Georgetown University facts for kids
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| Latin: Collegium Georgiopolitanum | |
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Former names
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Georgetown College (1789–1815) |
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| Motto | Utraque Unum (Latin) |
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Motto in English
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"Both into One" |
| Type | Private federally chartered research university |
| Established | January 23, 1789 |
| Founder | John Carroll |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
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Religious affiliation
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Catholic (Jesuit) |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $3.3 billion (2023) |
| Budget | $1.5 billion (2020) |
| President | John J. DeGioia |
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Academic staff
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Total: 2,610
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Administrative staff
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1,500 |
| Students | 19,005 |
| Undergraduates | 7,463 |
| Postgraduates | 11,542 |
| Location |
,
United States
38°54′26″N 77°4′22″W / 38.90722°N 77.07278°W |
| Campus | Large city, 104 acres (42 ha) |
| Colors | Blue and gray |
| Nickname | Hoyas |
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Sporting affiliations
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| Mascot | Jack the Bulldog |
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Georgetown University is a private university in Washington, D.C., United States. It is known for being a Jesuit research university. Founded in 1789 by Bishop John Carroll, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States. It was also the first university in the nation to be given a special charter by the federal government.
Georgetown University has many different schools for both undergraduate (first degree) and graduate (advanced degree) students. Its main campus sits on a hill overlooking the Potomac River. A famous building there is Healy Hall, which is a national landmark. The university is known for its high level of research and its difficult admissions process. Students from over 135 countries attend Georgetown. The school's sports teams are called the Hoyas. They are part of the Big East Conference.
Many famous people have studied at Georgetown. These include U.S. Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, governors, and members of Congress. It has also educated many U.S. diplomats and international leaders.
Contents
History of Georgetown University
How Georgetown Started
In 1634, Jesuit settlers from England started the Province of Maryland. For a long time, Catholic schools had to operate secretly. After the American Revolutionary War, there was a chance to create a permanent Catholic school in the United States.
Pope Pius VI chose John Carroll to lead the Catholic Church in the U.S. In 1783, Carroll began planning a new university. On January 23, 1789, he bought the land in Georgetown. The first student, William Gaston, enrolled on November 22, 1791. Classes officially began on January 2, 1792.
The 1800s
In its early years, Georgetown College faced money problems. The Society of Jesus helped the school in 1805. To raise money, the Maryland Jesuits ended their slaveholding in 1838. They sold about 272 enslaved people to plantations in Louisiana.
President James Madison signed a law on March 1, 1815. This law gave Georgetown the power to grant degrees. The first bachelor's degrees were given out two years later.
In 1844, the school received a special charter. This gave it more legal rights. The Medical School was started in 1851 to meet the demand for local Catholic students.
The American Civil War greatly affected Georgetown. Many students and alumni joined the armies. The Union Army even used university buildings to protect Washington, D.C. Enrollment dropped after the war. In 1876, the school's rowing team chose blue and gray as its colors. These colors represented the Union and Confederate uniforms. They showed that students with different loyalties could exist peacefully.
Enrollment grew again in the late 1800s. This was during the time of Patrick Francis Healy, who was president from 1873 to 1881. Healy was the first person of African descent to lead a mostly white American university. He improved the courses, made the medical and law programs longer, and started the Alumni Association. He also oversaw the building of Healy Hall, which is named after him. Because of his work, Healy is known as the school's "second founder."
The 1900s
In 1901, the School of Medicine added a dental school. The undergraduate School of Nursing opened in 1903.
The Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS) was founded in 1919. It prepared students for careers in diplomacy and international business. The School of Business became separate from the SFS in 1957. It was later renamed the McDonough School of Business.
Georgetown also started admitting more women. The School of Nursing always had female students. By 1952, most university classes were open to women. The College of Arts and Sciences welcomed its first female students in 1969. This made Georgetown fully coeducational, meaning both men and women could attend.
In 1975, Georgetown started the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies. It received money from different governments and companies. Georgetown celebrated its 200th birthday in 1989.
The 2000s
In 2003, Georgetown finished a fundraising campaign. It raised over $1 billion for student aid and new projects.
In 2005, Georgetown opened a campus of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service in Qatar. It also started working with Fudan University in China.
John J. DeGioia became Georgetown's first president who was not a Jesuit in 2001. He has continued to improve the university's finances. He also works to promote understanding between different cultures and religions.
Jesuit Tradition
Georgetown University was founded by former Jesuits. It follows the traditions of Ignatius of Loyola, who started the Jesuit order. Many Jesuits live and work on campus as professors or administrators. Georgetown celebrates "Jesuit Heritage Week" every year.
Catholic spaces on campus, like Dahlgren Chapel, are part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.
Academics at Georgetown
| School | Founded |
|---|---|
| College of Arts & Sciences | 1789 |
| Graduate School of Arts & Sciences | 1820 |
| School of Medicine | 1851 |
| Law Center | 1870 |
| School of Nursing | 1903 |
| Walsh School of Foreign Service | 1919 |
| School of Dentistry (defunct) | 1951 |
| School of Continuing Studies | 1956 |
| McDonough School of Business | 1957 |
| School of Languages and Linguistics (defunct) | 1959 |
| Georgetown University in Qatar | 2005 |
| McCourt School of Public Policy | 2013 |
| School of Health | 2022 |
| References: | |
Georgetown University has many students. In 2017, there were about 7,463 undergraduate students. There were also about 11,542 graduate students.
Students can earn bachelor's degrees from several schools. These include the College of Arts & Sciences and the School of Nursing. They also include the McDonough School of Business and the Walsh School of Foreign Service. The Qatar campus is part of the School of Foreign Service.
Master's and doctoral degrees are offered through other schools. These include the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and the Law Center. The School of Foreign Service is highly respected for its international affairs programs.
Admissions and Rankings
| ARWU World | 401–500 |
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| THES World | 187= |
| USNWR National University | 22 |
| Washington Monthly National University | 15 |
| Forbes | 20 |
| Admissions statistics | |
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2021 entering
classChange vs. 2016 |
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| Admit rate | 11.3%
(
 −2.9) |
| Yield rate | 48.4%
(
 +1.8) |
| Test scores middle 50% | |
| SAT EBRW | 690–760 |
| SAT Math | 690–790 |
| ACT Composite | 31–35 |
| High school GPA† | |
| Top 10% | 85%
(
 −7) |
| Top 25% | 96%
(
−3) |
| Top 50% | 99%
(
−1) |
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Getting into Georgetown is very competitive. For the Class of 2025, only about 11.7% of applicants were accepted. The School of Foreign Service is ranked as one of the best in the world for international affairs. The Law Center is also highly ranked.
Over half of undergraduate students receive financial aid. The university aims to meet 100% of a student's financial need.
Teachers and Professors
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Georgetown has many full-time and part-time teachers and professors. They are experts in their fields. Many former politicians also teach at Georgetown. These include former Secretaries of State and ambassadors. Former Supreme Court Justices have also taught there.
Research at Georgetown
Georgetown University is known for its high level of research. Its libraries hold millions of books and e-books. Professors do research in many subjects. These include religion, ethics, science, and public policy.
In 2019, Georgetown spent over $240 million on research. The Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center is a top cancer research center. It helped develop the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer.
Georgetown Campuses
Georgetown University has four campuses in Washington, D.C. The main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood. There is also the Medical Center, the School of Continuing Studies, and the Law Center. Georgetown also has campuses in other countries. These include Doha, Qatar, and villas in Italy and Turkey. A new campus is planned for Jakarta, Indonesia.
Main Campus
Georgetown's main campus is on a hill above the Potomac River. This is why it's often called "The Hilltop." The main gates lead to the center of campus. The campus is about 104 acres. It has 54 buildings and dorms for most students. Many buildings have a classic Gothic or Georgian style.
Healy Hall is the most famous building. It was built from 1877 to 1879. It is a National Historic Landmark. Inside Healy Hall are famous rooms like Gaston Hall and Riggs Library.
The medical school is on the northwest side of the main campus. It is connected to Georgetown University Hospital.
In recent years, the west side of campus has grown. New buildings include the Southwest Quadrangle Project. This added a new dorm and dining hall. The Royden B. Davis Performing Arts Center opened in 2005. The new business school building, named for Rafik Hariri, opened in 2009. Regents Hall, a new science building, opened in 2012.
The Healey Family Student Center opened in 2014. It has study spaces, dance studios, and places to eat.
The Georgetown neighborhood is very popular. Students can easily visit the M Street shopping area and the Georgetown Waterfront.
Law Center Campus
The Law Center campus is in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. It is close to Union Station. It has five buildings. First-year law students can live in the Gewirz Student Center dorm.
Downtown Campus
The School of Continuing Studies (SCS) campus is in downtown Washington, D.C. It is a modern building with classrooms and a library. It is located in the Chinatown neighborhood. This location is easy to reach by public transportation.
Qatar Campus
In 2002, the Qatar Foundation asked Georgetown to open a campus in Education City in Al Rayyan, Qatar. The School of Foreign Service in Qatar opened in 2005. It offers the same international affairs degree as the main campus. All classes are taught in English.
Campuses Abroad
Georgetown University has a villa in Fiesole, Italy. It is used for study abroad programs focusing on Italian culture. There is also a center in Alanya, Turkey, for studying Turkish language and Islamic studies.
In 2007, Georgetown opened an office in Shanghai, China. This helps with partnerships with Chinese universities. In 2008, the Law Center helped create the Center for Transnational Legal Studies in London, England.
Student Life
| Race and ethnicity | Total | ||
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| White | 49% |
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| Foreign national | 14% |
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| Asian | 12% |
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| Hispanic | 10% |
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| Other | 8% |
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| Black | 7% |
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| Economic diversity | |||
| Low-income | 14% |
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Most Georgetown students come from outside Washington, D.C. In 2016, 11% of new students were from other countries. Students from 129 countries attend Georgetown.
Even though it's a Jesuit university, only about 41% of students identify as Catholic. Georgetown has a full-time rabbi, imam, and Hindu priest to serve students of different faiths.
Most undergraduate students live on campus. All first and second-year students live in dorms. Some graduate students also live on campus.
Student Groups and Activities
Most Georgetown students are involved in at least one of the 179 student organizations. These groups cover many interests. They include student government, sports clubs, and performing arts. Students also run campus stores and banks. The Georgetown University Student Association is the student government.
Georgetown has one of the oldest debating clubs, the Philodemic Society, started in 1830. It also has the oldest university theater group, the Mask and Bauble Dramatic Society. The Model United Nations team is often ranked as one of the best in the world.
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There are seven a cappella singing groups on campus. The Georgetown University Band performs at campus events and basketball games.
Georgetown University is home to one of the largest student-owned businesses in the U.S. It's called Students of Georgetown, Inc., or "The Corp." It runs coffee shops, grocery stores, and catering services. Its profits are used to help Georgetown students. The Georgetown University Alumni & Student Federal Credit Union is the largest student-run credit union in the U.S.
The Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Service, "GERMS," is an all-volunteer ambulance service. It serves the campus and nearby areas. The Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) unit, the Hoya Battalion, is the oldest military unit in D.C.
Student Activism
Georgetown students are very active in social justice issues. Groups like Take Back the Night protest against violence. The Georgetown Solidarity Committee works for workers' rights. Georgetown Students for Fair Trade helped make sure all coffee on campus is Fair Trade Certified.
Georgetown has many groups for different cultures and languages. It is known for having a politically active student body. Student political groups are very involved in local and national politics.
Students also focus on sustainability and environmentalism. GREEN is the largest environmental group. In 2020, Georgetown announced it would stop investing in fossil fuels.
Campus Media
Georgetown University has several student-run newspapers and journals. The Hoya is the oldest newspaper, published twice a week. The Georgetown Voice is a newsmagazine that covers campus and national issues.
The university has a TV station, GUTV. It started broadcasting in 1999. WGTB is Georgetown's radio station. It broadcasts online from the Leavey Center.
Greek Life
Georgetown University officially recognizes only one Greek organization, Alpha Phi Omega. This is a co-ed community service fraternity. Other Greek organizations exist on campus, but they are not officially recognized or funded by the university. About 10% of undergraduate students are part of Greek life.
Traditions
Georgetown has many annual traditions. In late April, the university celebrates Georgetown Day.
Homecoming is a special weekend with a football game. Alumni return to campus for events and a dance. Midnight Madness is a celebration for the first basketball practice of the season. It introduces the men's and women's basketball teams.
Athletics
Georgetown has 23 varsity sports teams and 23 club teams. The varsity teams compete in the NCAA's Division I. Most sports are part of the Big East Conference. The football team plays in the Patriot League.
In 2002, U.S. News & World Report named Georgetown's athletics program one of the top 20 in the nation. Many Georgetown student athletes have gone on to play professional sports.
The school's teams are called "Hoyas." This name came from an old chant, "Hoya Saxa," which means "what rocks." The baseball team was called the Stonewalls in 1870. By the 1920s, "Hoyas" became the official nickname.
The men's basketball team is very successful. They won the NCAA championship in 1984. They have won the most Big East conference tournament titles.
The sailing team has won 14 national championships since 2001. Georgetown has also been successful in cross country and track and field. In 2011, the women's cross country team won a national championship.
The men's and women's lacrosse and soccer teams have also been highly ranked. The men's soccer team won a national championship in 2019. The rugby club team has also done well.
Alumni
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After graduation, about 73% of undergraduates start working. Others continue their education. Georgetown graduates have won many prestigious scholarships. These include the Rhodes Scholarship and the Fulbright Scholarship. Georgetown is also a top producer of Peace Corps volunteers.
Business Careers
Graduates from the McDonough School of Business often have high starting salaries. Many alumni work in consulting or financial services. Georgetown is a top school for careers on Wall Street.
Government and Politics Careers
Many Georgetown students study government and international relations. This leads to careers in politics. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton graduated from the School of Foreign Service in 1968. Georgetown has educated more U.S. diplomats than any other university.
Many alumni serve in the U.S. Congress. They also serve as state governors. Former Supreme Court Justices have also been Georgetown alumni.
Media Careers
Georgetown alumni in media have won major awards. These include the Pulitzer Prize and the Peabody Awards.
See also
In Spanish: Universidad de Georgetown para niños
