George Washington University Admission
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George Washington University Application

The Facts

George Washington University is an amazing private school located in the middle of the country’s capital: Washington, D.C. (it is literally four blocks away from the White House!) Understandably, the school is perhaps best known for its programs in politics and international affairs, as many of its faculty are not just professors, but are also highly important and active diplomats and politicians, giving students first-hand accounts of what awaits them after graduation. The school consists of six undergraduate colleges, including the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, the Elliot School of International Affairs, the School of Business and Public Management, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and the School of Public Health and Health Services. It’s easy to see that there is an overwhelming emphasis on public service at the school, and some of the most popular of the 85 offered majors include international affairs, business administration, psychology, political science and computer science.

The school is extremely selective in who they choose to admit: last year, over 18,442 students applied, only 7,103 were admitted, and 2,266 students matriculated. Of those admitted, there was an average combined SAT score ranging from 1180 to 1370. Over 92% of admitted students were ranked in the top 25% of their graduating high school class. GWU doesn’t just accept everyone who comes along; they are serious about their status as a word-class institution.

The academics are notoriously competitive; most students are very career-driven and know exactly where they want to be when they graduate. Consequently, the school offers one of the best internship programs in the country, and many students have chances to be interns on Capitol Hill, or even in the White House itself!

The Social Scene

Students at GWU are perhaps most enthusiastic about the school’s location. They don’t have to go very far to have a good time, as D.C. is chock-full of great cafes, shops, bars and clubs that students often frequent day and night. Drinking isn’t as popular as it is at other schools, primarily because students just don’t have time to party much.

Oddly, the school actually encourages students to join Greek organizations so they can feel like part of some sort of community, and don’t become isolated in their studying. Rather than being party institutions, the Greek houses tend to focus on community service and outreach instead.

Another perk about going to GWU: the housing! Students say that the dorms are absolutely incredible, and historic as well. Even freshmen can live in apartment-style dorms complete with a kitchen and private bathroom, which is unheard of at most other colleges. Because housing is so prohibitively expensive in the D.C. area, many students simply choose to live on campus until they graduate.

The dating scene is pretty fantastic: expect to engage in scintillating debates with a lovely and intelligent member of the opposite sex... maybe a tour of the White House?

What's Good

“If you want a career in politics, GWU is the be-all, end-all of that world; you have teachers who are former senators, it’s amazing.”

“The dorms are like living in an issue of House Beautiful-- you don’t feel like you are living in a dorm in any way, shape or form.”

“Washington, D.C. is a great college town; it knows how to fuse intellect with fun in a big way!”

What's Bad

“There are a lot of students here that think they are just God’s gift to mankind. They think they will be the next President of the U.S. It gets old.”

“The administration is pretty inaccessible, and they will squeeze every last penny from you.”

“The academics can get really overwhelming, especially around finals time. It’s enough to make you go insane!”

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