Georgetown and SAT Subject Tests

Colleges and Universities A-Z Georgetown University
1

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to find out what I should do to get the greatest possible chance of getting into Georgetown, more specifically the Walsh School of Foreign Service. My SAT score is 1200 (700 Reading, 500 Math) which I understand is not great by Georgetown’s standards. They also want three subject tests however, and there’s only one testing date left before the regular decision deadline of January 10. I’m also going to be taking the ACT for the first and only time December 9.

Does anyone know, then, if strong ACT and SAT subject test scores would be enough to outweigh the 1200 SAT score, OR would it be safer to retake the SAT one more time and forgo the subject tests?

Other information: 4.0 weighted GPA, >$30K income, disabled (Marfan syndrome), single parent family, extracurriculars include French Honor Society, National Honor Society, environmental activism club, quiz bowl, and founding member/officer of the Model United Nations.

Past AP scores: Human Geo - 3, Euro History - 3, English Lang/Comp - 4, APUSH - 5.

Current courseload includes AP US Government, AP Comparative Government, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP English Lit, AP Psych, AP 3D Studio Art and French 4 Honors, for which I’ll likely be taking the optional AP French Language and Culture exam.

Any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated! :slight_smile:

2

I don’t think there’s much you can do to bring up that SAT except for retaking and getting a better score. Your courseload is pretty standard compared to other applicants, and your ECs don’t stand out much, especially for the SFS. You would need nearly perfect ACT and subject tests plus an amazing essay if you wanted to be competitive. Have you talked with the counselor writing your rec letter? If there’s a legitimate reason why your SAT score is so low, having your counselor explain that could help.

The good thing about Georgetown is that it provides excellent financial aid, but getting in is the hard part, and you would need a really big boost if you wanted to even be competitive.