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| Jack the Bulldog |
Georgetown University, which our
Chicago cohort will be visiting on July 9th, is one of the nation’s
best universities. Its history, renowned academic programs, and religious
affiliation make it one of a kind.
Founded in 1789 by John Carroll and located
in Washington, D.C., Georgetown U is the oldest private Catholic and Jesuit institute
of higher learning in the country. Patrick F. Healy, the first African American
to earn a Ph.D. and head a major U.S. university (who is often considered the
second founder of Georgetown U ), reformed the university’s curriculum. He
lengthened the medical and law programs, created the Alumni Association, and
headed the construction of Healy Hall.
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| Healy Hall |
After the Civil War, Georgetown
students chose blue (the color of Union uniforms) and gray (the color of
Confederate uniforms) as their official colors to show unity between students. Perhaps
their motto, Utraque Unum (both into
one), also demonstrates this unity.
The 16,000 or so students who go
there have several schools to choose from: Georgetown College, Georgetown Law,
Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Robert E. McDonough School of
Business, School of Medicine, McCourt School of Public Policy, and more.
The business program and
opportunities to be involved in politics are some things that Georgetown
University is known for. Ambitious political and business leaders have been
shaped at Georgetown U, such as Bill Clinton, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (the former
president of the Philippines), and various other governors, cabinet members,
White House staff. Their basketball team, the Hoyas, is also ranked among the
top basketball programs in the country.
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| Hoyas! |
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| Georgetown U's Library |
Based on reviews by students, the social
life there is pretty great. Though there are no Greek organizations, there are
various museums, theaters, concert halls, and monuments to see, both on campus
and in Washington D.C. (such as the White House, Smithsonian, Washington Monument,
and Lincoln Memorial).
Based on some reviews online, I read
how there are a lot of prerequisites students have to take. The review said
they had no time for extracurricular classes. Though I’m guessing that’s
probably what makes Georgetown U students so great, I also want to explore new topics
in college and take some extracurricular classes. I’ll try to see if that’s the
case when we visit.
Based on what I read online, what I
like the best about Georgetown U is their mission. They “work together to help
solve… poverty, disease and conflict”, and are committed to “justice and the
common good.” I even read that students spend Spring Break helping communities
outside of Washington, D.C., a tradition that continues today.
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| Georgetown U students shaving their heads for cancer |
One of the things I learned from
Elspeth and others at the SF dinner is that a big part of determining which college
is for you is the feeling you get when you’re actually there—when you feel that
place is just right. I don’t know if
Georgetown will be the one for me, but I’ll definitely be ready to find out by
July 9th.
