<p>I have been accepted ED1 to GW. I've seen people talking about dorm choices on the GW Class of 2015 facebook page so I've been thinking about it as well. I definitely don't want to be in a dorm on Mount Vernon because after a heavily academic high school experience, I would really like the chance to actually have a social life. So, my question is "what is the difference between Potomac and Thurston?"
I've heard the dorms in Potomac are nicer and bigger, which would definitely be a plus but I'm worried that I'd be missing out on the "traditional freshman experience" if I'm not in Thurston. Will I still get that experience if I'm in Potomac?</p>
<p>I had the same opinion on the Vern and got put there, but I actually love it now. It takes a week or so to get used to but everyone here now loves it. Thurston is…very…freshman-ey. It’s very loud and I actually would not call it your “traditional freshman experience” it is something more than that. Potomac’s dorms are a little nicer and bigger and there are still parties but it is taken down a notch from Thurston. Thurston is just crazy and I would never want to live there but if you want an interesting first year experience by all means take advantage of it</p>
<p>The Vern sounds nice but I think it’s not for me. I really want the bigger dorms in Potomac but I’m worried that I won’t have as much of a social life. Are there any dorms in Potomac or Thurston that are suites (like a couple bedrooms and a center “living space”?)</p>
<p>if you never have lived in thurston, then how can you say “thurston is just crazy”…that is absolutely absurd and not true. i lived in thurston and i studied in thurston and i maintained good grades. i cant speak for other dorms because i only lived in thurston…but the whole persona that thurston is so “crazy” are all false rumors stated by people who never even lived in thurston…i am not saying people did not drink or anything in thurston, bc there was drinking. but lets remember that UPD officers patrol the hallways and if there ever was “crazy anything” it would get busted. the parties never happen in the dorms anyway, which is rumor #2, people go out to do that.</p>
<p>i loved thurston, and havent met anyone who regretted it. but if you do not want to live in the largest freshmen residence, then maybe it will not be for you and you should go for something smaller like madison or even the vern</p>
<p>academia, I saw that you posted on that thread with the other ED1 kid that was worried about what people were saying on the GW 2015 facebook page. You mentioned that potomac and thurston are “synonymous.” If I opted for the bigger rooms in Potomac, would have still have the same social life as I would in Thurston? Maybe you can also answer my question about the suite style dorms that I asked above?</p>
<p>pretty much, all the potomac rooms are the same layout, and there arent really any “big” potomac rooms…they are all long, narrow rooms that share a bathroom with another long, narrow double</p>
<p>thurston can be an array of options. doubles are rare, but do happen, ant they are the smallest rooms, but do have big closets and bathroom</p>
<p>triples are pretty rare as well, but are decent sized</p>
<p>quads can either be huge with side rooms, or on the smaller size with just one big room, but still huge walk in closets…i was in one of the smaller quads, still it was fine and livable, no complaints</p>
<p>6 people rooms are the largest, with rooms that section off…only con is you have 6 people sharing one bathroom</p>
<p>i live in thurston right now. i definitely can sleep and study and have fun all in the same building. people who say you can’t do all of it there are idiots. potomac is newer…but the rooms are narrower. if i had to do it again, i would still choose thurston. more people come to thurston to party than the other way around. also…don’t listen to people who choose potomac because of the “restaurant” at the bottom. it’s a little sandwich/burger place.</p>
<p>how many people in one room do you think is best? a six person room sounds good bc you get to have the whole three room split off thing but idk about the shared bathroom with six people. what do you think?</p>
<p>Thurston has more of a reputation than it rally is. My sibling was there and I loved to visit every time I could! Yes it is loud, but during the first few, weeks, then you have to find time to study, and everyone calms down, it’s not as bad as it is described.</p>
<p>people are scared of 6 person rooms…but the people i know in them like them. quads kinda suck…im in a bigger quad so it has like the main room and then a side room - but thats just luck of the draw.</p>
<p>quads are the best</p>
<p>I live in Thurston now, and I have to say it’s not as crazy as it’s cracked up to be. Yeah, the first few weeks/weekends it gets pretty ridiculous because everyone’s new and excited to be there, and ready to party. But after September, the place really quiets down. It’s not hard to find quiet, and study. Most people I know don’t stay around to party on the weekends anyway. That said, it’s still an amazing experience. 1,200 freshman living in one building? Suffice to say, it’s A LOT of fun. If it’s between Thurston and Potomac, go with Thurston. </p>
<p>Also, I was placed in a six, and it’s honestly the best type of room. The room itself is separated into 3 “rooms”- one double, the larger “main” room for 4 people, and another nook for one more person. The room is HUGE, and basically just gives you a bit more room to breathe as compared to a quad…</p>
<p>You got in ED. ED kids get their choice of wherever they want to live (it’s unspoken, but true, think of it as a “thank you” from gw) It’s silly to be debating potomac or Thurston. Thurston is almost 80 years old. Poto is 3. In terms of “missing” an experience, you won’t, Poto kids are all really really close for whatever reason and you’ll have a lot to do. Also, if you’re stuck for a third choice, pick Madison. It’s older than Potomac, but the rooms are really, really nice and rather large and the location makes a HUGE difference, Madison is in the middle of everything and you’ll want that when you feel like sleeping an extra ten minutes so you don’t have to leave early to walk across campus to get to class when living in Thurston. Thurston is fun, don’t get me wrong, but be smart, and choose Potomac, you seriously will not regret it.</p>
<p>yeah the six person definitely sounds good to me. im just not sure about sharing a bathroom with 5 people…</p>
<p>Correction: ED kids do get priority housing; however, it does not guarantee them “wherever they want to live” When I was a freshmen, I got in ED, and I got my 2nd choice housing. So that is not true. The chances are high you will get what you want, but it is not “guaranteed”. Also, the age of a building should not be a factor really when making your decision of where to live. You cant dismiss Thurston because of its age, then endorse Madison as a good option, because Madison is old just like Thurston. Honestly, nobody is going to “regret” living in Potomac or Thurston; both offer a large freshmen experience, and I would group the two together. Madison and Crawford I group together as smaller dorms with a closer connection to students living on your floors. Also, do not choose a dorm based on how close it will be to your classes because in reality, your classes change locations after each semester, so it make no sense to begin with. Madison is far from classrooms such as Elliott School, Old Main, and 1776G St., just as Thurston may be far from Funger, Duques, or 2020 K.</p>
<p>I recommend picking a dorm based on its amount of students living on it, and the type of rooming options you prefer. For instance, if you like doubles, Potomac nearly guarantees that. Singles, Mitchel is the way to to. And for triples quads etc, nearly the rest of the Dorms are good for that</p>