Washington, D.C.: When my family and I drove to Georgetown University, we went the back way – past the Georgetown hospital and medical school, through a lane studded with golden-orange trees. We soon reached the main quad, and I was struck by the campus’s beauty: great castle-like buildings rose up amid ancient oaks, and the students – vibrant in their colored jeans and Georgetown sweatshirts – walked all throughout the square.

Georgetown is renowned as an elite university. It’s ranked #20 in the country overall, and it is well known for its programs in government. Located in the political hub of Washington, D.C., it’s ranked #1 in the U.S. for political science according to College Factual. Many students take advantage of these programs; in fact, 38% of Georgetown students major in the social sciences. However, Georgetown is also a cutting-edge research university, labeled by the Carnegie Foundation as having high research activity, and has well-developed programs in science and math. When applying to Georgetown, prospective students can choose to apply to Georgetown College, where the most popular majors are English, History, and Government; the McDonough School of Business; the Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS); or the School of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Georgetown is a tight-knit community. In 2017, it had an undergraduate enrollment of 7,453 students. A student-faculty ratio of 11:1 ensures a personalized experience for every student, and over 60% of classes have fewer than 20 students. The academics are world-class: famous professors include Madeleine Albright, the first woman to become Secretary of State, and Jose Maria Aznar, the former prime minister of Spain.

Georgetown does have core curriculum requirements, including theology. Though Georgetown is associated with Roman Catholicism, its theology courses are incredibly diverse. Classes range from a Hebrew scripture seminar to religious ethics courses and philosophy. Other core classes include math, writing, and science, which are geared toward giving Georgetown students a well-rounded education.
Georgetown has stand-out internship opportunities. While touring the school, I met students who had interned everywhere from the First Lady’s office to a large business based in China. According to our tour guides, some companies specifically seek out Georgetown students for internships because of Georgetown’s reputation.

Georgetown isn’t lacking for a great campus life, either. Students run multiple organizations, including the largest and oldest student-run bank in the country and the school’s newspaper, The Hoya. Georgetown’s mascot, Jack the Bulldog, can often be seen around campus as well, and a student club called Jack Crew is tasked with caring for him.
I’m not a city girl, but I felt comfortable on Georgetown’s campus. It’s situated in a quieter part of town, making it relatively isolated from the hustle and bustle of D.C. The city is only a short walk or ride away, however – a few minutes to downtown at most.

Leaving Georgetown, I couldn’t help but feel that it’s my dream school. Great academics combined with an ideal location make it a truly special university.