The medical students who enroll in GW’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences are as diverse as the experiences and specialties offered. Check out the class profile to see all the variety in our recent incoming class.
Life on Campus
While coursework is an integral part of any medical student's life, it is only part of the experience at GW. There are plenty of education-related opportunities outside the classroom. Moreover, an ideal location in the heart of the nation's capital creates plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, enjoying cultural events, exploring, or even discovering a new favorite hobby.
Ross Hall is the center of activity for both the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the School of Public Health and Health Services. As a result, health professions students congregate in the building, sharing the library, student lounge, and activity space. The GW Hospital is adjacent to Ross Hall with a full-service cafeteria and Starbucks.
Students can also unwind right inside Ross Hall. The new “all wireless” student lounge is available for relaxation 24 hours a day. A separate kitchen area is equipped with microwaves, a refrigerator, tables, and chairs. In addition, there are two big-screen TVs with DVD players. Large, comfortable couches and chairs complete the spacious area.
GW student oraganizations and associations sponsor a variety of activities, including educational and social events. The Marvin Center is home to the Student Activities Center, student organization offices, the Dorothy Betts Marvin Theater, a travel agency, campus bookstore, the "J Street" food court, and a Ticketmaster. Nearby Lisner Auditorium presents plays, musicals, and major concerts.
Students interested in athletics can participate in activities, such as intramural sports and aerobics classes. The brand new, state-of-the-art Lerner Health and Wellness Center, located only two blocks from Ross Hall, is an 188,000 square foot facility that hosts a wide variety of fitness and instructional classes; walk-in recreation; club and intramural sports; and wellness programs and services. It includes a wellness and fitness instructional multi-purpose room; a 9,800 square foot cardiovascular and strengthening center; gymnasiums with basketball, volleyball, or badminton courts and racquetball courts; an indoor 3-lane jogging track, and a 3-lane indoor 25-yard lap pool.
Life in Washington D.C.
GW is an intimate campus nestled in the heart of one of the most powerful cities in the world. The campus is within walking distance of the White House, the World Bank, the Department of State, the National Academy of Sciences, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Smithsonian Institution, and many other governmental, historical, and cultural landmarks. The campus is subway accessible; the Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro stop sits immediately outside Ross Hall.
D.C. also boasts a variety of cultural activities. Students have easy access to a wide variety of museums, including the Air and Space Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of American History, as well as art galleries, such as the National Gallery of Art, the Hirshorn Museum, and the Corcoran Gallery of Art, most of which are free of charge. The National Theater, the Warner Theater, Arena Stage, the Shakespeare Theater, among numerous others, bring a range of shows to the city.
A diverse and exciting nightlife surrounds the campus. Two nearby neighborhoods - Georgetown, with its historic charm, and Adams Morgan, characterized by ethnic diversity and flavor - offer restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and nightspots galore.
Washington is a beautiful city for outdoor activities. The downtown and neighboring communities are filled with trails for hiking, biking, running, and inline skating. For those who prefer the water, there are paddleboats for rent along the Tidal Basin and canoeing down the Potomac River, all within easy walking distance of the campus. Adults and children alike enjoy the excitement of the National Zoo, where the pandas on loan from China are always the main attraction.
Washington is uniquely situated near the mountains for hiking and skiing, the Chesapeake Bay for fishing and water sports, the beach for a relaxing getaway, and scenic Skyline Drive for camping or nature watching.