Founded in 1789, the same year the U.S. Constitution took effect, Georgetown is the nation's oldest Catholic university. What began as Georgetown College, a small gathering of 12 students and a handful of professors, has grown into a major international university that includes four undergraduate schools, respected graduate programs, a law school and a medical school. The vision of Georgetown founder John Carroll, S.J., still guides the university in its commitment to Catholic, Jesuit education in the liberal arts tradition, with respect for diversity and open dialogue in the pursuit of truth.
Georgetown University overlooks the Potomac River and the Nation's Capital, with its political institutions, high-tech corridor, cultural riches, museums and performance centers.