<p>I've posted on the American U. site also. My son interested in Politics(democrat), history, music-piano and singing, study abroad etc. B+ student with 1910 SAT's, not super preppy, looking at Elon,UNC, Wake, Denison,Wittenberg , Richmond and possibly American. We haven't visited and I am worried that it won't have a college atmosphere, no social life on campus, are the kids very wealthy and overly preppy? are they engaged with their professors or do you have to be totally self-motivated, which sometimes son isn't. Thanks</p>
<p>shelross - I think you've asked important questions, but each of them is highly subjective in nature. [Aside: DW's cousin removed her children from an evangelical christian school in the Bible Belt because "It was too liberal." Umm, OK.] Of course you should be concerned that American University will have the least college atmosphere of the schools mentioned. But whether there's "too little" atmosphere really depends on your S's perspective. Good luck with the college search.</p>
<p>PS, Your S might consider Muhlenberg -- it would appear to be a good fit.</p>
<p>American University should be fine for a student interested in politics. It is helpful to know the student's section-by-section SAT I scores rather than just the total of 1910, as it makes college suggestions easier.</p>
<p>My D went to American, so I can share her experience...which may or may not be typical, of course. She was interested in International Relations and loves the city and DC in particular. Unfortunately, American did not meet her expectations. It may have been the case of not having a good cross-section of kids on her floor, or something else, I don't know. But for her, the social environment turned out to be a big disappointment. She is not a big partier, and was looking for things to do on campus. It seemed to her that most of the social life was off campus, however. Most of the kids on her floor wanted to spend their weekends going to clubs in the Georgetown area or other such activities off campus. She tried to meet others with her type interests in classes and such, but said the kids in her classes didn't really talk to each other that much. She had a hard time finding kids to go to museums and cultural outlets in the city, or to see speakers in the city such as the Dali Lama. I thought those would be more popular for a politically oriented school. Maybe her experience was an exception. But after one year she transferred to a small LAC outside Philly and has had no problems making friends there, becoming involved, etc. She is happy, so I am happy.</p>
<p>I'm a 2002 graduate of a top tier LAC who majored in Government so I can offer my perspective as a student. Many many of my peers were wealthy and preppy and I'm neither but it didn't bother me because I met so many amazing people there (preppy or not) and enjoyed small class sizes and wonderful professors. But going to a school half the size of my high school (and a lot less diverse) was a big change and one I'm glad I experienced firsthand with a campus visit during my college search. So my advice is to figure out if your D wants the LAC atmosphere first.</p>
<p>Also I spent a semester studying politics in DC and met many students who were spending a semester through the American University program and they all said it was practically no work compared to my school's requirements. That was 8 years ago though so it may have changed.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>