American University

[Praetor]

I'm only a high school junior but after looking through college mail/doing scheduling for next year with my guidance counselor/registering for SAT's/ACT's, I've been thinking about college a lot lately. A name that really stuck with me is American University. I've been doing some research and it seems like a great pick. I'm thinking about majoring in Audio Production/Technology and/or Political Science. Any students here that can tell me a little bit about their experience there?

[KellyGleason]

I can't really give you a lot, but I have a friend that goes there for Political Science and he absolutely loves it. I met some of his friends on New Year's and they all said they love it too. :-) Good luck!

[Praetor]

Thanks! Yeah, I figured it would be a good opportunity for a poli sci major since there's a wealth of opportunities for internships and whatnot. Thanks again! :-)

[sweepthenation]

Ok just to give you another viewpoint, I go to GW, and alot of American kids come to GW because, in their words, American has no night life and nothing goes on on weekends. If you dont care about that, thats fine, but if youre into partying its not the school

[sweet tragedy]

Like the other poster, I don't go there but I know a bunch of kids from American through Model UN in the poli sci program, and they absolutely love it.

[Praetor]

Ok just to give you another viewpoint, I go to GW, and alot of American kids come to GW because, in their words, American has no night life and nothing goes on on weekends. If you dont care about that, thats fine, but if youre into partying its not the school
Hm...it's not extremely important but it'd be nice. I just looked at the GW website and it had Poli Sci as a major but not Sound Engineering...ideally it would have both but I'll keep that in mind though. Thanks!
Like the other poster, I don't go there but I know a bunch of kids from American through Model UN in the poli sci program, and they absolutely love it.
Nice. Thanks. :-)

[Chris M.]

You're 15 and a high school junior? How'd that work out?

[Smash Adams]

If you want to do Political Science Washington D.C. is the place to do it, if it impacts you at all though American is a dry campus so all the parties are off campus

[Praetor]

You're 15 and a high school junior? How'd that work out?
Skipped a grade. Go me!
If you want to do Political Science Washington D.C. is the place to do it, if it impacts you at all though American is a dry campus so all the parties are off campus
Going off campus for parties would be a bummer for sure but it seems like a minor inconvenience when you can study at a university like American right in the heart of it all, you know?

[sdbrown]

It's a small school. If you don't care about that I remember liking other aspects of the school (granted, it was over 6 years ago so I don't remember all that much).

[concernedparent]

It's a very good school for political science, but they're not too strong in other fields. I'd say, go there if you're positive you want to major in political science (though georgetown might be a better alternative imo).

[Chancetobe]

I've only heard good things from the people I know there. I would love to be a Poli. Sci major in the middle of DC. I'm sure they have great opportunities in that respect.

[Praetor]

It's a small school. If you don't care about that I remember liking other aspects of the school (granted, it was over 6 years ago so I don't remember all that much).
Did you attend or just visit?

And a small school is definitely a plus haha.
It's a very good school for political science, but they're not too strong in other fields. I'd say, go there if you're positive you want to major in political science (though georgetown might be a better alternative imo).
Even if I end up just majoring in poli sci I would still want to at least minor in audio production/technology...hm.
I've only heard good things from the people I know there. I would love to be a Poli. Sci major in the middle of DC. I'm sure they have great opportunities in that respect.
Yeah, that's really one of the most appealing aspects of it for me.

[COTA]

I have a friend who is into Politics and goes there. She loves it.

[tm decomposer]

i would never want to skip a grade.

[Praetor]

i would never want to skip a grade.
It was rough the first couple of years but it more than paid for itself. I feel like I fit in in this class more; intellectually and socially. If I could do it over again I would.

[mattybobviously]

Bad stories I've heard about American, it depends on what you're there for. I know a few people who went for poli sci, and didn't feel challenged. Georgetown's obviously the best DC experience, but GW probably comes before American. However, it's worth looking into a program outside of DC that does a semester program at AU, then you get the experience of DC as well as a more traditional campus life.

[Wildness774]

college is rad dude
just limit the distractions, and manage ur time and ull be fine
its like that at almost every college
time management is HUGE

[Praetor]

Bad stories I've heard about American, it depends on what you're there for. I know a few people who went for poli sci, and didn't feel challenged. Georgetown's obviously the best DC experience, but GW probably comes before American. However, it's worth looking into a program outside of DC that does a semester program at AU, then you get the experience of DC as well as a more traditional campus life.
Thanks. I do want to feel challenged, that is pretty important to me; do Georgetown and GW have more challenging curricula?
14th seed dude, you gotta go.
lol if only I was more into basketball.

[BrennanHickson]

I'm only a high school junior but after looking through college mail/doing scheduling for next year with my guidance counselor/registering for SAT's/ACT's, I've been thinking about college a lot lately. A name that really stuck with me is American University. I've been doing some research and it seems like a great pick. I'm thinking about majoring in Audio Production/Technology and/or Political Science. Any students here that can tell me a little bit about their experience there?
I don't know much about American University, but my dad was a professor there at one point. If you have any specific questions you want answered, I'd be more than happy to ask him.

[Praetor]

Awesome! What department was he in?

[BrennanHickson]

Awesome! What department was he in?
Communications.

[Praetor]

Nice. Not the field I'd want to go into but he'd be able to help me with some general questions. I'll put together a few questions and PM them to you later. Thank you. :-)

[mattybobviously]

Thanks. I do want to feel challenged, that is pretty important to me; do Georgetown and GW have more challenging curricula?
Much more challenging. I know a lot of people who've transferred out. If you're just looking for a college in the area so that you can get yourself working in Washington, that's one thing. But if you want to really learn, Georgetown is far and away the strongest school. Or, you could do what I'm doing, as there are numerous places in the Northeast to get an excellent education, specifically in government, while retaining plenty of opportunities to work in the field.

[Wildness774]

14th seed dude, you gotta go.

i agree

[Wildness774]

Much more challenging. I know a lot of people who've transferred out. If you're just looking for a college in the area so that you can get yourself working in Washington, that's one thing. But if you want to really learn, Georgetown is far and away the strongest school. Or, you could do what I'm doing, as there are numerous places in the Northeast to get an excellent education, specifically in government, while retaining plenty of opportunities to work in the field.

yeah but ur from vermont
all u guys do is smoke pot and go to phish concerts
in an unsteriotypical way of course
lol

[Poochemist]

I'm in my final semester of graduate classes at AU, finishing an MS in Health Promotion Management (pretty obscure I know). I've also worked here full-time for about two years with campus recreation, and I can say that it's a great place to go to school. Granted, my current experience is a lot different from what yours would be, but I'll offer the following words:

1.) In political science, AU is strong. But then again, I'd imagine that most of the DC schools are strong in that field because of the proximity to government agencies. Internships are heavily encouraged, and many of the students who have worked for me have worked on the hill or for a place like the FBI.
2.) AU really excels in its international work. A VERY high percentage of students study abroad, and the connections are solid. It's very rare that a school actually offers a program in Cuba. One of my student employees took a whole year abroad- one in France, another in Argentina.
3.) People have been calling it a small school, but it's around 8,000-9,000 students. Considering that my undergraduate (Ohio Wesleyan) university was under 2,000 and high school around 1,000, that's a big student body to me.
4.) For some reason AU pulls in a lot of students from NJ and NY. Maybe that happens because it's far enough away from home but not TOO far. Also, there's a high Jewish population. Random demographic facts!
5.) The surrounding environment is pretty tame, as it's in a residential area. This has the benefit of lower crime than other schools. But as someone mentioned, you might have to go to a different neighborhood when you go out on the weekends.

I could keep going, but maybe it'd be more beneficial for you to PM me. Just let me know. I've been happy at AU but I'm the kind of person who could probably be happy anywhere. The best way to see if a school is right for you is to visit it without your parents and spend a night in the dorms. Meet professors during the visit. That should help you make a decision.