Georgetown University Top Questions

There are definitely stereotypes about the typical Georgetown Hoya. Initially, I know that I, too, had a specific image in mind when I thought about the Georgetown campus; I pictured preppy, somewhat snooty kids walking around talking about either basketball or politics in polo shirts and riding boots. This for sure detracted a fair amount from my interests in Georgetown. However, I believe that this kind of preppy stereotype expectation exists almost everywhere in the northeast. The biggest piece of advice that I would give to any high school junior or senior debating where they want to spend the next four years is this: don't judge a school based on rumors or based on a few individuals you may see while visiting. College is a fantastic place because it is home to the presence of infinite types of individuals with unending interests, backgrounds, personalities, and talents to offer. Stereotypes pretty much cease to exist once you get here. You bond and connect with the people who fit you and what you're looking for in friendships. And you branch out to others who may NOT be your 'type,' too. Georgetown is especially amazing for having those opportunities to extend friendships in every which way; the clubs, organizations, classes, majors, dining and housing facilities all allow it so you're constantly seeing familiar faces or coming across new ones that you want to become familiar. So yes, while maybe this 'preppy' stereotype exists at Georgetown initially. But you have to understand that stereotypes are just impressions, judgements that are assumed by what you see on the surface. At Georgetown, kids are coming from all over the world to be in D.C. and to have access to the great opportunities that the nation's capital offers. For this reason especially, the diversity is incomparable. The languages you hear on camps vary daily. The dress styles, student performances, and organizations are all a testament to the vast heterogeneity that exists on campus. Yet the Hoya pride unites everyone still, maintaining student cohesion and a bright, vibrant community that is ultimately without stereotypes, at all.

There are definitely stereotypes about the typical Georgetown Hoya. Initially, I know that I, too, had a specific image in mind when I thought about the Georgetown campus; I pictured preppy, somewhat snooty kids walking around talking about either basketball or politics in polo shirts and riding boots. This for sure detracted a fair amount from my interests in Georgetown. However, I believe that this kind of preppy stereotype expectation exists almost everywhere in the northeast. The biggest piece of advice that I would give to any high school junior or senior debating where they want to spend the next four years is this: don't judge a school based on rumors or based on a few individuals you may see while visiting. College is a fantastic place because it is home to the presence of infinite types of individuals with unending interests, backgrounds, personalities, and talents to offer. Stereotypes pretty much cease to exist once you get here. You bond and connect with the people who fit you and what you're looking for in friendships. And you branch out to others who may NOT be your 'type,' too. Georgetown is especially amazing for having those opportunities to extend friendships in every which way; the clubs, organizations, classes, majors, dining and housing facilities all allow it so you're constantly seeing familiar faces or coming across new ones that you want to become familiar. So yes, while maybe this 'preppy' stereotype exists at Georgetown initially. But you have to understand that stereotypes are just impressions, judgements that are assumed by what you see on the surface. At Georgetown, kids are coming from all over the world to be in D.C. and to have access to the great opportunities that the nation's capital offers. For this reason especially, the diversity is incomparable. The languages you hear on camps vary daily. The dress styles, student performances, and organizations are all a testament to the vast heterogeneity that exists on campus. Yet the Hoya pride unites everyone still, maintaining student cohesion and a bright, vibrant community that is ultimately without stereotypes, at all.

Georgetown University works extremely hard to find a wide range of students with a wide range of interests. They come from different backgrounds, states, countries, activities, and interests. If there was one commonality among all students attending, it would probably be their ambition and passion. Georgetown students are stereotyped as poli sci junkies heading for an internship of the Hilltop, but this definitely does not describe the majority of students.

A common stereotype at Georgetown is that everyone attending wants to run for President someday! While many of the students attending have an interest in politics, Georgetown has a place for everyone with every interest. With over 200 student organizations and events around campus, it's easy to find students who are just like you and who share the willingness to succeed.

The stereotypical Georgetowner rocks J. Crew and Sperrys...regardless of gender. With this said though, it's important to reiterate that this is a stereotype! Of course these Georgetown poster children wonder the front quad, but among them you see artistic hipsters, international divas and divos, bookworms and everything in between. The stereotype of a conservative preppy Georgetown student was something I was concerned about before coming here, but it has not held true for me. Another stereotype that dominates is a workaholic student body. While I admittedly do fall into this unfortunate category, it's refreshing that not everybody does. A common phrase here is "that's so Georgetown". In lay man terms, this means "that's so driven, impressive, and a little bit insane". Put in context, white boys standing in the back of a party speaking Intensive Advanced Arabic to each other...that's so Georgetown. Most people do work hard, but not everybody is to the point of no-sleep excess like the stereotype hints. There are some who do nothing but relax and enjoy the ride, while there are others that look like raccoons from too many late nights in Lau. With this said though, I am so pleased with the range of personalities and interests that I have encountered in the Georgetown student body. My advice is do not let stereotypes fool or dissuade you because they are often do not apply to the entire population...at least that's the nice case here.