Life at GW

   

Jerrod Ames

Jerrod Ames

Class of 2020
Political Science Student

Over the past four years at GW I learned more about myself than I could have imagined. I used to never take chances out of fear or rejection, or if I did face rejection, I’d give up. If I had given into either of those two, I would have never realized my passion for higher education or studied abroad in Hong Kong.  I am grateful for everyone who I have met over the years. Most importantly, I am grateful for all the opportunities GW has provided me. If I could do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat. #RaiseHigh




 

A Tale of Two Campuses

Students walking through the Foggy Bottom campus

Foggy Bottom Campus

Located in downtown Washington, D.C., with access to its own Metro station, our Foggy Bottom Campus is at the center of the action. Foggy Bottom covers 42 acres in the center of city and is just blocks away from the White House, State Department and World Bank, among others. It is where the majority of your classes will be held and puts you just blocks away from internship opportunities, entertainment, national monuments, museums and restaurants.

 Watch an info session to learn about Foggy Bottom
Students carving pumpkins on the Mount Vernon campus

Mount Vernon Campus

Our 26-acre Mount Vernon Campus is a short shuttle ride away from the hustle and bustle of Foggy Bottom. Located in the enchanting Foxhall neighborhood of Northwest Washington, Mount Vernon provides more of a traditional college campus than its downtown counterpart. With six residence halls, athletic facilities, study spaces and academic programs, “the Vern” offers a tight-knit and supportive community for incoming first-year students.

 Find a Mount Vernon info session
Map showing 3 miles from Mount Vernon Campus to Foggy Bottom Campus

Living at GW

26 residence halls, 75% students live on campus, 100% freshmen live on campus, 706 students live on Mount Vernon campus, 6650 students live on Foggy Bottom campus

You’ll spend a lot of your time at GW around campus and D.C., but where you live is an important part of life as a Colonial. At GW, all first-, second- and third-year students live on campus and have the chance to make friends and memories that last a lifetime.

Our living options include:

Our residence halls are designed to be accessible for all of our students and Disability Support Services can help with any additional needs.

You also have the opportunity to continue learning outside of the classroom in special interest housing. Options include:

  • Somers Hall for Politics and Values or the Women’s Leadership Program
  • West Hall for the University Honors Program
  • Clark Hall for Civic House
  • Thurston Hall with peers in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, Elliott School of International Affairs, and GW School of Business

Ruby Gordon

Ruby Gordon

Class of 2023
International Affairs Student

"I like to say that GW must be pretty special if I left my home state of Hawaii to come here. My GW experience has been marked with meeting dignitaries, having a conversation in two languages at once, and walking to the Lincoln with my best friends. I have been able to find my niches at GW, from hosting my own talk show with WRGW, giving tours, and sailing on the sailing team. I never thought I could love something so much. Raise high!"




 

Raise High the Buff and Blue

  • Root for the Colonials
    Students cheering at men's basketball game against the University of Virginia

    Root for the Colonials

    With 23 varsity sports and legions of enthusiastic fans in buff and blue, the Colonials play to our loyal base — as well as in the Atlantic 10 Conference. GW has won 84 championships in 14 different sports, including squash, tennis, gymnastics and golf, as well as men's and women's basketball. From student-athletes to devoted fans, we are rich in Colonial spirit.

Busy student organization fair with students talking to each other and learning about GW student organizations

While D.C. has a lot going for it, we don’t just rely on the city for culture and community; we have our own. Colonials are involved in more than 400 student organizations for every interest under the sun: from Greek life and civic engagement to cultural organizations and social clubs — you name it, you’ll find it. And if not, you can start your own.

 Find an organization that's right for you
GW fencing match

Not a varsity athlete? You’ll still have plenty of opportunities to get in the game. We offer more than 50 club and intramural sports, from the field to the court and even on the Potomac River. Give anything from ice hockey and rugby to ping-pong a try.

 Find a sport to play

Creativity in Our Culture

Dara Molotsky

Dara Molotsky

Class of 2021
Judaic Studies and History Student

My experience at GWU has been incredible and I am so proud to say that I attend my dream university. Located in downtown D.C., George Washington University utilizes the space and city in our community to provide us with the best experience possible. We engage with our community through GW’s so many lenses: service, research, internship, socially, professionally, and more. The faculty at GW engage with their community and encourage their students to join them, which gives us opportunities like no other. GW has encouraged me to be the independent, passionate, go-getter that I’ve always wanted to be, and I’m thrilled to be a student at the University.




 

Part of the Community

  • A Spirit of Service
    Students volunteering in food warehouse

    A Spirit of Service

    GW students are passionate about making a difference at their university, in their community and in the world. Colonials completed over 400,000 hours of community service in 2014, and we are consistently among the top universities in the country to provide Peace Corps volunteers and Teach for America corps members. Service learning is also integrated into course curricula and spring break trips.

    Learn more about service opportunities at GW
  • Day of Service
    First-year students volunteering for Day of Service

    Day of Service

    Initiated by a call to action from First Lady Michelle Obama in 2009, GW’s Day of Service has become an annual tradition of giving back to the Washington, D.C., community and the residents who live here.

    See how GW students give back to their community