MS-GRA Application Process

To apply, applicants must:

• Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or the equivalent from an international college or university.

Questions? Reach out to the M.S. in Global Real Assets admissions team to discuss how to create a competitive application.
Email: RealAssets@georgetown.edu Phone: +1 (202) 784-1478

Application Deadlines

Applications for the August 2025 intake will be reviewed in the following rounds.

*Recommended submission deadlines for non-U.S. citizens

If you are a visually-impaired applicant and need an accessible application, please contact us at RealAssets@georgetown.edu.

Application Requirements

The MS-GRA Admissions Committee uses a holistic approach when making an admissions decision. Therefore, it is necessary to submit all application components so the Admissions Committee can make an informed decision about your application.

All applicants to the program will submit the following materials:

Required Components

• Online Application Form
• CV or Resume
• Video Essay
• Personal Essay
• One Recommendation
• Academic Records
• Demonstration of English Language Proficiency*
• Re-Applicant Essay**
• Non-refundable Application Fee ($175 USD)

*You may qualify to waive the demonstration of English Language Proficiency requirement. Please see this section for details.
**The reapplicant essay is required for applicants who previously applied and were not accepted.

Optional Components

• Scholarship Essay
• Diversity, Personal Background, and Contributions Statement
• Additional Information
• Standardized Test Scores

International Applicants

• Non-U.S. College or University Academic Records
• Demonstration of English Language Proficiency

Online Application Form

Applications must be submitted through our online application portal.

CV or Resume

Submit a current CV or resume in month/year format that corresponds to the information submitted on your online application.

Video Essay

The video essay component of the application provides you with an opportunity to share with the Admissions Committee things about yourself not immediately evident in other components of the application. We recommend you take careful consideration when producing your video essay to ensure you convey and express the appropriate message to the Admissions Committee.

Prompt: Please introduce yourself to your future fellow cohort members.

Video Guidelines

1. The Admissions Committee would like for you to appear in person during part of your video.
2. We strongly encourage you to speak outside of the experiences we can read in your resume.
3. You may use your phone, computer, or other means to record the video, but please ensure all audio and visual components are clear. We recommend a well-lit room and minimal noise distraction. 
4. Your video should be one minute in length.
5. For your privacy, do not include your name in the title of your video. You may submit “unlisted” videos via YouTube or password-protected videos via Vimeo. If using a password, please include immediately after your link in the text box when submitting (Ex: www.vimeo,com/123, password: your password)
6. All videos must remain active and accessible to the Admissions Committee online for a minimum of five years for record retention purposes.
7. This video is for the purposes of admissions only and will not be used for any other purposes after your decision is provided.

Personal Essay

Prompt Options: Please select one of the following prompts.

1. Describe your proudest accomplishment. (This can be a personal, professional or academic accomplishment)
2. If you had $250M today to invest in real assets generally, where would you invest it and why?
3. Choose a quotation that defines you and explain why. (Please clearly state the quotation you’re referencing)

Guidelines & Formatting:

1. Choose one of the three essay prompts above to complete.
2. All essays should be 500 words or less.
3. All essays should be double-spaced using 12-point font.
4. Please include the essay option prompt as a header at the top of each page of your submission.
5. Georgetown University prides itself on honesty and integrity. Plagiarism is not tolerated and the admissions office reserves the right to deny applicants or rescind admission if plagiarism is found.

When reviewing your personal essay, the Admissions Committee will consider your written communication skills – taking into account grammar, structure, and cohesion of your essay – along with the content of the essay itself.

Guidance on Use of AI in Essays:

The final work you submit with your application should authentically reflect your lived experiences, interest in our degree program, and future goals. We recognize that generative AI may be a useful tool as you structure and refine your essay, and if you choose to use generative AI, we recommend that you use this tool to enhance your original work. Think of generative AI as a supportive resource, much like asking a friend for brainstorming assistance or feedback, or using spell check in your computer software.

Keep in mind that your essay is an essential way to personalize your application and present your unique story—personal, professional, and academic—to the Admissions Committee. We value hearing your authentic voice and perspective, so ensure that your essay genuinely reflects who you are and what you hope to achieve.

One Recommendation

The Admissions Committee is interested in gaining insight from individuals who can objectively evaluate your academic or professional performance. We discourage letters from family members.

We require that you identify one recommender. Your recommendation may come from a current or former professor attesting to your academic performance or from a current or former supervisor speaking to your professional performance. If you would like to submit recommendations from both an academic and professional setting, you have the option to submit two recommendations. Note that the Admissions Committee will not read more than two recommendations per application.

All recommendations must be submitted electronically via the application system. Recommenders will receive detailed instructions once you complete the “Recommendations” section of your application.

Academic Records

Applicants to Georgetown McDonough are required to hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or an equivalent degree from a foreign country. Students who have attended or graduated from a non-U.S. college or university should review the instructions under the International Applicants section.

To apply: We require that you upload unofficial copies of your transcripts from all institutions that you have attended regardless of whether a degree was conferred (e.g. undergraduate, graduate, Ph.D., M.D., J.D., etc.).

If admitted/enrolled: all applicants who are admitted and enroll will be required to submit official transcripts from all institutions that have conferred a degree to you. Georgetown McDonough reserves the right to withdraw any offer of admission if there is a discrepancy between the uploaded unofficial transcript and/or translation, and the official original language transcript and/or the official translation.

Instructions for transcripts:

1. All submitted transcripts must display the following:
   • student’s name
   • university name
   • course names
   • type of degree and degree conferral information
   • grading scale
   • cumulative GPA
   • all grades received (including from transfer credits and study abroad programs)
2. We require proof a degree was conferred and the date of graduation.
   • If your transcript does not explicitly state that a degree was conferred or the date of graduation, you should obtain an official letter from your university indicating the date of your graduation and the degree conferral date. This letter should be enclosed in a signed, sealed envelope and included with your transcript.
3. A transcript is official when delivered via ONE of the following options:
   • submitted in an envelope which is issued by your institution(s) and sealed by your university’s registrar’s office (or equivalent office) to the address below:
     ​
     Attn: MS-GRA Admissions Team
     M.S. in Global Real Assets
     Georgetown University
     474 Rafik B. Hariri Building
     Washington, DC 20057
   • submitted from your institution via a secure electronic delivery (such as Scrip-Safe or Parchment) via email to: RealAssets@georgetown.edu
   • requested from the appropriate institution’s registrar, returned to you, and submitted unopened.

Application Fee

Application fee waivers will be automatically granted to candidates who are active duty, reservists, or veterans of the United States military, and Georgetown University undergraduates and alumni. We are also pleased to offer application fee waivers for applicants who apply after attending select admissions events.

All other applicants must submit a $175 non-refundable application fee, payable online via credit card or e-check. Please do not send a personal check or money order.

Scholarship Essay

The MS-GRA program offers merit-based program scholarships. Applicants interested in being considered for a merit-based program scholarship must include a scholarship essay with their applications. The Admissions Committee will typically release scholarship award notifications with their admissions decision.

Prompt: At Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, a core element of our mission is to inspire ethical leaders to serve the common good. For scholarship consideration, please share how you have had a positive impact in your communities or how you will embody this mission moving forward.

Essay Guidelines

• All essays should be double-spaced using 12 pt. font and not exceed 300 words.
• Prepare your attachments offline in separate document files and upload them individually.
• Please follow the instructions regarding length of each attachment, and label each page with your name.
• Georgetown University prides itself on honesty and integrity. Plagiarism is not tolerated and the admissions office reserves the right to deny applicants or rescind admission if plagiarism is found.

Diversity, Personal Background, and Contributions Statement

Prompt: As Georgetown is a diverse, global community, we encourage you to upload a brief statement of up to 500 words to help the Admissions Committee understand the contribution your personal background and individual experiences would make to our community. As appropriate, you may wish to address any educational, familial, cultural, economic, and social experiences that have helped to shape your educational and professional goals; or how your background (e.g., first-generation student, resident outside the U.S.) or activities (e.g., community service and leadership) will contribute to the diversity of perspectives and ideas at Georgetown University.

Essay Guidelines

• Your essay should be double-spaced using 12 pt. font and not exceed 500 words.
• Prepare your attachments offline in separate document files and upload them individually.
• Please follow the instructions regarding length of each attachment, and label each page with your name.
• Georgetown University prides itself on honesty and integrity. Plagiarism is not tolerated and the admissions office reserves the right to deny applicants or rescind admission if plagiarism is found.

Additional Information

Prompt: Please provide any information you would like to add that you have not otherwise included in other sections of your application. For example, you can use this space to describe inconsistent academic performance, gaps in employment, or any other relevant information.

Guidelines & Formatting

• This section should not be formatted as a formal essay. Please share your additional information in a bulleted list, a few sentences, or short paragraphs.
• Prepare your attachments offline in separate document files and upload them individually.
• Georgetown University prides itself on honesty and integrity. Plagiarism is not tolerated and the admissions office reserves the right to deny applicants or rescind admission if plagiarism is found.

Re-Applicant Essay

Required for all applicants that previously applied and were not accepted.

Prompt: How have you strengthened your candidacy since your last application? We are particularly interested in hearing about how you have grown professionally and personally.

Essay Guidelines

• All essays should be double-spaced using 12 pt. font and not exceed 300 words.
• Prepare your attachments offline in separate document files and upload them individually.
• Please follow the instructions regarding length of each attachment, and label each page with your name.
• Georgetown University prides itself on honesty and integrity. Plagiarism is not tolerated and the admissions office reserves the right to deny applicants or rescind admission if plagiarism is found.

Standardized Test Scores

Submission of a GRE, GMAT, or Executive Assessment test score is optional. If you wish to submit test scores, upload an unofficial copy of your test score (no more than five years old) directly into the online application. All score reports should include your name and test date.

Official scores only need to be submitted if you are admitted to the program. Discrepancies between self-reported/unofficial documents and official records may result in an admissions offer being rescinded.

International Applicants

Non-U.S. College or University Academic records

Students who have attended or graduated from a non-U.S. college or university should follow these instructions:

1. We require that all transcripts be submitted in English. Most major foreign universities will issue official transcripts in English themselves. However, if your institution is unable to do this, you are responsible for providing Georgetown McDonough with an English translation of your transcript. Your translator must certify that the original documentation was received in a sealed envelope from your university or issuing institution. After translating, your translator should enclose both the original (non-translated) and the certified translation in an envelope and seal and sign the envelope. The transcript should be enclosed in the signed, sealed envelope and submitted by mail to Georgetown McDonough.
   
   As an alternative to an individual translator providing certified translations, international applicants who attend institutions outside of the United States may submit their transcripts in the form of a credential evaluation. While this service is not required, we recommend the World Education Services (WES) ICAP evaluations. Credential evaluations may take the place of official transcripts, as long as they come to Georgetown McDonough directly from the evaluation service provider and include a copy of the official transcripts you had evaluated.
   
2. We require proof a degree was conferred and the date of graduation. Some international transcripts do not explicitly state that a degree was conferred or the date of graduation. If your transcript does not explicitly state that a degree was conferred or the date of graduation, you should obtain an official letter from your university indicating the date of your graduation and the degree conferral date. This letter should be enclosed in a signed, sealed envelope and included with your transcript.

Demonstration of English Language Proficiency

Applicants who fit the criteria below are required to upload an unofficial English Language Proficiency Exam score report to the online application.

• Non-U.S. citizens
• Non-U.S. permanent residents
• Applicants who have not obtained a four-year or advanced degree from a university where the only primary medium of instruction was English

Please note: If you meet any of the following criteria, you are not required to submit a TOEFL/IELTS score:

• You have received 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
• Your native language is English
• You have worked full-time for the last 3+ years in an English speaking country.

The Office of Admissions reserves the right to ask an applicant to submit proof of English Language Proficiency.

You may choose one of the following two exams to demonstrate your level of competence in English.

• TOEFL (internet-based) – The minimum required score is 100. Your test result must not be more than two years old. If you are admitted to the program, official scores must be sent directly from ETS to Georgetown University Executive Education Admissions using ETS Code Number: 5781.
  • We now accept MyBest Scores. Test dates on your MyBest Scores report that are older than two years are expired and not valid. All dates must be valid.
  • We are currently accepting the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition. For more information and registration details visit the following ETS page: TOEFL site.
• IELTS – We accept only academic module results. The minimum required score is 7.5. Your test result must not be more than two years old. If you are admitted to the program, official scores must be sent electronically to us directly from Cambridge (IELTS). When requesting your scores from the test center, please enter the following information exactly as provided below:

Account Name: Georgetown University Sch of Business- MiM, MA-IBP, MSBA
Address: MS-GRA Admissions
37th and O Streets
Rafik B. Hariri Building, Suite 359
NW Washington, DC 20057

Join Our August 2025 Intake

Our next Master of Science in Global Real Assets intake launches in August 2025. We welcome the opportunity to connect with you throughout the admissions process to learn more about your background and interests, share details about the classes and capstone project, and explore how you can make an impact in this field.

Schedule a Meeting with the MS-GRA Team

Request Info

View Brochure

Questions? Contact Our MS-GRA Admissions Team

We can answer questions about making an investment in your future through the Master’s in Global Real Assets program.
RealAssets@georgetown.edu / +1 (202) 784-1478

Admissions Policies

• Applicants who would like to be considered for multiple degree programs at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business must submit separate applications with a different email address for each program.
• Your online application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on the deadline date. Applications that are received after the deadline or do not contain all of the required components may be considered for the next admissions round.
• Documents submitted to the Office of Admissions become the property of Georgetown University and will not be returned to the applicant.
• Should you be admitted, you will receive a conditional offer and will be required to mail all original/official copies of each application document (transcripts and test scores, if applicable) to the Office of Admissions. Discrepancies between self-reported/unofficial documents and official records may result in an admissions offer being rescinded.
• If any application materials are found to be forged, falsified, or altered in any way, the university will notify all relevant officials, including the individual or institution issuing the document and, as appropriate, immigration officers. If an offer of admission has been made, it may be rescinded.
• We are unable to provide specific feedback to applicants who are not offered admission. Please note, the decision of the Admissions Committee is final and we cannot recommend whether or not you should reapply for a future cycle. 
• You may only apply once in a given application cycle, and your admissions decision is final. You are eligible to reapply in a future application cycle.

Please note that while the information on this page provides guidance, applicants must refer to the full application form for detailed instructions. Should you encounter any discrepancies between instructions on this page and instructions in the application itself, you must follow the guidance provided in the application.