College tours can be a hassle, but they don’t have to be! Whether you travel by car, train, or plane, here are the top three things to know before visiting Georgetown University!
GEORGETOWN – The college decision process should be exciting. It is a phase of preparation for your next stage of life, an opportunity to assert your independence, and a path to self-discovery. Unfortunately, the excitement of the season is too often buried by daunting demographics, last-minute visits, and vague college counselors.
As a recent college graduate, I understand how difficult the application process is for parents and students. Though I eventually made it to my dream school, I know my road to Georgetown could have been less rocky if I had had some insider knowledge.
Enter: this article. I want the hunt for your dream school to be as hassle-free as possible, so I’m sharing the top three things to know before you visit Georgetown University. Whether your journey takes two minutes, two hours, or two planes, here are some tips to touring the “Hilltop”.
Transportation Will Cost You
It does not matter if you travel by car, train, or plane — transportation is likely to pose a problem once you arrive. Georgetown is one of the only neighborhoods in the District of Columbia without a Metro stop, meaning that you’ll have to rely on ride-sharing apps, taxis, bikes, or scooter rentals to navigate the city. Depending on where your hotel is located or where you want to eat, an Uber or Lyft could cost you $10-20 per trip. Via is another ride-sharing app which usually has lower rates than Uber or Lyft, though it might take longer for your ride to arrive. You can also take the DC Circulator, which is a free bus that runs through some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods.
If you’re local, another option is to drive or rent a car once you arrive in town. Georgetown’s parking situation, however, is notoriously difficult, and you will have to pay upwards of $20 to park in the Canal Street garage. If you are confident in your parallel parking skills, you can park on 37th, O or P streets. Street parking has a two-hour limit on weekdays but is unrestricted on weekends, if you are able to snag a spot.
If you have the time and are able to do so, I suggest walking your way through Washington, D.C. Walking is a way to connect to the city’s culture and see its historic landmarks in-person. If you have any energy left post-tour, I especially recommend walking to either the Foggy Bottom or Rosslyn Metro stations; the path to Foggy Bottom features an abundance of shops and restaurants, while the walk to Rosslyn takes you over the scenic Key Bridge and offers gorgeous views of the Potomac River and the Washington Monument.
It is also worth noting that though Georgetown’s campus is relatively small, it can be difficult to navigate. It is nicknamed the Hilltop for a reason, and you won’t spend much time walking on flat earth. If the abundance of stairs and inclines might pose a problem, I suggest following Georgetown’s self-guided tour, which includes an ADA-accessible route.
It Matters When You Visit
This tip might seem obvious, but I cannot emphasize it enough: check a university’s academic calendar before you schedule a tour! I made the mistake of touring Georgetown on a holiday weekend when the campus was completely deserted. Not only was I not able to access several campus buildings, but I was also unable to get a feel for the campus atmosphere and see how students spend their free time.
I know that it is easiest for high school students to visit on their breaks, so I suggest doing some research into what holidays are big at the university. For example, Georgetown has both a spring break and an Easter break, but we do not have a fall break. Most students leave during spring break, but Easter vacation is shorter and more students are likely to stay on campus and prepare for final exams. Additionally, most students take trips over the Columbus Day weekend, but we will be in town for President’s Day.
As much as you want to avoid visiting campus when students are gone, I also strongly advise against visiting on a highly-celebrated university holiday. Most notably, I suggest
that you do not visit campus during Homecoming in the fall or Georgetown Day in the spring. While visiting campus on these days might seem like a great way to see student spirit and participate in university traditions, these holidays are crowded and rowdy. Let’s be honest here: mom and dad will not be thrilled if they see students partying on rooftops or walking around with solo cups. Do them a favor and visit on an average college weekend.
Tours are a great way to learn about a school before you begin the application process. If you want to save money, however, one option is to ditch the initial tour altogether and instead wait until the admitted students weekend, known as GAAP weekend at Georgetown, to visit. GAAP weekends are opportunities for admitted students to picture themselves on Georgetown’s campus. During GAAP, you will attend lectures, take campus and neighborhood tours, and meet members of various Georgetown student organizations. I even met my college roommate during GAAP weekend!
If you are unable to attend an admitted students weekend, GAAP offers several other ways to learn about Georgetown and see if it is the right fit for you. On their website, you can request a coffee chat with a student or send a student from your state questions. You can also make arrangements to visit a class or university event.
Tours are helpful, but they are not everything; do not panic if you are unable to visit campus before you submit your application! Due to COVID-19, Georgetown is offering virtual walking tours on their website.
Your Tour Will Only Scratch the Service
Tours are great sources of information, but it is important to keep in mind that tour guides have an agenda. They love Georgetown, and they want you to love it as well. Blue & Gray is an enthusiastic organization, and each guide goes out of their way to answer your questions to the best of their abilities. That being said, tours only scratch the surface of what it is like to attend Georgetown University, and it is crucial to do your own research rather than blindly accept everything your tour guide tells you. Check out the following websites and social media pages for more information on student and academic life at Georgetown.
- Read the campus newspaper! Student journalists are students first, meaning that their primary agenda is to expose the truth of student life on campus. Campus journalism is a great way to learn about housing issues, local politics, and student leisure. Georgetown’s primary student publications are The Hoya (of which I am a proud alum) and The Voice.
- Follow tour guides and admissions ambassadors on Instagram. It is an easy way to hear of upcoming events for prospective students and connect with current students. Georgetown’s tour guide society is @blueandgray and its Admissions Ambassador Program is @georgetowngaap.
- Post in your class Facebook group. Each year, GAAP creates a Facebook group for the incoming class of students. While the page is officially used to post orientation information and advertise admitted students weekends, the group is a great way for students to interact. The summer before my freshman year, the class of 2020 used the group to find roommates and even compare universities before making their final decisions. You should be automatically added once you are accepted to Georgetown, but if not I, would reach out to a GAAP ambassador for assistance.
- Attend a performance, a sports game, or a lecture. If you know where your interests lie, then it is necessary to explore those interests before you commit to Georgetown. If you envision a fall filled with tailgates and crowded football games, for example, Georgetown is not the place for you. Even if you are not yet sure what you will want to pursue in college, attending campus events might introduce you to new activities and unlock some hidden passions.
Conclusion
Compiling essays, standardized tests, and portfolios are inherently stressful components of the college application process, but visiting schools should be the fun part! It wasn’t until I visited my top choices that I felt excited, rather than scared, to leave home and start my next chapter. Tours exist to introduce you to a school’s campus and students before you make your formal decision, and the last thing a university wants to do is cause stress or confusion.
When it comes to visiting Georgetown University, these tips are meant to make your life easier so you can stress less and enjoy your weekend away from home! Additionally, it is totally ok if you don’t fall in love with a school right away. I wasn’t crazy about Georgetown until GAAP weekend, which was months after my initial tour; and, if Georgetown is not the right school for you, these tips can help you find the school that is!
Have more questions about Georgetown University? Send them to me at keb283@georgetown.edu!
