George Washington University - Campus HousingCollege Prowler4.62

Campus Housing:

A

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Campus Housing Grades:

Quick Stats

Undergrads Living on Campus

64 %

Freshmen Required to Live on Campus

Yes

Number of Dormitories

31

Best Dorms

  • 2135 F Street
  • City Hall
  • Ivory Tower
  • New Hall

Worst Dorms

  • Fulbright
  • 2109 F Street
  • The Schenley

College Prowler Take

GW’s dorms are definitely some of the sweetest in the country—the majority of them are converted apartment buildings and hotels, or recently-built facilities. About half of the freshman class will live in Thurston Hall, GW’s largest dorm. Because of its reputation as a party dorm, most students who live in Thurston either love it or hate it—but most love every minute of it. Rooms range from doubles to sixes, and each has a bathroom and one or more walk-in closets. Although they might sound spacious, the rooms are cramped and residents sometimes feel like they’re on top of each other. Because more than 1,000 first-years are living together, there’s always a party in Thurston, so it can be hard to concentrate on homework there. Potomac House is another large freshman dorm, but much newer and nicer. Other freshman dorms are smaller, older, and quieter, but can still form a sense of community.

Unlike dorms at some other city schools, GW’s are all located very close to or on campus, with only a few exceptions. Freshmen placed in the dorms on the Mount Vernon campus have differing opinions about where they live. The 15-minute shuttle ride to the campus makes it much less convenient, especially when you have an 8 a.m. class on the Foggy Bottom campus to get to. However, many have a strong sense of pride and community living on the Vern and enjoy the small dorms and peaceful surroundings. The only other undergraduate dorm that is off-campus is City Hall, a one- or two-minute walk outside campus boundaries. Many students feel no need to move out of University housing because most of GW’s accommodations are so beautiful. The newest dorm at 2135 F Street is reserved for seniors but offers four singles in a suite configuration with bathrooms, a kitchen, living room, dishwasher, and laundry washers and dryers in each suite. The University prides itself on its facilities and residence halls and purchases and builds dorms regularly.

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Students Speak Out

Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:

GWAW says:

George Washington University 2011

Social Sciences

Each year the dorms get better,...

Each year the dorms get better, which is nice. If you can, avoid living in Thurston freshman year.

Campus Housing: February 27, 2009
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GWJH says:

George Washington University 2011

Other

As a freshman, I lived in Thurston...

As a freshman, I lived in Thurston Hall—it definitely has a reputation and is definitely worth it! I like to think of living there as a rite of passage at GW. Some may argue that everyone in the building parties all the time, but I would say with more than 1,100 freshmen, Thurston can be whatever you make of it. Living there teaches you how to live with other people who are different than yourself. I wouldn't change that experience for the world.

Campus Housing: February 27, 2009
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GWNS says:

George Washington University 2010

Communication and Journalism

The underclassman dorms at GWU can...

The underclassman dorms at GWU can be underwhelming, but there are some amazing upperclassman dorms. Thurston is the largest freshman dorm and is a great way to meet people, but it can be hard to keep up with your studies during the middle of the year. There are also some smaller freshman dorms.

Campus Housing: February 27, 2009
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Anonymous says:

All the dorms on campus are really...

All the dorms on campus are really nice in comparison to other schools. As a freshman, you’ll want to be in Thurston. It’s the most fun by far.

Campus Housing
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Anonymous says:

The dorms are okay. I’d say they...

The dorms are okay. I’d say they all about average out because each one has its ups and downs. Some are a lot nicer but have poor location. Some are a little rundown but have great location and facilities. It all depends on what is more important to you, but there are options for everyone.

Campus Housing
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Interested in
George Washington?

Facts

What You Get

  • Bed, study desk, desk chair, closet space, microwave, refrigerator, Internet connection, phone line, and cable TV line.

Room Types

  • GW lists all of its dorms as apartment style. Freshman rooms usually have private bathrooms, sophomore rooms usually add on a kitchen, and junior and senior rooms typically have a living room as well.

Bed Types

  • Bunkable beds
  • Twin extra-long

Also Available

  • GW has several Living and Learning Cohorts, which beginning sophomore year provide students with the option to live on the same floor as students with similar interests. Communities focus on topics including environmental sustainability, film, and politics.

Cleaning Service

Housekeepers clean rooms in freshman dorms once a week, but after that, students are on their own.

Dormitories

2034 G Street
Floors: 4
Bathrooms: Shared by suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles, six-person suites
Building has kitchen, laundry facilities, study lounge, TV lounge. Home to engineering community

2109 F Street
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 70
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles
Each unit has a kitchen. Building has laundry facilities, TV lounge, study lounge

2135 F Street
Floors: 10
Number of Occupants: 480
Bathrooms: Shared by suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Apartment-style singles or doubles in a four- or five-person suites
Suite has two bathrooms, kitchen, washer and dryer, and living room

Building JJ
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 19
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles and quads
Each unit has kitchen in room, living room. Building has laundry facilities, TV lounge. This “green” house is home to the environmental sustainability Living Learning Cohort.

City Hall
Floors: 12
Number of Occupants: 525
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles, triples, quads
Each unit has marble bathroom and a kitchen, and many units have private balcony. Only dorm to offer magnetic access cards for room entry. Building has laundry facilities, fitness room, meeting rooms, outdoor pool, study lounge

Clark Hall
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 35
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles
Located on the Mount Vernon campus. Building has community kitchen, laundry facilities, TV lounge

Cole Hall
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 38
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles
Located on the Mount Vernon campus. Building is close to library and sports complex and has community kitchen, laundry facilities, TV lounge

Crawford Hall
Floors: 8
Number of Occupants: 157
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Apartment-style singles, doubles, quads
Building is close to Marvin Center and Gelman library and has community kitchen, laundry facilities, TV lounge

Francis Scott Key Hall
Floors: 8
Number of Occupants: 175
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Apartment-style singles, doubles, triples
Each unit has kitchen. Building has laundry facilities and piano room

Fulbright Hall
Floors: 8
Number of Occupants: 298
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Apartment-style triples
Former apartment building converted into residential housing. Each unit has kitchen. Building has laundry facilities, study lounge, TV lounge

Guthridge Hall
Floors: 8
Number of Occupants: 254
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Apartment-style singles, doubles, triples
Each unit has full kitchen or microwave and refrigerator. Building has laundry facilities, TV lounge

Hensley Hall
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 39
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Apartment-style singles, doubles
Located on the Mount Vernon campus. Building is close to Ames Dining Hall and Eckels library and has community kitchen, laundry facilities, TV lounge

International House
Floors: 9
Number of Occupants: 176
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Apartment-style singles, doubles
Each unit has full kitchen or microwave and refrigerator and dining table. Building has billiards and ping-pong tables, laundry facilities, rooftop deck, TV lounge. Home to some Greek organizations

Ivory Tower
Floors: 10
Number of Occupants: 730
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Apartment-styles doubles, quads
Each unit has dining room, full kitchen and living room. Building is home to numerous dining options, several music rooms, underground parking garage

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis Hall
Floors: 8
Number of Occupants: 268
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles, triples
Building has kitchen in unit, laundry facilities, TV lounge, and is close to Metro station

Lafayette Hall
Floors: 8
Number of Occupants: 164
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles, triples
Building has laundry facilities, TV lounge, is located adjacent to Marvin Center

Mable Thurston
Floors: 9
Number of Occupants: 1,116
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles, triples, quads, five- and six-person rooms
Building has fitness equipment, piano lounge, study lounge, and TV lounge

Madison Hall
Floors: 8
Number of Occupants: 222
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles, triples, quads
Building has laundry facilities and TV lounge

Merriweather Hall
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 43
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles
Located on the Mount Vernon campus. Building has communal kitchen, laundry facilities, and TV lounge

Mitchell Hall
Floors: 8
Number of Occupants: 352
Bathrooms: Shared by floor, some rooms with private bathrooms
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles
Kitchen on each floor. Building has laundry facilities, theater, 7-Eleven convenience store in basement

Munson Hall
Floors: 8
Number of Occupants: 147
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles, triples
Kitchen in room. Building has laundry facilities, TV lounge

New Hall
Floors: 9
Number of Occupants: 452
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles, quads
Kitchen in room. Building has laundry facilities, TV lounge

Potomac House
Floors: 10
Number of Occupants: 379
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles
Building has laundry facilities, study lounge, TV lounge

Somers Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 246
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, suites
Building has community kitchen, fitness room, foosball table, laundry facilities, study lounge, TV lounge.

Strong Hall
Floors: 6
Number of Occupants: 116
Bathrooms: Shared
Coed: No, women only
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Apartment-style singles, doubles
Building has community kitchen, laundry facilities, piano lounge, rooftop deck.

The Dakota
Floors: 10
Number of Occupants: 218
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles, triples, quads
Each unit has kitchen and washer and dryer. Building has study lounge

The Schenley
Floors: 8
Number of Occupants: 172
Bathrooms: Private by room
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles, triples
Each unit has bay windows, full kitchen, high ceilings. Building has computer lab, laundry facilities, study lounge

The Schenley
Floors: 8
Number of Occupants: 172
Bathrooms: Private
Residents: Upperclassmen
Each unit has bay windows, full kitchen, high ceilings. Building has laundry facilities, study lounge
Coed: Yes
Room Types: Apartment-style doubles, triples

The West End
Floors: 8
Number of Occupants: 210
Bathrooms: Private
Residents: Upperclassmen
Each unit has kitchen or cooking facilities. Building has laundry facilities
Coed: Yes
Room Types: Apartment-style singles, doubles, triples, quads

The West End
Floors: 8
Number of Occupants: 210
Bathrooms: Private by room
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Apartment-style singles, doubles, triples, quads
Each unit has kitchen or cooking facilities. Building is close to Pennsylvania Avenue and has laundry facilities

Did You Know?

Think only students live in residence halls? You’ll find a few permanent residents (non-students) living in The West End and The Schenley. The residents lived in the buildings before GW purchased the facilities and converted them into dorms, and they refused to leave their apartments.

The Hall on Virginia Avenue, formerly a Howard Johnson hotel, played a part in the Watergate burglary that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974.

Want to go to GW but don’t like living in the city? Live on the Mount Vernon campus, located outside Foggy Bottom. The campus is only a shuttle ride away from Foggy Bottom, and while some students find it anti-social, others love the small classes and intimate living style available there. Non-Mount Vernon residents can also take classes on the campus.
 

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