<p>dont take the blackhole remark too seriously haha...</p>
<p>colonialmom, i encourage you to read the earlier posts in this thread if you are questioning my "homework" in deciding to come to GW. in fact, i am working at one of those interesting places (congress) which is only accessible because i go to GW. </p>
<p>also, this isnt a hate on GW thread...im having a great time here and i have made great friends, i just can't stay here for 4 years. the moving principle to create this thread was to find others who may be in a similar position and see what advice they have received. it only started to become a hate GW thread when parents reading the posts got offended that anyone would dare leave the school and so they became defensive and passive aggressive. </p>
<p>as i have said, GW is not a bad school for everyone. its just not a fit for me. i knew that coming here, so im not mad at the school or anyone actually. to repeat, this thread is to find others in my position and see what we can learn from each other.</p>
<p>Casey2889-Just because someone doesn't agree with you or your approach doesn't mean they're "defensive" or "passive aggressive." I think those terms would apply more to you than others. The extremely negative descriptive terminology you have used in your previous posts proves my point. If you truly want to find others looking to transfer, the place to look would be on the "transfer" board, not here on the "GW" board. People who are interested in attending GW are the ones who usually come here to find out facts such as what the dorms are like, what the difference between the various schools is, whether people have received their acceptance letters yet and the like. So far I have not seen you find anyone on this board who is transferring. Go to the transfer board. If you continue on here, your claims of why you are here become more and more disingenuous.</p>
<p>Another GW parent here. D is a junior. She is having a wonderful experience at GW. As other parents have stated it is all about fit and whether one likes the city as a campus. D arrived as a freshman with an eye on a five year masters program. Professors in her dept. offered support and encouragement. Due to their mentoring (one prof in particular) she had an excellent summer research position...and continues research now. She is well positioned to begin applying to PhD programs next fall. When she arrived at GW she never dreamed that a doctorate could be within her reach. Now it looks like it will happen. Because her academic dept. is small she is getting the attention one expects to find at a small LAC, within a larger university. She has also met a nice group of friends. She is working very hard but when she has free time, DC is her playground and that does not include much clubbing or partying. She is a city girl, born and bred, so the city campus was a conscious choice for her not a dissuading factor. Not saying there is no partying or clubbing happening there--of course there is. As to the cost factor, her financial aid package brought our contribution to approx. what we would have paid for in-state tuition and GW was the best aid package offered among her private college acceptances. And because of a good gpa, she received additional merit aid this year. GW is not for everyone, she had a few friends that transferred after Fresh. year...and a friend from hs who transferred in last year after not being accepted as freshman applicant. My best advice is to do your homework, visit, look closely at GW, talk to people who attend and then decide if GW's location and programs are well suited to your expectations. And I wish Casey and any other transfers best of luck and success with the transfer process.</p>
<p>"Again, why Bethy's Dad would teach at GW if he doesn't like being in DC is beyond me."</p>
<p>I never stated that my dad doesn't like being in DC. We live 20 min from the city and absolutely LOVE it. Now living in the city for our family would probably not be a good decision.
I did not mean to offend anyone by my dad's opinions. He has simply taught at and attended many different schools and just does not think a GW education is worth the cost. Obviously GW is a prestigious school so in that sense an education from there is worth more than, for instance, the unknown LAC my dad attneded; however, he does not think the actual EXPERIENCE is worth it. My dad received his doctorate from GW and simply did not think the classroom environment was at all comparable to his BA from the unknown LAC or his MBA from vtech. In terms of teaching, he likes his colleagues and students at GW for the most part, but finds that other schools he has taughts at tend to have a more vibrant community feel and just an overall generally happier environment. He actually teaches the exact same class at GW and and UMD College Park and finds that the class at UMD tends to be smaller and more passionate than the large GW lecture hall.
I am not at all trying to bash GW (as much as it probably definitely seems like that) I just want to try to share what little information I know that might help someone else.</p>
<p>What my dear, sweet grandfather always used to say: </p>
<p>Something is only worth what someone will pay for it.</p>
<p>Since it doesn't seem that GW is lacking for any applicants I think GW must be worth it to a great many people who attend. Also, as a previous poster pointed out, many students here are receiving lots of aid which GW is fairly generous with (in my opinion based on my own and friend's experience). </p>
<p>I am not a parent - I'm a transfer into GW and a rising junior so I can speak as a student attending in the year 2007. GW is not for everyone. The lack of a traditional campus turns many people off as much as it turns other people on. If someone doesn't like the idea of a city campus then they probably shouldn't apply to GW. Especially if they don't even like the city that it's in (DC). </p>
<p>It sounds like the original poster came to GW with the intention of staying here temporarily and that's cool - to each his own. GW is not, however, a "black hole." Nor does everyone party every single weekend and there are plenty of other nighttime fun activities than clubs. I'd have to say it is much less a party school than some people are saying here only because of the stringent policies of University and DC Metro police. also, it's insane for anyone to say there is nothing to do here. Do you open the newspaper and browse the "To Do" section at all? Pick up a copy of the Hatchet and read their helpful suggestions. </p>
<p>You have plenty of rich kids from New York, but then again you have plenty of kids who are on full scholarships running around too. Not everyone is getting a large allowance from their parents and speeding around in BMW's. If you want to dispel these stereotypes come for a visit and I'll give you a personal tour. </p>
<p>I like GW - the classes are challenging and keep me pretty busy. I LOVE having a metro stop on campus. The professors are always willing to talk to me before or after class or during office hours. I only have one large class. For the most part the classrooms are spacious and easy to focus on the teacher and not someone's boogers or graffiti on the wall next to you. The grounds are well-maintained. If you want something extra every once in a while the honors classes are open to anyone even if you're not in the honors program. You have last pick though so keep that in mind. The gym is phenomenal and the dorms are all pretty nice. The newspaper, GW Hatchet, is great for important local news and best of all - free. I think it's the oldest newspaper in the District of Columbia other than the Washington Post. </p>
<p>The only things I don't like about GW so far are the lack of student run organizations like coffee shops (Starbucks rule here) and they don't have a more traditional "Harry Potter like" library. </p>
<p>Good luck with your transfer Casey and I hope you find a more fitting environment. That is really the most important thing.</p>
<p>As a parent of one student at GW and another at a semi-rural though fairly well know LAC (and as a professor), I would have to agree w/Bethyy's dad that, for an undergraduate education, the kind of intellectual community you find at a small LAC (which is really quite UNlike a mid-size university like AU) makes for a much richer undergraduate experience. But my daughter turned down acceptances from several top-rated LACs because she didn't want quite so homogenous a culture and she really values diversity, which she says she's found in abundance at GW. Yes, there are plenty of "rich kids" from the northeast, just as there are at most private schools, but there are also tons of kids getting merit aid or scholarship. GW is also different from an LAC in that it is much more career-oriented with internship opportunities so abundant. So, for me, the bottom line is not deeming one better than the other, but simply realizing that both types of schools offer students a lot and what's better for one kid might not be better for another. Hopefully, Casey will find a more fitting environment, but s/he shouldn't expect nirvana anywhere.</p>
<p>I CHOSE not to go to GW because the cost was not in line with its academic standing. and I preferred more of a campus, however small, being in DC. I definately am more comfortable with a more laid-back kind of student , ie, a campus where you didn't feel a need to dress for class, jewelry included!</p>
<p>I just wanted to put in my two-sense as a junior at GW...</p>
<p>The Student Body:</p>
<p>Yes, you will find A LOT of rich kids from the northeast. Some who are just flat-out ridiculous and will stop at nothing to show how much money and how well connected they are. However, if you take a litttle time and energy you can find some really cool people who don't fit the "face" of GW.</p>
<p>For the most part, the study body is really involved. The SA is taken pretty seriously. Most kids have internships and are involved in other student orgs. However, GW lacks school spirit when it comes to athletics. But, that is just not where people's priorities lay. </p>
<p>Classes:</p>
<p>As for classes, I have had mixed experiences. I have had some pretty awful experiences (for instances, the hopsitality department is terrible...stay AWAY). However, on the other end, I have had some GREAT professors. And, for the most part my professors have been very accessbile when/if I seek them out. As for the classroom experience, I prefer classes with little student interaction. I just do not care what Johnny next to me with little life experience has to say. I would much rather a professor lecture, which is what happens for the most part.</p>
<p>Cost:</p>
<p>Do I think GW is worth $50,000? No. However, every one of my close friends and myself get either GW-merit aid, financial aid, or scholarships from outside sources to contribute to our tutition bills. I fill like I am getting my monies worth, but I am not paying full price. </p>
<p>At the end of the day, if you want a traditional school where you will ponder the meaning of life, GW is not for you. If you want an urban school that focuses on preparing you for the professional world, GW may just be your place.</p>
<p>Okay this campus sucks on weekends. i am a frosh and there is nothing to do here on weekends. unless you are in a frat, it sucks. Drinking every weekend gets old fast and i hate clubs and bars. there is absolutely nothing to do here on friday and saturday whereas at INDY or Wisco or Texas you can walk down the street and find 10 houses with 200 kids in each pounding beers. NOT HERE</p>
<p>I'm a little confused....the campus sucks because there is nothing to do? Hello, you are in the capital of the United States....there are museums everywhere and there are always multiple events taking place throughout the city be it music, art, science, law, medical...you name it....There is shopping everywhere and your classmates are comprised of people from all over the world....</p>
<p>Next if you hate clubs and bars (basically big drinking parties) and drinking every weekend gets old fast.......why are you getting excited about going to another city that has a bunch of kids who are drinking and partying every weekend as you said? That's like an oxymoron there, you don't like drinking every weekend in DC but can't wait to go pound beers somewhere else?</p>
<p>Yes, it's quite funny that in the middle of one of the U.S.'s major metropolitan areas there is "nothing to do." Makes absolutely no sense. Why don't you take a look at this website, Things</a> To Do, and try to do something beyond your usual comfort zone.</p>
<p>Here are some fun things do do in D.C.: Tour the Capitol, White House and Supreme Court, go shopping and out to dinner in Georgetown, ride a bike on the bike trails along the C & O canal, see a show at the Kennedy Center, go to the National Zoo, take the metro to Olde Town Alexandria, attend a concert at Wolftrap Farm Park, visit the Mt. Vernon estate, go Trick or Treating along Embassy Row, attend the National Tree Lighting Ceremony, go to one of the numerous museums or attend an art gallery show.etc.</p>
<p>researchmave, I agree with u because I have been to DC. I also want to add, that remember, it's the people who make your experiences and time fun and valuable not necessarily the city sometimes. For example, discussing life and getting to know people and their experinces is also as something fun and something to do. Basically, it's the atmosphere of something. If you can create an atmosphere, you could almost have a great time all the time. I'm a transfer for January 2008 and I hope that I have a great time there and meet many interesting people that I can build a life relationship with. Good luck wheather your transferring out or in. Take care!</p>
<p>Does anyone know about the workload at GW? Just curious because I want to have time to explore the city and do some social life. So...is that something that is available at GW? Please feel free to add any advices for me if you are a current GW student. Thank you much.</p>
<p>More things to do: Kickball league on the National Mall, National Galleries and Smithsonian (free!) Chinatown, fabulous shows at Lisner Auditorium (Steven Colbert, Annie Lennox) movies on campus or in GTown, hear Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. And that was just since September.</p>
<p>I think the work depends a lot on your courseload, the kinds of classes you're taking, and what kind of grades you aspire to. My daughter is taking a few research and writing intensive classes and seems to be busy a lot but making time for her social life too. I don't get the sense the GW is a killer academic school, like University of Chicago, for example. But it seems on par with other universities of its type.</p>