The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Shubha, a CCAS sophomore planning to study public health and statistics.
The blinking cursor on the empty Word document titled “Public Health Major Application” seemed to have been more productive than I had been in the last hour. I stared blankly at the question, unable to formulate sentences that seem unique, but not too quirky; witty, but not forced humor; researched, but not all-knowing, all while cramming all my passion, drive and work ethic into just 250 words. With that kind of mindset, it’s no surprise that the application I’ve been waiting to fill out since I stepped foot on GW’s campus stayed blank for over a week.
My experience applying into the public health major is not unlike the experience many honors students face. From internships to academic programs to orgs, wanting to be involved often comes with having to fill out an application. Asking us to put our thoughts and ideas into a limited amount of words, especially when the question is quirky, can be difficult.
When faced with my application, I found myself looking to write what I thought was the right answer instead of my answer. I was trying to be what I thought the public heath admissions office would want to hear, completely defeating the point of answering these questions. While it can feel like you have to appear to be a certain way, an application is often the only way someone can get to know you. Trying to be something else can seem disingenuine and not give the admissions office or employer a chance to know the amazing person you actually are. Once I let go of that idea, I noticed my writing came more naturally and was in line with my thoughts.
Limited space can also be a difficult step to overcome. I realized it was not not an issue of having nothing to say, but instead having too much to say! I was overwhelmed and didn’t know where to start, leaving my Word document as blank as when I had started. I find that outlining what you want to say, and then formulating complete sentences around them can ensure that important points do not get cut because of the word limit, but can help eliminate fluff.
Most importantly, don’t let having to do an application stop you! On top of homework and tests, it can be hard to find time to also answer questions that require thinking and editing. I’ve personally missed out on some incredible opportunities because I let the application fall behind my other homework. If you find something you’re really interested in, be sure to make the time to get the questions done. For all you know, it could be the experience you’ll be writing about in your own blog post one day!
Category: Student Voices
#HonorsProblems: Setting Your Non-Negotiables
The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Nicky, a GWSB sophomore studying international business, Spanish, and philosophy.
To Whom It May Concern:
You’re probably reading this because you study(ied) or work(ed) at the beautiful George Washington University, so you most likely are very comfortable with our culture of getting internships like they are the candy on Halloween (Happy October spooky fam!). So, as an 18-20something-year-old attending GW and trying to build the biggest and best resume, you may be seeking an internship, or even be offered an internship at some point (because as UHP students we are just that good). Now, here’s the catch- what if said internship is 25 hours a week while you are taking 18 credits, or if it is in New York City over the summer and you are from Des Moines, Iowa? What do you do? Do you just take the internship because your resume keeps you up at night, or do you try to find something that works better? Here is my answer:
Find your non-negotiables.
A friend last year at my internship said this to me, and it has stuck with me since then. Here is my example:
I (being the GW student I detailed earlier) wanted an internship my first summer after college, because you know… that’s normal? (No it really isn’t please talk to people from other universities they’ll think you’re crazy). My issue came about because I have a life back home in Pennsylvania, and most of the internships I was finding were in DC, and they were exactly what I wanted to do later in my life and they paid VERY well compared to PA’s $7.25 minimum wage. Clearly, the DC internships were enticing, but I sat down with my advisors (shout out Mary) and friends and realized that I was 19, and I should really be focusing on my friends and girlfriend back home, because they are a super important part of my life. Does this then mean I just wasn’t going to get an internship? Nah, it just means that I should make sure whoever my employer is knows about my non-negotiables.
The story has a happy ending of course! I got an internship working for Keller Williams Real Estate, which is something I’ve always been interested in, but I made sure that it was close to home (only 10 minutes) and that I had weekends and one day off during the workweek to see my friends and girlfriend. Setting those non-negotiables did its job: I was able to see my girlfriend every Tuesday and see my friends and her on the weekends, which was a great balance.
This is just my example of setting non-negotiables, but it can really be applied anywhere: in class, at work, at home, with friends, etc. If you take a step back and clearly figure out what you want in the next part of your life, it makes it a lot easier to go out and grab it. Hopefully, your non-negotiables are clear like mine were, but if not, don’t fret, just always be looking out for the things or people that mean the most to you and try to put them first… it has allowed me to live a much happier life.
All the best,
Nicky Cacchione
#HonorsProblems: No Sleep? No Problem.
The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Michelle, a CCAS sophomore studying political science, applied ethics, and law and society. Michelle is also on the pre-law track.
Normally, I wouldn’t advocate for students to get no sleep, but there are times in your life when pulling an all-nighter is inevitable and totally worth it. That time came for me during the spring semester of my freshman year: one of my roommates and I waited up all night in the pouring rain to see the Supreme Court Oral Argument in the case of Trump v. Hawaii, more commonly known as the Muslim Travel Ban. We arrived outside the Supreme Court at about 7pm, and after 14 (very long, very wet) hours, we finally stepped foot into the Supreme Court (#onlyatGW)!
This was my second time attending an Oral Argument at the Supreme Court, granted the first case was very low-profile and we arrived at 5am. Upon entering the building and going through security, ticket-holders have about an hour to explore before being ushered into the courtroom. For my roommate and I, this meant changing into dry clothes, trying to make it look as if we hadn’t been up all night, and getting breakfast. After locking all of our items away (no phones allowed!), we were seated. As a pre-law student, there’s nothing like having the opportunity to envision your future career while sitting in the Supreme Court, waiting to see RBG and the other eight justices.
Soon enough, the case began. I had assumed that the arguments would be about whether or not President Trump’s Executive Order was religiously discriminative. I was wrong. There was an entirely separate dimension concerning the Court: Did President Trump have the Constitutional authority to issue such an order? This was an issue that I hadn’t even thought of, and it made me realize that while pre-professional advising is great, the best way to learn about a field is to observe people actually at work.
Watching a Supreme Court Oral Argument is nothing like watching a trial on Law and Order. Seeing our legal system at work was eye opening, and that’s the beauty of going to school in DC. For as long as I can remember, I knew that I wanted to be an attorney, but I had no real experience. After seeing attorneys at work in the highest court of the country, I know it’s what I want to do with my career. That’s why it’s so important to take advantage of the opportunities around you as an undergraduate – so you can start to see what your career could look like.
For you, your career goals may not dictate an all-nighter in the pouring rain outside of the Supreme Court, but use your resources at GW and in DC to find a way to gain insight into your interests. Whether that means an internship, organizing an informational interview, or going to events around the city, take the initiative to learn more about your dream job – future you will be thankful!
#HonorsProblems: How to Put a Meaningful Summer into Your Four Year Plan
The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Clare, an ESIA sophomore studying international affairs and Spanish.
It’s the time of year when freshmen start working on their four-year plans, and as everyone focuses on fitting in their requirements for majors, on the best electives, and extracurricular activities, one thing usually gets ignored even though it is very important: summer.
I decided to spend my summer after freshman year living in DC. However, it took a lot of deliberation to make that choice. While many upperclassmen stay summers at their university or at internships in new cities, it’s not very common for freshmen to choose not to go home for their first summer of college. And there’s a reason for that: after our first nine months away from our hometown, family, and high school friends, there’s a strong pull to spend summer break at home. However, staying the summer away from home can be an equally attractive option: we may have great internship or work opportunities, have the chance to take summer classes/research positions only offered at GW, or simply love the independence of living in a city on our own. Whatever might be pulling you in either direction, if you’re considering spending the summer away from home, here are some tips for making that decision:
While it is important to keep in mind what you think other people are doing with their summers, remember that only you can make the best choice for you. One thing that really made me reluctant to spend the summer at GW was that almost all my friends from GW and from high school said that they were going home for the summer. I was nervous to do something that didn’t seem like “the norm,” and I was worried I was going to be lonely— after all, only around 600-800 students out of the around 20,000 students at GW spend their summers in GW Housing each year. However, I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter what other people are doing— I ended up loving my summer. And while I thought I was going to be lonely, I can’t recall feeling lonely once— I ended up becoming closer with the few friends that also decided to stay and meeting some of my best friends through my job.
Look into the financial options available to you. I knew that the only way I could stay at GW over the summer was to make it economically feasible. And what I learned over the summer is that there are SO many ways to make summers away from home affordable! I got a part-time job with GW Summer and Conference Housing that gave me free housing and paid a salary higher than I would have been paid at a job back home. GW offers many summer jobs with similar setups, such as Housing, Colonial VIP, Facilities, and Key Depot. Almost all have part-time options, so you can pursue other opportunities outside of your job. I got to do a remote internship and a research assistantship with one of my favorite professors with the amount of time afforded me by a part-time job at GW.
Above all, trust your gut. The biggest draw for me was the independence involved with staying at GW, and in my gut I knew that that was what was right for me. However, that isn’t the same reason to stay for everyone, and living in a single and working for your stay over the summer can be quite daunting, as it requires a lot more self-sufficiency than going to school. While I loved that I had never felt so independent in my life, it can be better for some people to enjoy time at home and with family. All in all, make the decision that makes sense for you.
#HonorsProblems: Getting Back in the Swing of Things
The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Mel, a senior majoring in political science and double minoring in international affairs and Chinese.
It’s that time of year again. Campus is vibrant with life. Everyone is back and ready to start fresh in the new school year. The sun is out and Kogan is packed with people. As a senior, this is my fourth and final time coming to campus in the fall. With mixed emotions of excitement, nervousness, and a hint of nostalgia, I have been trying to get myself back into the groove of school, all while dealing with that post-summer drag. Every year it takes me about two to three weeks to fully get back into work mode. Freshman year, I was ready to go. But the last few years it’s taken me longer and longer to change my mindset back into focus.
My biggest piece of advice for getting past this bump would be to try something new to get you excited. Sign up for a new club. Try a new class or LSPA that you’ve been just dying to take (even though it doesn’t necessarily count for your major). Pick a new restaurant to go to every weekend with friends. The little things can really help us get excited to be back at school, regardless of the workload that’s coming or stress that we might be feeling being back on campus. This semester I decided that I would try to reconnect with some old friends that I’ve lost touch with because of a myriad of excuses that kept popping up over the years. The busyness of the beginning of the semester seems daunting to everyone at times but adding in things that you’ll look forward to will undoubtedly make your schedule more manageable and more enjoyable.
At GW, the pressure we put on ourselves to get good grades and to be involved in every club and activity can make planning the semester one of the most stressful times of year. Just know that you’re not alone and we’re all getting back into the school routine together. After three years here, I have learned time and time again that even if someone seems like they have it all together, they are probably just as nervous as you. We’re all in the same boat, and within a few weeks, we’ll all be back in the swing of things together again.
LASERS [SURE Stories]
The following blog post was written by UHPer and SURE Award winner Jackie Dyer.
This summer I was able to travel to San Diego, California to present my research at the national 66th American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) Conference. With funding from the UHP Sigelman Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Award, I presented a poster titled “Complementary Features of Laser Desorption Ionization from Silicon Nanopost Arrays and MALDI for Mass Spectrometry Imaging.” This poster represented the culmination of a year of research in the Vertes Research Group, during which Jarod Fincher, a graduate student, and I focused on assessing laser desorption ionization (LDI) from silicon nanopost arrays (NAPA) as an emerging mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) technique capable of enhanced imaging of particular lipid classes. Our work looks to improve the field of MSI, and has potential impact in clinical research and the pharmaceutical industry.
Being able to present this work at a national conference was a fantastic experience. Presenting at ASMS was an opportunity to share our impactful findings with people throughout the mass spectrometry community, and to gain valuable new perspectives and feedback on our experiments. Though ASMS is most essentially a means of communicating our findings to the scientific community, I also had the chance to establish potential future collaborations. Ultimately, the SURE Award’s contribution to my travel funding made it possible for me to spend a full week in San Diego exchanging ideas, presenting my work, and networking (and going to the beach).
If you’re interested in research, make sure to reach out to professors, or even graduate students, about potential projects. Undergraduate research is a great opportunity to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the “real world,” and there are all kinds of scholarships, like the SURE Award, to help support your research. Using the SURE Award to present research from my senior thesis, and to actually make a difference in the scientific community, was definitely a great way to finish my GW career—thanks UHP!
Political Campaigns Meet Fantasy Sports [SURE Stories]
The following blog post was written by UHPer and SURE Award winner Benji Englander.
One of the best things about pursuing individual research is the ability to create your own project focused on the things you find most interesting. As a political communication major moonlighting as a self-proclaimed fantasy sports expert, my thesis allowed me to combine my loves of sports and politics into one academic research project.
By conducting an A/B test that compares two versions of a candidate’s speech – one with local sports team references and one without – in three states known for the loyalty of their sports fans, my research ascertained the political usefulness of sports rhetoric. While not conclusive, the results show that under the right circumstances with the right audience, references to local sports teams can play an important role in political rhetoric and offer unique insights into voter behavior. This project was a substantial undertaking that would not have been possible without the SURE award and support from the UHP. The funding allowed me to gather a representative sample size for my experiment leading to statistically significant results.
If given the opportunity, I would highly recommend that students participate in individual research. Academic research combines all the skills taught throughout college and focuses them on something guaranteed to be interesting because you are in control. The ability to pick the subject matter is rare as an undergraduate and an opportunity one shouldn’t pass up.
#HonorsProblems: Sorry to Burst Your (GW) Bubble
The following blog post was written by peer advisor Allie, a CCAS junior studying economics and math. Allie is abroad this semester and writing from London with love!
Hiya! I’m currently studying abroad in the lovely city of London and having a wonderful time (if you are considering going abroad, I highly recommend it). Whenever I am talking to friends back home and they ask me how I’m liking London, I always answer that London is a great city filled with so much to do and I am constantly taking advantage of new opportunities.
I knew I only had a couple months here so I’ve been making sure to try as much as I can and really see what the city has to offer me. I am constantly looking for new things to do—whether it’s getting recommendations from friends or even the friendly salesperson or waiter, searching online for unique things to do (yes, secretldn.com has become my most visited sight), or searching social media for those trendy places. Now I do this in DC as well, but here’s the difference, this semester, I’ve actually been going to these places.
My freshman year a friend of mine who was a senior told me “I did more cool DC things my freshman year than all other years combined.” Obviously, I assumed that I would be different and that I would always push myself to leave Foggy Bottom, but I haven’t. I got so caught up with my GW life that sometimes I forgot to go live my DC life. So, I am challenging you—whatever year you are or if you are a professor or whoever, go out and do something cool in DC.
Below is a list of my usual excuses as to why I should stay in Foggy Bottom and here’s the advice that I wish I had given myself.
“It’s final season, I have to work”– 1. Study breaks are important so let your next study break be something cool in DC. 2. Why not try studying in a cool new place? A trendy café? A museum? 3. You need to eat so how about you go to a cool restaurant rather than something in your comfort zone.
“It’s too expensive” – 1. There’s a bunch of free stuff in DC. 2. Set yourself a budget. I did this and originally thought it would be limiting, but instead its led me to take advantage of more opportunities because I was comfortable staying within the budget I set.
“None of my friends are around”– Go by yourself. I was always worried that people would judge me for doing something alone, but in reality no one cares and being by yourself can be really nice.
“That’s out of my comfort zone. I don’t want to do it”– Sometimes it is fun to try something different. Even if you don’t like it, it may make for a funny memory and you never know, maybe you’ll love it.
So please go out and explore, I know I plan to once I’m back.
P.S-If you have any DC or London recommendations, let me know (not sure if you could tell but I like finding new things to do)
#HonorsProblems: Teach ‘Em How to Say Goodbye
Believe it or not but a lot has changed since I started at GW four years ago. The President of the United States was Barack Obama. GW had a dining hall called J Street (trust me, you aren’t missing out on much). I was a baby freshman who naively thought that I would live in DC indefinitely after graduation. But in the past 1327 days since I lugged my suitcases into a Thurston quad, I have fallen in love with a city that I will soon be leaving behind.
In the little amount of time that I have left in DC, I am doing my best to figure out how to say goodbye to the people, places and experiences that have shaped my four years at GW. I will do my best not to be melodramatic while writing about the difficulties of saying goodbye; rather, I hope to remind you all of how lucky we are to live in DC and to have the privilege to go to a university like GW.
These seven semesters that I have spent on campus (plus one semester abroad) have gifted me with the opportunity to explore so many new places. In this city, I’ve found my favorite dessert place/spot to hang out: Half Smoke in the U Street Corridor. I’ve found my favorite artistic treasure of the city: the art restoration area in SAAM/Portrait Gallery. I’ve frequented the back portico of Lincoln, my favorite place to contemplate life, liberty and what I’m going to buy at the grocery store. I value the small, tightknit group of friends that I have formed at GW that would do anything for me, and I would do the same for them.
I have also discovered that not all food trucks are created equally and that “Mexican” food on the East Coast has a very different meaning than Mexican food in Southern California. And sometimes (read: most of the time) it’s more fun to stay in on a Friday and order Crepeaway than go out wearing a dress in 30° weather. Most importantly, I learned that a career in politics is not for me and that’s okay; there are plenty of other ways to use my education to make a difference in society.
As I prepare for my move back to Southern California, I cannot help but feel nostalgic about the time that I have spent at this school and in this amazing city. My life at GW has provided me with memories that will last forever, an education that I could not have received anywhere else, and a place that I will always call home and will be back to visit. At the end of each prospective student tour I give at GW, I tell the students that I hope they find somewhere that they can call home for the next four years of their lives. I found that place and I hope that all you UHPers feel the same. So I refuse to say goodbye to DC forever. But I may need a little help from George Washington to teach me how to say goodbye for now.
P.S. If you do not understand the title reference, please go listen to the Hamilton soundtrack or at least the song “One Last Time”.
#HonorsProblems: Closing Doors
The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Ellie, a MISPH sophomore studying public health and philosophy.
Since middle school, I have known that I wanted to study public health. I felt lucky to have chosen a major before entering college. Public health is a wide field, however, and I always thought that I would be able to narrow down what I wanted focus on within the field while in college. For some time, I wanted to be a doctor with a broader community health focus.
When I came to GW, I started taking classes on the public health & pre-med tracks. Instead of narrowing my focus, my classes opened my eyes more. I widened the scope of what I could see myself doing after college. After three semesters here, I started to become anxious. I still didn’t know what I wanted to pursue after graduation. I had been continuing pre-med to keep the possibility of being a doctor open, even though I was no longer confident I wanted to be a doctor. I realized that my challenging pre-med courses were taking up so much time and energy, and would only be worthwhile to me if I wanted to pursue medicine. I knew I wanted to work in public health. I didn’t feel passionate about medicine specifically, but I had no idea what else I would do if I didn’t become a doctor. I had a mid-sophomore crisis: should I continue pre-med just to keep the option of medical school open?
To deal with my dilemma, I reached out to a variety of professors and advisors to seek some guidance. One of my public health professors took the time to meet with me and help me sort through my interests. She had me write down what skills I possess, what skills I like using, and what topics interest me in public health. After examining my lists, it was clear to me that I wasn’t just feeling “eh” about medicine, I actively did not want to pursue it. I was still scared to close that door, however, as I didn’t know what else I would do with my life. She reminded me that closing certain doors opens others, that the field of public health is vast, and that I still have time to narrow down my search.
My professor was absolutely right. Since dropping pre-med, I have had so much more time to explore other academic interests, like philosophy, law, and statistics. I’ve had more time to spend with friends, and I’m much happier. I haven’t regretted the decision once. In retrospect, I think the anxiety I felt was not because I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but because I knew I didn’t want to be a doctor and was scared to say it aloud. In the end, it was scary to close that door, but I’m no longer scared of the unknown. I’m taking advantage of it!
