<p>I have to say, I agree with every main point made in the original post, though granted, I have only been at GW for one semester (and luckily I still have time to change my mind!).</p>
<p>I actually like GW a lot. I know many people who are happy here, and not just those in the poli sci, IR, business, etc. programs. However, this school is not for me, just as many schools are not right for a single person. Some ideas that haven’t been addressed:</p>
<p>CONS:
- The performing arts programs are terrible, and professors are reluctant to focus any attention on you in class or onstage unless you are part of the arts scholarship program and getting paid to perform and made them/the arts programs look good.
- If you’re not on work study, it’s impossible to get a job on campus. And many (though I admit, not all) paid internships are scooped up by the university and advertised as “work-study only.” If you’re not work study, good luck finding a job- you’ll need that metro station on campus to get there.
- Greek life is MUCH more prominent on campus than whatever percentage Admissions has written down in their brochures (22%?). I can’t go anywhere without hearing about Greek life and seeing letters on clothing and signs. I have felt so much pressure to rush this year, it’s ridiculous.</p>
<p>PROS:
- GWU gave me more AP/SATII credit than any other school I applied to. As a result, I will be a junior at the end of two semesters, allowing me to graduate in three years and save some $$ (if I stay, that is).
- I do not do drugs or alcohol and I have never felt ANY pressure to drink on campus. Yes, I go out with my friends and party, but feel a lot more comfortable than my older sibling at a small LAC did her freshman year.
- I absolutely love the size of this school- it’s big enough that you don’t feel trapped or contained and running into the same people, but small enough that you still make connections you wouldn’t expect (“Oh, Julie lives in your dorm? She’s in my French class!”). However, to each his/her own.</p>
<p>I would also like to add that I know a someone who wanted to go to GW for about a year and a half, got in EDI, and decided after a month that it was not a good fit for her. In short, you’re not going to know what type of school you want until you actually GO TO COLLEGE. I ended up liking GW more than I thought I would, but though I’m going to give it some more time, I’m anticipating moving to a different school in the fall.</p>