George Washington University

George Washington University

Washington, DC, USA
Private
4 Year

Meredith's Review

Review of George Washington University

from Marlton, NJ

Describe your college in three sentences.

George Washington is the only place I'd want to be. There's no other college in the world that is just a few steps from the White House and the Lincoln Memorial. GW is a large school, with a diverse student body who all come together for fun events such as this week's Midnight Breakfast with games and prizes and basketball games where we all cheer on the Colonials!

Do you have any tips for prospective students?

GW really is great! I think the location is amazing and the education I'm getting is phenomenal! I also like the people, it's hard at first to find your group of friends because there's so many different kinds of people. But, I think that just makes it all the more exciting! I think my biggest complaint would be that it is so ridiculously expensive, honestly, it could be so much cheaper! At the end of the day though, I can't see myself anywhere else!

Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?

Classes at George Washington University are pretty balanced between large lectures and small classrooms. I have three large lecture classes and two smaller classroom experiences. I have a double major in International Affairs (concentration in Latin America) and Political Science with a minor in History. My favorite class is American Politics, Professor Deering is hilarious and explains everything personally! I registered for Legislative Politics with him next semester. The academic requirements are annoying, for example, I have to take a Math and two Science courses, and my AP credits can't count towards those courses. But the general education requirements are very easy to accomplish nonetheless. There hasn't been a class I haven't enjoyed, including those general education courses!

Describe the dorm life at your college.

The first book I read about colleges described the dorms at George Washington as palaces. It was dead on. But, it really depends on what hall you live in though. GW is a relatively old school, so the dorms are either old or brand new! The old dorms aren't terrible by any means, but they aren't as nice either! Brand new dorms are available to everyone. I live in the newest building, West Hall. I have three roommates and we live in a suite. Thus, we each have our own rooms, a common room, a kitchenette, and a bathroom. Also, there is a full kitchen on our floor and a laundry room. My dorm room is amazing! There are plenty of nice dorm rooms all over campus, so you have tons of options!

Describe the food and dining at your college.

There are a lot of options when it comes to meals at GW! We have two types of options, things we can buy with dining dollars and things we can buy with colonial cash. Dining dollars can be used at any dining hall, there are two, one for each campus. The food is extremely good, however it's almost always the same options. There's many, but it becomes mundane. With colonial cash, we can buy absolutely anything anywhere that will accept our cards. This provides you with so many more options! You can sit down and eat at a restaurant or order delivery! The dining hall food is honestly delicious, but when it gets to be too repetitive, colonial cash provides students with a lot more options!

What’s there to do for fun at your college?

Everyone is extremely social, doors are almost always open on my floor and we all gather in one room and study or watch our favorite shows together. There are a number of fraternities and sororities at GW that are always hosting events. Many students rush, however it doesn't dominate the social scene. There are always DC clubs that are hosting parties for college students or where a singer or band is performing. Organizations are constantly holding events, and if they're promoting free food, everyone shows up! Outside of campus, DC has a lot to offer, whether its the Drag Queen Race or just visiting Georgetown or the monuments! There's plenty for students to find, either on or off campus.

Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?

There is one truly unique aspect of George Washington that never ceases to amaze me. This is the fact that I can walk a few blocks from campus and be right in front of the White House, National Mall, or the Lincoln Memorial! GW is the only school centered right in the heart of DC. The presidential motorcade passes by almost daily and there's never a dull moment! Despite the constant excitement, GW's location opens a lot of doors for internships and other opportunities for all majors! GW's location is probably the most unique (and the best) thing about it!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

GW Deli! It's owned by an Italian family, takes Colonial Cash, and is absolutely delicious! It's a very small building with a constant flow of students. Everything they make is amazing though, but definitely try a sandwich, they're unbeatable! Also, we have a fire department on campus that is a bit unusual because it is the department that responds to the White House. When President Taft got stuck in his bathtub, it was our fire department that responded!

Which types of students will excel at your college?

George Washington is great for a variety of students! However, you have to be willing to work hard because the academics are rigorous! Other than that, GW has a lot to offer to a myriad of people! It's too diverse not to!

Are you involved in any clubs or activities?

Students at George Washington are extremely involved in politics. Thus, College Republicans and College Democrats are extremely popular here. There are a number of fraternities and sororities at GW that are always hosting events. Many students rush, however it doesn't dominate the social scene. There are so many organizations, whether you like sports, leadership roles, a specific culture, or just about any other activity you could think of! Also, there are a lot of positions available to freshman as well. Get involved your first year, it will make a huge difference!

Are you involved in any clubs or activities?

Until this year, George Washington didn't really have a very large Greek scene. However, it has grown this past semester and become extremely popular. Fraternities and sororities are great, they have fun events for everyone and there are so many to choose from if you're interested! A lot of hopeful brothers and sisters have a lot of fun, especially during rush! However, it's really not mandatory! I'm not a huge fan, so I didn't rush or anything, and it's really not a big deal! There is a social scene outside of Greek life too, so either way, you'll be happy!

How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?

Washington, DC is infamous for its crime! However, GW is in a very safe area of the city and there are so many precautions the university takes to protect students! We have email and text alerts when there are possible threats and there are emergency buttons all over campus! Furthermore, the University Police Department provides a service that you can call and request someone to pick you up if you suddenly feel unsafe when in the city and they will drive you back to campus. I have never felt unsafe at George Washington!