time you were in a classroom? No, your TAPS class doesn’t count! The

Transfer option allows you to rediscover the classroom and get a feel for college life. Georgetown only accepts

full-time undergraduate students, so once you make it to “The Hilltop,” standby for a competitive classroom

environment. Transitioning from military duty can be a stressful time, and chemistry and language classes are

stressful enough! Use this first year to readjust to civilian life while keeping your eye on the prize - being a

Georgetown Hoya.

Re-establishing Yourself Academically. To successfully transfer to Georgetown, you must prove yourself

academically. Prospective student veterans often ask, “What grades do I need?” The official answer: the

average transfer student has a 3.7 GPA or better. The obvious answer: Get a 4.0 GPA and there will be no

questions! Treat your first semester, or entire three semesters if applying as a sophomore, as a job. You are a

professional student. Seek advice from your professors and speak with them about your studies and how to

improve. The feeling of securing a 4.0 will send you through the roof and on your way.

Participate as an Active Student. Participate

in school organizations and be an active member of the college

campus. If you are taking Spanish, join the Spanish Club and

seek a leadership position. Also look for opportunities to conduct

community service and volunteer in the local community. Think of

it this way: You are competing with other transfer students, but

they have been preparing for a shot at Georgetown for 4-plus years!

They have been building their “high school resume” with

volunteer activities, journeys abroad, and finding impressive

personalities to write recommendations. You have to do the same

in order to compete, but then, stand out above them. Do not

underestimate your competition! It is never too early to get

involved; even if you are still in the military, find a way to volunteer

and make a difference.

Retain All Your Course Syllabi. After you are accepted to

Georgetown, your transfer credit will be evaluated on a

course-by-course basis by your dean and academic advisor. So save

yourself the headache and keep your old coursework.

~ This is a product of the Student Veterans Association and has been endorsed by the Georgetown Office of Undergraduate Admissions.~ 4

During the Georgetown Application Process

During your transfer application you will be asked to submit several reports/documents. Because you have

been serving in uniform and have been away from secondary school (high school), the scope and tone of the

reports may seem awkward. Don’t worry. The admissions process is geared towards the approximately 20,000

rising high school seniors that apply each year. They understand if your high school guidance counselor doesn’t

remember you! Below are helpful tips about each report.

Professor’s Report. Keep this report in mind as you begin your classes and meet your professors. As you get

to know them, develop a conversational relationship and show you care by visiting their office hours. This one

aspect, showing that you care, will make all the difference. Do your homework on their academic background

and history; find a professor that appreciates your extra effort to make it into Georgetown. And last but not

least, get an A in their class!

Secondary School Report. Complete this form as early as possible by delivering it to your high school. The

main function of this form is to obtain official high school transcripts and ensure you graduated your high

school in good academic and administrative standing. High schools usually retain student records for 3-5 years,

then they are held at the city or county clerk’s office. No one will do this for you! Pick up the phone and find

your records, then deliver the Secondary School Report with applicable processing fees. If your high school is

“back home,” hand deliver the report while on leave. Georgetown will not accept transcripts without this report!

Dean’s Report. Different colleges and universities have different academic administrations. In some schools, a

dean is your academic advisor, while in other large schools there is a small army of advisors to service the

student body. In most cases it would be extraordinary for a first-semester or first-year student to have a

substantive relationship with a dean. Georgetown admissions knows this. However, plan ahead and keep this

report in mind when you arrive on campus at your first school. If the opportunity arises, stick your hand out

and meet the dean.

The Essays. Writing about yourself can be a difficult task. But in order to be competitive and ultimately be

selected, you must standout from your competition. The best place to shine and highlight your differences is

within the application essays. As with most writing assignments, it is best to build a strong outline and then

write your essay. When explaining your reason for transfer from your current school, be positive and highlight

Georgetown’s offerings, not your first school’s negative qualities. And throughout your essay, YOU MUST USE

CIVILIAN LANGUAGE! It is very possible to describe your experiences in uniform without acronyms and military

jargon. This includes ranks or billets unless they are explained. Once you have completed the first draft, have

another person proofread your work, preferably someone that possesses worthy writing skills.

~ This is a product of the Student Veterans Association and has been endorsed by the Georgetown Office of Undergraduate Admissions.~ 5

Alumni Interview. Alumni interviews are required for first-year applicants. Transfer applicants will be offered

an alumni interview if possible, but since the interview is not guaranteed for transfer applicants, the interview is

not required. But you want an alumni interview! The interview is another opportunity to show that you are a

cut above the rest and ready for Georgetown. If contacted by the admissions office, it will be up to you to

contact the alum and arrange the interview. Starting with that first email, your interview is on! So proofread

your email (four eyes are better than two), be polite, and be accommodating. The same goes for the interview:

Be courteous and approachable in your conversation, while appropriate and professional in your demeanor.

Dress well, but don’t over do it (common sense works well here). And importantly, prepare a handout for the

interviewer with a cover letter explaining your reason for transfer and desire to attend Georgetown. Also

include your college transcript, resume, and recommendation letters. This packet will provide the interviewer

with reference material when writing your interview report. Be creative and make the handout look sharp!

FAFSA and CSS Profile. As part of your application you should fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal

Student Aid) to see if you are eligible for grants, loans, and other federal aid. The school also uses this

application to calculate institutional financial aid in conjunction with the CSS/financial aid profile. The CSS

profile gives an in-depth look at a student’s financial situation in order to determine financial need. For most

student veterans, their situation is simple: They are physically and financially independent from parental

support and considered an “independent student.” Do not get frustrated with the form, as it is geared toward

the university’s main body. Simply call the financial aid office, explain your situation, and follow their expert

advice.

Additional Application Materials. The admissions office understands that you cannot adequately describe

four, six, or eight years of service in an essay of 1,000 words or less. And the admissions committee wants to

know you better and make a well informed decision as to your application. To gain extra insight, they have

agreed to accept two additional documents: one military recommendation in addition to your Professor’s

Report and one resume describing your period of service. In both documents, civilian verbiage should be used.

Send To: Georgetown University Office of Undergraduate Admissions P.O. Box 3796 Washington, DC 20057-3796

Georgetown University employs a full-time veterans coordinator to assist with issues facing current and

prospective student veterans. If you have additional questions about the admissions process, contact the

Georgetown Veterans Office: David Shearman

(202) 687.2708 veteranservices@georgetown.edu

~ This is a product of the Student Veterans Association and has been endorsed by the Georgetown Office of Undergraduate Admissions.~ 6

Seeing is Believing – Student Veteran Profile Why did you transfer to Georgetown? Language programs were a big part of it. I wanted an intense language experience through study and research. How did you first connect with the Georgetown admissions process? After looking at Georgetown online, I drove 2 hours to Bakersfield, CA to attend “Exploring Your College Options,” an information session hosted by Georgetown undergraduate admissions officers. I knew success would come through making a connection in person with someone from admissions. The admissions process can be competitive. What do you think is the best way to compete as an applicant? Tell them about you. It isn’t easy to do, but get them to know you personally in your application and through your communication. You’ll have to open up a bit, but that is what they want to see and what will make you standout. What did you feel was an important aspect of the application process? The alumni interview. I felt the interview allowed me to explain my experiences and my goals in person, in a way that you can’t put on paper. Putting an entire enlistment into an essay response is impossible. What prepared you for attending Georgetown? At community college I was able to reacquire academic skills for the classroom environment. Also, I was an involved student at community college and I feel that made me a more competitive applicant as well. What is one piece of advice for possible veteran applicants? Do not downplay what made you a success! Tell them your successes in uniform. After all, this is a competition.

~ This is a product of the Student Veterans Association and has been endorsed by the Georgetown Office of Undergraduate Admissions.~ 7

Christina Humphrey, College 2013 US Marines 2004-2008

Seeing is Believing – Student Veteran Profile Why Georgetown? What appealed to you? The academics and programs were the reasons I began looking at Georgetown, but I also liked the location and what it could add to my time in college. And the lack of Greek life. Where and when did you apply to Georgetown? I was on post-deployment leave after Afghanistan and started applying then; I was EASing in January, but I started applying in the fall while I was still in. So you are a first-year applicant? How was that? Lining it up wasn’t difficult, it just required advanced planning. How were your grades in high school? Decent, but nothing to jump up and down about - around a 3.0 GPA. But I played to my strengths in the application and showed what I had done in the military. I think that’s what made the difference – showing how my military experience was beneficial. What is a tip for success to those still in the military and applying to college? Know what you want [from college] but shop around for it. It is a big decision. You must visit and look beyond the pictures on the Internet. This will help significantly with your decision making. Also, get after-action reports from those who have “gone to school” and learn what did and didn’t work for them. What is one piece of advice for possible veteran applicants? Have a plan, lean forward, and do not wait. Early preparation will give you time to concentrate on what matters and afford you the chance to gather information and make a solid decision. The application process is rather straightforward, but the decision itself is a big one… It warrants some serious thought and planning.

~ This is a product of the Student Veterans Association and has been endorsed by the Georgetown Office of Undergraduate Admissions.~ 8

TM Gibbons-Neff, College 2015 US Marines 2007-2011