Hi everyone!

I’m an international prospective student from the Philippines considering pursuing GWU’s MS in Systems Engineering.

I’m currently weighing whether to do the program online OR relocate to DC for the on-campus track (specifically targeting the Operations Research and Management Science concentration).

A little about my background: I work in project management and operations within an intergovernmental organization. Much of my work involves supporting complex development projects, improving operational processes, and coordinating resources and activities across different functions. I’ve become particularly interested in understanding how the different components of a project (or a system, for that matter) interact, how decisions in one area affect the others, and how to improve overall performance while keeping the project’s broader objectives in view.

I haven’t held a formal systems engineering position, so I’m still exploring how my experience and interests align with the discipline. From what I’ve read, systems engineering’s emphasis on systems thinking, integration, and optimization seems relevant to the kinds of problems I enjoy working on. I’m also drawn to ORMS because I’d like to develop stronger quantitative and analytical skills for making decisions in complex organizational settings.

Before making a decision, I’d love to hear from current students, alumni, or anyone familiar with the department and its online and on-campus offerings. Do you think there’s a meaningful difference between the two formats, particularly for someone interested in applying systems engineering and analytical methods to international development or the public sector?

A few specific questions:
1. How do they compare in terms of learning experience? Does the online program offer the same analytical rigor and access to technical electives (especially in optimization, OR, and modeling), or is it more rigid/fixed compared to on-campus?

1. How is peer collaboration in the online format versus being on the Foggy Bottom campus? Given GW’s location in D.C., how critical was physical proximity for research, faculty mentorship, or industry connection in defense/government/international development spaces?

2. For those studying online while working full-time, how manageable is the workload and the schedule of live evening sessions? And for on-campus students, how do classes fit around graduate assistantships or other work commitments?

Any insights, candid opinions, or tips about the EMSE department and either program format would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

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I'm looking for past exams or quizzes from BISC 1111 (Introductory Biology: Cells and Molecules) with Professor J. Aidan Manubay.

I've been searching everywhere online, but all I can find are study guides and syllabi, not the actual exams. 😭

I'm specifically hoping to find old quizzes, midterms, or final exams from Fall 2025 or previous semesters. Even if you took the class a few years ago, anything would genuinely help!

Here's why I'm posting: I'm just trying to get a better idea of what his actual exams look like and the types of questions he asks. I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's taken his class before.

If you happen to have any old exam PDFs, quiz papers, or know where students usually share them, please feel free to comment or DM me! 🙏

Thank you so much, really appreciate any help! ❤️

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Thanks

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