GW Reclaims "Most Politically Active" Title

The Princeton Review has released its annual rankings of colleges and universites placing GW #1 Most Politically Active, #2 for Best College Town, and #8 for Dorms Like Palaces.

Most Politically Active is a coveted title considering the 2008 election cycle and the increased  youth involvement throughout the country.

With GW #1 and American University taking the #2 spot it seems that the D.C. location played a significant role in involving students with not only campaigns but with volunteer opportunities, and internships not readily available to students enrolled at other schools.

In an e-mail to WRGW News, Chair of GW's Political Science Department Professor Forrest Maltzman says that given the location and "tremendous effort" the university puts into the academic programs he does not find the title "particularly surprising."

He credits the Political Science, Media and Public Affairs, Public Policy, International Affairs, and Public Health fields that bring already politically active students to the city.

Other area universities have strong programs too so why did GW take the title? Surely it was because WRGW News traveled to the Democratic National Convention in Denver to bring you the latest from the front lines, right?

Professor Maltzman considers the 2008 Presidential election the "tipping point."

"It gave our students ample opportunities to work on campaigns and thus give a politically interested student body an opportunity to participate," Maltzman said.

Students weighed in on the title.

"Students from GW were so heavily involved in the campaign process, from phone banking to canvassing in Northern Virginia every weekend, to organizing campaign trips to swing states like Ohio, North Carolina, and southern Virginia," said GW student and former College Democrats Executive Assistant Catherine Denial.

"I'm very excited that Princeton Review decided to recognize the hard work that GW students have put into the political process throughout the year," she said.

To keep the title Professor Maltzman says, "It is important that we continue to allow students to link their academic intersts with their political interests and that we engage students in courses related to politics and policy."

American University was the #1 Most Politically Active school in 2008, taking the title from GW in 2007. Georgetown University currently ranks #8.

GW dropped off the Princeton Review's "Happiest Students" list. The 2008 rankings had the school at #20.

GW is the first urban school on the list of "Dorms Like Palaces."

The "Best College Town" ranking is second only to Columbia University, located in New York City.

- Jesse Regis