<p>Hello everyone,</p>
<p>I'm in my last semester at GW and would be happy to answer any questions that you have. I am a Political Science major in the Columbian College, and will be heading to law school next year. I'll give you my honest answers about what GW is like!</p>
<p>First off - congratulations on being a second semester senior!</p>
<p>I'm a sophomore in HS but I've been looking at possible colleges for a while. GW seems really great because its got great academics and it's in one of the best cities in the country. (even though I'm not very politically active, DC seems amazing).</p>
<p>My mom, however, refuses to even consider GW. She said "Why should I pay the highest prices in the country for you to go to school in an office building?" Last time I checked, prices at GW were just about the same as a lot of other high-end, private schools. I'm not sure about the office building part - is that true? Of course there are great buildings in DC, but are there any for classes?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>-Jillian</p>
<p>What is there to do during free time since there isn't a campus to hang out.
Is there a building to hang out and meet people besides dorms?
Also how is the laundry work in GWU?
How many gyms (with basketball courts) are there in foggy bottom?
Is dorm Thurston do the 2 room 1 bathroom style like the one I saw during my campus visit? If not, how many people/room share 1 bathroom.
Are the dorms co-ed by floor or room?
Is there lots of shopping mall to go to in DC?
Do students there go to more WIzards game or GWU basketball games?</p>
<p>Okay that is it for now while I am nervously waiting for my EDII decision...</p>
<p>Thx</p>
<p>jcdancer9: I think the cost of GW depends a lot on your family's financial situation. Yes, GW is one of the most expensive schools in the country, but it also gives out the most need-based financial aid. I come from a middle-class family in the midwest, and going to GW was actually cheaper for me than going to my state school because they gave me so much financial aid. However, if you come from a very wealthy family that will likely not be awarded financial aid, I think it becomes a tougher decision; then you have to think about whether GW's amazing location and resources outweigh the large financial burden in comparison to other schools.</p>
<p>I would hardly say, however, that we go to class in an "office building." There are many classroom buildings, almost none of which even closely resemble an office building. Though we are located in the middle of the city, there is far more of a campus feel than you would think. When you step into the 7(ish) square blocks that our buildings are in, you definitely know you are on the GW campus. I would highly recommend that you take a tour of campus and see for yourself what it's like.</p>
<p>What is there to do during free time since there isn't a campus to hang out.
Again, I think it is a myth that GW doesn't really have a campus. We are not a bunch of office buildings clustered in the city. There are 2 quads and a very large student center, and every dorm has common rooms, and there are many university-sponsored activities on campus. That being said, we do spend a great deal of time in the city. The Smithsonian museums are a short walk or metro ride away. On weekends going clubbing is very popular as well (most of them you only need to be 18 to get in).</p>
<p>Is there a building to hang out and meet people besides dorms?
See above. Our student center, the Marvin Center, is really great for hanging out and is where a lot of student groups meet, though it gets crowded around lunch.</p>
<p>Also how is the laundry work in GWU?
There are laundry machines in every dorm, either on your floor or in the basement (in two upperclassmen dorms, there is a washer/dryer in every room!). You use your student card to pay for it.</p>
<p>How many gyms (with basketball courts) are there in foggy bottom?
There is only one gym on the foggy bottom campus, and it has several basketball courts. The Smith Center is separate, and is where our basketball teams play. </p>
<p>Is dorm Thurston do the 2 room 1 bathroom style like the one I saw during my campus visit? If not, how many people/room share 1 bathroom.
It depends. Every room in Thurston has 1 bathroom, but it can be designed for 2, 4 or 6 people. The 6 person rooms have 3 bedrooms.</p>
<p>Are the dorms co-ed by floor or room?
By floor (same gender per room, but you could be living next door to someone of the opposite gender). There is 1 all-girls dorm. </p>
<p>Is there lots of shopping mall to go to in DC?
YES...the shopping in DC is fantastic. The closest mall is Pentagon City, a short metro ride away in Virginia on the Blue Line, and it's very large. Also, we are walking distance from Georgetown, which is known for being one of the best shopping areas in the country.</p>
<p>Do students there go to more WIzards game or GWU basketball games?
To be honest, sports aren't that big at GW. Basketball games usually attract a decent amount of students- a lot more if they are having a good season. Sometimes the student association will sponsor a trip to the Wizards game, but I haven't really heard of many people going.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your help!</p>
<p>What is your opinion of living on Mt. Vernon freshman year? (I applied for the women's leadership program) I've heard some people say that Mt. Vernon was anti-social but I looked at the website and talked to some students and it seems fine to me.</p>
<p>What are the best sophmore dorms for triples????</p>
<p>strawberrylemons: I didn't live on the Vern, but I know a ton of people who did. Their main complaint had nothing to do with social life- in fact, they say one of the best parts of living there is how close you become to everyone. Really the only crappy thing is that you have to take the shuttle to Foggy Bottom, and the only places to eat right on the Vern is Ames Cafeteria, which isn't open very late and the food isn't that great.</p>
<p>Meadesport: Munson triples are HUGE. Guthridge is OK, and West End varies depending on which room you get. You might also want to consider signing up for a quad and potentially having someone random placed with you, as triples are in short supply.</p>
<p>What about JBKO and WEST END????</p>
<p>JBKO is very nice, similar to Munson, but I don't think they have triples (if they do, there aren't too many). West End, like I said, is a gamble; there are super-spacious rooms, and there are really tiny ones. It's an older building too, so I've heard complaints about sucky heating/air conditioning.</p>
<p>How do you get a financial aid if we are a middle class family and definitely will not be getting on-need basis scholarship. Is there any forms we need to fill out? Because without any financial aid GW is huge reach. Our state (PA) colleges fees are about 14K, nowhere near GW's fees.</p>
<p>Hey jdancer- I don't think GW has the honor of highest price tag anymore- I believe that prize goes to Sarah Lawrence. But even when it was the highest priced, it was by a few hundred bucks- it's not like it was double the cost of NYU or BU. As far as the "office building" remark- DC is such a great city! Did you see that Inauguration? Imagine being able to walk over to the mall whenever you want; to play kickball there in the shadows of the Lincoln, Washington, and Jefferson memorials; to graduate there. Imagine going to the National Galleries, Library of Congress or Smithsonian when you need to do an assignment. Also, I agree w. GWsenior - there is a very campusy feel here. Best decision I every made.</p>
<p>I come from Florida... do you think I could survive the weather?</p>
<p>We've been having a cold front lately and it's been in the 40s and I've been going crazy. Though, I've heard Florida has a wet cold and the Northeast has a dry cold, so it's not as bad.</p>
<p>I know you might not know this, since you majored in PolySci, but do you know how good the Chemistry program is?</p>
<p>my son applied regular decesion. When do the letters go out. Gw was a high, high reach but just wondering. His stats 3.5 Gpa 1900 sat, all college, honors and ap classes. good ec. excellent reference letters. good work experience. major pre-law. any chance at all?</p>
<p>hilsa: DC is basically on the border between the Northeast and the South so it doesn't get as cold as, lets say, Boston. I head it only snows a couple times a year (?) so I don't think you'll die, and you're used to humidity (unlike me).</p>
<p>jb12: Even if you think your family is "middle class," I can almost guarantee that you will receive some sort of financial aid. Where I'm from my family was "middle class" too, but a LOT of kids from VERY wealthy families attend GW, so compared to them I looked poor! haha. But anyway, it doesn't hurt to apply and see what you get. Your financial aid information will come shortly after you receive a decision.</p>
<p>hilsa- DC isn't too bad as far as weather. It may take some getting used to, but I have friends here from LA and Florida who have adjusted just fine. It hardly ever snows, and in the spring and fall the weather is gorgeous- usually in the 70s. As far as Chemistry, GW isn't particularly known for the hard sciences, but I know a few pre-med people who majored in it and are going to great med schools.</p>
<p>LTREM- I believe letters go out late March/early April. If I recall correctly, (this was a few years ago, so I'm not sure if it's the same) I found out by email first. I don't think his stats count him out, but what's more important for GW is showing how you'd be a good fit here and how you would take advantage of all the resources the school and DC has to offer. Come to campus and do an interview if possible. Also, there is no "pre-law" major; you can major in anything you want and still go to law school!</p>
<p>Hi,
I am not going to be in a triple, but in a double sophmore year, so could you please recommend the best sophmore dorms for doubles???? Thanks sooo much</p>
<p>schmohawk - that's exactly what i said!! tulane had been another school i was looking at (not so much now anymore), and it was cheaper than GW by maybe $500-$1,000? and i did watch the inauguration and i agree that there are so many great buildings and facilities there that the "office building" comment doesn't apply! so thanks :)</p>