Scoop on Georgetown?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that once admitted, GU is very competitive. It’s super competitive to get into clubs, hard to get a seat in the library and difficult to get into the dining hall, particularly during peak times (crappy, overpriced food notwithstanding). The admin limits the number of As per class so the culture is typically not collaborative. DS has had a good experience in SFS but likely would have gone elsewhere had he known about these issues.

+1 It's cutthroat

My kid also picked up on this vibe on admitted student day and when talking with the student ambassadors.

DP. We got a different vibe on tour. It did not seem any more competitive than anywhere else, from what the tour guide said.

As a current parent, I can tell you that it’s hyper competitive when compared to my other children’s schools (a top-rated SLAC and an Ivy). We, too, did not get that vibe on the tour. Unfortunately, the tour is not reality. Just make sure your student is aware so that an informed choice is made.

Is this specific to a certain school like SFS or business ?

The grading rules limiting the number of As are enforced across all the schools. Profs can apply for exceptions but the hurdles are not insubstantial. This system really encourages cutthroat behavior across the board. And, it carries through to social activities, particularly clubs.

When were these “grading rules” introduced? I went to Georgetown and these rules didn’t exist at that time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that once admitted, GU is very competitive. It’s super competitive to get into clubs, hard to get a seat in the library and difficult to get into the dining hall, particularly during peak times (crappy, overpriced food notwithstanding). The admin limits the number of As per class so the culture is typically not collaborative. DS has had a good experience in SFS but likely would have gone elsewhere had he known about these issues.

+1 It's cutthroat

My kid also picked up on this vibe on admitted student day and when talking with the student ambassadors.

DP. We got a different vibe on tour. It did not seem any more competitive than anywhere else, from what the tour guide said.

As a current parent, I can tell you that it’s hyper competitive when compared to my other children’s schools (a top-rated SLAC and an Ivy). We, too, did not get that vibe on the tour. Unfortunately, the tour is not reality. Just make sure your student is aware so that an informed choice is made.

Is this specific to a certain school like SFS or business ?

The grading rules limiting the number of As are enforced across all the schools. Profs can apply for exceptions but the hurdles are not insubstantial. This system really encourages cutthroat behavior across the board. And, it carries through to social activities, particularly clubs.

When were these “grading rules” introduced? I went to Georgetown and these rules didn’t exist at that time

Yes, can anyone verify if this is accurate? If so, we might need to reconsider G'town for our pre-med kid.

[Anonymous]

We wish our DMV kids would consider Georgetown, but it is very close to home. One thing to consider (probably not a deal breaker) is that it is a touristy area. Food is only so so on the campus and the food/shops around the campus are pricey as there are a ton of tourists. And Georgetown the city can get quite crowded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m the rat poster. We live in the neighborhood and are on the campus regularly. To its credit, the univ admin has greatly improved relations with the neighbors. What they haven’t done is fix the rat problem or even acknowledge it. Apparently they’re content to leave campus at 5pm and let the students and neighbors contend with it. They’re building new dorms and other new buildings, but they don’t properly maintain the older ones or the grounds. I’m sure this isn’t a dealbreaker for most, but you did ask for feedback from locals!

Despite these issues, I think it’s a great place academically and socially, and we enjoy the arts programming and some of the sporting events. Our kids would have considered it if they weren’t ready to live in another part of the country.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a great school, especially for social sciences. The only caveat is that the physical infrastructure is very poorly maintained. You may not see this as an issue since you’re from NYC, but families of rats living just outside the dorms points to a level of resource mismanagement that we don’t see on our own kids’ urban campuses. While I’m not surprised that the campus contends with common urban problems, it’s telling (and gross) that they feel no responsibility to even try to find solutions.

OP: Hmm, that bums me out...for $90k/year, there's a rat problem? Really?

DP. Issues with the Georgetown dorms have been making the rounds on social media for at least a decade. My understanding is that several have since been renovated.

Are the rats IN the dorms? Or just around the campus? I mean we are in NYC, so rats on the street and parks are a part of life (let's not even get started on the subway). But rats inside an apartment building is an absolute no-go and I wouldn't send my kid to a place that had rats in the dorms.

DP. I think both. Kid did a summer program at GU. He saw a dead rat outside. Other kids said they saw rats in the dorm; he didn’t personally see them inside. The dorm was old and tired-looking, so was the furniture. It was clean though and generally fine. Despite reading bad reviews ahead of time, my son really liked the food. GU is on his list to apply to now, despite not wanting a city or a college close to home. He liked it that much.

[Anonymous]

When were these “grading rules” introduced? I went to Georgetown and these rules didn’t exist at that time



Yes, can anyone verify if this is accurate? If so, we might need to reconsider G'town for our pre-med kid.

My DD is in her second year at Georgetown. She mentioned that in one of her classes As are limited to 40%, which does not seem restrictive to me. DD had a 4.0 GPA her freshman year.

Also, Georgetown has an early admittance program for students that lets them apply to med school during junior or at the beginning of senior year and start immediately after graduating from college, which is a huge huge bonus.

[Anonymous]

it's a shame that Georgetown the neighborhood is not as cool and fun as it once was. Now it's a lot of Sweetgreen and Brandy Melville

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that once admitted, GU is very competitive. It’s super competitive to get into clubs, hard to get a seat in the library and difficult to get into the dining hall, particularly during peak times (crappy, overpriced food notwithstanding). The admin limits the number of As per class so the culture is typically not collaborative. DS has had a good experience in SFS but likely would have gone elsewhere had he known about these issues.

+1 It's cutthroat

My kid also picked up on this vibe on admitted student day and when talking with the student ambassadors.

DP. We got a different vibe on tour. It did not seem any more competitive than anywhere else, from what the tour guide said.

As a current parent, I can tell you that it’s hyper competitive when compared to my other children’s schools (a top-rated SLAC and an Ivy). We, too, did not get that vibe on the tour. Unfortunately, the tour is not reality. Just make sure your student is aware so that an informed choice is made.

Is this specific to a certain school like SFS or business ?

The grading rules limiting the number of As are enforced across all the schools. Profs can apply for exceptions but the hurdles are not insubstantial. This system really encourages cutthroat behavior across the board. And, it carries through to social activities, particularly clubs.

When were these “grading rules” introduced? I went to Georgetown and these rules didn’t exist at that time

Yes, can anyone verify if this is accurate? If so, we might need to reconsider G'town for our pre-med kid.

This is an urban myth.

[Anonymous]

Dp, but have heard there is grade deflation at Georgetown.

[Anonymous]

My high school kid loves Georgetown - the campus, shopping, vibe, access to internships…. Like most kids, concerned about being too close to home but otherwise perfect

[Anonymous]

https://georgetownvoice.com/2019/04/26/reevaluate-grading-curves-assess-students-fairly/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also have a kid at Georgetown and another at an Ivy. I would say the level of competitiveness is similar.
Certain clubs at Georgetown are very competitive. Might be best not to go after those, in my opinion.

You don't have to join competitive clubs. There are others that are not competitive. My DC has fully opted out of any club that is competitive - may consider later, may not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that once admitted, GU is very competitive. It’s super competitive to get into clubs, hard to get a seat in the library and difficult to get into the dining hall, particularly during peak times (crappy, overpriced food notwithstanding). The admin limits the number of As per class so the culture is typically not collaborative. DS has had a good experience in SFS but likely would have gone elsewhere had he known about these issues.

+1 It's cutthroat

My kid also picked up on this vibe on admitted student day and when talking with the student ambassadors.

DP. We got a different vibe on tour. It did not seem any more competitive than anywhere else, from what the tour guide said.

As a current parent, I can tell you that it’s hyper competitive when compared to my other children’s schools (a top-rated SLAC and an Ivy). We, too, did not get that vibe on the tour. Unfortunately, the tour is not reality. Just make sure your student is aware so that an informed choice is made.

Is this specific to a certain school like SFS or business ?

The grading rules limiting the number of As are enforced across all the schools. Profs can apply for exceptions but the hurdles are not insubstantial. This system really encourages cutthroat behavior across the board. And, it carries through to social activities, particularly clubs.

When were these “grading rules” introduced? I went to Georgetown and these rules didn’t exist at that time

Yes, can anyone verify if this is accurate? If so, we might need to reconsider G'town for our pre-med kid.

My student has mentioned these rules too. In SFS but I don't think the courses they mentioned were based in the College. I think this applies across the school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that once admitted, GU is very competitive. It’s super competitive to get into clubs, hard to get a seat in the library and difficult to get into the dining hall, particularly during peak times (crappy, overpriced food notwithstanding). The admin limits the number of As per class so the culture is typically not collaborative. DS has had a good experience in SFS but likely would have gone elsewhere had he known about these issues.

+1 It's cutthroat

My kid also picked up on this vibe on admitted student day and when talking with the student ambassadors.

DP. We got a different vibe on tour. It did not seem any more competitive than anywhere else, from what the tour guide said.

As a current parent, I can tell you that it’s hyper competitive when compared to my other children’s schools (a top-rated SLAC and an Ivy). We, too, did not get that vibe on the tour. Unfortunately, the tour is not reality. Just make sure your student is aware so that an informed choice is made.

Is this specific to a certain school like SFS or business ?

The grading rules limiting the number of As are enforced across all the schools. Profs can apply for exceptions but the hurdles are not insubstantial. This system really encourages cutthroat behavior across the board. And, it carries through to social activities, particularly clubs.

When were these “grading rules” introduced? I went to Georgetown and these rules didn’t exist at that time

You are old and uninformed. Google is your friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that once admitted, GU is very competitive. It’s super competitive to get into clubs, hard to get a seat in the library and difficult to get into the dining hall, particularly during peak times (crappy, overpriced food notwithstanding). The admin limits the number of As per class so the culture is typically not collaborative. DS has had a good experience in SFS but likely would have gone elsewhere had he known about these issues.

+1 It's cutthroat

My kid also picked up on this vibe on admitted student day and when talking with the student ambassadors.

DP. We got a different vibe on tour. It did not seem any more competitive than anywhere else, from what the tour guide said.

As a current parent, I can tell you that it’s hyper competitive when compared to my other children’s schools (a top-rated SLAC and an Ivy). We, too, did not get that vibe on the tour. Unfortunately, the tour is not reality. Just make sure your student is aware so that an informed choice is made.

Is this specific to a certain school like SFS or business ?

The grading rules limiting the number of As are enforced across all the schools. Profs can apply for exceptions but the hurdles are not insubstantial. This system really encourages cutthroat behavior across the board. And, it carries through to social activities, particularly clubs.

When were these “grading rules” introduced? I went to Georgetown and these rules didn’t exist at that time

Yes, can anyone verify if this is accurate? If so, we might need to reconsider G'town for our pre-med kid.

My student has mentioned these rules too. In SFS but I don't think the courses they mentioned were based in the College. I think this applies across the school

I worked at GU for 20 years, taught as an adjunct for several, and can’t imagine a strict uniform grading policy. Tenured faculty have very little accountability to the administration. If anything, there was grade inflation and a really responsive student safety net when I was there. There were a few courses like Pirtle’s Map of the Modern World that boasted a high failure rate but that was a while ago.

[Anonymous]

I dont know why you'd care that much about clubs at GU when they're so much opportunity in DC for ambitious kids.