The George Washington University

My kid goes to GW and I’ve had the opportunity to visit the school several times. I think it’s great, but more importantly, my kid loves it.
She worked really hard in high school and got accepted to some great schools and chose GW for its academic programs, location and GRANDE scholarship they awarded her.
I love Washington DC, it has so much to offer and GW is right at the heart of it all.
So far, all positive experiences, worthy of 5 stars.

We were staying close to this University but had a chance to wander onto the school campus to just check it out and I was just amazed at how big the campus actually is. I kept walking past some part of it’s campus from whichever direction you’re walking to and from around near the White House area. The campus is well lit up and pretty safe since there is always someone on campus and security is also present there. The best part is that around the Cherry Blossom blooming time, there are also Cherry Blossom trees on campus that you can admire as well.

If you make any inquiries you will NEVER get off their email list, regardless of how many times you try to unsubscribe or contact them,

Current first year graduate student (ESIA) here. You definitely ‘bargain with the devil’ for tuition, and I expect $ 100,000+ of debt. Everyone tells me that it will be worth it at the end (I hope).The ESIA Security Policy program is very flexible for your (2) fields of specialization with retired CIA, Pentagon employees, scholars, etc as professors. Classes are always at nignt too. ESIA also offers many opportunities such as international exchange programs that are paid for with just regular tuition. I am spending my entire Spring 2016 semester studying+interning in Southeast Asia for 4 months. There are not many grad schools out there like that!
I only have several drawbacks to the GW ESIA program in particular: ‘Advisors’ are somewhat unresponsive via email, the Career Center doesn’t have much advice/​resources for people planning to intern or work in non-​western countries,& some students+staff can come as egotistical/​snobbish at times
For the overall GW program, many things have an overpriced dollar sign on it-​cafeteria food, book store, campus ‘book sales’, not getting a refund when something goes wrong with Financial aid. Then, you have those general students who think they are entitled because their parents work for the ‘government’ or have connections to certain politicians.
It was nice of the GW library to give GW grad students their own ‘study room’ on the fifth floor though. I also like how it is in the heart of DC and is close to varies organizations that relate to my academic field.

Working here isn’t so bad because I did work with some good people in the chemistry department. However, working with the faculty can be a bit difficult. Dr. Michael King, the dean of chemistry, is a bit narrow sided when it comes to young professors. Sorry I’m not 50 years old and about to retire.

I am in the online MLS program and I am completely happy with everything. Even though I’m still local, I don’t have to live in dorms or even step foot on campus, which is good because I hate DC. So I get a nice diploma that reads George Washington University without the traditional college baby bullshit. Curriculum is hard but it really prepares you for the Board Registry. The program directors and advisors are great and professors make every attempt to help you if you need extra explanation.
GWU is the best college for veterans. Tuition is covered under the GI Bill (both ⁹⁄₁₁ and Montgomery) but if you run out of benefits, GWU has an amazing Yellow Ribbon Program that will get you by the rest of the year. Trust me they work with you so you don’t have to worry about anything other than school work.

As an Alumni, I can say I loved attending GW. The graduate program was applied, the faculty were impressive, my time at the White House interning was equally as amazing. A great experience to build a foundation for my career. I lived at the Shenley at 2121 H. Street. A great place!

I don’t always sign myself into financial slavery, but when I do it’s at The George Washington University. In a lot of ways, I’m like The Little Mermaid, except I’m a guy, I can’t sing, I’m WAY more tanned than she was, and I’m not into guys, but outside of that… I’m just like her. I made a deal with FAFSA the Sea Witch and whenever I think about how much I owe, I lose my ability to speak and I get delirious to the point that I think ocean animals can talk to me.
Wait, this is supposed to be a five-​star review, right?
Tuition costs aside, I really enjoyed my time at GW. It’s smack dab in the middle of DC, so you really have a wealth of opportunity around you. All of the major tourist attractions are just a short walk away. I used to do my late night studying down at The Lincoln Memorial with The Washington Monument in direct line of sight. Seriously, you can’t beat the location.
I received a great education with an abundance of support. It’s a great school.

BEST SCHOOL IN THE US!
I love it and all my friends and all my classes and the campus!
Great place to live and study!

The campus is conveniently located near metro (and a Whole foods). I enjoy walking on the grounds and meeting friends. My pals who have attended GW are pleased with their experience.

I had two years in a graduate program in GW. I do not dislike my program, but the total service and environment offered from GW suck. Especially the graduate service, it is the worst part. They don’t have a sense of responsibility for their jobs. However, I do like GW’s main library where I spent the most time.

Great university! The hippo is great! So cool to see people like Jon Stewart walk onto campus to eat at places like Tonic!

Being the first person to go to a four year college in the US, I didn’t know what to look for and didn’t know what to expect. If I could start the whole process again, starting in HS, I probably would not have come to GW.
GW attracted me because I really wanted to do something in International Affairs in high school, but being around DC killed that dream for me. Everything at this school is somehow politicized, it makes me a little pessimistic thinking that many of these students will be the future leaders in the US government. Aside from International Affairs, GW provided me with pretty good financial aid and that really influenced my decision.
To me, GW is part academic institution, part promotion company, and part real estate company. The administration is overly concerned about its image. Anything controversial or negative that happens on campus is covered up. They put up cool-​looking ads when students come visit or if there is a big event in DC, making GW look absolutely amazing (I always felt that current students laughed at seeing those ads). I say that it is a part real estate company because I believe it’s the biggest landowner in DC besides the federal government. GW continues to expand and built new buildings – none of which, I might add, expand student space, which is a huge issue for the student administration. There used to be a bowling alley on campus, but the administration teared that down and made it into office space. Instead of expanding student space, the administration pays for new buildings, such as spending money for a textile museum. I have no idea why any academic institution needs a textile museum.
Anyway, the only part of the institution that changed my life (and why I’m giving it 2 stars instead of 1) are the people I met, the stories I’ve heard, and the diversity of DC. The Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) have some of the nicest people I have met. The MSSC is the diversity hub of the campus, and GW often likes to tout its «diversity.» If you look at deteriorating structure of the MSSC building, you can really tell how much GW does not values diversity. I find it extremely hypocritical. While GW is often sheltered in Foggy Bottom, you can learn a lot outside the classroom if you go out and really explore DC. If you come here, you should really start to explore fast to experience the culture as DC is becoming increasingly gentrified.
Anyway, if I could start my college process over again, I would not have come here. But I’ve also learned a lot. You really have to make the best of your own experience at GW. I generally enjoyed my experience, but the administration and some departments here really need some work. I think students deserve better.

This is my future institution for grad school starting this fall, and I’m really excited! I got into one of the top MHA programs in the nation, and the staff and faculty for that program is amazing. I know if I work hard and do my best, there will be numerous opportunities after graduation. Love GW!

How can I give –1000 stars?
Thanks for the worst 4 years of my life. Im bringing me back a boatload of mental diseases from the trauma I received from the time I spent here in DC. The abomination they call «education» is really just a way for them to leech cash off from their students. Every aspect about college life sucks. Food sucks and is over priced — there is no real cafeteria. Weather is a bipolar bitch, and the occasional snowdays do not make up for it. People are political and business minded; most will make friends only for the purpose of getting connections, getting dat government job… or getting pussy. The school is full of rich (white) douchebags who run around drunk every weekend, throwing money around. I found an iPad in the trashcan at the end of the year… fully functional. We have no football team. Our mascot is a dead white guy. There were two suicides this year in the SAME WEEK. The school was too busy trying to cover it up and not let it spread too far. I could go on about how bad this school is, but it would take days. Just contact me if you want my full story on it.
Save yourselves. Turn the other way and run. RUN. DON’T GO TO THIS SCHOOL.
My perspectives on life and people have changed for the worse thanks to this school.
I still want my diploma tho, don’t get mad at me

GWU was my dream school. When I got my acceptance letter, I couldn’t have been more thrilled. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I’ll keep it short. I immediately felt like a number in the Columbian College. I didn’t have a real advisor, but rather an advising class. My advisor was rarely available for one on one meetings so I was left to my own devices. I had a roommate who did not bathe, left the door unlocked and got my laptop stolen, and more. When I tried to change rooms or get my own apartment off campus, the housing office would not allow me to do so, even after months of complaints from me. Another unfortunate event occurred when I got mono. Only 1 out of 6 of my professors gave me excused absences from classes. I ended up receiving incompletes, getting bad grades or was forced to withdraw from my courses that semester because I had missed so much work. Needless to say, after my second year, I transferred to a different school and it was the best choice I have ever made.

My Alma mater. I got a fantastic education at GW. My Department (Econ) had world class professors, provided you avoided a few who stopped trying after they got tenure. I met a lot of extremely smart and interesting lifelong friends, learned a lot, and had a great time.
With the high cost of tuition, there definitely came a lot of self-​entitled douche bags from all over the country and world but there was plenty of humble, intelligent, and friendly people to choose from.
GW’s tuition is essentially a progressive tax structure. Although the sticker price is in the mid 50’s, the average student pays about 35k (still expensive, I know). GW gives around the fourth most aid in the country. Obviously the students who pay full tuition are generally of a lower caliber than the average student (I think only about 15−20% pays full tuition) but they are subsidizing the tuition of the other 80% so they are a benefit to us ;-).
The opportunity for internships in DC insures that most everyone comes out with a bit of real world experience which makes the competitive in the job market and allows them to at least start to figure what we want to do with our lives professionally.

This is my Alma matter. I will refrain from commenting on the value of my education.
A few years ago, a close friend and fellow alum, was killed in a car accident. Today Steven Smith will be honored by The George Washington University as they will be dedicating WRGW in his memory.
I am proud of my Alma matter for their commitment to honoring this young man who was taken from us too soon.
Raise High!

I recently registered for the first online course in GWU’s Event Management Certificate program. I am extremely disappointed as the course cost $ 450 but only consists of 1 PDF and 1 ‘mastery quiz’ which can be taken at the student’s discretion when they feel they are ready. There are no assignments. There are no group discussions. They don’t even assign a professor. Every course is the same, the student gets a PDF to read, then they take a quiz. That’s it. If this is what you’re looking for in a program, then by all means, have at it. If you expect more for your money, like I do, I would steer clear. I was unable to find this information before I paid for the course so don’t make the same mistake I did.

Great location (downtown DC), but no actual campus to speak of. The dorms are mixed right in with private buildings, stores, and restaurants. While many street corners say «Quiet Zone», the vast array of Greek life ensures that it is anything but. Trust me, you’ll know EXACTLY when the students return from summer break and when they’ve finished final exams, because the whole area will be one loud party.
That said, if you go here, you are paying for the name. I guess you used to also pay for the ranking too, but now that GW got kicked off the list, all you get is the name. Its programs are similar to all other DC universities, so I’d carefully paying the price tag before enrolling.

Go Colonial hippos?

If you’re thinking about 1) going to school here 2) living on campus here 3) getting a job here (namely, in the GW Housing Department)…then this review is for you. I would THINK AGAIN, and seriously, choose somewhere else, run, don’t walk, somewhere else – your pocketbook will thank you, your sanity, and quite frankly, so will your resume!!! (****Edited to add: if you’re looking for a job in the government sector, then this school may be for you – but if you’re looking at it for ANYTHING else, I recommend you go ELSEWHERE!!!)
Let’s be real, kids, you’ll be broke if you go here. The tuition is OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive, it’s one of THE most expensive universities in the entire world, and for the quality of degree you get and the reputation of the school – you can spend your money elsewhere.
Also, DON’T live on campus. The folks who run the Housing Department here are absolute ego-​maniacs, who claim they’re interested in student development, but end up being complete condescending administrators who just want to reprimand you and get an ego-​trip while doing it. They take their jobs way too seriously – i mean, really, you are a Hall Director and you wear a suit every freaking day to the office – PLEASE!!! Go to any other school and you will see an entirely different type of Housing Department that does NOT take themselves so seriously and walk around like they have a stick up their a$$! I talk to you from experience here – you do NOT want to deal with these folks, like EVER, and don’t even think about talking your way out of a housing violation unless your parents are rich a$$ donors to the school. YES, they make excuses for those folks and they get off with a simple slap of the wrist!
Don’t even THINK about getting a job here with the Housing Department. That goes for you, students who want a housing job, or adults who are thinking about working in Student Affairs and aligning themselves with the Housing staff. It’s a JOKE to work there, again, complete ego-​maniacs who don’t care a $h!t about you, they just care about themselves and how they can make themselves look best and work towards that next step in the career. Some of the folks there are so pathetic, they’ve been there for YEARS waiting for someone to die or retire so that they can get promoted. It’s sad, really, and you come in and you just do all the work they don’t want to do so they can take credit for it.
It’s sad that the rest of the university lets the Housing Department do whatever they want. The «Deans» or whatever they call the heads of the Housing Department – they have their heads so far up the rest of the GWU’s Administrations a$$ses that nobody questions what they do nor thinks about completely revamping that entire office.
I write this review in hopes to save the rest of you poor souls from the most horrible experience I’ve ever had in my entire life with these folks. And it’s not just me, I have dozens of other unhappy folks who have left with a bad taste in their mouths and just figured GWU would figure it out at some point.
I want to caveat this review by saying that I DID have great experiences with other departments and staff on campus. Take that for what it’s worth, but I hope the President and others take a good hard work at what this department is doing for their school, put a focus committee on there, and give absolute immunity to folks who come forward to speak their mind about the injustice and horrible treatment these folks put on others.
Just so you know, too – I was never written up, I was never fired, nor was I ever formally warned by the Housing Department. I was, however, treated with disrespect and disregard, and so were many of my colleagues and fellow students.

GW is neither five stars or one stars. They are kind of average. As a graduate student, I don’t see much of the campus except for my class rooms and walking to class. Don’t really eat on campus nor use any of their services. However, one thing i have to complain about is tuition. ARE YOU KIDDING ME $ 3400 for ONE CLASS!!! Outrages. Anyways, for one year of undergrad at GWU I got my whole undergrad degree for probably half of one year of tuition at GW. GW is also great for proximity to federal governments (Department of state, etc). Parking also sucks at GW but metro is right in the middle of campus. Sometimes i think to myself… students pay huge amounts of money for dorm rooms that have AC sticking out their windows. Really? Anyways, not bad but not great either.
tip: if you are a student who is probably gonna take $ 100,000+ to go to this school; DO NOT COME HERE. If you are from a rich family and can afford $ 60,000 undergrad tuition definitely come and spend your money here. If your a grad student taking out loans/​scholarshi/​GTA/​parents: really think about going here. My program will cost me about $ 56,000. Again, i got my undergrad for $ 30,000. GW does offer a GOOD education and have a GOOD reputation.