Sarah Brannigan (B’28) is a sophomore at Georgetown University in the McDonough School of Business. She loves golfing, traveling and Dunkin’ Donuts.
So, you’ve made the big decision, and Georgetown will be your home for the next four years. Congratulations on the start of an exciting new chapter on the Hilltop. This is the perfect summer to relax and spend time with family and friends. It is also the perfect opportunity to prepare for your transition to college life. Fortunately, Georgetown provides incoming students with a variety of resources to make their transition as easy as possible. Here are my recommendations for things to do the summer before your freshman year.
1. Register for NSO
New Student Orientation is a five-day experience that launches your Georgetown career. Current students serve as orientation leaders and oversee small groups of incoming Hoyas. NSO has a full schedule of fun events, making it the perfect way to make new friends, adjust to campus and learn about academic resources. To register for New Student Orientation, visit the webpage. Fall 2026 NSO will run from Friday, August 21 to Tuesday, August 25. I still remember students from my orientation group and how seeing them on campus after orientation made Georgetown feel smaller from the start.
2. Research Pre-Orientation Programs
If you are eager to find community at Georgetown before classes even begin, you might be interested in a pre-orientation program and get to move onto campus even earlier than NSO. With a variety of different options for students of all interests, these programs allow freshmen to meet peers, faculty and staff while focusing on a particular topic. Some options include: Campaign Bootcamp, Georgetown Outdoor and Leadership and Beyond.
I participated in Business Undergraduates Invest In Leadership Development, and I can confidently say that it was one of the best decisions I have made at Georgetown. By moving into my dorm early and adjusting to life in the McDonough School of Business, I felt much more comfortable once classes started. I also received amazing mentorship from upperclassmen and made some of my best friends.
3. Start Thinking About Housing
Something at Georgetown that takes a lot of stress off the shoulders of incoming freshmen is that you are randomly assigned a dorm your first year. This means that you don’t have to worry about researching options and looking at floor layouts before arriving. You can, however, still choose your roommate if that is something you are interested in. First-year students can choose a roommate by participating in CHARMS (Campus Housing Roomate Matching System) or by being matched by Residential Living on compatibility after completing the Living Preference Questionnaire. Following the Georgetown University Class of 2030 Instagram is a great way to meet your classmates and maybe even a potential roommate!
4. Meet With A Peer Ambassador Before Course Selection
At some point during the summer, a student ambassador from your particular school at Georgetown will contact you. These students are highly involved and eager to assist you with your transition. Take advantage of the opportunity to speak with your assigned peer ambassador before registration to get their advice on course selection. Take notes on professors they have enjoyed and on core requirements that they encourage you to take early in your Georgetown career. You can even take a look at the course catalog on GU Experience to see what your first semester schedule might look like!
5. Take A Look At Georgetown Clubs
Getting involved at Georgetown is my biggest piece of advice to ease your transition. Once classes start, there will be a Council of Advisory Boards Fair (CAB) for students to see all of the groups they can join. Though CAB Fair is an amazing resource, with hundreds of student groups, it can be an overwhelming experience. My tip is to look into some organizations that pique your interest ahead of time to have a sense of what you can see yourself doing. There are theater clubs, cultural clubs, sports clubs and more.
Those are my top five tips for things to do before your freshman year. Starting college can be overwhelming, but Georgetown has a variety of resources and opportunities to assist with your transition. Research what you are interested in, reach out to new friends and ask questions when you need help. The Georgetown community is here to help even before classes start. Enjoy your summer, and welcome to the Hilltop!
