I am currently a freshman at AmericanUniversity. While my major is CLEG(Communication, Law, Economics, and Government) and it is great for me, I really dont think this school is the best fit for me. I do not like most of the kids here as they are very snotty and pretentious and the environment is very competitive, something I wasnt expecting. I love the DC area and would really love to be here I just dont think this was the right school. The school I have been looking at is UMD. I went and checked out their campus and really liked it. I feel like a state school would suit me more. I only attributed reputation to where I should go to college my senior year and did not really consider my overall experience. I want to go to a school where kids arent all so worried about internships their first 3 weeks of school. I feel like that environment would be different at a state school.
But, I was a little concerned. i know UMD is very good in computer and engineering area but do they have any sort of reputation in politics like AU does? Basically, can i get the sameish education at UMD as I could at AU? They both are in the DC area…
Edit:Forgot to mention that money isnt really a problem. they both cost about the same since im on scholarship at AU
Maryland is a good flagship state school. It does not have the reputation that American does in your area of study. Though it is not far from DC , it does not have the location either. Politics, DC are American’s thing. That’s what they have the rep for.
Some of what you do not like about American , I attribute to your field of study. One of my kids did do an internship in DC, and he found the environment competitive and stressful. He did not go to college in the area, and really liked his college’s atmosphere where he did study Political Science and Economics in great depth, and was very involved in the political scene both nationally and locally there. But moving the action to DC was a whole other matter
I have no idea whether opportunities remain the same at UMD as they are at American. That’s something you should investigate in the MD program.
There is a lot of competition and those ambitious students preparing for law or grad school likely will be similar to students at your school.
At UMD, You would have to navigate the bureaucracy. You might not get your first choice of class or section. If admitted to the major, you could lose your spot as a GVPT major if you can’t keep up your grades.
“If you have previous college coursework and are unsure if you will meet the 2.7 GPA cumulative GPA requirement for internal/external transfer students, you can request an official LEP GPA calculation through the LEP office (LEP@umd.edu) or the BSOS Advising office.”
“One LEP policy is that students may only apply once to the program, so if a student applies before meeting the requirements, the application will be denied and the student may not reapply.”
There is a requirement to take MATH 107 or STAT 100 or calculus with a at least a C- .
@yocharles Have you talked to adviser or school counselor about your concerns?
Are there clubs for community service (usually can find nice people) to try?
It’s early and many frosh are nervous, homesick, worried about keeping up grades to keep their scholarships, or fitting in. Give it more time and give fellow students a chance. Look for clubs and community service and tune out the jerks. Focus on your goals.
@Hippobirdy Yeah, i gave it a few days and have decided that if I dont like the school still by end of second semester, I will transfer for sophomore year. I also did join a few clubs
@yocharles , I’m glad you decided to give it a little longer. I hope things work out for you at AU.
My son and I are visiting AU this weekend. He’s interested in the school and hoping a tour will answer some of his questions about the school. The one thing that worries him is the student body. He has a preconception of what he thinks the average AU student is like and he’s worried it’s not what he’s looking for. I hope this weekend clears that up for him.