About George Washington University

Founded in 1821, George Washington University. is a Private college. Located in District of Columbia, which is a city setting in District of Columbia, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 11,504 full time undergraduate students, and 15,655 full time graduate students.

The George Washington University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 13:1. There are 1087 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at George Washington University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate40%
Application Deadline10-Nov
Application Fee75
SAT Range1180-1395
ACT Range27-32

Admissions at GW are considered More Selective, with ,99% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 10 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

99% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 86% were in the top quarter, and 58% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at George Washington University.

2%
“We”re apathetic”
2%
“We know about current events and vote”
24%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
72%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
12%
“Sometimes, but not often”
46%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
38%
“All the time, including weekends”
1%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
47%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
44%
“I feel extremely safe”
31%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
61%
“We bought the gear”
8%
“We live for the big game”
7%
“It”s not really our thing”
37%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
50%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
7%
“We”re a very artistic group”
4%
“Haven”t met them”
13%
“Available in class”
69%
“They keep regular office hours”
15%
“They”re always available”
1%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
25%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
67%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
7%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
1%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
5%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
51%
“We only party on weekends”
44%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
2%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
35%
“There might be people who do”
51%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
12%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

George Washington University REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    221 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 22 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    181 Students rated off-campus housing 3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    223 Students rated campus food 2.8 stars. 13 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    226 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 35 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    226 Students rated class size 3.8 stars. 23 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    225 Students rated school activities 4.2 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    225 Students rated local services 4.4 stars. 56 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    225 Students rated academics 3.4 stars. 23 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of George Washington University?

82 Students rated George Washington University

Janae - 12/26/2023

I love GWU, I have had great professors and amazing support throughout every step. I will say that the Financial Aid department can be a bit tricky however, they are easy to access and talk to. I am a part of the Track Team at my school and we get a lot of support from other students. Basketball is a big thing at my school that everyone goes to. GWU is very political in terms of the students, they will protest and they will speak out which is one thing I love.

caroline - 04/19/2023

Overall it is a good school and I had a good experience, but I wish there was more school spirit and community atmosphere. Students seemed more interested in rushing off to their internship on Capitol Hill rather than going to a sporting event or something sponsored by the school. The school did a fine job with transitioning to online classes during COVID-19 but I was relieved when classes were brought back in person.

Maren - 01/09/2023

Personally I have loved my first semester because the people I have met and surround myself with are amazing. They encourage me to be my best self and I have endless amounts of fun with them. Much of the positive experience at GW comes from the people you surround yourself with, so if you find good friends, you will have an amazing semester no matter what. The activities in D.C. are plentiful and there is always ways to be active around campus. It is up to you to make the best of your college experience, so make sure you are doing things you love, while surrounded by amazing people.

april - 03/18/2022

great

George Washington University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at George Washington University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for George Washington University is 40%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    The first piece of advice would be that one should start the process as early as possible. When a student is trying to figure out what he/she wants for their college experience it is very important to consider all of the options. Look at different types of schools and take some chances in the summer before your junior year and the begining of your junior year. Then try to narrow down the type of school and program you are looking for. Go on the campus tours, information sessions, interviews etc. Get as much knowledge and information as possible to make the educated and well-informed decision. Enjoy the process and the trips along the way. When in college focus on your academics but remember to make time to spend with your friends. Join a group or two and dedicate yourself to them, don't try to be in ten different ones. Study appropriately and work hard as it will all pay off!

    Read all  180 answers
  3. Describe the students at your school.

    There's a group of friends for everbody.

    Read all  138 answers
  4. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    The best thing about GW is it's location. What other college student can say their dorm room is 3 blocks from the white house, or their dorm room has a great view of the Washington Monument? It's right in the heart of DC and walking distance from the Georgetown and Dupont Circle neighborhoods. Our campus also has it's own metro stop, connecting us to the rest of DC and Northern Virginia and Maryland. The size is just about right. We have almost 10,000 undergrads, which makes us medium size. Our campus is also very compact because we are an urban campus, so it seems much smaller and more connected than it really is. Students constantly run into other students they know on campus. People tend to mix up GW for Georgetown. I've been called a Georgetown student many times, and it is really annoying. The campus itself is just okay. It's really compact because it is urban, so we don't have those quintessential "college" quads or parks. We do have some nice areas though such as Kogan Plaza and University Yard, and in the spring time when it's nice out, everyone flocks to Kogan to sit outside. The GW administration could work a little harder on making GW more of a college community. People tend to do their own thing and just become DC residents rather than GW students. The most recent controversy was the "Swastika on the door" incident. This Jewish freshman girl faked a hate crime by drawing swastikas on her dorm room door for 8 nights in a row and said someone was committing a hate crime on her. However, we have video cameras in our dorms, and the university police caught her doing it. When our basketball team is good their tends to be lots of school pride, but our fans are very fair-weather and if we're not that good they don't care. My sophomore year our basketball team went 27-3, and our last home game was against Charlotte and we won on a last second put back in overtime. All of the student rushed the court, and it is something I will never forget!

    Read all  132 answers
  5. What are the academics like at your school?

    Students tend to study in the Gelman Library, which some call "Club Gelman." Student there study with friends, take frequent smoking and coffee breaks into the Starbucks located inside the library. Adderol is also very common. Students are competitive, and there is always that very stereotypical GW student in every class who sits in the front and answers every question regardless of whether or not her or she has anything useful to say. We call them "GW tools." The Elliott School of International Affairs is a really great school filled with lots of hands on experts. My classes have lots of guest speakers such as state dept. folk, ambassadors, and other experts from the field.

    Read all  123 answers
  6. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Greek Life isn't a huge percentage of campus, but the most active students tend to be Greek. Greeks hold lots of events on and off campus and drive the social life. The conduct tons of fun philanthropy events on campus and have a large visibility. They have tons of their own traditions for the fall and spring and provide the most traditional college experience (drinking, formals, house parties, sports, rush, skits, ets). Basketball games are definitely the most well attended, but I've been known to head to a soccer game on our Mt. Vernon campus from time to time on a nice fall afternoon. I also go to volleyball games because I know the girls and they're close by. The sports teams kind of act like a fraternity or sorority themselves. There's a whole sports scene of student-athletes with their own social network, traditions, and drama. I think other students really get into clubs and networks of friends they made freshmen year.

    Read all  116 answers
  7. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Wealthy, arrogant, "stuck up"

    Read all  115 answers
  8. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    Well, it is the most expensive school in the world, so only certain people can really afford it. There are many Jewish students and the campus is very political.

    Read all  114 answers
  9. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    The city environment is one of a kind.

    Read all  98 answers
  10. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    high quality

    Read all  49 answers
  11. What's unique about your campus?

    Location. DC has everything a student would want from internships, nightlife, citylife, and great opportunities.

    Read all  38 answers
  12. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    For me the worst thing is definitely the food plan. Instead of giving students a certain amount of meals per semester, GW gives a certain amount of money for the entire semester (the amount varies depending on grade level). On top of that its clear that the restaurants on campus take advantage of this and raise their prices for food. So a sum of money that should get a student through the semester only lasts 2 or 3 months.

    Read all  36 answers
  13. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Completing administrative duties at my school, such as declaring majors and receiving course credit from study abroad, can be very round-about, time consuming, and frustrating.

    Read all  32 answers
  14. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    People uncomfortable with city surroundings, attending school with lots of wealthy kids and a high level of diversity should not apply here. Also, if you want to major in science, engineering, or math, GW might not be the place for you, specifically if you want to major in math since our department is not strong here. If you are not willing to deal with a lot of university bureaucracy concerning advising, financial aid, etc, it might be best not to apply here.

    Read all  32 answers
  15. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    The stereotype of students at my school is that we are all rich and have money. Another is that everyone must come from very rich family and have money too pay for the school. This is very false where 6 out of 10 students at the school are actually on financial aid.

    Read all  32 answers
  16. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I had known how expensive living in a city was! I found my bank account diminishing before my eyes, and unfortunately could not find a job on campus. I wish I had been a little better about budgeting my nights out and shopping sprees with friends. It's a good thing I know that for next year!

    Read all  26 answers
  17. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    How perfect the location is for my major - the accessibility to relative jobs.

    Read all  26 answers
  18. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Someone who likes an urban setting, a school that has some community feeling but also leaves a lot of room for independence and someone who can afford it or qualify for enough financial aid. Anyone who wants Washington, DC on their doorstep and will take advantage of the resources there.

    Read all  26 answers
  19. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Being in the heart of the city and basically supplying most of the Hill's interns.

    Read all  23 answers
  20. Why did you decide to go to this school?

    GW was my top choice, and the only school I applied to because i applied early decision. That's how confident I was that GW was the right college for me! Originally, I only wanted to be the DC area, but after I visited the school, it was the only place I wanted to be! If you're interested in any school, you should always visit and tour, that way you have a good impression of everything, including the things the books and website don't tell you about!

    Read all  10 answers
  21. Describe the dorms.

    I live in GW Schenley 7th floor. My dorm is a double, with a huge, bright living room, a private kitchen, a private bathroom, and a small bedroom. We have a walk-in closet and two stand closets, and two drawer.

    Read all  7 answers

Student Body

Students

57%

female

43%

male

11,504

Total Undergrad Enrollment

15,655

Total Grad Students

84%

Out-Of-State

1%

In-State

15%

International

Organizations

405

Student Organizations

22

Fraternities

18

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

33%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
10%
% Black or African-American
7%
% Hispanic/Latino
9%
% White or Caucasian
54%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

82% of students attending George Washington University receive some sort of financial aid. 15% were awarded federal grants. While 43% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$49,783

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,275

Books and Supplies

$12,500

Room and Board

63,558

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$23,038
$30 - $48K
$20,666
$48 - $75K
$26,883
$75 - $110K
$31,680
$110K & UP
$44,178

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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