Washington, D.C. is most certainly the cultural capital of the world. In addition to the
countless foreign embassies and international organizations present in D.C., the city serves as
home to the full spectrum of values, beliefs, and tastes inherent in our own nation. And within
the District there is no greater single embodiment of this cultural, ideological, and individual
diversity than The George Washington University campus. Situated next door to the State
Department, three blocks from the White House, across the street from the World Bank, and
minutes from Downtown, GW offers unparalleled access to some of the most powerful institutions
in the world—not that you would know it from the games of barefoot Frisbee out on
the University Yard, or creative writing classes sitting out on Kogan Plaza. What makes GW
truly remarkable is its ability to foster an engaging student environment in the center of the
most international city in the world, simultaneously offering students new ideas or skills as
well as the perfect setting in which to put them into practice.
The Campus
Such has been the case ever since the university was chartered by Congress in 1821.
Originally known as the Columbian College, the University moved to its current location
in Foggy Bottom early in the 1920s. GW currently occupies a vibrant section of Northwest
D.C. stretching from Virginia Avenue to 19th Street, and from E Street north to K Street,
the heart of the financial district in the city. In 1998, GW offered several satellite campuses
in Northern Virginia and a sister campus known as Mount Vernon—located amid the rolling
green hills of Foxhall Road. While the name and location may have changed over time, the
university’s commitment to providing quality academics has not. With a student body that
hails from all fifty of the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and some 136 foreign
countries, GW encourages scholarly research and learning that encompasses many
perspectives. Each of the 10,000 undergraduates can choose from over 100 different major
fields of study in any of seven different schools—from the Columbian College of Arts and
Sciences to the world-renowned Elliot School of International Affairs.
Organizations and Tradition
When it’s time to take a study break, students can check out the activities going on in
one of more than 350 student organizations ranging in focus from ethnic and religiously
affiliated groups, to academic honor societies, to Xbox gaming clubs. Students
watch the fall colors spread across the National Mall while playing intramural football or
club lacrosse. Freshmen members of the Watergate Living and Learning Community learn
about the 1972 political scandal while living in the building where it took place. Colleges
from all over D.C. and the mid-Atlantic region gather in sold-out Lisner Auditorium to cheer
on their own students at Step and Bhangra dance competitions. Exam week finds thousands
of students in their pajamas migrating to the J Street eatery to enjoy Midnight
Breakfast together. Seniors cheer the Graduation Countdown Clock at Lindy’s Red Lion, a
popular hamburger joint just off campus. These represent just a fraction of the traditions
that build a true college spirit in the middle of D.C.
Beyond Campus
For those ready to venture beyond campus, the
city also represents the ultimate playground for
college students. Less than five minutes from campus,
students can attend free concerts every night on
the Millennium Stage of the Kennedy Center. The
Foggy Bottom area is surrounded by neighborhoods
known for their own culinary treats and tasteful
stores—just spend an afternoon walking through
Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, or Georgetown and
you’ll find it hard to resist the smells of Malaysian,
Italian, Indian, Moroccan, Thai, and Spanish cuisine.
Hop the Metro on Saturday evenings to U Street
and Cardoza for some of the best jazz on the East
Coast, not to mention Latin dancing; right around
the corner you’ll find the legendary 9:30 Club, home to the most popular bands, seven days
a week. Grab the Blue Line on Sunday mornings to Eastern Market and browse among fresh
seafood, vegetables, pastries, and fine local artwork. Socially or professionally, the city
offers an infinite number of possibilities; for those students willing to seek them out, something
truly happens here.
The George Washington University is an institution constantly moving forward. A strong
academic reputation continues to grow thanks to a strong commitment to education and innovation.
The opportunities available to students for social and professional engagement are constantly
growing due to the university’s premiere location. The diversity and culture present in Washington, D.C. is echoed by the liberal and engaging learning environment that GW’s faculty
creates, offering to students a college experience that challenges, motivates, and equips students
to enter successful careers at home and abroad. GW visitors often hear “Something
Happens Here.” This sentiment is no stranger to students at all levels on campus; the feeling in
the air is of more excitement, more success, and more achievement about to come. It goes
beyond the new buildings, classrooms, and halls that provide space for students to live, learn,
and play. It encompasses something far more intangible—a feeling that to succeed, to achieve
your goals and dreams, to learn, requires an element of risk. It requires an understanding of
the diversity of our nation and our world, a desire to learn from the various cultures and perspectives
encountered. GW offers students a glimpse of the innumerable cultures and perspectives
present around the globe, instilling in them the confidence and the skills necessary
to face challenges and accept the risks that learning and life offer, to build airplanes no matter
where they go. Something has always happened here, but as anyone on campus will tell you,
even greater things are getting ready to happen.
George Washington University
Academics
The foundation of any university is the quality of its academic programs. This quality,
reflected in the accomplishments of its students, is generated by the faculty through their innovative
teaching methods and their commitment to the furthering of knowledge by investigative
research. GW faculty excel on both fronts: GW professors have proven a commitment to generating
new information and being on the forefront with knowledge that benefits not only their
students, but their society as a whole. Additionally, GW professors constantly seek a problembased
approach to learning that takes advantage of the numerous experiential opportunities
available in the city. For instance, the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS)
recently undertook an initiative to place every incoming freshman in an internship that would
provide real world experience, as well as offer a unique perspective on the applications of the
student’s discipline. This type of initiative help students take advantage of Washington’s many
professional opportunities and provide unique methods of integrating academic pursuits with
life experiences. Professors encourage students to get out of the bounds of campus while doing
research by using the resources at the Library of Congress or visiting one of the dozens of museums
in the city within walking distance, or meeting any number of international experts who
call D.C. home. This integrated approach not only benefits student academic performance, but
provides students with vast networks of contacts and resources that benefit them both professionally
and personally.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at George Washington University.
Admission to GW is highly competitive, with more than 20,000 applications for 2,400
spaces. The school is one of only sixteen private schools with over 15,000 applications per
year, and one of only a handful of private institutions with more than 20,000. Quality academics,
an unparalleled location, and amazing professional opportunities combine to make
the school very attractive to students all over the country and the world. This mass appeal
provides for the incredible diversity found at the University—diversity in thought, in religion,
in demographics, and in disciplines, a fitting match for one of the most culturally
diverse places in the world. Such appeal also ensures that the thirty-eight percent of applicants
who are accepted represent the most qualified students possible. Sixty-five percent
of those admitted rank in the top ten percent of their graduating class, and ninety-two percent
of freshmen ranked in the top twenty-five percent. The middle fifty percent of incoming
freshmen score between 1240 and 1390 on their SAT tests, with 37 percent of those
admitted scoring above a 28 on the ACT.
Requirements
The Admissions Office looks at a number of other factors in determining acceptance.
High school transcripts, recommendations from teachers and counselors, standardized
test scores, and personal essays are required. Emphasis is placed on performance, involvement,
and excellence in academic pursuits. Applicants may interview with an Admissions
representative. For those who are certain that GW is the best fit for them, two Early
Decision options are available—ED I and ED II, with deadlines in mid-October and early
December (respectively).
Special Programs
The University offers a number of honors and
integrated programs to which students can
apply. These opportunities are designed to increase
the academic challenge for students while promoting
an interdisciplinary approach to learning.
Several offer a chance to jumpstart professional and
graduate education by collaborating with the GW
Law School or the School of Medicine.
Many of these programs require additional credentials;
please consult the Admissions Web site for
specific requirements.
These programs include
University Honors Program
Seven-Year Integrated B.A./M.D.
Program
Six-Year Integrated B.A./J.D. Program
Science Scholar Program
Integrated Engineering and Law
Program
Integrated Engineering and Medicine
Program
Presidential Arts Program in Theater,
Dance, Music, and Fine Arts
Elizabeth Somers Women’s Leadership
Programs
Visiting GW
For those students with an interest in having a truly engaging college experience and living
in one of the most vibrant cities in the world, the university offers year-round campus
tours and information sessions. These visits encompass a range of activities, including
guided walks through the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon Campuses led by STARS
(Student Admission Representatives), and tours of District monuments and sights aboard
the GW Trolley. Interested students should consult the admissions Web site for current
schedules. Don’t stop with GW though; the Visitor Center can also provide plenty of maps
and suggestions for local events going on in the District that will help make your visit even
more enjoyable.
I’ll never forget my campus visit to GW—that’s what really sold me on
the university. The folks at the Visitor Center were incredibly helpful, not only in
terms of answering my questions, but making sure I had my itinerary straight
for the rest of the day and knew how to get to my appointments. I grabbed lunch
with a couple of STARS, watched a large political debate taking place outside the
Marvin Center, had a personal meeting with Financial Aid, and left the campus
that evening convinced that this was the place for me.
Financial Aid
The university administers more than $85 million
in aid each year to students, with the average aid
package in recent years totaling around $21,800 per
student. The office of Student Financial Assistance
works tirelessly to help students secure aid in the form
of institutional and federal grants, work study, and federal
loans. To be considered for financial assistance,
students must submit the Free Application for federal
Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile. Incoming freshmen are encouraged to submit these
materials as early as possible. In addition to the aid provided by the federal government, the
University also offers a number of academic and need-based awards, which include the
University Alumni Award, The George Washington Guaranteed Grant, and more than 100 various
University Scholarships.
Students can check eligibility, learn about specific requirements, and obtain application
materials by visiting the office of Student Financial Assistance Web site.
Fixed-Tuition – Lead the Way
As everyone applying to college knows,
tuition costs continue to rise even while
students are in school, thus making tuition
more expensive each year and increasing
the burden of aid that students must seek
as they continue their education. GW is
one of the first schools in the nation to
offer a fixed-tuition plan that promises students
a fixed-tuition amount throughout all
four years of college. What students pay
their freshman year will be the same
amount they pay as seniors. This approach
allows families to more accurately budget
college expenses and eases the burden on
students to find increased funding while
still in school.
Any university located in the heart of a large metropolitan area will have a plethora of
social activities available to help students enjoy the extracurricular aspects of their college
experience. What makes GW unique is how many of those metropolitan activities actually occur
right on campus—primarily a result of the fact that GW students are active, concerned, and
passionate about the causes they believe in. With a Metro station literally right in the middle
of campus, those that need to get off campus for a while can, but those that stay behind are in
for a treat.
Along with academic and cultural diversity, a myriad selection of student life options
exist across both the Foggy Bottom and Mt. Vernon campuses. The fun begins within the
residence halls; the Community Living and Learning Center not only provides some of the
most attractive and modern residence halls in the country, complete with computer labs
and apartment-style living options, but also hosts a number of in-house programs for freshmen.
In particular, students can choose to take part in Living and Learning Communities.
These communities are theme-based, providing
funding and leadership for students to get to
know one another and conduct activities around
a certain subject; recent options have included
the Residential Arts Community (the RAC Pack),
the Culinary Arts Community, the Outdoor
Adventure Community, and the Elections and
Campaign Strategy Community.
University Writing Program
In an effort to help students prepare for their
academic careers and create a more scholarly
environment in class, the university recently
instituted a new writing initiative. The program
includes courses for freshmen designed to
introduce students to the norms of academic
and publishable writing, as well as upper-level
classes for juniors and seniors known as
Writing In the Discipline courses. These
classes focus on the particulars of writing in
certain fields and provide students with the
practice needed to be comfortable participating
in scholarly research, publication, and
peer review during their careers.
Student Organizations
Those looking for more ways to get involved can choose from the nearly 300 student organizations
present on campus. From academic honor societies to a cappella music
groups, students are provided funding, meeting space, and support to create their own
unique communities. Additionally, GW is home to
nearly thirty Greek chapters whose members
account for approximately fifteen percent of the student
body. Recently, the university proudly opened
Townhouse Row, a collection of Greek-only housing
options boasting special features such as large common
areas for chapter meetings.
Arts and Entertainment
Arts and entertainment options abound on campus
as well. Venues such as the Hand Chapel,
Lisner Downstage, and the Mitchell Hall Theater host
student-led theater productions nearly every weekend.
The Program Board is responsible for bringing
big-name acts to campus for events including Fall
Fest and Spring Fling; recent headliners have
included the Black Eyed Peas, Jimmy Eat World,
Busta Rhymes, and Dana Carvey. Those interested in
art, theater, and dance are treated to a continuous host of performances in Lisner Auditorium,
one of Washington’s most popular venues. Whether it’s the classic jazz of world-renowned
artists such as Dave Brubeck, or side-splitting comedy from The Second City improv comedy
troupe, students are constantly amazed at the performers who appear on campus.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at George Washington University?
The Lerner Health and Wellness Center, less
than two years old, is a state of the art wellness
and workout facility with everything from
Pilates and yoga to weightlifting and squash. Two top-floor basketball courts provide amazing
nighttime views of the Lincoln Memorial and National Mall. The facility provides a perfect
place to work on skills for the wide range of intramural and club sports available for
students. Those interested in training for NCAA sports will be pleased to see the selection
GW offers—from basketball and gymnastics to crew and softball. With a brand-new suspended
scoreboard, the Smith Center hosts some of the most exciting basketball action in
the D.C. area. Students can join the “Colonial Army” and become one of the thousands of
fans sporting a yellow foam hat and cheering on our women’s and men’s teams.
In the past year I had the chance to hear addresses from Senator John
Kerry, former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, Senator Hillary
Clinton, Al Franken, ‘Daily Show’ host Jon Stewart, and Vermont Governor
Howard Dean—twice! Only at GW…
Local Community
D.C. Life
If all of those options aren’t enough, D.C. lies just beyond the bounds of campus. Students
can attend groundbreaking Supreme Court proceedings or watch Congress in session.
The nearby neighborhoods of Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, and Woodley Park provide
some of the best restaurants, shopping, and entertainment in the metropolitan area. One
of the best ways to see the city is to join a project through the Office of Community Service;
whether volunteering at a homeless shelter or tutoring underserved children, students
become more familiar with the city and form intimate connections with their friends and
neighbors in other parts of the District. Hundreds of
miles of bike and running trails along and over the
Potomac River provide a perfect backdrop for those
looking to play outside.
GW in the City
Visitors to campus will no doubt hear some
impressive statistics about the university’s
role in D.C. Not only is the university the
largest private employer in the city, it’s
also one of the largest private landowners.
What most visitors may not hear is an even
more impressive set of statistics—GW’s
service to the city:
GW provides over 100,000 hours of
community service annually to District
residents.
More than 2,300 students each year
take part in volunteer opportunities.
GW partners with some fifty community
agencies and four domestic agencies
to match willing volunteers with
needy residents.
For six years in a row, GW has
entered the largest team in the annual
AIDS Walk, raisin
Alumni
GW graduates typically go on to be as active, concerned, and committed as they were as
undergraduates. Many stay on to pursue advanced degrees from among the university’s topranked
graduate programs, including the Graduate School of Education and Human Development
(ranked 24th nationally), the Law School (ranked 20th nationally), or the School of Medicine.
Others go on to put their passion to work in politics; currently, the United States House of
Representatives includes eight GW alumni and the Senate four more, including Senate Minority
Leader Harry Reid, J.D., ’64. Numerous other congressional staffers and employees hold degrees
from the university. In addition, the United States
Supreme Court currently employs three Law School
alumni as clerks, part of a tradition that includes some
twenty-eight.
GW students are also among those routinely considered
for prestigious post-baccalaureate fellowships
including Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, and Truman
Scholars. The Office of Graduate Student Assistant-ships
and Fellowships coordinates efforts to secure such
awards and works closely with students to ensure that
their applications are among the most competitive. In
addition, the Career Center provides professional development
tools and resources, and oversees a large database
of available positions and jobs on behalf of
employers across the country and the globe. The Career
Center employees work with students throughout their
undergraduate careers to prepare for internships, part-time
or full-time work, and postgraduate plans. Second,
the GW Alumni Association provides outreach and support
for grads no matter where they end up. Chapters
across the United States—from Seattle to Miami to New
York—and across the globe host social events, organize
members, and look forward each year to attending the
annual Colonials’ Weekend alumni gathering.
Prominent Grads
Secretary of State Colin Powell,
M.B.A., ’71
President, Fisk University Carolyn
Reid Wallace, Ph.D., ’81
Senate Minority Leader
Harry M. Reid, J.D., ’64
President, NASD Securities, Inc.
Mary L. Schapiro, J.D., ’80
Governor, State of Virginia
Mark Warner, B.A., ’77
President, D.C. Board of Education
Peggy Cooper Cafritz, B.A. ’68, J.D.,
’71
President and CEO, Motion Picture
Association of America Dan Glickman,
J.D., ’69
Managing Director, Goldman, Sachs &
Company Abby Joseph Cohen, M.A.,
’76
Former Secretary of the Treasury
John W. Snow, J.D., ’67
Former Ambassador to the Dominican
Republic Charles T. Manatt, J.D., ’62
m Delegate to Congress, U.S. Virgin
Islands Donna M. Christensen, M.D.,
’70
m Independent Counsel, Kenneth W. Starr,
B.A., ’68
m Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, B.A.,
’51
Faculty
More than ninety-two percent have a doctorate degree. Students also benefit from a
wealth of adjunct faculty in the D.C. metropolitan region who are often considered
experts in their fields. Lawyers, politicians, lobbyists, artists, engineers, and many other
professionals share their knowledge and expertise with students in a number of specialized
courses designed for students with a particular interest in a certain subject. No matter
what area students are hooked on, they’re certain to find it among the nearly 100 majors
available to undergraduates through GW’s seven schools:
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
School of Media and Public Affairs
School of Business
Elliott School of International Affairs
School of Engineering and Applied Science
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
School of Public Health and Health Services
Classrooms and Facility Space
To facilitate learning, GW pays special attention to the classroom and facility space
available to students. The last three years have witnessed the opening of several new
teaching facilities, including the Media and Public Affairs building—home to Jack P.
Morton Auditorium and permanent CNN offices, 1957 E Street—home to the Elliott School
of International Affairs and The George Washington University Hospital. The University also
completely remodeled Mount Vernon Campus science laboratories and will soon celebrate
the opening of Duques Hall, future home to the School of Business. This explosive growth
has been accompanied by the installation of the newest teaching technologies available,
providing laptop hook-ups, multimedia equipment, LCD projectors, and microphones standard
in all lecture halls. Such developments allow GW students to enjoy a learning environment
that offers smaller class sizes and more intimate discussions. Almost fifty percent
of the undergraduate courses have fewer then twenty students and almost twenty-five percent
have fewer than ten students.
Resources
The university offers a number of resources in
support of its academic mission for undergraduate
students. The Gelman and Eckles libraries offer
more than two million volumes, subscribe to hundreds
of print and online periodicals, and offer a
number of study and group meeting spaces.
Additionally, the local consortium of libraries gives
GW students access to a total of more than five million
volumes in the D.C. area. The Study Abroad
Office is a resource for individuals who are interested
in academic challenges abroad. Last year,
some 870 students participated in study abroad programs that took them to fifty different
countries. Additionally, the Writing Center on campus is a free student resource that uses
peer mentoring and collaborative learning to help students improve their own writing. For
international students, the International Student Office provides invaluable service in
helping students transition to their new home comfortably.
Improving Health at Home & Board
Created in 1997, the School of Public
Health and Health Services is one of only
thirty-six accredited schools of Public
Health in the country and the only one in
the District of Columbia. As such, D.C.
officials, federal officials, and members
of large international development
organizations such as the World Health
Organization and the World Bank rely
heavily on its faculty for research and
expertise.
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