A Realistic View of GW

<p>As the parent of a sophomore I have to disagree with mom2boys. I have an older son who went to a different college where there were fewer course requirements (in fact, GW is looking to change their GCR requirements because they are more onerous than most other schools), where staff was much easier to deal with than at GW (I have never gotten a problem resolved by the first person I’ve spoken to at GW. In fact, there are some staff at GW who aren’t even aware of the school’s own policies). He has found advising to be hit or miss whereas my other son’s advisors were always availble & helpful.<br>
So even students at the same school can have very different experiences.</p>

<p>can some one give me their thoughts? do you think i could get into GW?</p>

<p>-I go to a very small, competitive, private school,with 170 students
-Gpa-3.34 but i got a 3.5 my junior year, plus i have and upward trend
-top 30% in class although class does not rank
-Senior year lots of honors, challenging schedule
-Sat- 550math 590reading 530writing
-Does not rank class
-i have LOTS of Extracurricular Activities(including SGA President)
-LOTS of community service
-Full-time job
-African American
-Mother is an alumni
-GWU is my first choice
-Ive visited twice and interview(interview went well)
-good essays-i think
-Live in Virginia
-I have all the required units and the recommended ones.
-National Junior Honor Society
-gwu is by far my first choice</p>

<p>tell me wat you think!
Thanks</p>

<p>Is GWU’s science department (in general) strong? Or should I not even bother applying?</p>

<p>Does anyone know the exact date (and perhaps time) that ED I applicants will find out if they got in or not?</p>

<p>takinit: thank you for your input on GW. I’m a hs senior and I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to apply to GW (especially since I visited G’Town this summer, and I LOVED it; at the same time, I didn’t really check out GW campus). For my family, money IS an issue, so if GW really is as you say it is, then I’m really thinking twice before applying. </p>

<p>As for the school’s education and after grad opportunities, I would like to ask you (or any other current GW students) how it compares with Georgetown, especially in terms of the classes, connections, and internships. Thanks!</p>

<p>The Question- I don’t think it’s wise to “think twice before applying” based on one person’s rantings. My D, who graduated from GW, received a very generous aid package from them. She also found the GW administration to be quite helpful and responsive. So I guess individual experiences can be very different.</p>

<p>Totally agree with Researchmaven. My kid’s experience has been similar.</p>

<p>Does GW give out Merit Scholarships? Or do you have to apply for them separately?</p>

<p>THIS. I only spent a year and a half there and you nailed it.</p>

<p>Didn’t get to fully read thread yet but from my reading George Washington University sounds even greater. I do agree that George Washington University has the best access to Washington D.C but largely due to the school being right in the center of the city.</p>

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<p>Edit: Well I’m just going back to actually fully read your post and now I’m noticing your experince of con’s that your pointing out.</p>

<p>takiniteasy, I’m a sophomore at GW and couldn’t agree more with everything you said. In my experience, GW is 100% concerned with its financial gains and PR. Students and academics are hardly even an afterthought. The administration is atrocious…trying to get very simple documents or questions processed and through the right people is a nightmare.</p>

<p>I have been extremely disappointed with the academic standards. In my experience, GW students are divided in to two groups: those who are extremely driven, career-oriented, just want to get through their classes to start working on the Hill, and those who are here just because they can afford it and want to coast through, partying and doing as little work as possible. There is little in-between.</p>

<p>I am leaving GW and transferring next semester because I know that the quality of education here is not worth anything near 50K. If you are content to receive a mediocre attention for a “big name” school, then perhaps GW is your place. The whole academic identity here is very superficial and unless you are in Elliot (ESIA) no one will take particular interest in your education/resources. I am an SMPA student, which is supposed to be a very strong program, and am still dismayed by the lack of academic stimulation at GW.</p>

<p>If you want to get an internship on the Hill, you can get one as a student at GW. If you want a quality education, you can’t.</p>

<p>I couldn’t disagree more with what gonefishing and “88” have said.</p>

<p>That is simply not the case. GW is one of the most generous institutions in the U.S. as far as aid is concerned. The education is top-notch, especially for certain departments. It is what YOU put into that determines the outcome. The professors here are simply amazing. These people know what they are doing. They don’t just write books about topic X, they do topic X.</p>

<p>gonefishing probably wanted to get an A in one of his/her classes, and didn’t get it. So now he/she is mad, and wants to leave. Tell Frank Sesno that the SMPA program is not worth it, and see what he says. Or perhaps Cokie Roberts…</p>

<p>There are always people who do not appreciate what they have. They often do not have the experience to have a realistic perspective. My D’s friend transferred out of GW after freshman year and only then realized what she had given up, transferred back and now is using all the wonderful GW resources and couldn’t be happier.</p>

<p>As the parent of a GW sophomore, I agree with alot of what gonefishing said. My son has not been impressed with the quality of the academics & has said that classes at GW are easier than his classes in HS were (& his grades reflect that as well). We will very seriously be discussing with him over break whether or not it’s worth transferring; I’m not sure GW is worth >$50000.<br>
I was also very disappointed when it took GW over 7 weeks to pay my son for work he did over Parents Weekend, but Student Accounts can erroneously charge late payment fees when there are no late payments. Were they hoping I wouldn’t find their mistake & pay it anyway? Then it took 2 phone calls over 2 days to get the erroneous charge removed from the bill.<br>
The faculty has also urged the school to give out more merit scholarships to improve the quality of students who attend, but the administration would rather spend money on construction projects. This is an especially sore subject since a merit scholarship my son would have qualified for was eliminated last year.</p>

<p>Isn’t it interesting that people can have such different experiences and impressions?</p>

<p>I’m with researchmaven and usair, BTW. I don’t know what you guys are complaining about.</p>

<p>And BTW, shellfell, merit scholarships weren’t eliminated for building construction. GW chose to divert some of their merit money to money for the financially needy, especially given many students’ increased need during this deep recession. Money for construction comes from the capital budget, a totally different area. Sounds like some people who didn’t get the money they wanted are ready to criticize the slightest things about the school. My D was in the top 20% of admitted students academically according to a comparison of her scores/GPA with those published. She took all APs her senior year and came from a top H.S. in an upper middle class area. She was in the top 10% of her H.S. class; yet, she found the academics at GW challenging and did not always receive an “A.” Faculty members were always supportive and wrote her wonderful recommendation letters whenever needed. Housing was very helpful when she chose to switch her room. She had a wonderful study abroad experience and didn’t have any trouble getting credit for all her courses. She also worked at an internship close to the school during her final year. She was able to get a job she loves, even in this economy. We are so happy with GW that we want to give “give back” and have begun giving to the alumni fund. Just cannot relate to some of these resentful posts.</p>

<p>Researchmaven, my daughter sounds a lot like yours, and she is having a great experience. She would agree that the classwork is challenging but meaningful;the professors are supportive; the opportunities are without peer; and that in general, GW is a great place. </p>

<p>Congratulations to all of you who were admitted ED, and good luck to ED2 and Reg. decision applicants. Don’t be discouraged by the small group of unhappy students.</p>

<p>researchmaven: I didn’t say merit scholarships were reduced because of construction. I said that faculty preferred increasing merit scholarships to spending $ on construction. I happened upon this info while searching for something on GW’s own website.</p>

<p>Your son expected merit money but didn’t receive it? Could that be why he (and you) are disgruntled? Listen, of course GW has to expand and plan new construction in order to stay competitive. Sorry it didn’t work out for you, but it is in the best interest of the university and of course, the students. Did you notice that ED applications were up by 30% this fall?</p>

<p>Just remember ED applicants and future GW students, every school has its disgruntled and disenchanted students. If that’s the case, then it’s a good thing that these students are transferring to another school. I have found most of the classes that I’m taking as a sophomore, academically challenging (I had the same H.S. history as researchmaven above) and professors that are available for support. As I’ve indicated in sooooo…many of my posts, at a larger school like GW, you have to be proactive, assertive and find the right people to assist you. You CAN and DO get results when necessary. I say, all good practice for the real world!!</p>