Congratulations! You have been accepted to Georgetown, one of the greatest universities in the world. There’s a lot in store for you here over the next few years, so it’s time to start getting pumped.
In case you aren’t already, totally 100% sold on why Georgetown is the best place ever, here is a quick breakdown of the 10 best things about being a Hoya.
10. Campus
For starters, have you seen the campus?? Walking through the front gates for the first time is truly a breathtaking experience. With Healy Hall straight ahead and the beautiful lawn stretched out in front of you, there is no way to avoid that giddy feeling as you first step onto campus. You will grow so accustomed to the hourly chime of the clocktower that you hardly notice it, and the John Carroll statue will become just as familiar a face as all the kids on your freshman floor. Over the next four years, the Georgetown campus will truly become your home–and I promise, it’s an awesome home to have.
9. Students
Perhaps more important than its aesthetic qualities, however, is Georgetown’s student body. Your classmates will come from all over the world, and you will find yourself surrounded by friends of all different backgrounds and beliefs. Through the diversity of the student body, you will likely find yourself exposed to entirely new viewpoints and ideas–you might find yourself learning from your peers just as much as you learn from your professors!
8. Jesuit Values
This probably won’t be the first time you hear Jesuit Values mentioned (and it certainly won’t be the last), but Georgetown prides itself on its Jesuit heritage. Values such as “Cura Personalis” and educating the whole person really do materialize within the classroom, and you will notice how they shape class discussions and the overall learning environment.
7. Professors
The professors at Georgetown are one of the reasons getting an education at Georgetown is such a cool experience. They are world-class researchers, authors, media correspondents–but they are also parents, mentors, and even friends. You will learn so much from your professors, so don’t be afraid to go to office hours or stay after class to get to know them. You will be so happy you did.
6. Guest Speakers
During your time at Georgetown, you will have the opportunity to see a number of exciting guest speakers. This year alone, we’ve had visits from Bernie Sanders, Martin O’Malley, Former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel–and the creators of Breaking Bad even stopped by for a classroom visit!
5. Verizon Center
Even if you’re not a sports fan, you should still experience at least one basketball game in the Verizon Center. The student section fills up with masses of loyal Hoyas, who come ready to cheer on the team in their best Blue and Gray attire. Cheering on your team in the Verizon Center with so many dedicated fans is a super cool experience–win or lose.
4. Our Mascot
If you follow Hoya basketball at all, you’ve probably seen our mascot, Jack the Bulldog. Having the coolest (and most talented!) mascot in the game is definitely one of the best things about Georgetown. His Halloween costumes top anyone’s on campus, and he rides skateboards better than most people can. Seeing him walking across the lawn on your daily commute to class will immediately brighten your day.
3. Our Neighbors
Aside from our adorable mascot, we have some pretty cool neighbors. Did you see who wished us a happy 200th birthday? POTUS isn’t sending birthday messages to just anybody, so this was definitely one for the books. We also live blocks away from John Kerry and Madeleine Albright, and Joe Biden has been known to stop by Dahlgren Chapel for mass!
2. Our Location
Speaking of our super famous neighbor, let’s not forget about all of the awesome perks of going to school in the nation’s capital. From the monuments to the museums, to the Cherry Blossom Festival and kayaking along the Potomac, you will never run out of places to explore and activities to try. You can try out the coveted Hill-ternship, or study for finals in the gorgeous Library of Congress. Georgetown is located in one of the most powerful and exciting cities in the world, so be sure to explore it.
1. Being able to call yourself a “Hoya”
I can’t single out the number one best thing about being a Hoya, because it is the whole experience combined that makes life at Georgetown so incredible. From the bonds you will form on your freshman floor, to the snow days spent playing on Copley Lawn, to finally experiencing your much-anticipated Tomb’s Night–there are too many parts of the ‘Georgetown Experience’ to count. It has been an amazing experience seeing my own Georgetown story unfold, and we can’t wait to see yours!
