<p>S was accepted at GW (Colombian), but, unfortunately, can't make any of the April visit days, so I'm hoping that those of you who've attended any of the sessions can fill me in on what it was like. </p>
<p>What did you do that day? What worthwhile info did you pick up? </p>
<p>What dorms did you tour and what did you think of them? S is quiet and reserved, but would probably do best in a dorm where kids leave their doors open (he's not likely to initiate conversations, but would certainly respond if someone approached him). </p>
<p>I'd also be curious to know if anyone's (student or parent) feelings about GW changed, either positively or negatively, following the visit. Having only been there in the summer, I wish we could've seen what it was like with the entire student body on campus.</p>
<p>Visited GW this past weekend and toured Thurston Hall and Madison. See my other posts under Dorm Advice. I have requested to live in Thurston after speaking with several students including my friend, who dispelled the notion that it is a 24/7 party. Also, like what you mentioned above, doors are open and contact with other freshman dealing with some of the same issues. I had already visited in the summer but once I spoke with other students who were friendly, diverse yet also "like me" it strengthened my decision to attend GW. So this was perhaps the most beneficial part of my visit.<br>
My parents and I also attended the intro session and learned that there are no classes taught by TA's and students can expect only a few intro classes to have more then 20-25 students. Even when classes are larger, students are broken up into small groups (which can be led by a TA) for discussion. It was also beneficial to hear from a prof who has been teaching for 17 years, that he grades all papers and knows his students by name.<br>
Further, a student spoke about the numerous internships available through GW. We also really liked the business prof who spoke and noted that a student can take courses in any one of the other GW programs. She cited many exciting opportunities students have been involved in and spoke briefly about the study abroad program. So our visit certainly strengthened my opinions of GW and I know that my parents felt the same.<br>
Hope this has been helpful.</p>
<p>D and I were there on Monday. <em>Full Disclosure: She had already made up her mind, and was going to see more than we did in last spring's tour and have some questions answered.</em> The day began with an hour-long panel discussion with the assistant director of admissions (I think that was her title), two professors and a senior student. They talked about the academic experience at GW, and how connected the University is to opportunities in DC. </p>
<p>BTW, the prof MsBC mentioned who's been teaching at GW for 17 years is Steve Roberts, Cokie's husband and frequent stand-in for Diane Rehm on NPR. What an impressive guy! He had a number of good examples of former students who are doing very interesting media/public affairs work. He also briefly addressed some comments to the parents, saying that the U recognizes that college is not only a time of intellectual growth, but emotional growth as well as our kids become adults, and that they try to help with that critical transition.</p>
<p>After the panel session, we were divided up into small tour groups by school (D is in ESIA). Our first stop was the Elliott School building, which we didn't see on our tour last spring. One of the academic advisers spoke to us briefly, as did a current student. </p>
<p>We toured the Mount Vernon campus, including Somers and Cole residence halls. D liked the atmosphere out there, and the rooms are VERY nice, but in the end I think she decided she prefers being in the middle of everything. </p>
<p>Back in Foggy Bottom, we saw Thurston and Ivory Tower, and visited the Study Abroad office, since that's something she's sure she wants to plan for.</p>
<p>All in all, we had a great day, and D is very enthusiastic about her choice!</p>
<p>Just realized that for all of the above, I never answered your question about dorms. D is still not thrilled with the idea of Thurston, but thinks she can manage fine there if that's the luck of the draw. While we were in Thurston, she asked one of the guides where she lives; she's in a single in Mitchell and says people there keep their doors open and are quite friendly. Everyone D talked to was happy in his/her dorm, and it sounded like they had chosen what was important to them and gotten pretty much what they hoped for. (private space for the girl in Mitchell, the "full-dorm" experience for the guy in Thurston). Our tour guide, a freshman, is returning to Thurston next year as a proctor. She said she and her roommate/suite mates had agreed to keep their room quiet enough for study, and it had worked out pretty well. She also mentioned that there are study spaces in the building.</p>
<p>Thanks MsBC and knitmom for your feedback. I'll pass along your comments to S as he makes his final decisions. I realize there's a good chance he'll end up in Thurston anyway, so it's good to know that maybe it's not as much of a zoo as its reputation implies. He likes GW for its urban location, internship opportunities and being in DC (he's planning to major in poli sci and minor in jazz).
If anyone else has any feedback from their revisit to campus, please post. I know today and Monday are also visit days.</p>
<p>My daughter also has a single in Mitchell and really is happy there. She has lots of "hallmates" (boys and girls) and says people leave their doors open, which signals they want to socialize. If they're studying, they simply close it and are left alone. The downside is that, unlike other dorms, there are floor bathrooms, but apparently, she can always take a shower/find a stall when she wants. The one drawback is that can be a little isolating in the first couple of months: My daughter was quite lonely at first. But she has totally blossomed and couldn't be happier.</p>
<p>is the april visit worth the trip? I ask because my husband is away and this means my having to take off 2 days from work, and do about 12 hours of driving,round trip and was thinking the main purpose was to see the dorms, get him excited about attending,etc....but is it worth it to those that have done the April visit already? I am very willing to do what it takes if you feel it is. Thanks in advance for your input.</p>
<p>ctmomof3- IMO- If the decision has already been made to attend GW then it will only confirm that this is a great city and school to be a part of. So, maybe not as important as it is if your S or D is still undecided. It really helps to revisit a school, see the dorms, speak with other students and experience the atmosphere AFTER you've been admitted. The pressure is off and it just seems like you can make a more informed decision. It was good to hear the professors speak about all GW has to offer but, I heard similar things at the other schools I revisited. For me, what helped the most about April visit was the "feeling" that I got when I walked around campus.</p>
<p>ctmomof3:
We didn't do the April visit for all of the reasons you describe and she was already set on going there. Your son will be able to tour all the dorms during Colonial Inauguration (CI- GW's fancy name for orientation)...and will get more indepth and useful information during that time as well. Parents are also welcome at CI. As for housing, your son can register for housing now, and can change his preferences online until a closing date (usually sometime in July)...so if he sees housing and changes his mind and/or finds a prospective roommate during orientation, he will be able to change his choices then. I wouldn't worry about not doing another quick day visit so long as your son has already made his decision.</p>
<p>CelloMom: It's good to know that dorm choices aren't set in stone. For some reason, I thought choices needed to be made by May 20 & were final at that time. Thanks for the info.</p>
<p>Shellfish, you are right about the May 20th deadline. That is new (and much earlier than previously) with the new online housing portal and the roommate assignment date in July is also much earlier. Sorry about the earlier mis-information--my D entered in 2005. Hope housing works out for everyone...but it is good to remember that with 1000 beds in Thurston, just under 1/2 of the incoming freshman class will be assigned there. There is also an online room swap process that becomes available about 3 weeks into the semester.</p>