Georgetown University Top Questions

Describe the students at your school.

Tyler

The majority of my classmates are non-traditional students and have several years in the workforce which provides an interesting range of life experiences on which to base their education.

Matthew

None

Matthew

Most students are rather friendly, and will engage you readily, but will leave you alone if that is what you desire.

Jenny

Georgetown University students are passionate, caring, fun, and interesting.

Alyssa

A refreshing combination of cut-throat driven and super friendly and extroverted.

wanwen

Many program are provided for students. There is a work-study program for these students.

Laura

Students are pretty diverse. The East Coast is definitely represented (especially Jersey). You might feel out of place if you come from a smaller town and are not used to city living. Students generally get dressed up for class. There are also a lot of international students, or students with unique heritage. There are a lot of people with a lot of money, but plenty of people are on financial aid. Students are politically active on both sides, especially since it is DC. Lots of people have internships. People don't generally talk about their future after Georgetown with respect to earnings.

Francesca

Look at the demographics and assume that all stereotypes that apply to each race are fairly true. Georgetown isn't for everybody. Imagine yourself surrounded by preppy white kids dressed in Vineyard Vines, annoyingly gossiping, and drinking some gourmet coffee/ latte/tea, holding either a shopping bag, or a name brand backpack, possibly talking about their trip to the Caribbean ,and you might be able to picture Georgetown students. Georgetown students do not lack confidence. I do think to greatly of Georgetown students but then again maybe it's because I'm a minority.

Kate

Georgetown students are overachievers in almost everything they do. It's unusual not to be involved in a couple of groups on campus or to have an internship. Sometimes, this can be intimidating and it may seem that every one has their life planned out from point A to point B. However, you would be surprised by how many students change their majors or transfer schools (there are four that make up Georgetown undergrad).

Katherine

They are all intelligent and motivated.

Jacqueline

Honestly, there are so many different kinds of people at Georgetown. There are preppy kids, athletic people, really really smart people, stoners, hippies, environmental lovers, LGBTQ groups, etc. You will definitely meet some very interesting people here, but the majority of everyone is pretty normal. You'll find a group of friends that is right for you, but there's also a lot of opportunity to branch out and meet new people. Everyone is pretty driven and it's clear that we're all here to one day have a great paying job and/or make a difference in the world. We dream big here. Unfortunately, that means there can be overly aggressive people in classes sometimes - those kids that actually do all the readings and talk all the time and occasionally even question what the teacher is saying. Those kids are annoying, but they can also be entertaining. Just remember that the world would be a boring place if everyone was the same.

Katy

Georgetown students tend to be type-A extroverts: very smart, highly organized, outgoing, easy to talk to, and driven. This is not a wear-pajamas-to-class type of college experience, for better or for worse. Students take pride in being well put-together and the gym is always crowded. People who are shy or have trouble asking for help will need to work harder here, since it is not a hand-holding type of institution, and they will be surrounded by go-getters.

Ryan

The vast majority of our students admittedly come from money and that affects their physical appearance as well as attitude - but not as much as you'd think. Students are surprisingly down-to-earth due to Georgetown's focus on community service and international diversity. This is DC, so everyone who decided to come here is very accepting of all types of backgrounds and even curious about those diverse backgrounds. DC also breeds political activism, which you'll definitely find on Georgetown's campus but won't feel stifled by such activity like on American U or George Washington U's campuses. Recently, for example, students from American U publicly criticized Georgetown students in a number of different media outlets for not joining the Occupy DC protests in large enough numbers. Despite a slightly left-leaning majority, Georgetown students feel as though protest involvement is not a substitute for finals studying.

Ryan

The vast majority of our students admittedly come from money and that affects their physical appearance as well as attitude - but not as much as you'd think. Students are surprisingly down-to-earth due to Georgetown's focus on community service and international diversity. This is DC, so everyone who decided to come here is very accepting of all types of backgrounds and even curious about those diverse backgrounds. DC also breeds political activism, which you'll definitely find on Georgetown's campus but won't feel stifled by such activity like on American U or George Washington U's campuses. Recently, for example, students from American U publicly criticized Georgetown students in a number of different media outlets for not joining the Occupy DC protests in large enough numbers. Despite a slightly left-leaning majority, Georgetown students feel as though protest involvement is not a substitute for finals studying.

Ciara

Since Georgetown is so diverse, everyone can find a group of students to which they can relate. That being said, some students choose to isolate themselves to a specific group of friends based on race or activities, which can be pretty limiting. The LGBT community is prominent and well respected on campus, and there are massive amounts of resources and support groups on campus in which to get involved. Students from comfortable socio-economic backgrounds are probably the most prevalent on campus; however, it's not the majority. Georgetown is extremely generous with financial aid, which brings a large amount of students from every financial background.

Erika

The students at Georgetown University come from a variety of backgrounds. Most of the students hail from the northeastern United States, but all states are represented as well as several foreign countries. Additionally, students on campus are of all different races, cultures, religious backgrounds, and socioeconomic groups. There is a place for everyone, and one can always find someone else or a group of students with which to identify.

Lyndsey

They are very intelligent and motivated but still have active social lives.

Alexandria

Paraphrasing a quote by comedian Robin Williams, students at Georgetown are the smartest "normal" people.

Brendan

Hoyas.

Brigid

Strong ambitions that may or maynot currently drive their work ethic while their time here.

Kevin

Georgetown students are a hard working group dedicated to whatever they choose to pursue - from learning in the classroom, to extracurriculars and internships, to partying on the weekends.

Lara

Very focused on their appearance and their future, but also tend to be great people if you get to know them.

Rachael

My classmates are motivated, hard working, competitive, spirited, friendly, and proud to be part of the Georgetown community.

Matthew

My classmates are driven with passion to become grassroots peacemakers in hopes that we can avert more sectarian violence and the crisis of purpose seen in the near tragedy of the recent Christmas terrorism incident (and other needless suffering that includes high rates of child mortality from Malaria and insufficient hygiene; many of the world?s pressing problems are solvable if we find the collective resolve, coupled with innovative approaches such as a global youth service corps as a multinational force for good beyond borders).

Willis

Georgetown students are a diverse and knowledgable group that are very motivated to do well in school while recognizing the importance of being well-rounded individuals.

Alanna

My classmates are all very talented and intelligent in a variety of areas.

Alyssa

One can have an intellectually stimulating conversation with them one night while being able to go out and have fun with them the next night and they have managed to strike the perfect balance between being smart and social.

Miranda

A typical Georgetown student is motivated, independent, and passionate and successful in the hobby or extracirricular activity that he or she chooses to participate in.

Jenny

They seem highly ambitious and purposeful.

Sarah

Gtown kids are very self-advancing and driven.

Brad;ey

Career focused. Classes seen as obstacle on path to career.

Sydnei

My classmates work hard in the classroom and reward themselves by partying hard on the weekends.

Brigid

Very deverse but at first glance a bit east coast preppy.

Krista

preppy focused priveleged curious

Megan

My classmates are generally ambitious, driven, involved, conscientious, wealthy, preppy, and goal-oriented. They are more career-driven than theoretical. People often have things scheduled from the time they wake up until they go to bed, sometimes limiting free time.

Max

Georgetown students are eclectic, there is no prototypical student.

Jessica

I would bring more economic diversity to Georgetown. While limited financial aid allows some lower and middle class students to attend, for the most part the huge price tag acts as an obstacle and it shows in the make up of the student body. I know that had I had to pay for the entirely of my college education alone, the $200,000 bill would have made me think twice. At its core, a college is no more than a composite of its students: increasing the economic diversity could only improve the quality of the college experience there.

Ryan

One of the things I learned here was never judge people - I never really did it before, actually, but I stoped it completely at Georgetown. The school teaches you to get a long with people of all different backgrounds, which is useful. I rememeber after Sept 11 some professor made a comment about Jordan in class, and this girl, whom I had always assumed was some ditzy, white, blonde idiot, said something like "Um, Professor, I am not sure what you are saying is accurate." And when he challenged her, she said "Well, I grew up there, etc" and then they started arguing - in Arabic. Things like that happen routinely at Georgetown, and not at most other schools. The student body as a whole is more worldly than similar student bodies at Princeton, etc. (whose students are just rich, whereas the gtown students are rich and speak a couple of languages, etc.)

Jamie

They are very smart and ambitious but also like to have a good time, yet don't allow that good time to interfere with their grades.

Jack

Many students are politically aware and active only insofar as they aspire to be politicians someday, which is quite a different thing from being engaged in work for social change. On the other hand, there is a growing undercurrent of students dedicated to anti-racist, feminist, queer and worker justice activism. There are, certainly, a large number of students grooming themselves for elite corporate futures in fields like international banking. The student body is largely homogenous -- white, middle/upper class, sheltered Christian upbringing, concerned with success defined in the traditional terms of money and power. Again, however, there is certainly enough diversity that you can make your Georgetown experience quite separate from that homogenous mainstream -- I managed to surround myself with a much more diverse group of very cool students who are feminists, activists, bohemian theater kids, or whatever else.

Pauline

feel great here. most students are from all over the world so as an international student i feel at home

Julie

The student body tends to be very open, with lots of social justice clubs and cultural events. There are student groups for different races, religions, and sexual orientations. The campus is very diverse in that there are lots of foreign students, but there don't tend to be too many minorities. Most students are from the northeast--the tri-state area--or from California. Many students come from wealthy or comfortable families. They dress well in and out of class, and have often had lots of opportunities to travel. Students are very politically aware. The campus is probably split about 60-40 democrat-republican, which is slightly liberal for a Catholic school but slightly conservative for a university on the east coast.

Ali

There are definitely not enough minorities, and the groups don't really mix. It some ways it is quite segregated, but not a tense atmosphere. People get along, for the most part, they just tend to stay in their own group. About 40{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of Georgetown students are from New York and New Jersey. Students are politically aware

Ali

Student's definitely dress well for class. You see people sweats, but not extremely often. Georgetown's population is well dressed, and the fact that our student body is generally affluent shows through the types of clothes people wear.

Erin

I think the student that would feel most out of place at Georgetown would be the very alternative and gothic-y type person. Like I mentioned before a lot of people at Gtown are relatively nice dressers and to see someone with nails and chains all over there body would be a bit outlandish for Gtown. I don't think that means that they won't enjoy Gtown - I just think that on a very superficial level they might have a harder time fitting in than most. Most Gtown students come from Jersey and California - but you also have people from Bulgaria, Nepal, Malaysia, England, etc. It's a pretty great mix. A lot of the kids at Georgetown come from sound economic backgrounds (hence the nice dress) but I don't think there's an overwhelming presence of money on campus at all. Nor do I think that kids talk about money all the time - a lot of us, especially those of us in the business school, are competing for the most lucrative jobs in investment banking...but that's not the only thing we talk about. As for the activism, this is the SFS's area of expertise. Most of the SFS's I know are incredibly involved and active politically - or at least very knowledgable on the subject. I myself am not that politically adept but that just goes to show you that Georgetown provides the means and environment to be as involved/aware as you want without overpowering you with influence.

Jill

very diverse student body, international

Torry

Very diverse, and very healthy if you consider the actual student bodies.

Ashley

Honestly, students from lower income families might tend to feel a bit out of place here. It seems everyone I meet is studying a foreign language (or three) or is fluent in one or more languages. Lunch tables: Athletes, Academics, Future Trophy Wives, Future Presidents (and husbands of trophy wives). Someone told me at Orientation, "80{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of Hoyas marry another Hoya, and 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students believe everything they hear at Orientation."

William

We dress up for everything. Because we're all damn sexy. Sweatpants are for sad/fat/ugly kids. Don't hate on my burberry. And we have money, but you knew that. Four tables at the dining hall? Fabulous foreign kids, fabulous preppy kids, fabulous indie kids, and not-so-fabulous financial aid kids. We don't do socioeconomic diversity, but def do ethnic diversity. We all already know we're gonna make bank when we graduate.. no need to discuss.

Jill

Students get dressed up for class. People like to look nice and present themselves well, you do not usually see a lot of sweatpants, except for the athletes. Not all students are politically active, but the majority are. I think there is a good balance between conservatives and liberals. Everyone is respectful of everyones opinion.