<p>You will want to go to CI. Not only is it fun but you will make friends and learn a lot about GW, class selection, etc. You will also meet with an adviser to help select what classes you need. I also recommend it for your parents. Very informative!</p>
<p>I don’t believe you have to pay for anything else. Most if not all meals are included.</p>
<p>Definitely do CI if you can. Though it’s good for parents too, the added airfare is a big expense - you can go by yourself - you won’t see much of your P’s anyway. Fly into Reagan and ride the Metro right to GW. They don’t advertise it much, but the school will let you stay in a dorm room the night before, especially if you’re coming from far away. All meals for students are included.</p>
<p>But I wouldn’t need to get a hotel, right? Okay so I’ll try to get the money for the airline ticket because I really want to go.</p>
<p>A parent’s comment - CI was the most organized and wonderful college orientation I’ve seen from “any” college, and I’ve been through this before with other children. My “S” feels similarly.</p>
<p>Just go - you won’t be sorry!</p>
<p>CJ</p>
<p>can someone detail GW’s social scene, more specifically perhaps the party scene? Are social cliques prevalent to the extent where some people dont interact with others or are parties invited to everyone and exclusive?</p>
<p>agladwin -</p>
<p>It’s a very, very political school and a very political city. If you disdain hearing about politics, I wouldn’t suggest the school/city. But, you could easily attend either school and go about your life, your interests, etc. without participating in politics.</p>
<p>Try going to the last CI for international students, so you don’t have to make a second trip.</p>
<p>If money is no problem, sure, go to CI. But, if it’ll cost you a small fortune to attend, I say skip it. The school really knows how to put on a nice show (literally, sometimes there are fancy concerts and dinners and so on) that impress you. But, it’s certainly not vital to attend CI. I know plenty of people who skipped it without a single regret.</p>
<p>kingsquirrel-</p>
<p>People hang out with their friends, and invite their friends to parties.
Most parties you get invited to by knowing the host, or knowing a guest, etc.
The social scene isn’t high school clique-ish, but people find their niche of friends.
As far as partying, most parties are either off-campus… and most people go out to bars/clubs instead of house/dorm parties. The dorms are too small to have a party and not be noticed. And, underage drinking in this city a big no-no.</p>
<p>studnet206-</p>
<p>Test scores: very weak (obviously). Why were they so low? Can you retake, or take SATs?
GPA: Fine
ECs: Nice
Hook: Good
Family background and language abilities: Good
Work experience: good. Commendable.
APs: Ok, somewhat weak. You didn’t take many. Were many offered? </p>
<p>Overall, I say… apply. Sure, your test scores could use a drastic improvement. But, working jobs, volunteering, etc. plus having your family background (multi-lingual, etc.) is a plus. I wouldn’t say you’re a shoe in, since your test scores are what they are, and your APs weak. However, I still say apply… I don’t know too many teens who work to help out their parents with expenses, and we could use more of you around GW.</p>
<p>I feel that my test scores were so low because I didn’t have a lot of resources to help me. My parents couldn’t afford a tutor, so I was basically teaching myself…I didn’t even know what I was doing. I could only buy 1 ACT practice book. I think it’s too late to take anymore ACT/SAT now. </p>
<p>Not too many AP courses are offered at my school. As a matter of fact, my school tried cutting my AP French VI class this year because only 8 people were taking it, so I had to fight the board of education to keep it (I included that little interesting story in my college app)…under my stats, I wrote another comment about more stuff I do. I’m doing Early Decision II and I interviewed with GW as well.</p>
<p>My D is interested in the Communications major but could care less about politics. She is more interested in human and commercial interest type stories. Having said that, will the intern/campus exposure be completely biased towards the political scene? Maybe a school in NYC is more fitting?</p>
<p>Pwnparent, are you talking about SMPA, which has both a Political Communications and a Journalism major?</p>
<p>The Journalism major can be whatever you want it to be. Many students work in television and print journalism, without a heavy political involvement.</p>
<p>I think there is also a communications major in Columbian- I don’t know much about that.</p>
<p>For the life of me, I just don’t get what people like about DC. It is the fact that it’s the capital of the free world? The seat of our government? The site of our national treasures, monuments, and museums? Home of the White House, our Congress, our Supreme Court??</p>
<p>Is it the nightlife, the restaurants, the vibrant neighborhoods? The living history?</p>
<p>The temperate climate and beautiful parks?</p>
<p>I’m scratching my head.</p>
<p>I have seen tons of cities around the world, on business or on vacation. In my opinion, Washington, D.C. is the most beautiful! </p>
<p>Contrary to what people say about Asian cities being expesive (e.g., Tokyo, Singapore or the like), many European cities to me are more expensive. In comparison, Washington, D.C. is relatively inexpensive and reasonable.</p>
<p>student206-</p>
<p>Not having a tutor isn’t an excuse to me. One book is enough. There are also free libraries, and free test prep websites. Preparing for tests takes self-responsibility: you can’t blame your parents for lacking resources. Many people are in similar situations, or have uninterested parents/schools/teachers/whatever. Some people don’t study for the ACT at all and score exceedingly well. I didn’t seek out private ACT tutors or buy loads of books. Either way, if it’s too late to re-take, it’s too late. </p>
<p>I wish you luck in your application, but you can’t use resources or lack of as an excuse. As for the AP classes, that’s a good explanation of why you’re lacking in those. Regardless, I like your initiative to get jobs and such, and do keep us posted on your application. Like I said before, we need more students who are self-sustaining or help support their parents around here. Good luck.</p>
<p>I just wanted to say that when you chanced me, you told me i basically had a zero percent chance of getting in.</p>
<p>I got in.</p>
<p>You might not want to chance people anymore. I had a 2.7 gpa.</p>
<p>@schmohawk
She mentioned Media Studies combined with a Business Minor. Like I said, more interested in business and sociology than politics. She likes GWU because of the urban feel and, ostensibly, there are a lot of internship opportunities. Thoughts?</p>
<p>She could do that, but be careful to get good advisement and plan ahead on courses- both departments have a lot of requirements. The School of Media and Public Affairs requires separate admission- you can apply with your regular application, or transfer in later.</p>
<p>The internship opportunities are outstanding, and are very well-publicized on campus. I don’t know of anyone who was unable to get a good internship.</p>
<p>PnwParent-
I would do the Media Studies major, and skip the minor. Get an internship or job, so she can have real world experience instead.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback. One other concern I had about GWU is safety, especially for young ladies. The neighborhood seems urban but bordering on sketchy?</p>