<p>Everyone, don't panic--I was in the exact same situation as you last year. GW really does care about the ENTIRE student: I had a 3.5 gpa with the toughest courseload and a 2000 SAT. However, my junior year I recieved a C's in AP chem and a D in pre-calc. Still, I had very good ec's and wrote good essays, and GW cared about that and let me in (and I am not a special minority or alumni). </p>
<p>On the flip side, I'm seriously considering transferring next year. Obviously, GW is the place to be for political majors (which I am considering, if I stay). But GW is run more like a corporation then a place for higher learning. All of my classes (except one) have 250 plus students, and the other one has 40. GWdoes not spend one second coddling, you are expected to be an adult and are given those freedoms and responsibilities. I think this is a fantastic place for those who who want to enter the work force with a great internship. However, I want a true "college" experience, not a chance to be an adult four years earlier.
That's my take, and if you have any questions feel free to ask!</p>
<p>I am in Thurston, which is more the "party dorm" and not as nice, although I do have my own bathroom. The other frosh dorms are really nice, and upperclassman just get better.
I haven't looked into internships for first semester, as I'm already quite busy. Some are more competitive, but there are so many, it's not hard to obtain a really fantastic one. </p>
<p>I didn't get much financial aid, but with a solid GPA, you have a good shot.</p>
<p>As far as academics, I'm a little disappointed, I feel there are kids who are quite brilliant and strive to do well, but other times classes feel like high school reruns. International School is better. This is part of the reason I'm transferring, as classes are huge.</p>
<p>(Note, this is freshman point of view) Night time social scene is mainly everyone getting dressed up and going off to clubs or frats. At least in Thurston, there is tons of drinking, (19 were emerged in the first month of school). There are also tons of concerts and museums, which sadly, most people don't take advantage of. In my opinion, the drinking/club scene gets a little old, but everyone has their own opinion. As far as the students, I've met some great people and upperclassmen seem better, but the freshman--er, let's just say that most are stunningly immature, shallow, fashion-obsessed alcoholics. Obviously, a generalization, but not entirely wrong. Depends what kind of social scene you are into.</p>
<p>I would like to add my opinion of GW. I am currently a soph. in the bus. school.</p>
<p>It's true GW is a business and as such is run like one. </p>
<p>Also, there aren't many rules. Most of my friends at home had set times boys could be over, times they had to be in their dorms, etc. You aren't going to get that at GW. </p>
<p>As for classes, I have had a mix of sizes. I have been in huge lectures w/ 300+ (there are discussions), classes w/ 50-100 (there are discussions again with less than 20), and then classes with 20ish people. If you want smaller classes, take classes at the vern. They are limited to under 30, most of the time around 20. I have had a mix of good and bad professors. I must make a note and say I am at GW for a practical education. I want the skills and abilities to make it in the work force. If you want a professor who is going to question you definition to the "meaning of life" you aren't going to get that at GW. </p>
<p>As for the people, there's a lot of rich kids who are here for a number of different reasons. But you can also find normal people (its not that hard, just join the orgs that are comprised of "normal' people. Orgs that focused on community service (even if that is your passion) is a good way to meet down to earth people). </p>
<p>I am looking for smaller liberal arts colleges (where I will not major in international affairs): bowdoin, middlebury, colby, dartmouth, whitman, barnard</p>
<p>I'm a parent of a freshman at GW and I think each person's experience can be quite different at GW. My D is not in Thurston. She is in a smaller dorm on the main campus. It's not at all as wild as Thurston. There is a diverse group of students housed there. None of her classes are really huge. Her one lecture class has 80 people in it with a break-out discussion group of 20. She's taking a Dean's Seminar with 20 people, a Freshman writing course of 20 people (where she's met personally with her professor 3 times so far to go over her writing) another class of 25 people and 1 dance class for physical exercise(with 20 people). She's not in the business school or international relations school. So I think GW is what you make of it. She plans to do an internship next semester.</p>
<p>I bet she's in the honors program and lives in Lafayette. My sister did the same thing.</p>
<p>And last semester she lived NEXT TO the World Bank!@#$!#!$! How crazy is that?!</p>
<p>Does anyone know how competitive the accelerated BA/JD program is? I know GWU is a top law school, but what does it take to get in straight from high school?</p>
<p>Wow…that was 5 minutes I’ll never get back! I just read the whole thread thinking it was a current student. Wonder what ever happened to her and if she did transfer. I am sure GW has changed for the better over the last 5 years. My daughter is a freshman and loves it so far.</p>