I was first 100% interested in University of Michigan, but I ended up being wait listed, so I came go G-Dub. I thought it might be a letdown, but the city is completely and totally busy 24/7. There is ALWAYS stuff to do Thursday-Sunday. I didn't expect clubs to be so huge, but they are, and I can't say its the greatest thing in the world. While frats are my preferred social scene, the club does come up once a month or so, and there is usually a cover. It's not huge, but it's annoying, and cabs are a hassle. There's an excellent 4-Ride service, which as a at-your-service taxi system that the school has, COMPLETELY free, which is amazing. Sometimes they take a while to arrive, but its the best, especially since i'm stingy. The metro will become a close friend - it is imperative to getting around unless you're a billionaire and can afford taxis when you want to go to a concert or something off campus.
Greek life is pretty large. I'm in the class of 2015, and this year, more than 400 females went greek, and I'm telling you, its probably all the attractive ones. If you're even CONSIDERING going greek, you should rush. You can always drop after-the-fact. Greek life is a big part of campus social life, and it's definitely something you'll want for your disposal. I'm in a sorority, and i think my social life is much better than my GDI friends.
The food is amazing. There is a ton of around-campus dining, Thai places, Indian places, sandwich places, good delis... you name it. You might think that the variety and just overall awesomeness of the food will make you get super fat... you're wrong. If you're a girl and are at all conscientious about your weight, you will be surrounded by 80% of the female student body who has an eating disorder. I am begin truthful here in saying that girls get so stupid about their weight and it will probably make you to go sweet green (salad shop) more than the kabob truck.
The gym is absolutely amazing. I did sports all throughout high school, but didn't want to be a varsity athlete/probably wouldn't have made the cut anyways... so a good way to keep active is by signing up for Lerner's group fitness pass. It's 80$ a semester but it lets you go to any group fitness class you want. There's pilates, spinning, zumba, meditation, kickboxing, core classes, and aerobic classes.. you name it. The facilities are amazing, and the instructors kick ass.
One word of advice: LIVE IN THURSTON.
An even more important word of advice: DO NOT LIVE ON THE MT VERNON CAMPUS (it is a shuttle ride away and most people there are weird, or in the women's learning program, in which case most of them are cool but they're stuck there)
Thurston is actually the best thing in the world. It got #2 college party dorm by US News & World Report. I cannot begin to tell you how many people I've deeply connected with on a given Friday 2am. The hall proctors are the shit. They have no ability to report wrongdoing or drinking - they literally are not allowed. They make you cookies before you go out and every thursday people give out free pizza as to prevent a total influx of vomit that night.
Another word of advice: do not smoke in thurston... its always a bad move. go somewhere else.Overall, I'm glad I came to GW. The people are generally cool, and the student body is highly diverse. Sure, there's the rep that most people are billionaires, and sure, some people are... but obviously those are the ones that are going to stick out loud & proud. There are a bunch of cool people all over campus and I can't think of any kind of person that wouldn't enjoy spending 4 years here.
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