<p>A "friend of a friend" visited GW a couple of weeks ago during the admitted student event, and is getting cold feet. She may just be suffering from general nervousness about switching coasts, starting college, and so on. However, she said the other admitted students she spent time with were eastern prep girls who weren't welcoming and made her feel inferior and hopelessly unworldly. Please don't kill the messenger, I'm just passing along her comments. Did she just have bad luck with roommates that weekend, or is this the norm? She's scrambling to check back with other colleges she was admitted to for a Plan B....</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>One of the strongest reasons she should continue with her plan is to realize that she doesn't come from the center of the universe and that she will be going to people who think that they do. This is a good education. It will broaden her horizons and strengthen her character. Getting out of her comfort zone is a good thing. I am from the West, and a lot of people on CC often who are from the Northeast think that the world revolves around them. Oh, and before the flames start, I am making a generalization and realize it doesn't have total validity. She should get used to it.</p>
<p>Has she looked into the facebook site for the GWU class of 2012? I have no idea what the class make-up is, but there should be a variety of kids from all over. My D does not fall into the east coast prep school category.</p>
<p>I'm from Houston, will people think I'm a red-state, pseudo-cowboy conservative? I'm actually quite liberal, regionalism is really sad. =/</p>
<p>I'm not sure if the friend of your friend (you, I guess), understands that colllege life involves embracing other people's opinions, backgrounds, etc.
GW is by far one of the best colleges for diversity, and I'm sure that friend, (you) will eventually fell proud of that.
Don't worry, look ahead, leave behind all prejudice. (by the way, lots of people are from the west at GW)</p>
<p>Multi, I'm a mom, not the kid in question, who really is a friend of a friend. Are you a student at GW? I'm glad to hear there are kids from around the country attending. When you say diversity, do you mean socio-economic and race, as well as nationwide representation? Also, her impression was that clothes, where you went for spring break, and what you drive really matter at GW. Is this your experience? Thanks for the help. She's an outstanding student from a middle class family who can afford to go out for pizza for lunch, but not in Italy :)</p>
<p>Dear riverunner:
I am proud to be an entering Freshman at GW. However I happen to have many friends at GW who are entering sophomores, and they are from different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. Indeed, this school is expensive enough and centrally located that will attract wealthy (smart too) students, but it also gives money to the ones who don't have and deserve outstanding education and internship opportunities.
My friends tell me that like in any school, you will find the snobs, but also the kids who just love the schools and the people there, regardless of their backgrounds. I believe only 2 states were not represented this year, and one oth them may be a Nortwestern state, can't recall which, but I think it is just everchanging, depending on the applicant body. Pizza is still the menu of choice in any college. Good Luck with your child, I am sure she will thrive in Washington!</p>
<p>My D found GW to be quite diverse. Students are from all over the U.S. plus many internationals. There are some extremely wealthy prep school kids and internationals, but there are also some extremely poor students on full scholarship and many, many middle class people. GW has lately been focusing on recruiting more from the Mid-West and West. Come with an open mind and don't let your own insecurities color your impressions.</p>
<p>I think what makes GW nice is that it is sooo diverse.. Yes, there are some very wealthy, but also many on scholarship.. If you read GW Hatchet this month, it staes that this year is the most diverse geographically, etnically and socioeconomically. It has over 10,000 students and represents people from sooo many different backgrounds.</p>
<p>Meade, thanks for pointing me to the Hatchet publication, and Mamabear, thanks for the Facebook lead. </p>
<p>I'll pass along these ideas and all of your comments to this prefrosh. My sense is that there is so much pressure on HS seniors to find the "perfect fit" that those who are prone to second guessing do, in spite of much evidence supporting their choice. </p>
<p>Thanks for the responses!</p>