Understanding The Georgetown Difference: An Interview With MBA Admissions

Where you choose to pursue your MBA is critical to your overall experience in the program, the type of education you receive, the people you meet, and the trajectory of your career after graduation. But how do you know you’re choosing the right school to align with your personal and professional interests? According to Shelly Heinrich, associate dean and managing director of MBA Admissions at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, when weighing the options of a professional degree, understanding the values of the institution is paramount. 

“By enrolling in an MBA program you are making a significant investment in yourself, and one of the most important things you can do during your search process is ensure that the program is a reflection of who you are and the values you hold close,” said Heinrich. “You should choose a school that challenges you, inspires you, and provides diverse perspectives. You should also choose a community-focused culture with colleagues who will support you during the program and beyond.”

Building on over 400 years of Jesuit tradition, Georgetown McDonough integrates values-based learning and experiences into its co-curricular and curricular activities across the school. Using an interdisciplinary approach to learning, students are immersed in experiences that emphasize global perspectives, principled leadership, caring for others, and a commitment to leaving a positive impact on the world. 

“More and more organizations are being challenged to both serve their shareholders and make the world a better place,” said Heinrich. “It’s imperative that you not only learn business fundamentals but that you learn them within the broader context of society, the planet, and other stakeholders. That lens of thinking is critical for the future of business.”

Heinrich says Georgetown McDonough has taken a “business and” approach to education – teaching concepts at the intersection of business and policy, business and sustainability, business and technology, and other fields. Based in the global capital city of Washington, D.C. Georgetown MBA students gain access to government, policy, a vibrant business community, and a startup ecosystem to witness firsthand how these organizations tackle problems across disciplines. Students also have the opportunity to pursue certifications in sustainability, consumer analytics, nonmarket strategy, healthcare, and global real estate to deepen their perspectives in specific areas.

“The interdisciplinary nature of the Georgetown MBA is unmatched,” she said. “It can’t be understated that attending business school in the nation’s capital is integral to your experience at Georgetown and an incredible return on your investment, particularly if you’re pursuing a professional degree. You want immediate access to the world’s top leaders and organizations for consulting projects, internships, and eventually, for your career.”

Washington, D.C., is just the first entry point to the world stage at Georgetown, said Heinrich. Students can also leverage the school’s worldwide network of alumni for opportunities, including the required Global Business Experience consulting projects. Working in small teams, students partner with executives from multinational organizations to work on a real-world project and then travel abroad to present their findings and immerse themselves in the local culture. 

“The idea of global curiosity and discovery dates back to the founding of our school and the history of the Jesuits,” said Heinrich. “Global is in the DNA of our school, and you will gain international experiences out in the world through our global consulting projects, in the classroom through case studies, and in your MBA community with students who represent countries from across the globe.”

Community is central to the McDonough experience, she says. With a class size of 250 students, students are able to meet their peers while also creating their own space to take one of 350 leadership roles in over 40 clubs, attend events and speaker engagements, and build their network. The Jesuit value of cura personalis, or care for the whole person, underscores how people interact and engage with each other during the program at Georgetown. 

“Cura personalis is not a value easily described before arriving on the Hilltop, but when you get here you understand the impact,” said Heinrich. “Your peers are not competitors – they’re collaborators. Your professors know you and care for your well-being. Our alumni are just a call away. You receive personalized attention from faculty and staff to achieve your goals. There is a village of people here who care for you, care for each other, and care about making the world a better place.”

Heinrich says to understand a community, start with the people. Those interested in the McDonough MBA should take the time to reach out to students or alumni in the program to learn more about their experiences, visit campus, and talk to people about what it means to be a Hoya. 

“We are looking for candidates who have spent time researching our community before they apply,” she said. “We can tell the difference between people who have reviewed us on the surface level and those who have attended our admissions events, met with current students, and have truly explored what it would look like to join our community. It feels very authentic and allows us to get a better understanding of how you’d fit in our program and how you plan to contribute.”

The interview process is an important way for prospective students to showcase their authentic self, said Heinrich. She encourages prospective students to approach the interview as a conversation and find ways to let their true selves shine through. 

“The interviews are 30 minutes long, so you only realistically have 20 to 25 minutes to tell us who you are,” she said. “Practice your responses ahead of time so you can put your best foot forward, but remember that we ultimately want to get to know you personally; think of it as more of a conversation than an interview. And leave ChatGPT at home – we can usually tell those who are using it to create written and verbal responses.”

When reflecting on her own time as an Executive MBA student at Georgetown, Heinrich shared that while the school’s Jesuit values didn’t mean much at first, they became increasingly more important to her experience as she progressed through the program.

“Before I came to Georgetown I had no idea what a Jesuit education meant,” she said. “But while I was in the Executive MBA program, I noticed that the professors truly wanted to engage with us in meaningful ways. I found that I learned just as much from my peers as I did in the classroom. And I gained a greater perspective on what it means to be a principled leader in the world today.”

“Academics, outcomes, and credentials are important, but the community you build during the program is something that will last a lifetime.”