Can current students please discuss pro's and con's of AU?

Colleges and Universities A-Z American University
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<p>Hello all, I am an African-American male from Pennsylvania who is about to become a high school senior. For many months, I have been going through the whole “college preparation” thing with my parents. We’ve been going through it picking schools for a list and finally, I think I have a good list. American is on it, and my stats are about “match-extremely slight reach”:</p>

<p>1190 SAT, 2.8-3.0 GPA (school doesn’t calculate GPA or rank students). Will have great recs, great essay, and am VERY involved in EC’s</p>

<p>I really don’t care right now about my chances for the school, as I have two safeties. What I want to know is the ATMOSPHERE of AU, and the little things that I wouldn’t be able to get out of the guidebook. Like, how’s the food there? Is there a lot of racial tension on campus? Do blacks/whites separate themselves from each other? How are the dorms (big, small, what do they come with?) Basically, just a whole lotta stuff about AU you think I should know. Good or bad. I am visiting the school soon, btw. Thank you.</p>

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<p>AU is more than a reach.</p>

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<p>did you read my post at ALL? I don't want to know if you think its a safety, reach, or match! I just want your input on the school it self. I clearly said: "I really don't care right now about my chances for the school, as I have two safeties."</p>

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<p>input.... i am going to be a frosh at this school... and by far I am very happy and pleased that i got in/ that i've decided to go here...</p>

<p>I turned down SUNY binghamton (one if not the best state schools in NY... and ranked high compared to other state schools to go to AU for these reason)</p>

<p>a) weather. I'm not sure where Pennsylvania your from, but i live about an hr or so away from NYC.. meaning that it can get cold, but cold enough for a handful of snow days... nothing too bad. DC is about 5-10 degrees warmer.. which REALLY makes my day</p>

<p>b) I went for (and if you get in i HIGHLY reccomend going to) the AU overnight stay. Basically (free of charge!!) every admitted student is invited for a chance to come to AU various weekends throughout the month of April. Each overnight stay is specific for eitehr an area of study or they have like a multicultural weekend, which if u get in, you may want to go to. (they also have a multicultural dorm.... i'll get into that later). Basically they invite you to stay in the dorms, you meet a lot of other admitted students, you eat their food, and they have prepaired events like a student panal q& a session and a toru. During the midafternnon time you're paired up with like a "big brother/ sister" who you spend the night w/ and who also like shows you around. I went w/ mine to the monuments. Very cool times... The next moring there was a breakfast and some more guided programs. Then we went home. This is what made me decided to go to AU. Also the first day we were there... it was a beautiful day, and liek different clubs were out on the quad, just having fun. Like they weren't there just because we were there (there was only like 20 of us) they were there because thats just what happeneds on a normal day. They had like hillel making fawaffles (sp?) and giving out t-shirts and they had the "against maniquism" contest (a club ment for people to get involved as to not end up like a maniquin) they had a contest where a group of people can't move or flinch or anything... if one does then they are out... the last person standing won a shirt... very cool :)</p>

<p>c) The people seemed so nice and the area is amazing. AU is located right on embassy row (w/ lots of cherry blossoms) :) and it is about a 15 min walk to the metro, which can take you w/e u need to go. There is also a shuttle bus that can take you places... but walking is also very nice. AU is located in a safe neighborhood, wich is quite cool</p>

<p>d) diversity on campus is there... but unless you want to go to howard... for the most part you will see cacasions... yet again when i was on campus, all of a sudden i saw a group of african americans together... (it just so happened that me and a couple of others from Hillel were talking about campus diversity, because i am/ was (tear) the co- president of the intercultural club at my high school). My new friends explained to me that the group was traveling together because they were part of an all aferican american frat, and they were doing some project together. So yeah there is diversity. But do blacks and whites seperate themselves... ???? i have no idea as i am a freshman. My "big buddy's" roomate was african american.... my roomate didn't see to have an "issue" with her because of the color of her skin. Her best friend across from her, is half indian... and she doesn't have a problem w/ her. Again Lenord, is the intercultural dorm, so if you were interested in that sort of thing, you could always live there... if not the regular dorms have an aspect of interculturalism... </p>

<p>d) dorm rooms... not the biggest i've seen (syercuse wins this) but not the smalest (SUNY albany wins this)... but i would have to lean towards the bigger side. Again i haven't been there since april... and i think dorm size depend on the actual hall u decide to live in.. and how many people... like AU has triples.. but they are still in the same size dorms as the doubles... so if AU can hold 3 people in the dorm space ment for 2.... you've got the picture.... again i'm going to AU for orientation tomorrow... i can tell u more about this when i come home on fri....</p>

<p>e) FOOD!!! my favorite aspect.. (haha i sware i'm not a 500lb man... haha i'm actually sorta under weight... gotta love my metabolism....) umm... AU has an ice cream bar! yea!!! they have ice cream smoothies.... and they have like the usual salad bars, hot food, cold food, donuts, bagles, eggs for breakfast... umm.... the caf actually isn't that bad.... they have a lot to choose from and i liked it (by nov i may hate it as most college students do... but w/e). My "big sister" and her friends claimed that they still like the food. (and btw the caf is the type where u pay one price and u eat w/e u want) What is also VERY cool is that you AU money card (called Eagle Bucks) can be used at the local convient type store (which is right on campus) and u can have food delivered 2 u, using you AU eagle bucks card from outside sources (can be expensive if u do it every night... but w/e once inawhile its a nice treat to do.)</p>

<p>f) yeah okay whoo.... if you can get through all that.... more power 2 u! lol feel free to PM me if you have any questions.... and u know hwat AU might be a bit of a strech (i mean i was concered about not getting in w/ a 1240 amazing recs/ ec w/ a 3.3.... but w.e. don't worry about it... there may be something that an admissions counclier likes about u.... etc...) good luck!</p>

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<p>...also from AU's website... that as of march 2005... this is what the class of admitted students for the 2009 class looks like:</p>

<p>Freshman Ethnic Diversity Total = 21.2%; of these:</p>

<p>Alaska Native/American Indian = 1.8%
Asian = 27.3%
Black or African American = 25.2%
Mexican American = 4.3%
Native Hawaiian = .3%
Other Hispanic American = 15.8%
Other Multiracial = 20.6%
Puerto Rican = 4.7%</p>

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<p>For all of those people who have provided their services, thank you. :) Keep up the good work. BUMP.</p>

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<p>BumP please</p>

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<p>totalty came back from Orientation and i love it even more....</p>

<p>Diversity.... bigger then i expected... its not like african americans hang out together in one area of the quad and asians hang out at another part... everyone really chills together... very cool... like a close knit family...</p>

<p>during orintation i didn't meet one mean person... everyone was REALLY cool...</p>

<p>what is quite amazing is that people give up amazing schools like yale and g-town for American....</p>

<p>food = even better then expected.... full salad bar, asian grill, yummie bed food (like pizza & french fries) they have feda cheese @ the salad bar (score!) ummm... everything was above up to par!</p>

<p>in terms of the atmosphere... i sware i didn't meet one mean person. Everyone was so nice, kind, helpful, and welcoming.... i sware i would recommend AU to anyone thinking of applying. :)</p>

<p>dorms are also quite big.. and u cna always have your bed lofted if you want more space (if you don't u can put like cinder blocks to make more room... if not there is STILL space to put stuff under da bed)
i mean they can comfortable fit 3 people in a room... compared to like my friends going to like NYU.... the dorms are quite nice in size... not the biggest... not the smallest.. but still closer to the bigger side...</p>

<p>again any quetsuions? comments? feel free to PM me... good luck again! :)</p>

<p>-alyssa</p>

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<p>well...if ur an a$$ going into orientation, ur life is gonna suck when u finally get there aha</p>

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<p>i went to visit american last summer, i thought the dorms were kinda small... i cant remember which building i was in, but it was a triple, and all three beds would not have fit on the floor. two of them deff had to be bunked. obviously not a deciding factor in picking a school... but it seemed like a pretty small amount of living space to me. i loved everything else about the school though, so good lluck!!!</p>

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<p>I have been looking at AU for quite awhile and I really like the school as far as I have seen. I really want to live in DC, politics, current events, etc are my thing. I think that I have a chance to get into American but I will have serious financial problems without any aid. Here are my stats, I would appreciate some help.</p>

<p>SATS: math:570
verbal 690
writing 640
I am planning to take the SAT again to raise my math score as well as some SAT IIs.
class rank:63 out of 469 (top 13 percent)
GPA:3.7 dont know if weighted or not
APs: completed AP US and AP Eng Lang.</p>

<p>Senior schedule: AP macro econ
AP Microecon
AP gov
AP comp gov
AP spanish 4
AP Lit
physics
pre cal</p>

<p>ECs: soccer: cap one year (3 years highschool, 12 years club)
participant and group leader in AP US night school (once a week essay class at night), volunteer big brothers big sisters and through key club, member church youth group, spanish tutor to elementary school, worked last summer and this summer as hostess/waitress
honors, awards:national honor society, honor roll, others that i cannot remember</p>

<p>I am from huntsville al, white female, don't know if that makes a difference.</p>

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<p>I dont know what AU's averages are for SAT and GPA I just know that I am above SAT at a 2200 and below average with a 3.5 UW GPA(granted I struggled freshman year and I have taken all honors and AP's ever since). But it seems that both of you have a chance, but again im not sure if they will give you aid. I like American and I think I can get a better aid package from them as opposed to Umich or George Washington(assuming i can get in). The best thing about the school is the location and the oppurtunities within the city. I havent done an overnight there so im not familiar with the dorms or food; however I did notice that the campus is very liberal and majority women... which is again a plus for me.</p>

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<p>How about merit aid from American?</p>

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<p>I need your imput on my chances because some people tell me AU is my match school while some others say it may well be a safety...</p>

<p>Korean-born Asian-American
- one of the top public schools in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA w/ 87% white population</p>

<p>GPA: 4.15 W, 3.8 UW<br>
Rank: around 37 / 500, top 7.4% ; I know my rank is not appealing
SAT: expecting around 2150 (700 V / 750 M / 700 W), hopefully
- SAT IIs: Math IIC- 730, US History- 710, Spanish- taking in November</p>

<p>APs so far: AP Calc BC- 5, AP US History- 4</p>

<p>Senior schedule (6 APs):
Fall- AP Gov and AP Econ, AP Literature, AP Environmental Science, Spanish VII
Spring- AP Gov and AP Econ, AP Statistics, Health/Fitness, AP Spanish</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
- Habitat For Humanity: 12th Board member
- National Honor Society: 11th & 12th Treasurer; Organized 1st Pope Scholars Program
- 9th-12th Korean translator at my church for English Ministry
Church Youth Band performing for many other churches in the metro-Atlanta area
9-10: Piano; 11-12: Acoustic Guitar
- Student Government<br>
- Key Club<br>
- Spanish Honor Society
- Mu Alpha Theta / Math Honor Society<br>
- Concert Band 1st Chair Trumpet </p>

<p>Awards, Honors, Recognitions:
Character Education Award (responsibility): 10th - 11th
Honor Band: 9th
Academic Award: Spanish- 10th
Essay Published in a book Be The Change: Improving the World and You created by the Hands On Network Organization: 11th
President’s Student Service Award: in recognition of Community Service: 11th (National Award)</p>

<p>Sports Activities:
Track: JV & Varsity: 11-12
Community Basketball: 9-12</p>

<p>Summer Study Experience:<br>
- JAMA (Jesus Awakening Movement of America) – Georgia Tech<br>
- iD-Tech Program – Emory University<br>
- Mission Trip to Peru<br>
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area: Bushkill, Pennsylvania<br>
Student Conservation Association volunteer (6-man work crew)
trail rehabilitation through construction, repair, and cleaning</p>

<p>Intended Major: history, public policy / law, or international relations/affairs</p>

<p>Hooks:
- spending a month in the wilderness away from civilization doing various conservation projects in a national park
(will write about this experience in detail as my personal statement)
- English as 2nd language, lived in U.S. for 6 yrs.
- living with aunt & uncle away from parents…lol is that even considered a hook?
- most rigorous course available for my graduating class; my school has offered AP courses for only juniors & seniors, but my school has recently added many more APs like world history and human geography for 9th and 10th grade students…</p>

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<p>Bump......</p>

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<p>bah i've been on vacation.... i can take a break from cc for a day or two right? haha k sammo33... this is what i think... i say saftey... again w/ one ap cource and one college level course (taken snr year) i got in. Seeing as i'm not too special (like i'm not native american, my dad didn't donate a billion dollers to AU, nor did I cure cancer) i think i got in based on my stats which were: 3.3 gpa (like a B+ taking the normal college prep classes) and a 1240 sat (600 v 640 m). </p>

<p>yet again who knows what the class of 2010 will look like. I say its free to apply online (at least it was when i applied) go for it. WHen i was applying 2 schools i liked the feeling of people here telling me i had a good shot... that i was in... but w/e my word doesn't really mean that much as i am not slepeing w/ the admisisons commitee (well not yet lol wink wink...) but my opinion is that u shouldn't have an issue. You should be quite proud of your accomplishments and you should keep up the good work. You should be proud of what you accomplished.... good luck! feel free to PM me w/ any questions, concerns, or comments u have about AU or the college process in general... seeing as i just went through it myself just a short time ago.</p>

<p>-alyssa</p>

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<p>How is AU viewed in Washington? Does it have a respectable academic reputation? With the two big schools like GWU and Georgetown, is AU seen as a good school? How is it's public affairs school? Out of all three schools, who gets the bests internships? Which has the best campus, girls, and the best social scene.</p>

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<p>bebedrell : </p>

<p>humm.. i actually wrote an amazing response to your question... but it deleated itself... hense why i haven't jumped right in to anwer your question... but sigh... here i go... again...</p>

<p>first off girls... I'm there!!! so AU has the hottest gurl in DC going to their college lol</p>

<p>acidemics... here is the school of public affairs website <a href="http://spa.american.edu/pdf_files/factsheet.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://spa.american.edu/pdf_files/factsheet.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>basic info about the school of publci affairs (and the school that i am in.. anotehr good choice ;) )</p>

<p>here is someting useful if you care about what like rankings such as newsweek... i don't give a *****... but i guess otehrs do...</p>

<p>US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT UPS RANKINGS FOR AU'S SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS!
The new U.S. News and World Report ranks among the top 10 of public affairs program SPA 10th in the nation, up from our 12th place ranking three years ago. SPA’s program in Justice rose from 5th to 3rd, tied with Harvard.</p>

<p>yeah.... ummm parties? hello in the middle of DC... yet unlike GW its not in them middle of the city.. so you still have like trees to read under and a quad to throw around a frisby...</p>

<p>internships? hell yeah... AU is well known and has a good rep... i mean your in the heart of DC... it would be hard NOT to be able to find an internship.... </p>

<p>Also its not like AU is the "dumb" school... or where the rejects of g-town or GW go 2.... I thought the same ways u did after i was accecpted... i went to AU's overnight program for accecpted students... and i asked that question to a pannal of students... they were like shocked... one of the girls claims she got into g-town, gw, and AU and decided that AU was more of her style... so she went to AU... anotehr guy from my orientation got into g-town... but decided that he liked the people better at AU... don't get me wrong i'm sure that g-town and gw are great schools... and in reality it doesn't really matter where u go... as long as YOU are able to make the most of it.... but well from my experience at least... AU is a great school and is a worth while school to look at. I mean teh average SAT score was a 1270 and ave gpa was 3.51.. and the boards keep going up....</p>

<p>again if there is anything i can help u w/ feel free to PM me again or post on AU's thread...
good luck!!!
-alyssa</p>