Georgetown University Top Questions

At Georgetown the motto "work hard, play hard" certainly rings true. The students here are dedicated to their studies, and passionate about their chosen majors/fields of study. Classroom discussion will often continue outside of class, and I am continually impressed by the intellectual debates that take place in social spaces (parties and bars included). An all-nighter in the library is not uncommon, and most of us have watched the sunrise more than once. The University, however, typically shows the same commitment towards its students that they themselves give to their studies. Georgetown's relative small size allows it to offer small class sizes and brilliant, accomplished professors. Granted, not every class is a slam-dunk, and not every lecture will especially "intellectually stimulating", but in general the professors here are dedicated to their students. I have personally had dinner at a professor's house on more than one occasion. I've even had my dean over for cookies and hot chocolate! Like at any university, academics will be what you make it at Georgetown, but you can't resist being impressed (and inspired) by the focused and high-achieving students that you will find yourself surrounded by.

At Georgetown the motto "work hard, play hard" certainly rings true. The students here are dedicated to their studies, and passionate about their chosen majors/fields of study. Classroom discussion will often continue outside of class, and I am continually impressed by the intellectual debates that take place in social spaces (parties and bars included). An all-nighter in the library is not uncommon, and most of us have watched the sunrise more than once. The University, however, typically shows the same commitment towards its students that they themselves give to their studies. Georgetown's relative small size allows it to offer small class sizes and brilliant, accomplished professors. Granted, not every class is a slam-dunk, and not every lecture will especially "intellectually stimulating", but in general the professors here are dedicated to their students. I have personally had dinner at a professor's house on more than one occasion. I've even had my dean over for cookies and hot chocolate! Like at any university, academics will be what you make it at Georgetown, but you can't resist being impressed (and inspired) by the focused and high-achieving students that you will find yourself surrounded by.

At Georgetown the motto "work hard, play hard" certainly rings true. The students here are dedicated to their studies, and passionate about their chosen majors/fields of study. Classroom discussion will often continue outside of class, and I am continually impressed by the intellectual debates that take place in social spaces (parties and bars included). An all-nighter in the library is not uncommon, and most of us have watched the sunrise more than once. The University, however, typically shows the same commitment towards its students that they themselves give to their studies. Georgetown's relative small size allows it to offer small class sizes and brilliant, accomplished professors. Granted, not every class is a slam-dunk, and not every lecture will especially "intellectually stimulating", but in general the professors here are dedicated to their students. I have personally had dinner at a professor's house on more than one occasion. I've even had my dean over for cookies and hot chocolate! Like at any university, academics will be what you make it at Georgetown, but you can't resist being impressed (and inspired) by the focused and high-achieving students that you will find yourself surrounded by.

Georgetown is one of the top academics schools in the country and world so obviously academics here is challenging. You just have to know how to pick the right classes and professors. Talk to your friends and classmates. Ask around to see who has taken the classes you're looking into and their professors. Use ratemyprofessor.com, but don't rely completely on what you read. And know that you are going to have to take hard classes. It's just a fact. The thing you have to remember is that the professors are here to help you as long as you ask for it. If you want your teacher to know your name then I recommend taking seminars or other classes with fewer students. Most of the classes, besides the gen ed's, are on the smaller side so it shouldn't be hard for you to get to know your professors better. Try not to procrastinate with your school work and don't get too stressed over classes. Life will go on if you get a B.

Georgetown is divided into four colleges: the College (liberal arts, sciences), the Business School, the Nursing School, and the School of Foreign Service. All of these share a core curriculum of courses in science, theology, philosophy, and history. Additionally, each college has its own specific degree requirements. Georgetown academics are challenging. Students are expected to take five courses at once, which means a lot of juggling and the need for good time management. students balance their coursework with extracurricular activities and internships, which adds to the challenge. This is not a hand-holding institution. It is up to students to seek out their professors and deans to shape their educational journey and get the academic support that they need.

The professors are very accommodating and, due to our size, have the opportunity to get to know you on a personal level in class sizes that hover around 20-30 in the majority of classes after freshman year intro level courses. As an English and Government double major, I can tell you that Georgetown is very flexible and allows you to take electives in a wide-range of courses, many of which will surprisingly go towards your major(s). For example, last year I took a course entitled "The Sociology of Hip Hop" and Hip-Hop artist Lupe Fiasco visited one class period - that class went toward my English major. Being in the location we are, famous political scientists and artists alike visit as guests and professors all the time. Students here are eager to learn but they're not so intense that you feel as though everyone's competing against each other - rather, you'll find a lot of students work together. It's not uncommon to be at a house party and overhear students simultaneously drinking heavily and having an intellectual conversation or debate on politics, and for this reason you feel a part of a prominent academic community.

The professors are very accommodating and, due to our size, have the opportunity to get to know you on a personal level in class sizes that hover around 20-30 in the majority of classes after freshman year intro level courses. As an English and Government double major, I can tell you that Georgetown is very flexible and allows you to take electives in a wide-range of courses, many of which will surprisingly go towards your major(s). For example, last year I took a course entitled "The Sociology of Hip Hop" and Hip-Hop artist Lupe Fiasco visited one class period - that class went toward my English major. Being in the location we are, famous political scientists and artists alike visit as guests and professors all the time. Students here are eager to learn but they're not so intense that you feel as though everyone's competing against each other - rather, you'll find a lot of students work together. It's not uncommon to be at a house party and overhear students simultaneously drinking heavily and having an intellectual conversation or debate on politics, and for this reason you feel a part of a prominent academic community.

As a new student, it can be overwhelming to hear professors say no one gets an A. Most are coming from high school where they were straight A students, so this news seems threatening. The thing to understand is that Georgetown professors set their bar high in order to push their students. Those who do excel can receive a real A (4.0), but it takes a lot of hard work and a higher knowledge of the information. That being said, Georgetown is competitive, but certainly not in a detrimental manner. Students work together to facilitate higher learning without being cut-throat or vindictive. It's actually very common to find yourself at a gathering or party where you get into a deep conversation with someone about religion, politics, government, etc. We thrive on those kinds of discussions! Class size depends on the type of class. Requirements tend to range from 65-250 people, while electives average around 16. Most language classes are even smaller (12 or so). In larger lecture classes, professors don't bother learning everyone's names. In smaller classes, though, they most certainly do. If you are assigned a recitation section (outside of class discussion of texts or concepts), your Teaching Assistant (TA) will definitely learn your name. Georgetown requires every student to take 2 philosophy and 2 theology classes. Following the Jesuit tradition, the university wants the students to be well-rounded, cultured intellectuals. Each of the 4 schools (School of Foreign Service, Nursing and Health Studies, College, and Business) have different core curricula that need to be fulfilled along with any requirements for the chosen major. I am an English Major in the College (the biggest school, with the most variety of majors). My core curriculum consists of 2 English classes, 2 History, a Math or Science, Language (through the intermediate level), 2 theology, and 2 philosophy. In high school, I took a few Advanced Placement tests, and received credits for some of the requirements. Most people in the College complete their required core by the end of their sophomore year. The college also has a variety of minors available. I chose to minor in Linguistics and Russian Language. There are really so many choices, it feels like you are building your own degree.

As a new student, it can be overwhelming to hear professors say no one gets an A. Most are coming from high school where they were straight A students, so this news seems threatening. The thing to understand is that Georgetown professors set their bar high in order to push their students. Those who do excel can receive a real A (4.0), but it takes a lot of hard work and a higher knowledge of the information. That being said, Georgetown is competitive, but certainly not in a detrimental manner. Students work together to facilitate higher learning without being cut-throat or vindictive. It's actually very common to find yourself at a gathering or party where you get into a deep conversation with someone about religion, politics, government, etc. We thrive on those kinds of discussions! Class size depends on the type of class. Requirements tend to range from 65-250 people, while electives average around 16. Most language classes are even smaller (12 or so). In larger lecture classes, professors don't bother learning everyone's names. In smaller classes, though, they most certainly do. If you are assigned a recitation section (outside of class discussion of texts or concepts), your Teaching Assistant (TA) will definitely learn your name. Georgetown requires every student to take 2 philosophy and 2 theology classes. Following the Jesuit tradition, the university wants the students to be well-rounded, cultured intellectuals. Each of the 4 schools (School of Foreign Service, Nursing and Health Studies, College, and Business) have different core curricula that need to be fulfilled along with any requirements for the chosen major. I am an English Major in the College (the biggest school, with the most variety of majors). My core curriculum consists of 2 English classes, 2 History, a Math or Science, Language (through the intermediate level), 2 theology, and 2 philosophy. In high school, I took a few Advanced Placement tests, and received credits for some of the requirements. Most people in the College complete their required core by the end of their sophomore year. The college also has a variety of minors available. I chose to minor in Linguistics and Russian Language. There are really so many choices, it feels like you are building your own degree.

The academics at Georgetown are obviously top-notch, though I think something that separates us from most elite universities is accessibility of our professors. All of my professors have known my name and most know my personal interests and background. Professors often invite students to lunch or even over to their house for dinner. I've have very little courses at Georgetown that I didn't love. The courses I have taken are fascinating. Though I'm an English major, my English courses are not the stereotypical Dickens and Faulkner (though we have those too!). Some of my major courses are titled: Human Trafficking, Narratives of Violence, Cultural Constructions of Motherhood and Ghost Stories just to name a few. We also have classes like Philosophy of Star Trek for all you trekkies reading this. There are no shortage of interesting classes to take at Georgetown. Being a Jesuit liberal arts university, all students are required to take 2 philosophy, 2 theology, 2 history, 2 social science, 2 math/science, 2 humanities and up to advanced level in a foreign language. While the core requirements are sometimes frustrating (I'm looking at you history requirement) there are generally so many classes offered that people generally enjoy the variety. Another option to get those pesky requirements out of the way is during study abroad. A large, large majority (emphasis on the large) study abroad. As a matter of fact, I am writing this review from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Georgetown has great study abroad programs on all 6 major continents, and...financial aid covers them all if you qualify. All in all, academics at Georgetown rock. While finals and midterms are never fun, students generally like going to class and learning from the proffessors...generally.