Back in February, I traveled to Washington, D.C., along with college counselors from across the country for an in-depth tour of The Catholic University of America. It was an enlightening experience which allowed me to gain a new perspective on a great college option for those who want to attend school in our nation’s capital.
After checking into the hotel, we started our weekend with a general information overview of the college in the impressive Busch School of Business main lecture hall. We learned about the university’s offerings from the university president and the dean of undergraduate admission. I was immediately struck by the breadth of their offerings despite being a relatively small school. With around 3,000 undergraduate students and 2,000 post-graduate students, it feels like a small school but has all of the trappings of a university. While proudly Catholic, they still play host to around 30% non-Catholic students and are especially proud of their international community. One notable fact is that they do offer financial aid and scholarships for international students, which helps set them apart from some of their competitors.
When we took tours of the various colleges the next day, I was struck by how impressive each of their divisions were. The College of Engineering and College of Business felt more like colleges at a large state university than parts of an institution with around 5,000 students total. What was most impressive was their brand-new Conway School of Nursing building and program. The building itself was only finished this past fall and it shows; it has state-of-the-art facilities and was clearly a hub of student activity. Walking into the simulated hospital and ER rooms felt exactly like walking into an actual hospital; the resources available to these students was staggering. Along with access to some of the best hospitals for clinicals, students’ access to these spaces and the virtual reality rooms makes Catholic a valuable and high-tech choice for any aspiring nurses.
The rest of campus was a mix of new and old; many of the dorms were around the same quad, which helps bring groups together. The dining hall had many options and had some great breakfast for our group both days, but the real kicker is the options surrounding campus. We were given a tour of an impressive theater on campus with an adjoining black box and their own costume production area. On a trip to the athletics portion of the campus, we were treated to a beautiful new lacrosse and soccer field which overlooked a baseball diamond that was under development. A DIII university, the students were all just a part of the fabric of the school and were especially noticeable during our breakfast time.
Besides a small neighborhood with housing options for seniors and postgraduates and all of the expected fast-food options, Catholic University of America boasts its own station on the Red Line in the Metro. This means they have easy access to the entirety of D.C. and it couldn’t be easier to use. We took the Metro from our hotel right by the National Mall to and from campus on a Monday, and it was quick and easy; we were told students will hop on the train at all times to go see NBA or NHL games, grab a bite to eat, or just go “monument-ing” at night. The connection of the campus to the rest of the city at large seems to be a huge part of the campus culture.
The Catholic University of America seems to be a great option for any students who would love to live in D.C. and are excited to focus on their major right away, whether that is business, nursing, engineering or others. It has impressive facilities and tries to find a balance between the offerings of a large university and the care of a smaller college. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about my experience!
