George Washington University | Teen Ink

George Washington University MAG

By Anonymous

     Washington, DC: I have to admit that I was extremely skeptical about considering a college in the middle of a big city. What about a campus? Didn’t you always picture strolling to class across endless green spaces between ivy-covered buildings? I was convinced that if there was no green, it wasn’t for me.

Nonetheless, I found myself in downtown Washington, D.C., on a tour of George Washington University. Our first stop was the dorms; with each room boasting a private bathroom, my jaw dropped. Of course, you can’t choose a school simply because there are only two people sharing each bathroom, but it certainly is a perk.

The various classrooms and lab spaces seemed to be the most up-to-date that I had seen. Our guide told us about his experiences at GW. Because of the school’s unique location, he had professors who not only taught at the university but also worked in the government and were literally coming from the White House to teach class.

As the tour continued, GW (and even the city) began to look more and more appealing. Our guide explained that many of the classes go out into the city on a regular basis to take advantage of all it has to offer. Trips to the Smithsonian are common in a number of classes.

My mom’s questions for every school we visit are always related to safety. She wants to be certain that I will be in no danger. So, when our tour guide responded that GW has the blue-light system, which most schools have, but also the GW police, the D.C. police, and the Secret Service all patrol the campus, it became clear that GW is extremely safe.

I realized I had come to terms with the idea of going to college in a city. It seemed to me that by attending college in Washington, you get the college experience, plus a bustling community that’s completely separate from the university. Why hadn’t I thought of that?

By the end of the tour I was almost sold, and then our guide mentioned the Mount Vernon campus, a smaller campus 10 minutes away. It is exactly what you would picture as a college; with endless green spaces and ivy-covered buildings! There is the option to live in Mount Vernon and take classes there. Let’s just say I’m not so skeptical about a big city college anymore.

Visit www.gwu.edu for more.


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This article has 8 comments.


i love this !

on Dec. 12 2010 at 4:59 pm
AaronLawrence SILVER, St. Louis, Missouri
9 articles 5 photos 106 comments

Favorite Quote:
I may be an idiot, but i'm not stupid

Until you change me enough that i'm convinced I need to change, I won't change

don't live in mount vernon!!

my sister goes their and she says you want to be in the heart of the city, kids who live in vernon never do anything with school and its really hard for them to get places

 


Rimsha said...
on Aug. 18 2010 at 10:41 am
Its not easy to get into. I have a high GPA and extracirriculars on my resume ...i didnt get in. There is a lot of competition. Good luck 

tuzik SILVER said...
on Jul. 10 2010 at 4:40 pm
tuzik SILVER, Martinsville, New Jersey
5 articles 0 photos 37 comments
great review!! i really get annoyed when some reviews are all facts, facts, facts, but this one was very nice in that you basically took us through a quick tour and also told us some of your own thoughts. great job!

L.Renae BRONZE said...
on Apr. 9 2010 at 9:53 pm
L.Renae BRONZE, Nashville, Tennessee
1 article 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
"Leave the world better than you entered it."

College is a couple of years away for me, yet I wanted to have an idea before my junior/senior year. This really has locked in GW as one of my top choices. Since I can't go take a tour anytime soon you insight gave me a first hand look. Thank you :)

on Nov. 12 2008 at 9:06 pm
Don't be intimidated by the city surrounding the campus, or the fact that it's a city-campus. It's an amazing school with some amazing resources, not to mention it has a good name to back it up.

Jessica A said...
on Oct. 30 2008 at 1:37 am
GWU is my first choice of colleges. I really hope I get in. I'm applying for Fall 2009.

on Aug. 25 2008 at 7:04 pm
Kelsey, let me guess: your mother has been babying you and holding you back. Don't let her "concern for safety" influence you. She probably just wants you close to home so she doesn't have an empty nest with your father. Don't be afraid to go someplace new! Good luck.