<p>My s. is ready to complete his housing, I am confused that some as of last week already know where they will be since it specifically says housing just opened up yesterday the 15th. We keep hearing so much about Thurston, my son is social but not a party animal, not a huge drinker and definitely likes some personal space.......not sure if Thurston is for him. Do you know anything about Potomac? What else is a good alternative? Something central, convenient and more middle of the road in terms of partying,etc.....? Please if anyone can help, we would love to hear from you!</p>
<p>My son is in the same situation, need help with housing, it sounds like Thurston is noisy and cannot study there, he likes to party however when its time to study he is serious and likes to be alone. Also do all the dorms have AC?</p>
<p>I attended the April visit date at GW this past weekend and had some time to stay with a friend who lives in Thurston Hall. I also had the opportunity to see other rooms. I get the impression that Thurston is not as crazy as some are hearing. In speaking with my friend and some of the other students, I am told that for the most part students are respectful of one another. If you want to sleep, study, etc. close your door. My parents were also told by another student that the atmosphere in Thurston has changed somewhat with each incoming freshman class, as students have become more academically talented and concerned about maintaining good grades. I am not a big party person but I am social and like the idea of sharing my first year experience with all freshman. I think we will all have to learn how to balance re: fun, studying.
The halls of Thurston were also not lined with beer bottles, as I read in some other thread. The rooms were big and was even surprised with the 6 person room, re: not as cramped as I expected. So, I definitely suggest you visit if you can. I also saw a double room in Madison dorm which seemed fine but not as interesting as Thurston.</p>
<p>In just reading this threads it seems like many incoming freshman are interested in the same thing....having a good time but also studying. Thus, what I stated above, a changing freshman class.<br>
Yes, all dorms are air conditioned.</p>
<p>T seems like we all want to be social and yet have some quiet time for sleep and studying. Why don't we all opt for Thurston ad start to change the reputation.</p>
<p>For the person who was asking about Patomac that is not a freshman dorms, it is currently a sophomore dorm. For freshman on Foggy Bottom most will be in Thurston, which has about 1000 freshman, Lafayette, Crawford, Mitchell and maybe Madison all which have roughly 200 students give or take. At the Mount Vernon Campus Somers is the largest Dorm with about 200 or more freshman and is the identical floorplan and size rooms as Patomac. There are about four other dorms at mount vernon which house very small numbers of freshman.
I will be an incomming freshman fall of 2008 and went to the April revisit days and seeing the dorms really helped in understanding the sizes. The Quads in Thurston, which 55% of the students in Thurston stay in, were alot bigger than I expected ans nicer, same with the doubles. Personally I would stay away from the Sixes and Five person suites the floor plan is not too great and they seemed Cramped. I really wanted to see Lafayette but did'nt get too. I heard theey have some of the nicest doubles and it's a lot smaller for those who don't want the noise of Thurston.
The Dorms on Mount Vernon were smaller than those on Foggy Bottom, but as dorms go still larger than the average at other colleges. What I liked about them was that the rooms and building were newer and more renexated than those in the city, which tend to be apartments built in the 20's or 30's. Also the MV campus has a different feel so staying up there may not be so bad. Just make sure that if you put MVC as your top choice for housing you want it because they will put you there.</p>
<p>All of the dorms are air conditioned. The administration is definitely trying to tone down the Thurston reputation. Part of the issue with Thurston is not that is is really that wild, just that it is large and there are approximately 1000 students there. As an aside, the new president of GW, Dr. Stephen Knapp will soon be residing in Alumni House on F St. quite close to Thurston. That will be interesting. Colonial Inauguration will give you a better feel for the dorms. And there can be noise and partying in any dorm. As to studying, there is a study room in Thurston and always the library. My D eventually discovered that it was better to go to the library to study, while she wasn't avoiding noise, (she did not opt for Thurston and was fortunate to be placed elsewhere). she could find plenty of other distractions in her dorm room. She also sometimes studies at Columbia Plaza at J St. because it is quiet there on the weekends and wireless is also available there.</p>
<p>I lived in Thurston several years ago, and while it's not the quietest dorm on campus, it is by no means a 24/7 party. I think that students who lived there in the past are apt to exaggerate the rowdiness of the place.</p>
<p>Thanks Alex for your input. That's the impression that I got from visiting and speaking with students that live in Thurston but it's nice to hear the same from a former student. I have requested Thurston because I agree that it will be great to share the freshman experience with so many other students.</p>
<p>I lived in Thurston for the 06-07 year. It's an experience but if you really want to sleep or study, people are usually pretty good about moving down the hall or to another room if you ask. I usually find the best study space is if you go to a lab early and read or find somewhere else quiet.
Though they air condition it, I highly recommend a fan. In winter, it's usually still a bit warm in the building but with no air condition (1000 people one building its bound to get hot).</p>
<p>my s thinks he wants the m. vernon campus, what if after colonial inauguration he changes his mind? Can he do that without much of a problem? What is living there like and how easy is it to commute to classes in the city? I am wondering if its a pain....and if its worth it. Any input you have would be VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, as he must make a decision ASAP.
Thanks!</p>
<p>My D chose to live on Mt. Vernon campus this year. She really wanted more of a "traditional" campus feel (i.e. trees, grass). She has a very nice room in Somers and has been happy living there. The commute to FB does get old after awhile though and she is ready to move to FB next year - but I'm pretty sure that she did not regret choosing to live on the Vern for her Freshman year.</p>
<p>Can someone shed some light on Strong Hall please? And I was wondering if anyone knows if it would be possible to request the hall especially if I had religious reasons to stay in a single sex dorm. Thank You.</p>
<p>I would guess you can call housing directly and talk to them aske them what's the protocol to request a specific dorm. I think a religious reason is a valid point to request Strong Hall.</p>
<p>Back when I was a freshman, Thurston was branded as the party dorm, but it wasn't always necessarily so. When I visited a friend during midterms or finals, the students would be respectful enough to not shout or cause a ruckus to bother everyone. Although, the other times, they were quite loud, but it really depends on the people who live there. My friend lived in HOVA and seemed like the better Freshman dorm, but I heard they opened up a new dorm for freshmans lately so I'm not so sure. The dorms in general are pretty nice at GWU, and the ones for juniors and seniors are especially nice (like City Hall). Air Conditioning in the Foggy Bottom campus can be controlled by the students, but for those living on Mt. Vernon, the AC is central so they have no control.</p>
<p>Strong Hall is one of the best halls at GW. It has a great view of campus and a lounge on the top floor. There is a piano lounge with pretty wallpaper. I'm a fan and I'll be living there this summer (I'm excited). I'm a junior and I have a summer job on campus. Let me know if you have any more questions. And housing will definitely accommodate you. Def. go to CI and check it out.
And if you want, visit GW BlogSpot for more GW news and info [url=<a href="http://gwblogspot.blogspot.com/%5DGWblogspot.com%5B/url">http://gwblogspot.blogspot.com/]GWblogspot.com[/url</a>]</p>