Georgetown University School of Medicine: Tuition, Financial Aid & 2025 Insights

Getting into Georgetown University School of Medicine isn’t just about stats. Georgetown looks for more than great MCAT scores. It values empathy and a deep understanding of what it means to serve others through healthcare. Here’s a full breakdown of what you need to know to apply.

What Are the Admissions Requirements for Georgetown Medical School?

“The secondary application, for all its difficulties, is a chance for you to share those elements of yourself which help the admissions committee select applicants for more than just their stats. … There are plenty of people every year that are chosen over others with potentially higher MCAT scores or GPAs, in large part because of the qualities we perceive that they will bring to the program, beyond academic achievements”

– Reddit

Georgetown University School of Medicine is one of the oldest and most respected medical schools in the U.S. Located in Washington, D.C., it attracts thousands of applicants each year who are drawn to its focus on cura personalis—the care of the whole person—and its strong clinical network. But like other top-tier programs, the admissions process is highly selective and based on more than just numbers.

Legacy Online School recommends that students applying to Georgetown Medical School spend time crafting thoughtful responses in their secondary essays and focus on building a narrative around service and personal growth.

What GPA and MCAT Scores Are Needed?

Georgetown University School of Medicine sets a high academic bar for every applicant. Understanding exactly where the thresholds sit helps any prospective medical student assess their position honestly before investing time in the application process.

Georgetown places strong emphasis on the undergraduate BCPM science GPA, with a highly competitive applicant demonstrating a BCPM GPA of 3.6 or higher. A GPA at or below 3.0 is considered non-competitive by the Committee on Admissions, while 3.6 and above is considered highly competitive. The average GPA of enrolled students is 3.89, which is higher than the average across all medical schools as well as District of Columbia medical schools specifically.

The average MCAT for Georgetown Medical School is 513, with section scores breaking down as follows: Chemical and Physical Foundations 128, Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills 127, Biological and Biochemical Foundations 128, and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations 129. Section scores below 125 are considered non-competitive by the Committee on Admissions.

The Committee on Admissions evaluates applications holistically across five areas without assigning weight to any particular section: essays, clinical and research experiences, MCAT scores, science GPA, and letters of recommendation. Strong scores alone do not guarantee an interview, and weaker numbers in one area can be offset by exceptional strength elsewhere.

The medical education Georgetown provides is deeply rooted in Jesuit values and the philosophy of cura personalis. Starting in Year 1, every medical student gains early patient exposure through the Introduction to Clinical Skills course and community-based learning, reflecting how Georgetown integrates ethical formation and clinical training from day one.

For students approaching college admissions with medical school as the long-term goal, building a strong science GPA from the very first semester of undergraduate study is far easier than repairing a low GPA later through post-baccalaureate coursework, and Georgetown’s admissions data makes clear that consistency across four undergraduate years matters more than any single strong semester.

What is the Role of Letters of Recommendation?

Letters of recommendation should do more than praise your academics—they need to reflect your character and readiness for med school. You’ll need:

• 1 committee letter or 2 science faculty + 1 non-science letter
• An additional letter from a clinical or research mentor is encouraged

Georgetown values authenticity over prestige. A genuine letter from someone who knows you well beats a generic one from a famous name.

What is the AMCAS Application Process?

Georgetown University School of Medicine uses the AMCAS platform—the centralized application system run by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). While the system is shared by most U.S. allopathic medical schools, Georgetown’s admissions team pays close attention to how you use each part to tell your story.

How to Get Into Georgetown Medical School?

Getting into Georgetown Medical School requires a strategy that goes well beyond strong numbers. Georgetown Medical School is part of the Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., known for its Jesuit values and focus on patient-centered care. The school trains future physicians to serve with compassion, integrity, and clinical skills, and attracts thousands of applicants each year with a holistic review process where academic metrics are just part of what the admissions committee evaluates.

For the 2025 entering class, Georgetown received 14,480 applications and only 203 students at Georgetown matriculated, making the acceptance rate approximately 1.40%. Unlike public medical schools, there is no in-state advantage here, meaning whether you are local or from across the country, your odds are the same.

Understanding the Cost of Attendance

The financial commitment of attending Georgetown University School of Medicine is one of the most important factors to understand before medical school admissions decisions are made. The numbers are significant at every level, and planning early makes a meaningful difference in how manageable the debt burden becomes by graduation.

The medical school tuition at Georgetown for 2026 is $76,603, an increase of 3.33% from the previous year, and higher than both the average private medical school tuition of $67,861 and the average for private medical schools in the District of Columbia at $68,817. The Cost of Attendance includes not only tuition and fees but also living expenses like housing, food, transportation, health insurance, and personal expenses, updated annually by the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid to inform the total amount of financial aid a student can receive in a given academic year.

Washington D.C. is one of the most expensive cities in the country, and its cost of living significantly shapes the overall financial picture for every student at Georgetown. The cost of living at Georgetown ranks among the top 77% of all similar schools, and a student taking out loans for all four years including tuition, fees, locally adjusted expenses, and interest can expect a total cost in student loans of approximately $570,059.

Budget duration also varies by year of enrollment, with M1 covering 10 months, M2 covering 11 months, M3 covering 12 months, and M4 covering 10 months, meaning the total cost shifts meaningfully from one year to the next. Georgetown strongly encourages students to live below the total budget wherever possible, as borrowing the full amount through financial aid can result in substantial debt, and overspending on personal expenses in one category may require cuts elsewhere to stay within financial limits.

78% of the student body currently receives some form of financial aid, and the school offers scholarships, federal loans, and service-based programs to support students through enrollment. Students pursuing the MD/PhD track receive a full tuition scholarship plus a stipend of $28,224 per year during the medical school portion of training, making it the most financially favorable pathway for research-oriented applicants considering Georgetown.

Build the Strongest Possible Academic Foundation

The admissions committee assesses academic achievement through strength in science courses and overall GPA trends, standardized testing with a competitive MCAT score and individual section scores of 125 or higher preferred, and clinical exposure demonstrated through shadowing, scribing, volunteering, or direct patient care. Pre-med students should treat every science course as a building block toward a cumulative science GPA of 3.6 or higher, since Georgetown places particular weight on BCPM performance throughout the entire undergraduate record.

Apply Early Through Rolling Admissions

Georgetown employs rolling admissions, so submitting the AMCAS application during early summer gives applicants the best chance of moving to the secondary application phase as quickly as possible. Because Georgetown does not pre-screen AMCAS applications, everyone who submits will receive a secondary application. Getting the secondary back quickly is just as important as submitting the primary early, since delays in returning the secondary signal lower interest to the committee.

Nail the Secondary Essays

The secondary application is where students at Georgetown university distinguish themselves from the broader applicant pool. The primary Georgetown secondary essay is essentially a one-page combination of a Why Georgetown essay, a Why Medicine essay, and an autobiography all in one response. The most important piece of advice is to understand Georgetown’s philosophy of cura personalis deeply before writing, and to show how you have fostered a commitment to serving others throughout all three long essays. Georgetown’s secondary prompts almost never change year to year, so applicants can pre-write responses, though the longer main essay should be outlined immediately upon receipt so it can be refined over several days rather than rushed.

Prepare Seriously for the Interview

Among the class of 2026, fewer than 7% of applicants were invited to interview. Once an invite is received, applicants must respond within two weeks or their application will be withdrawn. The interview is a single one-on-one session lasting 30 to 45 minutes with either a faculty member or a fourth-year student, and is not designed to quiz academic proficiency but rather to get inside the applicant’s head and understand their worldview, motivations, and values.

Understand What the Program at Georgetown Prioritizes

The program at Georgetown stands at the forefront of medical research, affiliated with Georgetown University Medical Center, a leading institution recognized for very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, with approximately $100 million in externally sponsored funding annually. Demonstrating awareness of Georgetown’s research environment, clinical partnerships with MedStar Health, and Washington D.C. public health landscape makes applications significantly more compelling.

What Separates Accepted from Rejected Applicants?

Georgetown prioritizes future doctors who uphold the mission of cura personalis throughout their medical careers. If you can connect your life experiences and goals to Georgetown’s mission and demonstrate readiness for its rigorous program at Georgetown, you will be in a much stronger position to earn an interview and ultimately a spot in the incoming class. First-year students who succeed at Georgetown are those who arrived not just with strong grades but with a demonstrated history of service, ethical reasoning, and patient-centered thinking that aligns with the school’s Jesuit identity from day one.

What is the Application Timeline for Georgetown University School of Medicine?

Georgetown uses rolling admissions, which makes timing one of the most critical strategic decisions an applicant can make. Submitting early gives your file a real advantage since the committee begins reviewing applications as soon as they are complete rather than waiting until a deadline passes.

Complete application timeline:

The Committee on Admissions selects students on the basis of academic achievements, character, maturity, and motivation, holistically evaluating the applicant’s entire academic record, performance on the MCAT, college premedical advisory committee evaluations, letters of recommendation, and a personal interview.

Financial Planning Around the Timeline

Cost is an unavoidable part of the application process. The cost of the first year of medical school at Georgetown is billed at $76,603 for tuition and fees alone, with total first-year cost of attendance projected at $114,853 when fees, living expenses, and other costs are included. 78% of the student body at Georgetown Medical School currently receives financial aid, and the university strongly recommends that students apply for outside scholarships to help reduce student loan debt, providing resources to anyone looking for funding opportunities. Planning financial aid applications in parallel with the medical school timeline is essential, as student loan decisions and scholarship applications have their own separate deadlines that do not align neatly with the AMCAS calendar.

MD/PhD Applicants

Students admitted to the MD/PhD program receive a full tuition scholarship, health insurance, and a stipend of $28,224 per year for the medical school portion of their training across eight semesters, making it a substantially different financial proposition from the standard MD program for the right candidate.

The GEMS Pathway

For applicants who need additional preparation before entering medical school directly, the GEMS program runs from July 6 to December 18, 2026 for the fall term, with students completing courses selected from first-year medical school requirements and graded on the same Pass or Fail scale used for first-year medical students. From 1977 to 2024, 917 students matriculated into the GEMS program, and the majority who successfully completed it were offered an acceptance to Georgetown University School of Medicine, though admission is not guaranteed.

Financial Aid Options for Georgetown Medical School Applicants

Georgetown Medical School is a private institution, and the cost of attendance reflects that—but the financial aid office offers multiple pathways to help students cover expenses. Aid comes in the form of federal loans, need-based grants, scholarships, and external funding. Applying early and understanding the full picture of available options can significantly reduce financial stress.

The process starts with submitting the FAFSA and the Georgetown Supplemental Financial Aid Form, usually available in October for the next academic year. Georgetown doesn’t use CSS Profile, but they may request additional documentation depending on your aid eligibility.

Here’s a breakdown of key funding options:

In addition to funding, Georgetown offers budget counseling and loan repayment education—useful for students planning for Public Service Loan Forgiveness or income-driven repayment plans. They also provide cost-of-living estimates and emergency aid resources if unexpected expenses come up during the year.

How to Apply for Financial Aid at Georgetown University?

The first step is filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov. Georgetown’s school code is 001445. The FAFSA becomes available in October, and you should submit it as early as possible—even if you haven’t received your MCAT score or interview invitation yet.

Next, complete the Georgetown Supplemental Financial Aid Application, which is available through the medical school’s financial aid portal. This form collects more specific information than FAFSA alone and allows the school to assess your eligibility for institutional grants and scholarships. You may also be asked to submit parental financial information—even as a graduate student—if you’re applying for Georgetown-funded need-based aid.

Once both forms are submitted, Georgetown’s financial aid office will review your file and begin generating a financial aid package. This may include federal loans, merit or mission-based scholarships, and other funding sources. If you’re selected for verification, be prepared to upload tax documents and W-2s to confirm the information on your application.

Contacting the Office of Admissions

“You should only email if you have a specific question regarding admissions or want some clarity, usually if you have questions regarding the degree you intend to apply too, something that helped me was to email the actual department. Plus admission officers won’t really remember people emailing for generic stuff”

– Reddit

You can contact them to ask about:

• Application status
• Clarification on secondary questions
• Interview formats
• Financial aid contacts or housing
• Technical issues with submitting documents

Avoid asking questions that are already answered in the FAQ or handbook.

How to Reach the Office of Admissions?

You can reach the Office of Admissions for Georgetown University School of Medicine by email at [email protected]. This is the fastest and most reliable way to get a response. Make sure to include your AAMC ID in any messages so they can quickly locate your file.

If you need to speak with someone by phone, call (202) 687-1154 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET). It’s best to avoid calling during peak season—July through October—unless your question is urgent.

For mailed documents or physical correspondence, use the following address:

Georgetown University School of Medicine
Office of Admissions
Box 571421
Washington, DC 20057-1421

Georgetown University School of Medicine: Insights from 2025

2025 brought meaningful developments across curriculum, diversity, financial planning, and community outreach at Georgetown University School of Medicine, all of which carry forward directly into what prospective students can expect in 2026.

The most significant curriculum update came in Spring 2025. Georgetown faculty met and updated GUSOM’s previous nineteen competencies, now named Education Program Objectives delivered within six domains: Medical Knowledge, Patient Care, Interpersonal Communication Skills, Professionalism, Practice-Based Learning, and Systems-Based Practice. The preclinical phase continues to be organized around organ system-based modules that integrate basic sciences with clinical relevance, meaning students study anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology together through the lens of each body system rather than as isolated subjects.

Diversity remained a defining priority throughout 2025. The Class of 2025 was noted as the most diverse in the school’s history, with just over one third of the incoming students identified as underrepresented in medicine, coinciding with the school’s Racial Justice Committee for Change leading sustained efforts to cultivate an inclusive learning environment. In August 2025, Georgetown ran two six-week pathways programs through the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, hosting 22 students including undergraduates and high schoolers from diverse backgrounds, many of them future first-generation medical students, with participants going on clinical rounds at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and completing capstone research projects focused on health equity challenges.

The school’s commitment to underserved populations continued through the ARCHES program. ARCHES fellows shadowed at a MedStar Health primary care clinic, a federally qualified health center, and at Street Health DC, a mobile clinic that provides health care for unsheltered people in Washington D.C., with one focus being developing students who will go on to provide primary care in underserved communities.

On the financial side, the Cost of Attendance breakdown for 2025 to 2026 confirmed that the full budget includes tuition and fees, housing, food, transportation, health insurance plan, books and supplies, personal expenses, licensing exam fees, and loan fees. The health insurance plan is mandated by District of Columbia law but can be waived by students who have alternative coverage through parental or spousal insurance, and loan fees are included as an estimated private loan origination cost within the Cost of Attendance figure. The total enrollment across all four years at Georgetown School of Medicine stands at approximately 796 students, with the school housed in the Medical-Dental Building adjacent to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, a 609-bed academic teaching hospital that recently expanded with the addition of the Verstandig Pavilion featuring 31 advanced operating rooms and 156 private patient rooms.

Alyssa Mendoza, AP Coordinator and College Prep Specialist

Sources: Georgetown University, Reddit