Current GU Freshman - Questions? I'm happy to help!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Georgetown University
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<p>Hey Class of 2018, congrats, you're almost there! And trust me, second semester senior year is one of the most fun experiences in your high school career.</p>

<p>For everyone who got into GU on EA, congratulations! I sincerely hope that you decide to commit to our school. Unfortunately, I wasn't among you guys last year; I was probably still crying over my Columbia ED deferral. But hey, since the moment I received my RD acceptance letter, I have never once questioned my decision to attend Georgetown. Needless to say, though I am only leaving campus for a few weeks for winter break, I am already missing the place.</p>

<p>So if you guys have any questions about the application process, academics, student life, or general Georgetown questions, feel free to ask me!</p>

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<p>Hmm…I’ll bite.</p>

<p>What’s your overall impression of Georgetown?</p>

<p>What are the students like?</p>

<p>How big is the religious aspect Georgetown and what is the political climate like?</p>

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<p>Is Georgetown as politically rich as I think it is?</p>

<p>Favorite thing?</p>

<p>Least favorite?</p>

<p>Advice to upcoming freshman?</p>

<p>How hard is it to maintain a high GPA, assuming one has a good work ethic? </p>

<p>Thanks! I got accepted EA so I hope to see you on the Hilltop!!!</p>

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<p>What’s your overall impression of Georgetown?
We have an extremely beautiful campus - small enough for it to be cozy but large enough to find things to do. The students here are extremely driven and passionate about what they do, but at the same time, we must all take it upon ourselves to push and find the motivation to create initiatives, get things done, find groups, etc. Sure, you can go through all four years of college without doing much because no one else will push you, but if you are self motivated, GTown is a place you will thrive. Plus, because we are in DC, there is just so much to do outside of campus: cultural events, performances, museums, cute little shops, libraries, different ethnic cuisines - one of my favorite things to do is just explore a street and look at all the little shops.</p>

<p>What are the students like?
Well first of all, most of them are from Jersey or California, but aside from that little quirk, the students are really all over the place. We have some super talented, driven individuals and we have some people who are just slacking through college. One thing though is that most the students here are extremely international. We have a large international student population and most other people are taking some sort of language. I don’t go a single day without hearing at least three different languages being spoken as I walk around campus. Finally, yes, we do party hard - but hey, we also work hard.</p>

<p>How big is the religious aspect Georgetown and what is the political climate like?
Religion at Georgetown is how you take it. There are definitely tons of resources for religious life and the campus ministry is great. We have a theology requirement to graduate where you can choose between Problem of God or Biblical Literature (most people take Problem of God just because Bib Lit is technically an advance course and there aren’t that many sections offered), and while I can say that I had a great experience in Problem of God the class really varies depending on the professor. However, though a large percentage of the students here are catholic or went to Catholic school, many of them don’t identify as being strongly religious at all. I guess Georgetown is just a great place to explore religion in general.
As for political environment, what can I say? It’s a northern college campus - tons of liberals.</p>

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<p>Is Georgetown as politically rich as I think it is?
YES! Just a few weeks ago we had Hilary Clinton, Laura Bush, and John Kerry come speak in Gaston Hall. We are within walking distance of the National Mall, and yes, I have skipped class to go listen to Obama speak. With all the driven students on campus, there are tons of different initiatives going on and ideas being bounced. The only thing is that no one will baby you - you have to take the steps to use the resources available.</p>

<p>Favorite thing?
I’m in the NHS, so my favorite thing is how close the school is. We are tiny (about 100 people in my class), so not only do all the students get to know each other very well, we get to know the faculty well. For example, I feel perfectly fine with just popping my head into the dean’s office and joking around with him or asking how he is doing. My academic advisor and faculty advisor know not only what classes I’m taking, they know what I am thinking about doing after college and occasionally send me opportunities and they know about my personal life as well. Oh, and the NHS feeds us really well. I’ve gotten way too many free Georgetown/Sprinkles cupcakes, when we have a amore social, we get the homemade marshmallows, gourmet chocolate, hot coco, apple cider, chocolate fountains, and giant, beautiful fruit as well. </p>

<p>Least favorite?
Leo’s (the dining hall) on the weekends = death. I try to avoid Friday dinner-Sunday Brunch as much as possible.</p>

<p>Advice to upcoming freshman?
Explore! Go off campus and see DC, spend a day on campus and find some cosy spots to study or just admire the great architecture. And join GUGS. We make/sell giant 1/2 burger patties every Friday and cater events on the weekends. It’s fab and delish!</p>

<p>How hard is it to maintain a high GPA, assuming one has a good work ethic?
Well it really depends on the word high. However in the end, you’ll come to realize that the grade in the class really doesn’t matter as much as what you get out of it. Even if you take an extremely difficult course and do not as well, but got a lot out of it, you’ll feel extremely fulfilled.
But to answer your question, no. The school isn’t impossible. Like any school, you put in enough work, you get the grades.</p>

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<p>Good answers, Julie. I do feel compelled to point out that this…</p>

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<p>…is a bit of an exaggeration. For the [Class</a> of 2017](<a href=“http://uadmissions.georgetown.edu/document/1242801151488/AAPStudentProfile-2013-14.pdf]Class”>http://uadmissions.georgetown.edu/document/1242801151488/AAPStudentProfile-2013-14.pdf), there were 164 students from California and 152 from New Jersey. That’s 316 out of 1,580 total - 20% on the dot. So, yes, one out of five is quite a few, but the majority are from elsewhere.</p>

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<p>The Jersey thing is an annoying stereotype that everyone and their mother accepts as truth, including everyone that speaks at NSO.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the detailed responses guys!</p>

<p>One more:</p>

<p>It seems like a lot of the students are the northeast prep school/rich kid types, is this a fair judgement and if so, how hard is it to fit in for people that don’t fit the stereotype?</p>

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<p>From my experience, not at all. I’m basically the exact opposite of the stereotype and I didn’t have any problem fitting in. Sure, there are a lot of students from private schools, but we really have people from all parts of the US and the world - like I said, the international student population is huge. In addition, there are groups on campus that cater to every sort of interest or background so you’re bound to find some people you share interests with.</p>

<p>Don’t worry about the stereotype at all - it’s just that: a stereotype.</p>

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<p>Thanks so much!!
How early do you think one should start doing internships? The second semester or the first summer after?
Are the internship opportunities as bountiful as one perceives?
Does Madeline Albright still teach there or did she retire?
Can you tell me about the dorms (the pros and cons of each)?
Again, thanks for taking the time. Georgetown students are the best hehe :)</p>

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<p>My office used to be directly below Secretary Albright’s. She generally teaches one course per semester - undergraduates one semester, grad students the other.</p>

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<p>Are the dorms really that bad?</p>

<p>How far is the nearest Starbucks? (coffee addict speaking here haha)</p>

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<p>No.</p>

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<p>There’s one in the Leavey Center. There’s also Corp-run coffee shops (Uncommon Grounds, MUG, Midnight Mug) and Einstein Bros Bagels scattered around various locations, and Saxby’s Coffee on 35th & O is very popular (and now alumni-owned and operated!).</p>

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<p>Would a bad score on SAT II hurt my chances a lot?</p>

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