<p>Graduated in May 2013 with a Law and Society degree from SPA. Going to law school in august. I’ll be brutally honest on anything about AU. Ask away</p>
<p>Did you have to rely on financial aid?</p>
<p>Yes, the school is incredibly expensive at sticker price.</p>
<p>Is it hard for upperclassmen to get on-campus housing? Is housing guaranteed?</p>
<p>Hi. I’m thinking of going to AU, but just today I saw an article about AU that was titled: “American University Students Call For Expulsion Of Underground Frat Members” and I wanted to know if you knew anything about it.</p>
<p>It’s a bit worrisome only because I feel strongly that I want to go to a school where I’d feel safe. If AU is allowing EI to have such misbehavior and misconduct, it’s really making me reconsidering going to AU.</p>
<p>From personal exp, how ‘safe’ is AU? And what encounters have you had with the greek life there (underground or chartered)?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>To JT - It is not too difficult to secure housing on campus for upperclassmen, however, it is not guaranteed. Most people move off of campus by sophomore year to either the Berkshire Apartments, or the Avalon</p>
<p>Onyxpanda - yes, I have good friends in this fraternity. I was in greek life, as well. There are two fraternities, one of them being EI, that are violent and crazy. I would not suggest pledging these fraternities. However, they do not go after random students. EI is different from other fraternities because they operate with an inferiority complex, like high school bullies, and will act out for the sake of acting out. Imagine a gnat at a BBQ…it’s not really a big deal; they’re more like the kids that you laugh at when you’re in between classes. </p>
<p>Most fraternities stay to themselves and have their own groups they hang out with. AU isn’t a state school that has gang fights and crazy ■■■■ like that. I wouldn’t worry at all about that. </p>
<p>Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>Also wanted to know more about AU— I’ve heard from many people that it’s definitely not a school in which you can slack in, and that activities and schoolwork will keep you busy all the time. From your exp, is this true?</p>
<p>@onyxpanda I think that question is very subjective and you should be wary of what you’ve heard. On the other hand, do you want to be a student who slacks off or doesn’t have much to do in college? Because I don’t think many universities are like that. Questions to think about…</p>
<p>@onyxpanda, keep in mind that the “fraternity” referred to in that article is NOT an AU frat–not sanctioned by the school–but is just a bunch of idiot students who call themselves a frat. You’ll encounter some idiots at every school and everywhere else you go in life, and you’ll need to behave responsibly and intelligently to protect yourself in every environment in life. Keep in mind that there are no frat houses on the AU campus. If you want to avoid frat boy behaviors, just stay away from their off-campus drunkfests. Greek life has a very minor role at AU. My D was a member of the coed service fraternity–a whole different breed of cat from a traditional frat. I highly recommend it.</p>
<p>Son making decision this week between Elon, American, Pepperdine (Malibu), SMU, Texas Christian. The American internships sound pretty “guaranteed” and are extremely enticing. He is sort of split between business and IR/IB. 3 of his 7 teachers (voluntarily) mentioned he should pursue some sort of IR for college/career. HE visited American for the first time last week. He is fairly quiet (unless comfortable with people), but loves discussion in classes such as English and history and economics, a solid friend, iffy on Greek life, kind, loves debate (both officially and in conversation), politics, economics (but not math), history, political science, and creative writing. We’re getting down to Elon vs. American vs Texas Christian for the most part (I think if you put a gun to my head). Please, please, please any help. He is a good student, so if he focuses, I don’t think academics will be an issue overall. </p>
<p>At this late date, I think it’s a mistake to solicit opinions on these schools–you’ll get cheerleaders advocating for each on their respective forums, and there won’t be anyone who has attended two of the three and has any kind of basis to provide a meaningful comparison. Now your son needs to stop gathering information and instead sit quietly to think things through on his own. He likely has all the data he needs, and it’s just time to focus and choose.</p>
<p>mommaj i was just hoping for a little more Ameircan info, since that is now in the top 2 now, and S has considering a re-focus to IR/global from (or combined with in some way) business. This is sort of a late epiphany, unfortunately.</p>
<p>@onyxpanda From my experience, you can slack off quite a bit and be fine. Like most academic institutions, you can load yourself up with 18+ credits and be busy all the time while also participating in an internship, or you can go the normal route and not lose your hair. It’s all about what you want in your college experience. Plus, there are no mandatory AU wide activities, the school spirit isn’t really there. There are however many clubs and social groups to participate in</p>
<p>@iynjobes If your son is considering International relations as his major in college, American would be an excellent place to attend. The School of International Service is quite good. </p>
<p>However, and being completely truthful here, the other academic majors at American are quite lackluster compared to IR. If your son truly enjoys history, econ and english discussions, I would stay away from American. The only real reason to come to American is if you want to take advantage of the SIS school and the opportunity for political internships. </p>
<p>Another thing to think about is whether he will be pursuing a post graduate degree, like law school or an MA. If so, internships aren’t as important as if you are trying to enter the job market as soon as graduation comes. </p>
<p>@iynjobes also, on the subject of internships being guaranteed: it is true that it is relatively easy to find an internship in washington DC, but it’s important to look at the quality of the internship. Many no-name NGOs and other institutions in DC will gladly take unpaid slave labor for a semester (paid internships are extremely scarce). At the bigger institutions (respected think tanks, the state department, etc.) your son will have to compete with Georgetown, George Washington, UMD kids. </p>
<p>I appreciate AmericanUTruth’s candor, but as an AU graduate with a double major in political science and economics, I would like to let everyone know that 19 years later I have a successful career and great family, and I am not an exception. We all know SIS is great, but there is much more to AU…just ask the 4,900 undergrads (over 70%) who are not international relations majors.</p>
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<p>As a parent and mother of a D I wanted to respond to the question about AU handling of the recent flurry of press regarding the unofficial fraternity EI and the atmosphere of misogyny, homophobia, and illegal activity it appears to promulgate in exchanges of emails and text messages that have been released on tumbl, Huffington post and others. Anyone who is not aware of the specifics should do a Google search and read the actual words, written by young men on the AU campus referring the rape in the woods, f*ck in the face, punching in the face. I do not write these words lightly and am nauseated as I sit here. </p>
<p>EI has not been officially recognized on the AU for campus for years. However, these students wear their letters proudly, recruit on campus and sit next to your D or S. When Hillsboro Baptist Church had a rally on AU, I was proud that the AU campus had even more who stood against their hate mongering. If the KKK wanted to wear their robes on campus, I have no doubt that a similar outrage would force them underground. Why is it that for years, EI members have had disciplinary hearings held (under cloak of confidentiality) and then return to class, and victims had to pass them in halls, dorms or sit next to them in class?</p>
<p>According the National Association of University Women, almost 20% of female undergraduates had an attempted or actual sexual assault during their undergraduate years. Sexual assault victims regularly suffer decline in academic performances, withdraw from classes or withdraw from school entirely on much higher rate than their assaulters. </p>
<p>While this problem is not unique to AU, to continue to push it under the carpet and not demand a safe learning community for all students is something I will not condone. </p>
<p>@pswillia That’s great for you that you are successful, but that was 19 years ago. American is a different school now. The market has also drastically changed with a BA being the norm, and you need a better name on your degree if you are to major in those areas. </p>
<p>@bhmomma There are rumors that the reason why EI has not been harshly punished is due to the fact that their old chapter was Alpha Tau Omega (ATO), also Neil Kerwin’s undergraduate chapter while he was at AU. Neil Kerwin is currently the president of AU. </p>
<p>AU administration runs away from problems like this, since much of the image AU is trying to present a politically active, and mostly politically sensitive student body. Last year, we had an openly transgendered Student Body President. This fact, juxtaposed to EI’s existence clearly shows a large rift in the student population. </p>