<p>Does anyone know if being in American’s Honors program as a PoliSci major is any better than being at Wellesley or a comparable school? Is being in D.C. worth going to American just because of the opportunities?</p>
<p>Thanks :)</p>
<p>Funny, I’m deciding between the EXACT same two schools/programs. (Except I’m undecided.)</p>
<p>I live in the town next to Wellesley, and I can easily say that this area is definitely lacking with opportunities for internships, etc. in comparison to DC.</p>
<p>I’m still making my decision, but leaning towards American. I hope the decision works out for you and I’ll definitely offer more advice as I end up making my decision. :)</p>
<p>just also remember the types of students you would surround yourselves with at the two different schools…</p>
<p>Mmmm cloud please elaborate</p>
<p>american is a great school, so please don’t misinterpret what I am about to say, but Wellesley is one of the best liberal arts schools in the country. the other students attending wellesley will be some of the brightest and hardest-working. these are going to be the same type of students that you will hopefully find in the honors program at American, but not necessarily the rest of the university. so if you want to surround yourself with students like you (assuming you are one of those really high-achieving students), then I feel like you would have to confine yourself to other honors students. however, at wellesley, most of the students will be like that.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice! I still haven’t decided, but am visiting Wellesley in a few weeks to get a feel for the area, so then I hope I’ll be able to decide. </p>
<p>Bronte2011–are you leaning toward American solely because of the internships? Because I know Wellesley has summer internships, and Boston is pretty close too (at least that’s what I’ve heard).</p>
<p>Both wonderful places. I had one d. at Smith, and my other one is graduating from American in three years (in three weeks). Different kids, different schools. And, yes, MUCH more in the way of internship opportunities at American. </p>
<p>The major differences in student bodies is that less than 40% of American students are in the College of Arts and Sciences (which is why it is such a very, very different place than GW or Georgetown, for example), and at Wellesley, it is 100%. So you will have different kinds of students, with different interests, asking different kinds of questions; school resources will be deployed differently. And, obviously, AU is in DC, and is said to be third in the country in % of students who hold internships as undergrads.</p>
<p>So I wouldn’t recommend one over the other. I’d kick the tires, and decide where you fit.</p>
<p>(P.S. My American d. was NOT in the Honors program, but it graduating with a bunch of major academic awards. Don’t stereotype.)</p>
<p>hello, and a special hello to mini~ i appreciate mini’s mature composure, and will try to do the same! please don’t stereotype and fall into the herd which is driven by ridiculous “rankings.” what is best for you? i have 2 grads…one from UVA and one AU. both are amazingly successful. the AU grad is actually working in DC!!! and paying her own way! this is all about the individual, not all about the school. people are successful out of community colleges, and elite schools. it’s up to what the individual cares to contribute. AU provides an amazing career center, with amazing DC. it’s alive with young, driven kids. my d had 3 internships(one international) before graduation.
depending on who you are and what you want, AU and Wellesley are very different places. (we visited Wellesley) both liberal, one insulated, one not. one with an attiude( clear during tour) one not. best of luck.</p>
<p>oh, forgot to say, like mini, mine was not in AU honors. made absolutely no difference. this is not how the real world is divided.</p>
<p>Nice to hear from you, HCM. My d. has an internship with KPMG this summer - 200 applied, 60 interviewed, 3 got it. Many from Wharton, Georgetown, Swarthmore, etc. The prep from the career center was absolutely superb. I can’t praise them enough.</p>
<p>And my Smithie daughter got a fantastic, though very different, education, too. We just lucked out, and each got an education appropriate to her needs.</p>
<p>@terrasini I’m leaning towards American for a few reasons other than internships, although growing up a 30 second drive away from Wellesley, I can say that it is harder to get into Boston than it seems. </p>
<p>Wellesley is a fantastic school, and it was actually my top choice since 6th grade. Stepping onto American’s campus, however, I knew it was the place for me. The sense of political activism and volunteerism on campus fits in exactly with the type of person I am. The system of support for students on campus (career center, welcome weeks, etc.) on campus was stunning, and I was unimpressed with my Wellesley interviewer’s comments on systems of support for first years at Wellesley.</p>
<p>I also know this doesn’t apply to you, but another reason I want to pick American is because I’m undecided. My interests include environmental studies and musical theater, as well as a large array of other things. There are only one or two programs I’m interested in at Wellesley, as opposed to a huge number of programs at American.</p>
<p>Overall, my experience with visiting American was a shining star on my list of visits, whereas my visit to Wellesley (for a info session, tour, class) left me questioning whether I still wanted it as my top choice. I also love what mini said about less than 40% being in the College of Arts and Sciences. I love the diverse viewpoints and interests that American brings to the table.</p>
<p>That said, I know I’ll be happy wherever I end up, and I’m sure you will too! :)</p>
<p>You sound like an AU student to me.</p>