Freshman Update

by Meredith Habstritt
March 2026

Coming to Georgetown University this August gave me the opportunity to build my own college experience from the ground up. As I take a break from studying for midterms, I’d like to reflect on some elements that have made my freshman year at Georgetown so special. 

One key aspect that made Georgetown the right fit for me was its location! The campus is nestled on “the hilltop,” with views that overlook the Potomac River and the skyline of Rosslyn, Virginia. Some classrooms even offer a view of the Washington and Lincoln monuments. The campus is also a perfect small to medium-size, with the longest commute between classes taking ten to fifteen minutes. Just a half-mile walk from the front gates is the Georgetown neighborhood, where you can find delicious cupcake shops, innovative restaurants, and lots of stores! After graduating from a boarding school in New England, I immediately fell in love with the accessibility of downtown D.C. As a member of the open-access club-running team, I frequently find myself jogging down to the National Mall, up Embassy Row, or into the Theodore Roosevelt Island nature reserve on the Potomac. From museums to monumenting to walking along the waterfront, you’ll never run out of things to do in Georgetown. 

Each freshman is assigned to one of five freshman dorms, each with their own reputation. However, every student ends up as a die-hard advocate that theirs is, in fact, the best. Each student has a roommate, and four out of the five dorms have communal bathrooms. Although the rooms are small, the community is what makes Georgetown feel like home! The first people I met were through my dorm community, but it’s easy to branch out through clubs, classes, and chance encounters. Students here are passionate, driven, and fun! There’s a wide range of students on the “work-hard-play-hard” spectrum, but generally, most people are equally excited to spearhead new opportunities and socialize. It’s easy to find friends who match your ideal balance. 

Of course, the entire campus comes together for some special traditions. In the fall, Homecoming Saturday brings out school spirit in students and alumni alike. While I haven’t experienced my first spring yet, I’ve heard that St. Patrick’s Day and Georgetown Day are also cherished traditions. 

Club culture here took me by surprise, as many of my peers were swept up in club applications, coffee chats, and interviews within the first month of school. For better or worse, clubs are an important factor in everyone’s Georgetown experience, but the wide range of opportunities caters to everyone’s unique interests. Many clubs are also open-access and allow new freshmen to find a community without the intense application process that more technical pre-professional clubs require. If you choose to pursue application-only clubs, be prepared for rejection, but stay persistent! Application cycles happen every fall and spring, so it’s 100% normal to apply for a club several times.

Classes are another big part of my college experience. While most entry-level classes are lecture style, I was surprised that my biology professor learned the names of 150 students within two weeks. That’s just one example of the caring approach that all Georgetown professors take. While Georgetown remains a top research university, professors are drawn to the institution because of their love of teaching. All of my classes, from history to introductory Theology to pre-med requirements, have challenged me, but it’s possible to find success if you use your resources well. Don’t be afraid to go to office hours! Even though I was nervous to meet my professors for the first time, all of them turned out to be empathetic and eager to speak with me. I also learned to take advantage of the wonderful student TAs in my larger lectures. You will learn that they have all succeeded in the course, so their advice is always helpful. 

If you’re ready to explore the city, meet driven peers, and challenge yourself in new ways, Georgetown may be the place for you. It certainly was the place for me. Hoya Saxa!