<p>I’ve been here for exactly a month now and I feel like there are a lot of things I overlooked when choosing this school.</p>
<p>Most importantly, I feel like people ignore (or maybe it just doesn’t bother them) the ‘nerdiness’ of the campus. I’m not trying to say this is a negative, but it definitely doesn’t suit me. Everyone is a political junkie which I thought I would like, but after a month I am already sick of it. I guess I would prefer to take a breather from the intellectual talk every now and then but that doesn’t fly here. I had read that American isn’t the typical college experience, but I didn’t take into account what that meant. People are using DC as a tool to get into the business/politics world and not as a college. It almost feels like a really expensive summer camp. Sure, there are frat parties and clubs, but those are the only places where I feel like I belong.</p>
<p>Secondly, the difference between the honors kids and everyone else is enormous. People seem to downplay this, but it is very true. As someone who probably just barely made it into honors (outside of the top 10% and a 32 ACT), I feel like I am always surrounded by people who are either much smarter than me or people who act like they’re much smarter than me. My regular classes are filled with people who can spit out random facts but do not actually say anything worth noting. </p>
<p>Again, I am not trying to make it sound like this school is horrible, I just think it might not be the best fit for everyone. Truthfully, the only problem I have is with the administration (I still can’t get my mail because my lock is broken and no one will help, regardless of many emails I send or people I talk to or forms I fill out…), but hearing about my friends tailgating at huge football games makes me think that I picked this place for the wrong reasons (I thought I’d like politics more, but I’m already sick of that aspect; I love the campus; I love the city). I have no intention of offending anyone, I just want like-minded students to get a different perspective.</p>
<p>Thanks for the insight. I do believe it’s true that schools are only meant for certain types of people. I haven’t been to college yet, but I could tell you that from my own experience. Large public schools have never worked out well for me, whereas my current small, private school has been a perfect fit for me.</p>
<p>I think choosing a school that fits is really important and I know plenty of people who have chosen schools and been super happy at them while I know plenty of people who have chosen schools that they absolutely hate… enough to want to transfer and give up huge scholarships.</p>
<p>Anyways, thanks for your view. As someone applying to AU, I find it is really important to see multiple views on a school. That’s not something you can typically get from a forum or from the admissions office. XD</p>
<p>Give yourself a little bit longer to find “your people.” You are right when you say that AU is not the stereotyped all-American college experience. Most city campuses are not going to give an experience like a Big 10 campus, with football and hoopla, etc…the students are going to be more focused in a lot of ways…</p>
<p>AU can be a difficult transition. Many of the students are more articulate than the average college freshman, a lot of the students are passionate and knowledgeable (or think they are knowledgeable) on various issues, and combining these two traits can be intimidating for a student who is uncomfortable in those kinds of situations.</p>
<p>I sort of think that is what is happening with you, although I could be wrong! I’m just picking up from the comment you made about only being comfortable with the party scene (admittedly lame compared to big campuses–but also more intimate)</p>
<p>My son is a soph at AU…he is in a fraternity, he plays on a club sports team…and he studies A LOT. He is a very typical AU student.</p>
<p>So just give yourself a little time. Think about why you chose AU and see if your reasons still make sense to you. And if you are still not comfortable, you can always transfer.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice Mike, it really helps as I am considering applying Early Decision this fall. My only set back from the school is that it is too political driven and the social life is based on that. While I dont hate political discussions, I dont love them. I am interested in studying something along the lines of advising, radio, film, or TV.
My question I guess is that do you (or anyone else reading this) think that American can only serve to those who find themselves extremely interested in politics? Thanks!!</p>
<p>To the OP: I hope you took advantage of the Club Fair on the quad today. My D, who is also a freshman, found several clubs that she was interested in - a couple dance clubs, a group that does tutoring in DC schools, and a religious group. She’s not really that interested in politics either. But she’s found lots of other things to keep her busy. Plus, she’s planning on rushing a sorority in January. Her best advice for next year’s freshman is to join a University College that sounds interesting to you - she’s on a floor with all theatre and film kids and says they have a blast. But, I can see how honors floors might be a little intense.</p>
<p>Just wanted to chime in: my D, an AU sophomore, is completely uninterested in politics and current events (drives me nuts, as I’m political junkie), and her friends at AU are the same way. As has been mentioned, you just need to find your own kind of people, and it can take a lot longer than a month. I think the impression that AU students do nothing all day but engage in heated political discussions is a wild exaggeration. Most of the time they are doing what all college students do: _______ (fill in the blank as you wish!) D also didn’t find her Honors floor to be especially intense.</p>