| Location: | Mid-Atlantic |
| Setting: | Large City Setting |
| Type: | Private |
| Size: | Very Large (+10,000 Undergrad) |
| Mascot: | Colonials |
| Nicknames: | G-Dub, GW, GWU |
The George Washington University (GW) is a private, coeducational university located in Washington, D.C., United States. The school was chartered on February 9, 1821 as The Columbian College in the District of Columbia by an Act of Congress and since that time has developed into a nonsectarian research institution. Located four blocks from the White House, GW is known for its undergraduate International Affairs, International Business, Political Science, and Political Communications programs, as well as its graduate and doctoral programs in business, social sciences, international affairs, medicine, education, public health, and law.
The first American president George Washington had long argued for the creation of a university in the District of Columbia. In his will, he bequeathed fifty shares of the Potomac Company to support such an institution. He wrote, "I give and bequeath in perpetuity the fifty shares which I hold in the Potomac Company (under the aforesaid Acts of the Legislature of Virginia) towards the endowment of a University to be established within the limits of the District of Columbia, under the auspices of the General Government, if that Government should incline to extend a fostering hand towards it." The shares turned out to not be worth very much, but Washington's idea for a university continued. Aware of Washington's wishes, Baptist missionaries and leader minister Luther Rice raised funds to purchase a site for a college to educate citizens in Washington, D.C. A large building was constructed on College Hill, which is now known as Meridian Hill, and on February 9, 1821, President James Monroe approved the congressional charter creating the non-denominational Columbian College in the District of Columbia. The first commencement exercises in 1824 were considered an important event for new Washington, D.C.. They were attended by President Monroe, John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, Marquis de Lafayette, and other dignitaries. During the Civil War, most students left to join the Confederacy and the college's buildings were used as a hospital and barracks. Walt Whitman was among many of the volunteers to work on the campus. After the Civil War in 1873, the Columbian College became the Columbian University and the university moved to its present location. In 1904, the Columbian University became The George Washington University in an agreement with the George Washington Memorial Association.
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| Percent of Students International: | 7% |
| On-Campus Housing Available: | Yes |
| Percent of Students Living On-Campus: | 37% |
| Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: | No |
| Member of: | NAA, NCAA |
| Sports Include: |
Basketball (Atlantic 10 Conference) Baseball (Atlantic 10 Conference) Track (Atlantic 10 Conference) |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | Expenses | ||
Published Tuition and Fees: |
$ 36,400 | ||
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 33,992 | ||
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 30 | ||
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 4,163 | 9% | |
Institutional Grants: |
$ 15,463 | 57% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 7,045 | 42% | |
Any Aid: |
62% |
| Acceptance Rate: | 38% (Highly Selective) |
| Test Scores | |
| SAT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting SAT Scores: | 94% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Verbal: 590, Math: 590 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Verbal: 690, Math: 690 |
| Application Fee: | $ 70.00 |
| Formal Demonstration of Competencies: | Not Required |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent: | Required |
| High School GPA: | Recommended |
| High School Rank: | Recommended |
| High School Record: | Required |
| Recommendations: | Required |
| TOEFL: | Required |
| Test Scores: | Required |
College Advice
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Best Answer
I would say GWU if you are very into politics. Most people from that school and most people you will meet are very into it. If you're not so much-- it can make you nuts!!
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I am deciding between graduate programs at GW or AU for International Communication. I want to work in Study Abroad and International Higher Education. The programs are pretty much the same! Which school is better? Which one do you recommend? Is one more fun socially than the other? Or better location? Any comments on either GW or AU are welcome....and where would students live at these respective universities?
15 months ago
Best Answer
Actually, AU has a program called International Training and Education (ITEP), which I believe has a track that includes a focus in the areas you mentioned (study abroad, etc). It's in the School of Education, part of College of Arts and Sciences. Int'l Communications is a program in the School of International Service (SIS), which is a very well-regarded school -- but I'd say it has more of an orientation towards careers in State Dept, INGOs, or academics than int'l ed specifically. But graduates do all kinds of things.
Re location: Depends on what you like. GW is downtown (lots of suits), AU is just past Embassy Row in upper northwest (lots of trees). I think AU is a bit more "socially conscious" in atmosphere, but this IS Washington, so wherever you go, you'll end up finding that a suit is a lot more useful than it might be at other universities ...
There are apts near both schools, but there's no real "student area" in DC. Students rent group houses and apts near the metro, or wherever it's cheap (relatively speaking), such as Mt Pleasant and Columbia Hts, which are urban neighborhoods with lots of old towhouses.
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Best Answer
GWU has a great reputation, especially on the east coast and in DC. It also has the rep of being expensive, which it is!
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i want to study international affairs and security policy studies
18 months ago
Best Answer
My husband is there for Graduate school; I was accepted and declined the offer for Undergraduate.
If you want to study International Affairs, there truly is no better place to do it than here in Washington, D.C. You are on the pulse of the nation and have many opportunities for jobs and internships just out the door. They also offer huge amounts of study-abroad programs at GWU.
Now, here are the things I do not like about GWU. These are my opinions and beliefs-- everybody is different. Some people thrive in such environments and others do not.
1) GWU is a very, very urban campus. There really isn't a "campus." It is mostly converted buildings in the middle of downtown D.C. Luckily, it is a good area of the city.
2) Cost. GWU is private and, therefore, very costly. Please don't think that this is what deterred me from attending- I had full scholarship and book allowances based on academic performance. They do have very good financial aid and scholarship opportunities. GWU is ranked only 2 places higher than the University of Maryland, which is public, less expensive, and a traditional college campus, for example. Moreover, public research universities tend to get better staff becuase they can supply the funding for research.
3) Washington, D.C., is expensive itself. Everything from food to gas to parking is astronomical. My husband pays $9 three days a week for 2 hour classes for his Master's degree. I think the annual parking permit for GWU students is well over $1000. Now, there is lots of public transportation in DC. LOTS of it. You can rely on that and mitigate parking costs.
My suggestion is that you take an orientation visit to the school. It works for some (some of my best friends are there) and doesn't for others. If it doesn't work for you, there are many schools in the area. These include Georgetown, University of Maryland, American, Catholic, Howard, George Mason, and Marymount, to name just a few.
The most important thing is that you find your fit at whichever school. Remember, too, you're likely to change your major. Try to avoid getting into a situation that you chose a specific school for a specific major. You want to have options.
Best wishes and good luck with the college process!
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Im applying to that college next year and i dont what they are lookin for. most websites i've been to doesnt show anything im loookin for
18 months ago
Best Answer
GWU doesn't look solely upon GPA...
Secondly, GPA doesn't really mean all that much as that each district or school has different criteria...
For example, generally a GPA from a private school can sometime rate much higher than GPA score in L.A. country district schools.
What I learned in boarding school is what most Americans learn their first year in college. I had to read Shakespeare in 7th grade not college or later part of high school....
So yes some colleges will reflect upon your extra curricular activities, which school you graduated from, your background, etc. Schools don't always have a standardized way of accepting undergraduates.
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I have got an admission offer from Towson University for a masters course in Computer Science Engineering.They are also giving me graduate assistantship. I have also been accepted at George Washington University but i'm not sure if i'll get assistantship there. So which one do i opt for if i dont get assistantship at George Washington University? I would surely be getting assistantship at Towson University. Does the University u graduated from really matter when you are looking for a job?
20 months ago
Best Answer
It does. You generally should go with the best school you are accepted to. I would say go for GW - if you don't get an assistantship there are a million opportunities in DC to get internships, part-time jobs, etc. It is an expensive place to live though.
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Im from the Philippines and I want to study international affairs at George Washington University in DC. Is GWU a reputable school? If you disagree, kindly tell me what school is much better than GWU.
21 months ago
Best Answer
GWU is a very respectable school. It is one of the top 100 universities in the USA. The school is located in downtown Washington, within a short walk of the White House and not very far from the Capital building. GW has a very good reputation in political science and international affairs.
I don't know where you could go to school that would give you a better and closer look at politics and international affairs.
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What are students, classes, and life like?
22 months ago
Best Answer
Students
-Politically active (many are leftists politically)
-Geographically and ethnically diverse, but not economically diverse (many are very wealthy)
-Many choose GW University because of the location
-Quite tolerant and friendly
-14% are in fraternities, 16% are in sororities
-Middle 50% ACT=25-30
-Middle 50% SAT= Math 590-680
Critical Reading 590-690
Classes
-Students choose seven schools: Art and Science, Media and Public Affairs, Business and Public Management, Medicine and Health Sciences, Public Health and Health Services, Elliot School of International Affairs, and the School of Engineering and Applied Science
-They can take classes outside of their chosen school
-Every student must fulfill general liberal arts requirement
-Workload can be intense at times, but manageable
-Several students double-major
-Academic advisors and teachers are very accessible
-Internships are encouraged
Life
-Parties on campus not so popular, so people take advantage of restaurants, museums, and nightlife in the DC area
-Very strict alcohol policy; you cannot drink on campus
-Students with illegal drugs get kicked out of campus
-There isn't much greenery
-Intramurals are popular; school doesn't recognize contact sports
-Division I athletics; basketball is popular
-Most students join at least one club
-Dining food is good but generally unhealthy
-Freshmen/Sophomores must live on campus, juniors/seniors not guaranteed housing
-Many students feel safe
Hope this helps!
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I read it in a college profile book.
24 months ago
Best Answer
I went to GW, and yes many people there are very well off. However, since it is in the middle of a major city, if you apply yourself you can meet just about any type of person.
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Best Answer
My friend does. She really likes it. She transfered there from Virginia Commonweath (VCU) in Richmond and loves GWU now. She is just finishing her junior year and no complaints so far. :)
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Best Answer
If you're talking academics GW is an excellent school to attend. You can check them out on US News. They are in the top schools of the country list.
GW is also located in an awesome area in Washington DC. It's very safe to live there, and there are lots of things to do.
I highly recommend it.
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