George Washington University - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

And the survey says . . . Bring your own computer to school! Although GW has several computer labs in convenient locations, such as the Marvin Center and Gelman Library, the majority of students say they cannot live without their personal computers. Students must type all of their papers and assignments, which is easier to do from a dorm room than a crowded computer lab. Most students also want a computer for personal reasons. Everyone at GW is constantly on Instant Messenger and often video chatting with friends, which makes keeping in touch across campus or back home very convenient. Since all dorm rooms are capable of Ethernet connection, it makes sense to bring a computer to school.

For those students who cannot bring a computer to school, GW’s labs, located all over campus, are adequate. However, the labs can get really crowded about a half an hour before classes begin, and it is almost impossible to get a computer during exam time. GW charges a printing fee of nine cents per page in all University computer labs, except the engineering labs (which may only be used by engineering students). It’s wise to purchase a printer if you plan on printing a lot of documents. The University has been constantly adding wireless hubs all over campus, as it pledges to have a wireless campus. Although GW’s labs are just fine, they are often crowded, and computers sometimes break. With that and the printing fee, personal computers a worthwhile investment.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

DC has everything to offer.... DC has everything to offer. Georgetown is really close, and you’ll probably hang out there eventually. In Maryland, they have the University of Maryland College Park, which is Metro-accessible. If you’re looking for a big state party school, that’s where to go. I hang out there a lot, and they have lots of raging parties! 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

DC is a great place to go to... DC is a great place to go to school. It’s certainly a city, but in a very real sense, it has the qualities of an intimate town. It’s the most unique gathering of people and ideas I’ve ever experienced. Some parts of the city are sketchier than others, so make sure you know where you’re going when you get on the Metro. You’ll never run out of stuff to visit. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

crenda says:

This is D.C. There is no shortage... This is D.C. There is no shortage of activities here. Reverent monuments by day are hook-up spots by night. 12345 Local Atmosphere: October 02, 2008 Report

Anonymous says:

DC is a great city. American and... DC is a great city. American and Georgetown are two other major universities, and there are some smaller ones, as well. DC is quieter than New York or Boston, yet there is always something to do or see. Museums and government sites can get old rather quickly, but there are always new exhibits and events coming through DC. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

DC is very eclectic. There are... DC is very eclectic. There are people from all different backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, and socio-economic situations. There are lots of colleges and young professionals in the area, and since Congress changes every four years, there are always new people coming in. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about DC:
• Students can attend the presidential inauguration on the National Mall and/or the inaugural parade on Pennsylvania Avenue. Those interested can either stand in the general admissions area or get free tickets, which allow for closer access, by calling their state representatives.
• DC’s National Cherry Blossom Festival attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators each spring. The 9,000 trees lining the Tidal Basin were a gift to the District from Japan in 1912.
• Foggy Bottom, the neighborhood of GW’s main campus, is one of the oldest 19th-century neighborhoods in DC and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The name Foggy Bottom is said to be derived from its description by locals as a swampy “bottom land," its low elevation, location near the Potomac River, and collection of industries providing for an atmospheric combination of fog, smoke, and soot.
• District residents are fighting to get representation in the Senate and House of Representatives. Although those living in DC are taxed, they receive no representation other than a non-voting delegate because they do not technically live in a state.
• There are no skyscrapers in DC. Many believe that this is due to a law saying that the Capitol and Washington Monument were to be the tallest buildings in the city, but in fact, it was the city fire department that put limits on building heights in 1894 because their equipment wouldn’t be able to reach tall buildings. In 1989, the Height of Buildings Act was passed to ensure that the city skyline wouldn’t be dominated by skyscrapers.

Famous People from DC:
Dave Chappelle, Stephen Colbert, Marvin Gaye, Samuel L. Jackson, John Philip Sousa

Local Slang:
The Hill – Capitol Hill, where several GW students intern
The Mall – Not a place to go shopping, the National Mall is home to a variety of monuments and museums
The Metro – Washington’s subway system

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: David Glidden
Hometown: Fuquay-Varina, NC
Major: International Affairs (Spanish minor)

David thoroughly enjoys 2 a.m. trips to the national monuments!

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