Hi, I’m hoping to double major in Literature (English) and Music (maybe minor in Art History or Philosophy…). I was wondering what reputation American University has in the art and literary realms? In general, is American a well regarded school for students who are not majoring in, say, business or foreign affairs? I am mainly considering them because of the location and its opportunities. My other school that I’m deciding between is Smith College.
I also got into the Honors Program, so would that make it more highly regarded?
Any thoughts are helpful!
Hi @amandakh – I’m not too familiar with AU’s reputation in arts and humanities since I’m an IR major, but I will say that I loved all of my literature classes I took for General Education requirements (Shakespeare and African writer courses). Hope someone else can chime in on this.
I wanted to post on this thread to tell you how much of a privilege it is that you were offered admission into the AU Honors Program. Previously, all students enrolled before Fall 2013 were under a program called the University Honors Program where you had to meet a certain GPA (I think it was 3.5) to be an honors student and get special privileges. Now, based on the 2014 revamp of the program and now called the AU Honors Program that echoes highly prestigious honors programs at Ivy leagues (yeah, don’t ask me why AU does this stuff), there are only 45 spots to the AU Honors Program in Fall 2015 for freshmen. That’s pretty exciting to know you are a part of a core elite group of students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. Just thought you should know!
If you’re comparing Smith and AU, Smith wins, no doubt, academically. Smith is renowned for liberal arts. AU has a wonderful liberal arts core curriculum and you will definitely be challenged. However, while AU’s program is good and Honors is definitely a pro to your classes, but Smith’s liberal arts programs are better by more than a smidge. AU does, however, have other advantages. 1) location, of course, and 2) on the first floor of the Katzen Arts Center, there’s a couple of soundproof music rooms where you can practice to your heart’s content, provided that it’s not in use. I’m not entirely with Smith’s advantages other than reputation. Remember, though, that there’s a difference between reputation and resources.