<p>Title says all!</p>
<p>I would say that the most unique aspects about the Georgetown undergraduate experience is that among the top ranked universities, Georgetown uniquely provides the best of all worlds in terms of being an urban university with a traditional college campus and collegiate experience (with strong school pride and school spirit). The experience at Georgetown draws on its location in DC moreso than most other top-ranked universities do–using the city’s unique resources (Capitol Hill, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Smithsonian, National Institute of Health, Embassies, The World Bank, etc.) as an integral part of academic life at the school–and the social opportunities at the school are also fairly unique with the traditional, self-contained campus in a fantastic college town location (neighborhood of Georgetown) within one of, if not the, best college city (DC). Also, Georgetown is a research university with all of the associated resources but has as its emphasis the undergraduate education and experience–it is a “student-centered” research university–faculty at Georgetown have the role of teaching at the center of their activity, faculty teach all of the classes (not TAs or graduate students), undergraduates have access to all faculty, research opportunities exist for undergraduates in all departments, and the undergraduate experience is the focus of the university’s administration. Also, faculty at Georgetown are not just recruited within academia but are also drawn from the real world, something that most other universities do not generally do. The experience at Georgetown also emphasizes community service and the obligation one has to using the knowledge they acquire to the service of others–so again, community service is integrated in to the academic and social aspects of the school. Finally, as a Jesuit university, the school encourages and promotes questioning and discussion on all levels in all domains (unlike most other Catholic universities)–ethics, values, religion, philosophy, etc.-- rather than simply accepting ideas based on doctrine. Many other academic institutions do not emphasize these areas or deem these types of pursuits as truly academic. </p>
<p>Georgetown is unique among top schools in these regards and combines with them top-notch academics, a strong sense of community, and a focus on development of the entire person–I transferred to Georgetown from Duke, and it was the best decision I have ever made!</p>
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<p>Do you mind elaborating on what Duke was like? What didn’t you like about Duke?</p>
<p>"Finally, as a Jesuit university, the school encourages and promotes questioning and discussion on all levels in all domains (unlike most other Catholic universities)–ethics, values, religion, philosophy, etc.-- rather than simply accepting ideas based on doctrine. Many other academic institutions do not emphasize these areas or deem these types of pursuits as truly academic.</p>
<p>Georgetown is unique among top schools in these regards and combines with them top-notch academics, a strong sense of community, and a focus on development of the entire person–I transferred to Georgetown from Duke, and it was the best decision I have ever made!" ~ hoyasaxa1 </p>
<p>My sister is headed to Georgetown in the fall, and after doing research, I agree that those particular aspects are what <em>especially</em> set Georgetown apart from the other top universities. By contrast, the ivies and most of the oldest schools in the country have abandoned the joint spiritual-intellectual premises upon which they were founded. It’s nice to see that Georgetown has retained much of its heritage–but in a way that people from all different faith experiences and backgrounds can appreciate.</p>