Georgetown University (GU)

Georgetown University's Jesuit roots are reflected in its educational mission of "care for the whole person." This helps to foster a vibrant intellectual atmosphere, one where classroom learning is "balanced with extracurricular learning and development." The school is also rooted in a spirit of "restless inquiry," and students are encouraged to constantly question the world around them, whether-for example-in a robust study abroad program at Georgetown's villa outside of Florence, Italy, or an undergraduate course aimed at fighting wrongful convictions. Along with its many stellar academic programs, the university features the standout School of Foreign Service, which, thanks to its direct proximity to Washington D.C., offers key internships in government, "high-profile guest speakers," and one-of-a-kind networking opportunities, like the chance to discuss conflict resolution with ambassadors.

Regardless of major, all Hoyas have access to a "great selection of very knowledgeable professors, split with a good proportion of those who are experienced in realms outside of academia...and career academics." Undergrads also report that the faculty tend to be "fantastic scholars and teachers" and are "generally available to students." Even better, professors are typically "interested in getting to know you as a person (if you put forth the effort to talk to them and go to office hours)." Finally, while classes are rather rigorous, students emphasize that "Georgetown is...a place where people work very, very hard without feeling like they are in direct competition."

Georgetown's global reach is certainly reflected in its student body. With undergraduates hailing from all 50 states and "a ton of international students" from over 130 countries, you'll find plenty of classmates from diverse, well-traveled, and well-educated backgrounds. Even better, students here actively want to learn about different people and experiences and benefit from the fact that roughly one-third of the student body is fluent in more than one language. Many undergrads are also very interested in the goings on of the government, so much so that they advise enrollees to "have at least some interest in politics or you will feel out-of-place." Overall, students tend to carry themselves with a professional polish that extends from attitudes and interests to wardrobes. To that end, preppy-casual is the fashion de rigueur. Nevertheless, with over 7,000 students, you can rest assured that there are "plenty of groups for everybody to fit into and find their niche" and even "much crossover between groups."

Georgetown pulses with an energy and activity that's to be expected from a school in the heart of America's capital. Students here are motivated and eager to participate in campus life, and "are always headed somewhere, it seems-to rehearsal, athletic practice, a guest speaker, [or] the gym." Indeed, from the university's six a cappella groups and the Guild of Bands (an organization for pop, jazz, and rock ensembles) to club rock climbing and the Georgetown FinTech Club, there's so much to take part in. Community service and political activism are especially popular, along with cheering on Georgetown's storied basketball team. One thing that students note is that many events, like parties, "tend to have a somewhat networking atmosphere; meeting people you don't know is a constant theme." Regardless of the activities, Hoyas pride themselves on always learning.