How to Apply

Your essay should be a one-page, single-spaced statement that answers this question: 

• What motivates you to work at the intersection of data science and public policy? Please tell us about a personal, professional or academic experience that fueled your passion for data science and public policy and how this informs your commitment to pursue a career in this field.

Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended are required. Review the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Transcript FAQs for more information.

Academic transcript submissions

Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended are required. Review the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Transcript FAQs for more information.

• Step 1: Request a copy of your official transcript from your institution(s).
• Step 2: Upload the transcript to your application.

An acceptable transcript is a copy of an official transcript produced by the institution, including:

• Scanned copies of paper transcripts issued by the institution.
• Electronic transcripts issued by the institution (not a download from your institution’s web portal).

We do not accept screenshots, photos or downloads of the “student’s view” from your institution’s website.

Non-U.S. college or university academic transcripts

Applicants who have attended institutions outside of the United States are strongly encouraged to upload their transcripts through the World Education Service (course-by-course ICAP evaluation), The Evaluation Company (course analysis), or other credential evaluation services that are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. If the evaluation does not include a copy of the evaluated transcripts, you must upload both the transcripts from the institution and the credential evaluation as one document to the application.

• Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by an English language version provided by the academic institution. If your institution does not provide English language copies, you must provide a certified or notarized translation with a copy of the original transcripts. You may upload an evaluation from a credential evaluation service that must include course and grade information. Both the evaluation and original transcript should be submitted in the application as one document.
• If you have study abroad and/or transfer coursework listed on your undergraduate transcripts with the grades earned, you do NOT need to list these institutions separately or upload transcripts. If courses are not listed on your primary institution’s transcript or the transfer courses do not show course grades, please list the institution(s) separately and upload the transcript(s).

Admitted students

If you receive an offer of admission, you will be required to submit official transcripts, which are transcripts submitted directly to Georgetown University by the institution you attended, for verification before enrolling. Do not send electronic or paper copies of your official transcripts before receiving an offer of admission. Georgetown reserves the right to request any missing transcripts or an official copy of a transcript at any point during the application and/or admission process. Georgetown also reserves the right to withdraw any offer of admission already made if there is any discrepancy between a transcript uploaded in the application and the final official transcript received.

You must submit an official GRE or GMAT test score to apply. The GRE is strongly preferred. 

There is no minimum score requirement for any section of these exams. Scores are one of several factors considered for merit-based scholarships.

Submitting Your Scores  

• Our GRE code is 5244. We do not have a specific department code. 
• The GRE at-home test is acceptable for Fall 2026 admissions.
• Our GMAT code is JT7-D8-97.

Please note that ETS offers a GRE Fee Reduction Program, which reduces the cost of taking the GRE by 50%. The program is available to US citizens and resident aliens who can demonstrate financial need or are unemployed and receiving unemployment compensation.

ETS also hosts Virtual Events to help applicants better prepare for applying to graduate schools and taking the GRE.

Standardized Test Score Waiver

We recognize that some individuals may be unable to take these tests due to individual cases of hardship. While we strongly recommend including these scores, you may be able to apply for a waiver in the supplemental section of the online application. 

Quantitative policy analysis is an integral part of the curriculum so applicants who waive the test requirement will be asked to provide additional information about their quantitative background. If you cannot demonstrate any quantitative background through coursework or work experience, you may be at a disadvantage during the application review process. 

Three letters of recommendation are required. Typically, applicants submit at least one from an academic source and one from a professional, work-related source. Individual circumstances vary, so use your best judgment when choosing references. Each letter of recommendation should be submitted from your recommender’s professional email address and be on official letterhead.

The online application utilizes a secure online recommendation system which will:

• Automatically email each recommender with instructions for online submission of the recommendation;
• Allow applicants to track recommendations received or not received and follow up with recommenders who still need to submit their appraisals;
• Expedite the processing of the recommendations, which will be included in the online application once submitted.

If your reference cannot access the online recommendation, please contact McCourt School Admissions staff at mccourtadmissions@georgetown.edu for instructions.

All applicants to the McCourt School are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language sufficient to meet the admission requirement of Georgetown University’s Graduate Studies. Proficiency can be demonstrated by:

• Receipt of a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction for the entire institution.
• Submission of an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score report with a minimum score of 100 (original TOEFL iBT score scale) or 5 (new TOEFL iBT score scale beginning January 21, 2026).
• Submission of an official International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic Module score report with a minimum overall band score of 7.0 (this is a strict requirement).

The TOEFL Special Home Edition and the IELTS Online version may be accepted for Fall 2026 admissions.

Submitting Your TOEFL or IELTS Scores 

The TOEFL and IELTS must be received directly from the appropriate testing organization. Photocopied or faxed documents will not fulfill this requirement. 

• Send your official TOEFL score through ETS to institution code 5244. Please note that the McCourt School does not have a specific department code. 
• Send your IELTS score electronically to Georgetown University Graduate Studies.

Please contact mccourtadmissions@georgetown.edu if you have questions.