<p>Hey guys, I’m also a freshman at Georgetown, so I thought I’d put in my two cents here.
@PublicForum2012: Meeting people is definitely not a challenge, and I’m even an introvert. First there is NSO, which is a fantastic time to meet a lot of people. The real relationships will come from your floormates and people involved in similar activities. Really, clubs are the main social scene and throw the majority of the parties, as was already mentioned. Obviously being in DC there are also a lot of clubs/bars/concerts and events to go to.
Georgetown was my first choice, although it ended up being really close between Georgetown and Brown. I am in SFS, so being in D.C. and having the opportunities that Georgetown provides really can’t be matched by any other school.
@x.sunny: Sometimes I totally forget I’m in D.C., you COULD have everything you need on campus or in the Georgetown neighborhood. However, being so close to everything D.C. has to offer is great. For me, I’m a huge theater/music/performing arts person and the Kennedy Center is like at 30 minute walk from campus. Monumenting at night is a blast, and of course the museums and such are all free, so its hard to be bored ever. Again, there are so many cool restaurants, clubs, bars, and concerts that you can find anything you are looking for really.
@smwhtslghglydzed: This first semester I was going to take five classes with the intensive language, but my dean warned against that. I decided to take her advice, and I’m so glad I did. I took Intensive Arabic I and three other classes and for first semester that was definitely enough. Moving forward though I have five courses next semester with the intensive language, and I think it will be fine. I really think it all depends on you as an individual and how much you want to take on, although I’d definitely stick with four courses plus intensive for the first semester, just to leave more time for things other than homework.
From my perspective, Georgetown is more liberal than conservative, but there are so many strong opinions on both sides. However, in this semester both Michael Moore and Ann Coulter have spoken on campus, and in both instances there were lots of unhappy students who felt strongly about one or the other. There is plenty of room for debate, and the student political groups are very active in bringing speakers to campus as well as interacting in a debate type format with one another.
@Platypus20: Your financial situation sounds almost identical to mine based on the given info. My family contribution is around 5000 while mine is about 1500 a year, plus 3000 in loans and 2000 work study. That being said, Georgetown either gives you a lot of money or hardly any it seems, but from my personal experience they are good at meeting your need.</p>
<p>@deepad89</p>
<p>You definitely have a chance. ECs and recommendation letters are a big part of the app here. (Legacy doesn’t hurt either :P)</p>
<p>@PublicForum2012</p>
<p>Georgetown was actually not my first choice when I started the application process. I was initially interested in UVA, Vandy, and Emory. I was accepted to all of them, was an Echols Scholar at UVA, and got a merit scholarship to Emory. However, I still couldn’t turn Georgetown down after GAAP weekend. I knew that Georgetown was where I belonged, and it simply always seemed to be the most warm and friendly school of them all. Plus, at the time, I was interested in the SFS, though I was accepted into the College.</p>
<p> Interacting with people is always difficult when you arrive at college. I particularly had a hard time adjusting because I went to an incredibly small high school. At the end of the day though, I’ve met very good friends and have a great time with friends every weekend. I wouldn’t trade my social life here for the world. I wrote more about the party scene a few posts back, but let me know if there’s anything else you want to know!</p>
<p>@x.sunny</p>
<p>DC is an awesome place to live. The Georgetown area is very safe compared to other parts of the city. I’ve never felt at danger when walking to Wisconsin Ave. or M Street by myself. The metro is a quick, free bus ride away. Clubs and concerts are very popular on weekends, and, if you have a fake (I don’t), bars are also popular for freshmen. </p>
<p>@smwhtslghtlydzed</p>
<p>Some (not all) study abroad locations will fulfill certain requirements for your curriculum. I’m in the College, so I know more about European locations, but I’m assuming this will also be doable in the SFS. 5 courses a semester is a lot of work, but it’s certainly doable and normal. I had 4 classes because I started out as pre-med. If you’re pre-med and am taking both bio and chem, you are only allowed to take 4 classes simply because the labs also take a lot of time. </p>
<p>I would actually advise against taking 18-20 credits (the maximum allowed) your first semester, which would be the case if you took an intensive language and 4 other classes. I had 17 credits this semester and worked like a dog every week (and still pulled several all-nighters). Georgetown is not easy, and unless you are completely set on that tough of a schedule, it may be better to let yourself get acquainted to college life before you dive into an insane schedule. </p>
<p>Georgetown is definitely not overwhelming conservative. In fact, I would consider it a liberal university. There is definitely a large conservative population (especially in the MSB and SFS from what I can tell). You’ll definitely encounter a lot of opinions on different issues simply because everyone knows what they’re talking about when it comes to politics.</p>
<p>@Platypus 26 </p>
<p> It’s true; Georgetown does have a lower endowment than many of its competitor schools (hence, the reason we’re not ranked higher), but most of my friends are on some sort of financial aid. I was unlucky and wasn’t offered anything, which was surprising because my family has a ton of expenses despite our high income. There is an appeal process if you don’t hear the news you want.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your response! If I come to Gtown and decide to take intensive Arabic it seems to make more sense to take 4 classes instead- I guess I have quite some time to figure that out though. And it’s nice to know there’s a range of opinions at Gtown- that sound perfect for what I’m looking for. Thanks for your help! :)</p>
<p>jwilliams, thanks so much for answering our questions. I found out yesterday that I have been accepted to SFS and am curious about financial aid. My Dad (only working parent) makes between 100 and 150k, so not poor but def. not loaded. I’d like to pay for college on my own, but I don’t want to graduate with much debt. Any advice/recommendations?</p>
<p>What do you think about being a commuter student?? My mom is a single parent, and short of a full-ride with room and board, I just can’t justify spending an additional 10k+/year on dorming on-campus when I live just across the boarder in MD.</p>
<p>During my interview, the interviewer told me that he doesn’t remember seeing or knowing of any commuter students, and that worried me a little. I’m not shy, but I’m not super outgoing and, coming from a small private school where I was friends with my entire grade, entering GTown and trying to make friends seems pretty intimidating. What’s worse is that I don’t know when I’d have time to meet anyone if I’m living off-campus and commuting for lunch…</p>
<p>Just to add, my major is Physics (which I’m told is a small, close-knit department) and Pre-Med. Would I be stuck with just knowing Physics kids?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>We can be friends, mada! Haha</p>
<p>Any current G-Town student want to fill me in on what intensive language classes are like?</p>
<p>^I second that. I plan on studying Arabic specifically and possibly Japanese. How much time a day is needed per an intensive class like an Arabic or a Japanese?</p>
<p>Arabic will be a big part of your life freshman year. I think when I started it was around 3 hours outside of class per day. However, you will learn and you learn fast. It is much less about working for the grade than meeting very high expectations. It is an incredible department that wants you to succeed and understands the challenges of the language. My advice: make sure you are sure this is something you are passionate about, only take 3 other classes your first year, start familiarizing yourself with the script and phonemes as soon as possible, and take summer classes. A lot of people come in not fully grasping how much work it requires and quit after a year. But for those of us who stuck it out, Arabic has become a hallmark of our Georgetown career. </p>
<p>(sorry I know much less about Japanese. It is not quite as intense those. Chinese, Russian, and Arabic are the big three at Georgetown)</p>
<p>Hey guys, so I know this is a thread for questions, but I still feel like it’s the best place to say this just because it has real Georgetown students in it. I just got deferred from EA on Monday. I think I was either in shock or denial because it’s really starting to get to me. I think I’m badly in need of a pep talk or something. If anything can someone please chance me here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/georgetown-university/1257372-chance-me-please.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/georgetown-university/1257372-chance-me-please.html</a></p>
<p>Thanks</p>