2008 Woodie Awards
An Insider's Guide to Life at Georgetown
Jenna Weiner
Issue date: 7/9/08 Section: News
Hey Hoyas! How long's it been?
Don't know the answer? You're in the right place. We at The Independent are here to answer that question and many more, as you prepare to start one of your most memorable journeys - your Georgetown career. Here is our insider's guide to Georgetown, all the things we wish we knew before settling in on the Hilltop. Oh and by the way, the answer is the fight song; that is its starting cue. Don't worry, you'll learn!
Registering for Classes
The Course Catalog
After rejoicing about finally picking whatever classes you want (that is what college means, right?), it may be slightly disappointing to realize that, as a new student, your class choices are somewhat limited to general education and major/program requirements. But don't despair - even within those realms, there are many different choices. Problem of God, for example, one of the staples of the Theology general education curriculum, has many different sections, each with a unique focus. Choose the one that best suits your interest.
Once you determine some class choices that seem interesting, make sure to note the meeting times. (And yes, "R" means "Thursday." Go figure.) Some words of caution: 8:50s are tough, but they start your day early so you can often end early. The question is - would you rather sleep in or have the afternoon free? And remember, a Tuesday 8:50 and a Friday 8:50 are two totally different stories. Choose wisely.
After meeting times, there is one more crucial aspect to consider - the professor.
Rate My Professor
Thanks to the incredible power of the Internet, college students around the country have teamed up to create the ultimate secret weapon for class registration - Ratemyprofessor.com. What used to be a well-kept student secret is now a student standard, leaving us wondering what we would do without its wealth of knowledge.
Here's how it works: now that you have picked out some classes that look interesting, go to the website, click on the tab entitled "Find your school," and type in "Georgetown." Click on the correct school - otherwise you will end up at Georgetown College in Kentucky, and who wants that? - and click the first letter of the last name for the professor in question.
Here you will find many tools. There is a breakdown at the top of all the numeric ratings - clarity, easiness, helpfulness, and even hotness, on a scale of 1-5 (5 being the best). Below that, you will find individual comments about the professor, labeled by the date the class was taken and the specific class being discussed. The comments are the most helpful - read through a page or two to get a feel for the general opinion on campus. Is the professor easy but a snooze? Difficult but really knowledgeable? Is the class an easy A or a worthwhile experience? Here is where you will also find the legend of campus all-stars: professors such as Professor Sabat in Psychology, Professor Knoll in English, Professor Daddio in Sociology and Father Schall in Government. Look for cues such as, "you MUST take this professor once in your Georgetown career!" Yes, people do get that passionate about a favorite professor. So find a good one!
But what happens if the professor in question is not on Ratemyprofessor? Then you have a difficult decision. The professor may be new, or perhaps just unrated. Some people refuse to take the risk, but others take the chance. You could discover a fabulous professor or the worst class of your life. The question is: are you feeling lucky?
Ordering Books
Some consider the outrageous crowd in the bookstore at the beginning of each semester to be manageable or even enjoyable - you can see old friends and have plenty of time to catch up while you wait in line. But if waiting and crowds aren't for you, consider using Efollett.com to order your books. The timing might not work for the Fall 2008 semester, as you might not get your registration results in time, but it is definitely something to consider for future semesters. Go to the website, select DC, then Georgetown Main Campus, then textbooks. Select your semester, and in the drop-down list choose each class by its course number. The website will tell you which books are required, and you can put them in your cart and place the order. Your textbooks will be packaged together and waiting for you to pick them up at the bookstore when the semester starts… read: no checkout line!
Though Efollett may help you beat the crowd, it won't help you beat the prices. Bookstore prices (which are the same on Efollett) are notoriously staggering. To avoid the markup, try buying your textbooks on Amazon.com or even Barnesandnoble.com once you get your list of textbooks for each class (you can wait for the syllabus or cheat by looking at the list on Efollett). No wait and cheaper prices - is it too good to be true? Perhaps; you may not be able to get the same edition as everyone else, and they might not arrive by the time class starts.
Georgetown Traditions
The Seal
You probably all remember from your tours that big Georgetown seal embossed on the steps of Healy Hall. And hopefully you all remember to walk around it, or, as legend dictates, you will not graduate in 4 years. Even during the busiest of passing times, the rush of students always streams around the seal. You get used to it.
Halloween
Every Halloween, crowds line up for the two showings of The Exorcist played in Healy Hall. As you all know, the "exorcist stairs" are just outside our front door, so enjoy hearing the crowd of students - dressed in their best costumes, of course - clap and cheer when they show scenes of Georgetown. Bonus points for attending the first showing, where Groove Theory (the hip-hop dance group that has a well-deserved fanatical following on campus) performs Michael Jackson's thriller dance, complete with zombie costumes. Priceless. Please note - Halloween lasts not one, not two, but three nights (if the day itself does not fall on a weekend. Then it only lasts two nights… unless you count Thursday). Students have been known to have a different costume for each night. Be prepared.
Homecoming
This year's homecoming weekend is October 9-12. Not only is it a good time for all the Hoya alumni who make their way back to the Hilltop, but it is quite entertaining for current Hoyas as well. The weekend includes Traditions Day events, community service events, the Hilltop 5k race, and the football tailgate party. The whole area next to the football field comes alive with barbeque, beer, and general entertainment for all (all ages too!). The weekend also features the much-anticipated Homecoming Formal. The day of the football game may be one of the only days where Georgetown students are happy to wake up early to start the festivities!
Georgetown Day
This may be the only other day where Georgetown students are happy to wake up early to start the festivities. In an all-day, all-free celebration of the joyousness that is Hoyaland, Healy Lawn is filled with everything from GUGS (Georgetown University Grilling Society) barbeques to popcorn and cotton candy, plus lots of rides and blow-up toys. No one seems to mind that we regress about fifteen years; in fact, that is part of the fun. Hang out on the lawn all day with friends (this is usually around the last day of classes, so the weather is sunny and warm), soaking up the sun, the fun, and the musical performances. It feels good to be a Hoya.
Rangila
Run by the South Asian Society, this event is easily the biggest cultural event on campus. With crowds of at least 1,500 people each year, the event raises over $10,000 for a vocational training school in India. The event consists of about 10 group dances which reflect the many different aspects and areas of South Asian culture; and a handful of independent acts which range from music, theater and individual dances, often representing other cultures. Even in the chilly November air, students camp out in Red Square to get tickets, which sell out in about fifteen or thirty minutes.
Diplomatic Ball (aka Dip Ball)
Not just for SFS-ers! The Dip Ball is a formal held in the spring in which dozens of statesmen, foreign dignitaries, and other VIPs mingle with students, faculty, and deans "at a prestigious location for an evening of music and dancing," according to the SFS website. Previous locations have included the Embassy of the Russian Federation, the Embassy of the Republic of France, the Old Postal Pavilion, and the National Building Museum. You came to the nation's capital for a reason!
Monument Runs
Don't want to make the hike to Yates? Want to avoid the 5 PM treadmill lines? Take advantage of Georgetown's wonderful location and run to the monuments. Though you can make it any length you want, the average route is about 3.6 miles. Enjoy!
Chicken Finger Thursday
Pretty self-explanatory. Every Thursday, crowds gather for the one meal that tends to unite dining hall enthusiasts and haters alike. Don't wait until you're really hungry, or else the lines will drive you crazy. And don't shy away from being creative - those crispy pieces of heaven are fabulous on salad or mixed with hot sauce to make buffalo tenders.
Practical Matters
Speaking of chicken fingers... here are some quick tips for the things that every new student gets a little worried about: eating and laundry. Even for you guys out there who have never cooked a meal or done a load of laundry for yourself, it is very simple. The easy way out? You just go to the dining hall and to the laundry room in your building, both of which take your GoCard as currency. You will come to love the dining hall, not for its food but for its social atmosphere, a place where you can meet friends and sit down together to talk as long as you want. And you will get used to laundry - just don't forget to sort your whites and colors and take your clothes out of the dryer as soon as possible before they get wrinkled or someone steals them (the latter is a true story, unfortunately). And despite all your best intentions, you will probably never make it to breakfast (especially you brave 8:50 souls!), so keep a carton of milk in your minifridge and a bowl of cereal on your bookshelf. Brunch, on the other hand, is an entirely different story. Brunch at Georgetown is not just a tradition, but a staple. Meet at the dining hall (or, better yet, at Tombs, Clyde's or Booey's) to rehash the night before and enjoy each other's company. The french toast sticks are a bonus.
This is by no means a definitive list of all the things Georgetown has to offer, nor is the advice tried and true; this is just a collection of things we at The Indy humbly offer you as things we wish we had known when we were eager pre-freshmen. Above all else, just remember - go out there and have your own experiences, either encouraged by this list or not. It is your four years, it is your Georgetown. Make it unforgettable.
Weiner is News Editor and an English senior.
Don't know the answer? You're in the right place. We at The Independent are here to answer that question and many more, as you prepare to start one of your most memorable journeys - your Georgetown career. Here is our insider's guide to Georgetown, all the things we wish we knew before settling in on the Hilltop. Oh and by the way, the answer is the fight song; that is its starting cue. Don't worry, you'll learn!
Registering for Classes
The Course Catalog
After rejoicing about finally picking whatever classes you want (that is what college means, right?), it may be slightly disappointing to realize that, as a new student, your class choices are somewhat limited to general education and major/program requirements. But don't despair - even within those realms, there are many different choices. Problem of God, for example, one of the staples of the Theology general education curriculum, has many different sections, each with a unique focus. Choose the one that best suits your interest.
Once you determine some class choices that seem interesting, make sure to note the meeting times. (And yes, "R" means "Thursday." Go figure.) Some words of caution: 8:50s are tough, but they start your day early so you can often end early. The question is - would you rather sleep in or have the afternoon free? And remember, a Tuesday 8:50 and a Friday 8:50 are two totally different stories. Choose wisely.
After meeting times, there is one more crucial aspect to consider - the professor.
Rate My Professor
Thanks to the incredible power of the Internet, college students around the country have teamed up to create the ultimate secret weapon for class registration - Ratemyprofessor.com. What used to be a well-kept student secret is now a student standard, leaving us wondering what we would do without its wealth of knowledge.
Here's how it works: now that you have picked out some classes that look interesting, go to the website, click on the tab entitled "Find your school," and type in "Georgetown." Click on the correct school - otherwise you will end up at Georgetown College in Kentucky, and who wants that? - and click the first letter of the last name for the professor in question.
Here you will find many tools. There is a breakdown at the top of all the numeric ratings - clarity, easiness, helpfulness, and even hotness, on a scale of 1-5 (5 being the best). Below that, you will find individual comments about the professor, labeled by the date the class was taken and the specific class being discussed. The comments are the most helpful - read through a page or two to get a feel for the general opinion on campus. Is the professor easy but a snooze? Difficult but really knowledgeable? Is the class an easy A or a worthwhile experience? Here is where you will also find the legend of campus all-stars: professors such as Professor Sabat in Psychology, Professor Knoll in English, Professor Daddio in Sociology and Father Schall in Government. Look for cues such as, "you MUST take this professor once in your Georgetown career!" Yes, people do get that passionate about a favorite professor. So find a good one!
But what happens if the professor in question is not on Ratemyprofessor? Then you have a difficult decision. The professor may be new, or perhaps just unrated. Some people refuse to take the risk, but others take the chance. You could discover a fabulous professor or the worst class of your life. The question is: are you feeling lucky?
Ordering Books
Some consider the outrageous crowd in the bookstore at the beginning of each semester to be manageable or even enjoyable - you can see old friends and have plenty of time to catch up while you wait in line. But if waiting and crowds aren't for you, consider using Efollett.com to order your books. The timing might not work for the Fall 2008 semester, as you might not get your registration results in time, but it is definitely something to consider for future semesters. Go to the website, select DC, then Georgetown Main Campus, then textbooks. Select your semester, and in the drop-down list choose each class by its course number. The website will tell you which books are required, and you can put them in your cart and place the order. Your textbooks will be packaged together and waiting for you to pick them up at the bookstore when the semester starts… read: no checkout line!
Though Efollett may help you beat the crowd, it won't help you beat the prices. Bookstore prices (which are the same on Efollett) are notoriously staggering. To avoid the markup, try buying your textbooks on Amazon.com or even Barnesandnoble.com once you get your list of textbooks for each class (you can wait for the syllabus or cheat by looking at the list on Efollett). No wait and cheaper prices - is it too good to be true? Perhaps; you may not be able to get the same edition as everyone else, and they might not arrive by the time class starts.
Georgetown Traditions
The Seal
You probably all remember from your tours that big Georgetown seal embossed on the steps of Healy Hall. And hopefully you all remember to walk around it, or, as legend dictates, you will not graduate in 4 years. Even during the busiest of passing times, the rush of students always streams around the seal. You get used to it.
Halloween
Every Halloween, crowds line up for the two showings of The Exorcist played in Healy Hall. As you all know, the "exorcist stairs" are just outside our front door, so enjoy hearing the crowd of students - dressed in their best costumes, of course - clap and cheer when they show scenes of Georgetown. Bonus points for attending the first showing, where Groove Theory (the hip-hop dance group that has a well-deserved fanatical following on campus) performs Michael Jackson's thriller dance, complete with zombie costumes. Priceless. Please note - Halloween lasts not one, not two, but three nights (if the day itself does not fall on a weekend. Then it only lasts two nights… unless you count Thursday). Students have been known to have a different costume for each night. Be prepared.
Homecoming
This year's homecoming weekend is October 9-12. Not only is it a good time for all the Hoya alumni who make their way back to the Hilltop, but it is quite entertaining for current Hoyas as well. The weekend includes Traditions Day events, community service events, the Hilltop 5k race, and the football tailgate party. The whole area next to the football field comes alive with barbeque, beer, and general entertainment for all (all ages too!). The weekend also features the much-anticipated Homecoming Formal. The day of the football game may be one of the only days where Georgetown students are happy to wake up early to start the festivities!
Georgetown Day
This may be the only other day where Georgetown students are happy to wake up early to start the festivities. In an all-day, all-free celebration of the joyousness that is Hoyaland, Healy Lawn is filled with everything from GUGS (Georgetown University Grilling Society) barbeques to popcorn and cotton candy, plus lots of rides and blow-up toys. No one seems to mind that we regress about fifteen years; in fact, that is part of the fun. Hang out on the lawn all day with friends (this is usually around the last day of classes, so the weather is sunny and warm), soaking up the sun, the fun, and the musical performances. It feels good to be a Hoya.
Rangila
Run by the South Asian Society, this event is easily the biggest cultural event on campus. With crowds of at least 1,500 people each year, the event raises over $10,000 for a vocational training school in India. The event consists of about 10 group dances which reflect the many different aspects and areas of South Asian culture; and a handful of independent acts which range from music, theater and individual dances, often representing other cultures. Even in the chilly November air, students camp out in Red Square to get tickets, which sell out in about fifteen or thirty minutes.
Diplomatic Ball (aka Dip Ball)
Not just for SFS-ers! The Dip Ball is a formal held in the spring in which dozens of statesmen, foreign dignitaries, and other VIPs mingle with students, faculty, and deans "at a prestigious location for an evening of music and dancing," according to the SFS website. Previous locations have included the Embassy of the Russian Federation, the Embassy of the Republic of France, the Old Postal Pavilion, and the National Building Museum. You came to the nation's capital for a reason!
Monument Runs
Don't want to make the hike to Yates? Want to avoid the 5 PM treadmill lines? Take advantage of Georgetown's wonderful location and run to the monuments. Though you can make it any length you want, the average route is about 3.6 miles. Enjoy!
Chicken Finger Thursday
Pretty self-explanatory. Every Thursday, crowds gather for the one meal that tends to unite dining hall enthusiasts and haters alike. Don't wait until you're really hungry, or else the lines will drive you crazy. And don't shy away from being creative - those crispy pieces of heaven are fabulous on salad or mixed with hot sauce to make buffalo tenders.
Practical Matters
Speaking of chicken fingers... here are some quick tips for the things that every new student gets a little worried about: eating and laundry. Even for you guys out there who have never cooked a meal or done a load of laundry for yourself, it is very simple. The easy way out? You just go to the dining hall and to the laundry room in your building, both of which take your GoCard as currency. You will come to love the dining hall, not for its food but for its social atmosphere, a place where you can meet friends and sit down together to talk as long as you want. And you will get used to laundry - just don't forget to sort your whites and colors and take your clothes out of the dryer as soon as possible before they get wrinkled or someone steals them (the latter is a true story, unfortunately). And despite all your best intentions, you will probably never make it to breakfast (especially you brave 8:50 souls!), so keep a carton of milk in your minifridge and a bowl of cereal on your bookshelf. Brunch, on the other hand, is an entirely different story. Brunch at Georgetown is not just a tradition, but a staple. Meet at the dining hall (or, better yet, at Tombs, Clyde's or Booey's) to rehash the night before and enjoy each other's company. The french toast sticks are a bonus.
This is by no means a definitive list of all the things Georgetown has to offer, nor is the advice tried and true; this is just a collection of things we at The Indy humbly offer you as things we wish we had known when we were eager pre-freshmen. Above all else, just remember - go out there and have your own experiences, either encouraged by this list or not. It is your four years, it is your Georgetown. Make it unforgettable.
Weiner is News Editor and an English senior.
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