Lesson #010: "See you at CI!"

Fun fact: This is the CI logo. What is it, you ask? One hint is that it is not a G and a W, as some have speculated. Ask your small group leader when you come to Colonial Inauguration.

Lesson #010: "See you at CI!"

Hey, buff and blue Colonials! In case you’ve been wondering where I’ve been, I’ll tell you: I’ve been at Colonial Inauguration (@GWCI on Twitter)! Let’s back up a little bit…

At some universities, mom and dad pull up in their minivan three days before classes and drop off their students, at which point students are forced to sit in auditoriums and classrooms, learning about university services. Boring, right? I concur. At GW, we have our own brand of orientation and it is called Colonial Inauguration or CI.

Dozens and dozens of professional staffers and student staffers work for over a half year to put the pieces in place for a 2 ½ day spectacular. Chris Kim and Lauren Cattano, the 2012 CIHQ (Colonial Inauguration Headquarters) team, could better explain what it’s all about!

Colonial Inauguration is not only for students but also for the whole family. The siblings program is an opportunity for Future Colonials to get to know the place their older sibling will be living for the next 4 years (in fact, it is so impactful that about 10% of the Class of 2016 is made up of siblings of previous Colonials!). Parents also have an opportunity to get in on the action and learn to adjust to their child going to college, not only for their own purposes but so that they can be there as a resource for the student they are shipping off to a city that could very well be an eerie place had GW not had this orientation every summer.

In working with the Office of Parent Services, I get to witness the wide-eyed parents, students, and siblings as the Colonial Cabinet, CI Staffers, CIHQ, and administration “perform” an award-winning orientation. I can see the excitement in their faces! Even still, I will never forget my own CI experience back in 2010 with my group leader Aubrey, who actually inspired me to minor in creative writing! At CI, students gain resources, knowledge, and friends. I know this first-hand and, honestly, wouldn’t trade that experience for the world.

If you are a member of the class of 2016, be sure to look out for Alyse, who is one of our wonderful admissions bloggers and an excellent addition to the thirty-four member Colonial Cabinet. If you still have yet to come to GW, I don’t want to spoil all of the surprises, but, if you visit www.ci.gwu.edu, you can see for yourself just what CI has in store!

We’ll see you at CI!

Sincerely,

Matt

mtscott@gwu.edu

#Summer2012

Hey y'all

This past week on Monday I began my marketing internship at GlobalGiving. With a mission that "catalyzes a global market for ideas, information, and money that democratizes aid and philanthropy" I know I can feel good about my work everyday. At our downtown DC office I'll be posting to Facebook, Tweeting, and blogging for our project leaders while also learning more about the interntional development sector. The work enviornment has been fantastic so far with 17 other interns, ice cream socials, and free t-shirts! I'll make a special photo post about the GG office soon.
My job this summer is in the GW School of Business as an Admissions Assistant for MBA Programs. With nearly 3 years of experience in the Office of Undergraduate Admissons it's a very different experience now working with graduate students. This offers a new perspective on the University and has provided me with a great insight into what it takes to be a successful candidate for grad school.

While I do have my days planned 9-5 Monday through Friday I'm pysched to be spending my time in our nation's capital! I'll be able to explore the city more freely knowing that I don't have essays or reading to be done. And with all the interns coming from across the country it's great to meet new people who are doing amazing things at other schools. But most importantly the most energy will be coming in three day spurts from all the CIs! This time of year is always special as our next class of eager Colonials learn what G dubs is all about while also experiencing the mass volume of free food that is GW. I'll take some pictures of the CI session 1 that is this week to show y'all what it's like!


All the best,
Oscar
@myworthynotes | oscarn@gwmail.gwu.edu 

Deadlines can be fun

I hope April treated ya'll well!

Now that it's May 1st the GW Class of 2016 should be signing up for Colonial Inauguration once deposits have been received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. 

While that may be a bit of a dry, information filled sentence it does mark the beginning of what can be an incredible experience! 

How can you find that initial group of friends?

Sign up for a co-curricular program! All the below options take place the 3-4 days before the first day of classes.

Community Building Community (CBC)

This program is designed for incoming freshman who know that they want to make service an integral part of their time here at GW. Over the 3 days of service events in and around DC you'll meet other kids in your class who have similar interests and also get to know your CBC Guides who are passionate upperclassmen.

Adventure Bound

Between the multi-sport option, ocean, white water, and two other adventure options you'll be sure to meet a core group of outdoorsy people even at school that is 4 blocks from the White House! One these trips you'll also be led by student guides who organize wilderness trips through the school year. 

DC Bound

For those of us who have only been to DC the one or two times (maybe in 8th grade?) this trip provides a fantastic opportunity to explore the city before school starts! You'll also meet other incoming students who are from far a way places as well as upperclassmen who most likely dealt with similar distance issues.

If you have any questions about these programs feel free to contact the Center for Student Engagement at engage@gwu.edu or 202-994-6555

P.S. I'm a CBC Guide! Maybe you can be in my small group! 

Oscar