The George Washington University will welcome 4,000 admitted students and their families this month during "Inside GW" days April 8, 11, 15, 18 and 22.
The annual series is a passport to the GW experience, offering a high-energy series of events that showcases academics, life in residence halls, student organizations, campus resources and alumni and student success.
It is designed to help students and their families navigate the process of transitioning to life at GW and immerse themselves in the student experience, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Retention Laurie Koehler said.
“Admitted students will have the opportunity to connect with faculty, engage with current Colonials and meet their future classmates,” Ms. Koehler said. “Additionally, they will begin to learn about the extraordinary possibilities that a GW education can provide in the classroom but also in the city of Washington.”
“Inside GW” days begin with a welcome breakfast led by the GW Insiders, a team of student ambassadors trained to guide students and parents through the day. Following the breakfast, students and parents will hear from GW Interim Provost Forrest Maltzman and Dean of Admissions Karen Felton before splitting off into student and parent-specific activities.
The student schedule includes classroom sessions with GW professors, lunch at the Mount Vernon Campus, a student organization fair and “Inside the Yard,” a discussion about campus life with current Colonials and Dean of Student Affairs Peter Konwerski.
The parent schedule offers a primer on student success, an overview of financial aid presented by Associate Vice President of Student Financial Assistance Dan Small, lunch at the Marvin Center and a discussion of the professional opportunities afforded by a GW education with current students, alumni and career services staff.
Families will come together at the end of the day for the Class of 2020 Colonial Bash, which features student performances, free ice cream and Class of 2020 gifts.
“We realize that students and parents often have different objectives and questions when visiting a college campus and to that end, we have created separate schedules for parents and students to ensure that they can make the most of their time at GW,” Ms. Felton said. “At the end of the day, students and their families should leave campus with a better understanding of all aspects of a GW education.”
In addition to the scheduled agenda, office hours for student financial assistance will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Marvin Center Great Hall.
Admitted students and their families also can drop in on tours of the Mount Vernon and Foggy Bottom campuses, residence halls, the Multicultural Student Services Center, the Science and Engineering Hall, the George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum and the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design “NEXT” exhibit. Tour times and location information are available online.
Those who are unable to attend an “Inside GW” day are encouraged to attend one of nine “Final Look” sessions held 11 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the month of April. The comprehensive information sessions hosted at the Admissions Welcome Center include insight from current Colonials, a rundown of financial aid, information about Center for Career Services resources and a free lunch. “Final Look” sessions begin April 12.
“Every year, the admissions office evaluates our admitted student programming to identify ways that we can provide a better experience to visiting families—this year is no exception,” Ms. Felton said. “Final Look sessions will highlight important aspects of the GW experience and help to answer any pressing questions that prospective students and their families have.”
With so many future Colonials on campus for the first time during the month of April, the entire GW community should offer warm smiles and kind words to whomever they can, Ms. Koehler said.
“Even if a current Colonial is not volunteering with our admissions team, we hope that they'll offer to give directions or answer any questions that families have,” Ms. Koehler said. “These small actions can have a significant impact on a student looking to find their home.
“It takes an entire university community to enroll a class of talented and excited students.”