<p>This is my 3rd year of making this offer to answer questions for students/parents interested in American University. Now’s the time when students are getting serious about selecting a college, so I am here to help.</p>
<p>I graduated from AU in 1995, so I have 14 years of post-AU experience under my belt. I can tell you what AU meant to me, whether/how it has affected me since, things I’d do differently, and things I wouldn’t change.</p>
<p>Since my AU experience is from the early 1990s, there are some questions I can’t answer for you. I can’t tell you what the dorms are like now, whether the cafeteria food is good, or (except for a few cases) which professors are better than others. I also can’t offer opinions as to whether you will be accepted at AU–I am not in the loop on the way AU currently considers students.</p>
<p>But I can, and have, answered a lot of other questions, both publicly and privately. Several current AU students (and their parents) took me up on my offer of help when they were considering AU. </p>
<p>Here’s my basic background: I came to AU in 1991 from suburban Chicago. I intended to study political science, but after taking one economics class I decided to major in both political science and economics. I was an honors student and am a member of AU’s first group of Phi Beta Kappa graduates.</p>
<p>I’ve been in the business world since leaving AU. I earned an MBA from another university and have been employed in the telecommunications and commercial real estate (current career) fields.</p>
<p>Let me know what questions you have. You can post a question or send me a private message.</p>
<p>How do you rate your economics major from AU? i.e. how helpful was it when you were applying for the MBA in terms of your preparation for the MBA program as well as the value placed by grad schools on AU’s economics degree. I know there are a lot of variables here, but it helps if you can shed some light on the good and bad of the economics program at AU.</p>
<p>When I was at AU, they offered a BA in Economics and a BA in Economic Theory. Economic Theory was more in depth and math-related (I think it has now been replaced by a BS in Economics). My major was in Economics, so wasn’t quite as hard core.</p>
<p>I can’t say that I know exactly how my AU economics degree was valued by grad schools, but I can tell you that I received a scholarship that covered 75% of my grad school expenses and that I was able to place out of the MBA economics class requirements.</p>
<p>A couple of random things to share: (1) The econometrics class I took at AU was the most difficult class I have ever taken anywhere. (2) I took a graduate level economics/finance class my senior year–this was very good preparation for MBA. (3) At least in the early 1990s, the younger econ professors tended to be more free-market oriented, while the older ones tended to be more liberal. The professor who taught my intro class (the one class that made me decide to pursue a degree in economics) was pretty much an outright socialist, but a good teacher!</p>
<p>pswilla…
My son applied to Kogod’s Business and Music program. Its new and part of the Business School. His career goal is to be on the business side of the music industry, maybe as a record producer, agent or recoring company executive. Kogod has really stepped up as a fine prograsm, under the leadership of Dick Durand. Any thoughts on the Business School. By the way, I’m in the commercial RE business also…fun times…Thanks</p>
<p>I agree with your assessment of Kogod…it is a rising star at AU and in the world of business schools. I don’t recall his name, but the dean previous to Durand made a number of improvements, and Durand seems to have really turned on the juice. I was at an alumni event with President Neil Kerwin in Dallas in the fall, and I asked him about how Durand had networked with his peers to increase the knowledge of Kogod. He (Kerwin) said that he now requires ALL deans to be involved in leadership positions in national organizations so that they can try to replicate Durand’s success. Good idea.</p>
<p>pswillia, i have two questions that i would really appreciate from you!</p>
<p>can you take a major at both the School of Communications and CAS? and also pursue minors at CAS as well? Psychology and Studio Art to be specific. </p>
<p>and </p>
<p>Do you happen to know anything about the ensembles/bands at AU? Like can non-majors play for them if they are really good at the specific instrument.</p>
<p>It’s possible to double major in almost anything. However, especially when the two majors are unrelated (e.g., communications and psychology), you need to work closely with your academic advisors to ensure that you are meeting all of the requirements. Offhand, I would say that the chances of your classes meeting requirements for both majors is slim; probably your best bet is to make sure that the General Education courses you take also fill requirements for one of the majors. And then diligently stay on top of other requirements.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about ensembles and bands. At the very least, I imagine that you would have an opportunity to play in the pep band (basketball) and to audition for any musical accompaniment for theater productions. But those are just guesses–I really don’t know.</p>
<p>From investigating AU for my son (who is a freshman at AU), Kogod seems to have improved a lot recently. I’m sure you have done the research to see that it appeared on the Business week ranking for the first time last year at number 28 or 29.</p>
<p>I know that there are ensembles because the music dept was trying to recruit our daughter for them, she is a pianist. Unfortunately she does not have time for music in her school schedule this year so she is just planning on her own.
I would suggest emailing the music dept.
Ellen</p>
<p>Here’s some links to opportunities for playing music on campus, hope they help! In order, the Chorus, Chamber Singers, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Players, Pep Band, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Workshop, and Jazz Combo. There are lots of different music-related student groups as well.</p>
<p>Relatively frequently, prospective students ask about how/whether having a degree from AU will help them in their careers. I always say that as time goes on and you gain more experience, where you went to college matters less and less–and your experience matters more and more.</p>
<p>I was reminded of this because I just took a new job. In the entire interview process, no one ever asked about my undergraduate experience at AU or about my graduate school experience elsewhere. This includes the recruiters who helped me find the position and the four people I interviewed with. Not one question about school, but lots of questions about specific experiences in my work career.</p>
<p>Your college experience undoutedly will have an influence on your first one or two jobs. But beyond that, it is your work experience that matters. Where you go to college does not destine you for career success or failure, nor does it dictate what opportunities will be available to you.</p>
<p>Just a reminder as you consider AU and other schools. As always, feel free to ask public or private questions.</p>