<p>I was accepted at both Penn State and AU and I dont know which one to pick. I want to double major in political science and economics if i go to Penn State and American has the perfect interdisciplinary major (CLEG) for me. I have always wanted to be in DC but American is a lot more money than Penn State. Also, from what I have heard, Penn State has better name recognition. Which one should i pick? Why?</p>
<p>Also, can anyone tell me more about the CLEG major (communications, legal insitutuions, economics, govt). How popular is it at American, how intense is it?</p>
<p>Hi, I'm a student at American University and a CLEG major. I'm not sure why I was at this site but when I read your question I knew I had to respond. I actually came to American because of DC and this program. I would recommend AU to anyone because you are offered so much more in DC than you would in the rural area of Pennsylvania. For CLEG itself, you take classes from each of the four areas. Some of the classes required for CLEG are micro, macro, public speaking, civil rights and liberties, politics in the US (there is a lab where you go to places like the pentagon, white house, etc!!! sooo fun!). I've had the best first year a student could have! Academic wise this is the place for you if you want politics and economics! For the communications aspect of CLEG, I've had guest speakers come into class from the washington post and even a man that was jailed in Vietnam for his use of dissident media. If you love politics, one of the awesome things about DC is that you actually share the same town with the people running the country. Just a week ago I saw Condi Rice at church a block away from American. If you have anymore questions I'd love to answer them! (Sorry for the long post but I love AU!)</p>
<p>To answer your question about how popular CLEG is, its one of the most popular majors here I would say. I do agree that Penn State does have better name recognition than American. In the field you will be going into though American does have name recognition. Inside the beltway people know American better. Well anyways thats what I've heard!</p>
<p>Thank you both! I am coming to visit American April 18-20. It sounds like CLEG would be the perfect thing for me. How hard would it be for me to graduate with the CLEG major in 3 years if I have taken 7 APs with 4s and 5s on all of them? (Calculus, US history, European History, Govt, Micro, Macro, and English Comp)</p>
<p>You could definitely do it. American is very easy to get AP credits. I came in with 19 credits and I only took 3 aps and one college course. The requirements for CLEG are not all that bad. I really only have about 10 classes more to complete. You could definitely do it! But I'm hosting an overnight student around that time so maybe I'll see you! Good luck with everything! I hope you come to AU!</p>
<p>AU. The extra money is worth it. DC>Pennsylvania</p>
<p>penn state has lots more recognition, keep that in mind. penn state is ranked pretty darn high for state school</p>
<p>cleg is a fine major- if you plan on going to grad school. This isn't ment to hurt anybody's feelings- but the cleg major's i've met fit into two boats: 1) going to law school or 2) had no idea what they want to do with thier lives. It's not as good as a double major in econ and poli sci if you're going straight to the job market, because the study in the two fields just isn't as intense. </p>
<p>I was in the same boat -AU vs Penn state. I chose AU, knowing that i'll be $100,000 in debt when i leave. Washington's soo worth it.</p>