Washington Center

Information for Arriving Students

Welcome!

Welcome to the UC Washington Center! We hope your experience here will be enjoyable and educational as you gain real world experience – and academic credit – interning in Washington, DC. As you are preparing for your move, we wanted to give you some last minute tips to help you get to the center – and give you some things to do once you get here. 

 

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Getting to the Center

The UCDC Center is located on Scott Circle, a few blocks north of the White House.  

Our address is (not your new mailing address, see mail instructions here):

UC Washington Center 1608 Rhode Island Avenue, NW Washington, DC, 20036

There are three major airports that are close to DC, all of which have several options of ground transportation to get you to UCDC:

From Ronald Reagan/National Airport

  • Taxis: Taxis are located curbside throughout the airport. Approximate rate is $18-20.
  • Rideshare: Rideshare is available from the airport entrances. Approximate rate is $17-25.
  • Metro: Take the Blue Line from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Farragut West, which is walking distance to the center.

From Dulles International Airport

  • Taxis: The Washington Flyer Taxi is the only taxi company that travels from Dulles Airport, and can be found in the ground transportation center near baggage claim. Approximate rate is $56.
  • Rideshare: Rideshare is available from the airport entrances. Approximate rate is $60.
  • Public Transportation:
    • Silver Line Express Bus runs directly from Dulles International Airport to Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station. You can then take the Silver Line to Farragut North, which is a metro station within walking distance (~15 minute walk). Fare for the bus is $5 (cash or credit card), and the fare from Wiehle-Reston to Farragut West is $6.
    • Additionally, Metrobus 5A travels to L’Enfant Plaza, which is on the Orange and Blue Lines, both of which travel to Farragut West. The fare is $6.

From Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshal Airport

  • Taxis: The taxi stand is located just outside of baggage claim. Approximate rate is $90.
  • Rideshare: Rideshare is available from the airport entrances. Approximate rate is $60.
  • Trains: MARC and Amtrak trains provide free shuttle service to the BWI Marshall Rail Station, from which you can take MARC or Amtrak trains to Union Station, which is off of the Red Line. Take Union Station to Dupont Circle or Farragut North, which are both walking distance from the center. The MARC Penn Line is a commuter train, which only run during the weekdays and cost $6. See the Amtrak website for fares.

Once You’re Here

Before you go out and explore your new surroundings, make sure that you are aware of the following dates and times.

Move-In

Move-in dates for students are the following:

Spring 2024 Semester Saturday, January 6 - Sunday, January 7, 2024
Winter 2024 Quarter  Saturday, January 6 - Sunday, January 7, 2024

Residential Life staff will have tables set up in the lobby during scheduled check-in hours from 8 AM - 10 PM during the move-in dates. It is your responsibility to arrive during scheduled check-in hours. 

If you miss the scheduled check-in hours, the Security Officer on duty will issue your access items, but you will need to see a Residential Life staff to complete your check-in. If you move in on Sunday night after 10 PM, you need to come down to the lobby on Monday during scheduled check-in hours. If you move in on Monday night, you need to come to the 4th floor Residential Life Office (room 413) during posted business hours to complete your check-in.

Move-in for Extended Students is listed on your housing contract.

Want to know what to expect in your new living space? Review the apartment information here

Orientation

Students are also required to attend a mandatory (residential and academic) orientation session the Monday following move-in weekend. See the Academic Calendar for these and other academic dates.


Want to Explore Other Neighborhoods?

UCDC is participant of the UPass program by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), which grants university students a special discount for unlimited metro and bus in Washington DC. The card is free for UCDC students, since UCDC pays for the special discount fee. Students will receive their UPass metro card during their check-in process. 

For any reason, if you would like another metro card, you can purchase SmarTrip® cards at dispensers in the Dupont Circle or Farragut West Metro Stations. They are also available for online purchase. If you choose to buy a metro card, UCDC highly recommends registering SmarTrip® cards online, so you can transfer balances between cards.

Hungry and Want a Quick Bite?

If you're heading back from work or you're coming back from a night out, we have several CVS stores nearby to relieve that craving for a quick bite. If you're already in the Center, visit our Avenue C for a variety of microwaveable meals and snacks. CVS stores are also great when Avenue C is closed during weekends. 

CVS 6 Dupont Circle Northwest Washington, DC 20036

CVS 1637 P St NW Washington, DC 20036

Hungry and Want to Stay In?

If you’re in the mood to spend a quite evening in your apartment, but need groceries, there are five grocery stores nearby:

Safeway
1701 Corcoran Street NW
Washington, DC, 20009
Giant Foods
1400 7th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
Whole Foods
1440 P Street Northwest
Washington, DC, 20005
Trader Joe’s
1914 14th Street NW
Washington DC 20009
Trader Joe’s
1101 25th Street NW Washington, DC 20037

 

Hungry and Want to Go Out?

There are weekly "Food Place Of the Week" flyers on each residential floor's bulletin board, so feel free to check out its recommendations!

You can start trying to fit in with the locals by sampling one of the Washington Post’s 40 Dishes Every Washingtonian Must Try, or you can stick closer to home with some of our former residents’ favorite cheaper eats:

Julia’s Empanadas: Inexpensive and delicious, this has long been a UCDC favorite. 1221 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036

Chop’t Salad: In the mood for salad? This place may not be the cheapest on our list, but it’s quick and healthy. 1300 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036

Taylor Gourmet: Even President Obama enjoys a Taylor Gourmet sandwich once in a while. 1200 19th Street NW, Washington DC 20036

Need a Couple Things for Your Apartment?

There is a Target, Marshalls, Best Buy, and Bed Bath & Beyond located at the Columbia Heights Metro Station (you have to transfer from the Red/Orange/Blue Lines to the Yellow/Green Line).

The address for Target is 3100 14th Street, Washington, DC 20010. This address will take you to the plaza with the other stores. There are plenty food places nearby as well!