George Washington University Top Questions

Some can be very arrogant but the majority are very kind and outgoing people

Eclectic

Everyone has a pretty clear idea of who they are and what they want to do with their lives, so if you don't you feel kind of off.

Mostly liberal, with a large population of gay and Jewish students

My classmates at George Washington University are hard-working and involved in many different things, as they are diverse and come from many different backgrounds.

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At GW, regardless of your race, religion, gender, sex, or sexual orientation, there is a welcoming, loving community that is here to help and guide you. In general, the student body revolves around a moderate to liberal political spectrum, but also boasts a fair share of republicans who voice their opinions proudly and surely. For the most part, every student that goes to GW understands that we are a politics-driven community and respects each others opinions (although the occasional heated debate occurs all the time, in good fun of course). If you are not open to new ideas, or at least listening and respecting others opinions, beliefs, sexual orientations, relgions, and race, then you will have much difficulty acclimating yourself to this outspoken but tolerant community.

Terrible. The people who go there are overwhelmingly terrible.

Engaged, career focused, enthusiastic, creative, problem-solving, politicaly conscienous, hard working professionals.

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Nice and active

GW isn't a super heterogeneous school. All sorts of ethnic groups and socioeconomic groups are represented, but you get an overall feeling that the student body is affluent, from the northeast, and politically active, more commonly left leaning (but there are definitely conservatives too). You rarely see GW students showing up to class in sweats, except for the athletes.

While not the most diverse school, GW definitely has a nice blend. The stereotype is upper class, preppy, Jewish students. However there are kids from every different economic and ethnic background. Additionally, GW has a very prominent LGBT community.

George Washington students are defined by their ethnicity, religion, and political standing. Many students identify with their ethnicity and create friendships based on their involvement in organizations such as the South Asian Society. The Jewish population is large at GW, so religion is another identifier for students here. Finally, everyone is distinctly divided by their political affiliation. George Washington is settled in the heart of Washington, DC and attracts hundreds of Political Science majors worldwide. Thus, the Republican vs. Democrat debate comes up often and can be heard from every corner of the dining halls. Most students are Democrats, but the Republicans are just as vocal, trust me!

The students are great! Honestly, you'll get a much better answer out of me if we talk, I'm really bad at writing these little narratives!

I would say the majority of students at GW are very, very motivated, to the point where it can be overwhelming if you're more unsure about what you want to do with your life. Given our location, it's no surprise that students are overall very politically active, and that politics play a large role in and outside of class. I would say a greater number of students are liberal rather than conservative (Obama's inauguration was a BIG. DEAL.), but both Democrats and Republicans have a strong presence on campus and are really good about hosting events and recruiting new members.It can be a little tough if you're not as politically enthused (I wasn't!), but at the same time it's a dynamic atmosphere to be a part of – probably the only one in which "I was late to class because I had to wait for the president's motorcade to pass" is a legitimate excuse. What students wear to class is always really interesting. Because we're in the middle of a city, it's not unusual to see girls (and guys, for that matter), dressed nicely/stylishly for class. We're not just crossing a quad, after all, but passing a main Metro stop, or 23rd Street, etc. On the other hand, it's still college, and if it's not unusual to see a girl in a nice dress, trench coat and leather boots, it's equally normal to see a student in sweats and a sweatshirt in the same class. Clothes vary, and neither too stylish nor too slouchy is unacceptable. Finally, while there certainly is a good portion of students who come from a very privileged background – and who show it – there's also a large chunk who are here on scholarship, whether that's merit or need-based. As in most social groups, people tend to stick with those of similar means, although that's not to say there's a rigid class hierarchy at GW. You find the people you're most comfortable with and, luckily, there seems to be a wide enough spectrum of backgrounds at GW for most students to find where they fit.

Students at GW are definitely diverse. There is a large international population, and of course a great number of students from all over the United States. The school is relatively racially diverse (although the majority is white) with vast number of religions represented. It would be rare for someone to feel out of place at GW because there is probably someone for everyone. GW is known for its large LGBT population, so future students should be prepared to meet people from all different walks of life. Students are comfortable with who they are and aren't afraid to show it. That being said, no one forces you to believe or be anything other than what you want. Most of the time, students dress very nicely. Most students dress "city-chic" for class, and rarely wear baggy clothing. Once again, that does not mean that no one does. Those who prefer to be comfortable, wear what they please, not afraid of what others may think of them. Since GW is in DC, most people assume that everyone is politically active, where in fact, the opposite is true. While you might see the occasional student wearing a College Democrats or a College Republicans shirt, the political scene is there for those who want it, and not for those who don't. Most students at GW are from more wealthy backgrounds, but there are also a number of students receiving aid to attend school. This difference in financial background does not serve as a barrier for friendships in the least.

There is a wide mix of students but everyone is accepting. You can literally make friends with anyone... granted once the years pass, you will automatically filter your friends, but it's natural in any school setting

The student body is really diversified, pro-politics, and dynamics. We have people from everywhere, with all different family and education background. Most of international kids have lived in at least two different countries. Even though, most students have pretty well financial background. A lot of them still take on-campus part-time job or internships at around the city. Everybody seems determined and have their plan about life. Indeed there are parties all the time, but students are busy in studying and experiencing their college life at the same time.

There is not one adjective that can be used to describe the students that go to GW. For the most part, the student body is pretty diverse. Most of these students can be grouped together with others but there are a lot of different potential groupings. GW has a relatively high amount of international students that help to diversify the campus. As far as US students, most of them are from the east coast, specifically the northeast. GW has students of all races, religions, and sexual orientations and does not discriminate against any of them. In fact, GW has many student organizations that were created around these different groups and any student is welcome to join. At GW you do not often see the average "just rolled out of bed" college students. Instead, most of the students dress up for class and only wear sweatpants when they are heading to the gym. Of course, the athletes at GW are an exception as you can usually see them wearing their team gear. Since GW is in the nation's capital, D.C., a lot of people wonder if you have to be politically active to go here. Overall I would say that many students at GW are really into politics but at the same time there are many that have absolutely no interest in it. You do not have to be a political science enthusiast to fit in here.

What GWU students wear varies. Half of the students roll out of bed in their pajamas and some get really dressed up in designer clothing. You can often stop GWU students in business attire, since a lot of us have internships. Although the majority of GWU students are from upper middle class families, GWU's financial aid office offer many scholarships and grands for students who may not be able to pay for the school out of pocket. GWU students are very politically aware which makes sense see we are located in the nations capital. There are many political student organizations on campus.

The great thing about this school is that there is such a variety of students here. The school is (decently) racially diverse, socioeconomically diverse, and accepting of LGBTQ students. It is not uncommon to be walking around campus and hear many different languages, see two girls holding hands, or witness a large variety of clothing. The stereotypical student at this school for girls is the ugg and legging wearing sorority girl who is rich and does a lot of cocaine. The stereotypical guy wears polo shirts and pastel pants, is in a frat, and can outdrink most students at other schools. Fortunately, as a lesbian student who prefers to wear sweatpants or jeans to class, I have found that I am completely comfortable walking around campus. Of course there are some people that I don't get along with, but you would find that at most schools. If there were four tables in the dining hall, they would look like this: Table 1 would be full of Asian students who are typing furiously on their computers, jammering away in Chinese, and eating J St sushi. Table 2 would be a group of athletes, all in their GW gear, probably laughing and joking around. Maybe one or two of them are doing homework. Table 3 is full of girls with long, straight glossy hair that they wear down, new manicures, clothing that seems too nice for class, and all of them are texting on their various colored blackberries. Table 4 is a couple guys in suits in ties, intently focused on Obama's speech on the dining halls televisions, talking about the latest new in international relations.

The joke about GWU is that it stands for Gay-Double-Jew. There are a lot of gay men and a lot of Jewish people. Most of the students are liberal, but the College Republicans make their voice heard. I would say (from my unofficial poll of my life...) the majority of students are upper middle class to wealthy, from California, New York, New Jersey and New England, Jewish or atheist, very politically aware (if not active) and in-the-know and urban. You don't wear sweats to class, you wear something slightly hipster and fashionable but comfy. You network like crazy, check your e-mail 20 times a day, and are involved either on campus or off. You talk about your future and all the different countries you have been to. But the great thing about GWU is that no one really cares if you do or do not fit into this mold. There are no cafeteria tables to divide us into cliques (ok, we have one cafeteria-like place but i can't remember the last time i went....we use our meal money to shop at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods). You can be super plugged into the social scene and know all the gossip and stereotypes of Greek life or whatever, or you can just hang with people you met in DC and do your own thing. Whatever. No one cares. This is the real world and while most of GWU IS ambitious, involved, urban and liberal, that is as close as it gets to one type of student (and yes, wealthy-ish and from one of the Coasts...where are the mid-westerners??) This isn't high school with its awkward cliques. This is DC, grow up and be you.

My clasmates brought a great diversity or backgrounds, ethnicities, and political viewpoints, and they were always willing to voice their opinions in a civil manner as well as being open to the opinions of others.

There is no diversity. Everyone is from the same privileged background. People are materialistic. If you don't wear designer clothes, you will be shunned.

My classmates are focused, politically active, and sometimes snobby people.

SOOOOOOOOO Greek. So greek. It's basically a frat party going on or a party for a the basketball team - yes, even when it's not basketball season.

GW is a school of political activism. Almost everyone I know is either in the College Democrats or the College Republicans or some other political group. If you are interested in politics and government, then you will certainly find yourself among like-minded classmates. GW students are passionately driven about their country and its government. The most popular guest speakers are always political figures, and GW students are always waiting in long lines to hear them.

Your classmates at GW will either be kids paying full price who are more rich and attractive than you could ever be, or normal, real personalities who can only afford GW because they're getting serious financial aid.

A lot of rich kids from New York and New Jersey and a lot of international students.

My classmates were ealtch brats who were not serious about learning.

They are dedicated to work but fun to be around.

friends of alcohol, diligent, rich (by scholarship or family), snobbish, fun, funny, adventurous, sociable, intimidating

GW students are very driven and often know exactly what they want and where they need to work, study, and play to get it.

Preppy, well-off, and career-oriented

My classmates are focused on securing a high-paying job.

Politically active, social, city dwelling, and career oriented students.

There's a group of friends for everbody.

Some smart people, most of the brilliant people dont have high GPAs

wealthy, academically focused, very social, dress trendy

Liberally minded, high SES, driven students.

Some are stuck up and not willing to help, others are very ready to lend a helping hand.

Extremes: Some are outspoken while other never say a word in class.

The student body here is very diverse on many levels. The school is very LGBT-friendly, politically diverse, and draws students from many walks of life. Students tend to be generally friendly, very politically aware, and easy to approach.

They tend to be over-achievers and suck ups.

uneducated and intollerable

My classmates are the most amazing people I have yet to encounter in my life; the sheer potential and determination of my fellow Colonials inspire me to follow my dreams.

I have met people from all walks of life at this school. People that I never thought I would be friends with or be associated with. It has all been a very positive experience and I am glad I took part in it. I don't think anybody would feel out of place at GW as every type of group imaginable exists in GW. Very different types of students interact with one another. Most GW students are from the Northeast and a lot of wealthy children roam around. There are also a lot of international students which increases the diversity that much more. Politics is also very popular and I feel GW is predominately liberal.

There is a large, diverse community of students. There is a large population of gay students, and they are really active. Students that would feel out of place are simpleton folk who arent used to the big city or a fast paced life and a raging night life.

I would like to see more students from the west coast