Colonial Inauguration 2008

GW Fact or Fiction

Do you think you know everything about GW or do you have lingering questions? We've given the standard FAQs a fun twist! Find out how knowledgeable you are by testing yourself with the questions below!

Fact or Fiction: CI is a relaxing 2-1/2 day getaway that starts with a leisurely check-in at 10 am and ends by 6 pm daily so that you can explore the city on your own.

Fiction! CI is fast-paced, jam-packed, and high-energy! We hope you're up for 2-1/2 days of pure GW action! CI and Residence Hall Check-In begins at 8:30 am on Day 1 and the action doesn't stop until CI Check-Out at about 1 pm on Day 3.

Fact or Fiction: It doesn't matter if I skip CI events.

Fiction! Although there is no penalty for missing CI events, you will truly miss out on the complete CI experience by not attending the scheduled programming. Some of the events may not directly interest you, but CI is about getting to know GW and your fellow classmates.

Fact or Fiction: I should bring my family to CI.

Fact! CI will give your parents a chance to learn more about college life and the new campus you will soon call home. The fee for parents includes 6 meals and evening entertainment. The program also includes many receptions where your parents can get all of their questions answered by the experts. Your parents will receive personal treatment at CI--from their conversations with the Colonial Cabinet to the nightly hotel shuttle service we offer. The Colonials-In-Training (CIT) program is non-stop fun for your younger brothers and sisters (ages 8-17). They will explore GW and DC with current GW students. All siblings will have the opportunity to experience GW's Hippodrome, tour the national monuments, visit the city sights, and enjoy lunch at local restaurants.

Fact or Fiction: I can receive GW credit for AP classes that I took in high school.

Fact! You may be granted academic credit for college-level courses taken in an approved secondary school when accompanied by satisfactory performance on the Advanced Placement examination. You will receive advanced placement credit for scores of four or five. Ask the College Board to send a score report to the Office of Admissions. The credit cannot be assigned until the score report is received.

Fact or Fiction: My Proctor will help guide me through my freshman year.

Fact! Each residence hall has House Proctors that are always available to use as a great resource to help guide you to the answers of all your questions. They will assist you in everything from conflict mediation training to telling you where to go to get involved on campus. They are a great resource, so make sure you take full advantage of them!

Fact or Fiction: If I don't have my own computer, I won't be able to complete my assignments on time.

Fiction! While some students choose to bring personal computers to school, there are computer labs across both the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses (many with 24-hour access)! There are even computer labs in some of the residence halls. For more information about computers in the residence halls, please attend the Technology at GW session during CI.

Fact or Fiction: The Hippo is GW's "official" mascot.

Fiction! The Hippo is GW's "unofficial" mascot. The "official" mascot of GW is the Colonial. However, in 1996, President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg presented a gift to The George Washington University's Class of 2000--a bronze statue of a hippopotamus. It was placed at the center of the campus (at H and 21st streets) and the hippo has become a popular, though unofficial, GW mascot.

Fact or Fiction: The first day of classes is Tuesday, September 2nd.

Fact! And CI will help you plan for it. At CI, you will meet with advisors to confirm your schedule and ensure you are ready to begin your academic career.

Fact or Fiction: I only need to take the math placement exam if I'm in SEAS or GWSB.

Fiction! But it is complicated so read on. If you were admitted into the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) or the GW School of Business (GWSB) then you should register for a math placement test since you will be taking advanced level math courses. If you are in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) or the Elliott School of International Affairs (ESIA) and plan to take an advanced level math course (not Math 9 or Math 10) then you should also sign up for a math placement exam. If you need to take a placement exam but have taken the SAT II in Math, check out the "Academic" section of this Web site to see if your score waives your placement test requirement.

Fact or Fiction: The foreign language placement exam is totally optional.

Fiction! If you plan on continuing study of a language at GW, you must take the placement exam. Please visit the websites listed below for information about each language.

Romance and Slavic Languages: http://www.gwu.edu/~rgsll
East Asian Languages http://www.gwu.edu/~eall
Classical and Semetic Languages http://www.gwu.edu/~csll

Fact or Fiction: Student housing is provided during CI.

Fact! For CI #1-5, you will stay in first-year residence halls. Your parents will be staying in a nearby hotel. For Transfer and International CI, you will move directly into the residence hall you will stay in for the fall.

Fact or Fiction: I will never hear from my Cabinet member again after CI.

Fiction! Your Colonial Cabinet member will act as your guide to GW before, during, and after your CI session. After CI, be sure to check out Welcome Week, an action packed week in which you can take advantage of all GW and DC have to offer and hang out with your favorite Cabinet members. You will also be invited to a small group reunion led by your Cabinet member. Remember your Cabinet member is a student just like you so they will be in some of your classes, eating lunch in J Street, and in many of the student organizations you will join. Please feel free to contact the Colonial Cabinet anytime by emailing CIHQ@gwu.edu.

Fact or Fiction: I can receive a refund if my parents or siblings decide not to come to CI.

Fact! Refunds are generally processed in September, after our Colonial Inauguration sessions have concluded. All refund requests must be made in writing and include the student's name and Social Security number. Refund requests should be sent to CI Headquarters.

Fact or Fiction: My registration for CI is contingent upon completion of the academic planning assignment and payment.

Fiction! However, your advisor needs the academic planning assignment so that he/she can review the information. Payment is needed to complete your registration in Special Programs and your family's CI registration.

Fact or Fiction: CIHQ wants to hear from you!

Fact! If you have any questions about CI, contact CI Headquarters at (202) 994-GWCI or through email at CIHQ@gwu.edu.