<p>Hey All,</p>
<p>College Confidential helped me a lot when I was applying to schools last year (I applied to 14, got into 12, ended up at American) so I thought I’d return the favor and open myself up for questions. Feel free to ask me whatever over the next couple months if you want and I’ll do my best to answer questions as honest as possible.</p>
<p>-CaseyC</p>
<p>PS: I made a new account for this, hence why my post count is so low.</p>
<p>We are a little confused. My D applied ED1 and was accepted. Her letter said she was accepted into the School of Arts & Sciences even though she applied to SIS. She called and was told that it didn’t matter, that everyone was accepted into the school as a whole and she could change it when she arrived. But the website clearly says that if you apply indicating a SIS major, you are admitted into SIS. My concern is for class registration and initial advising prior to arriving on campus. Any insight?</p>
<p>Pushydad, I’d have those same concerns. If my daughter were in your daughter’s position, I’d have her touch base with the appropriate advisor from the list at the bottom of this page: [Undergraduate</a> Advising](<a href=“http://www.american.edu/sis/undergradadvising/index.cfm]Undergraduate”>Undergraduate Advising | School of International Service | American University, Washington, DC). (And then she wouldn’t actually do it. So I’d draft an email, give her the draft, and tell her, “You’re not doing [insert pleasurable activity] until you’ve revised this email to your liking and sent it to SIS.” So you’re not the only pushy dad around these here parts.)</p>
<p>Hi CaseyC,</p>
<p>I was wondering what you think of the three-year programs at AU. I got admitted into the PPL Scholars but I understand you probably won’t be able to offer insight as it is a new program. There is a similar program at SIS though, the Global Scholars Program. Do you think programs like these are worth it to get your BA in three years? I’m alright with giving up a little college experience for academic rigor but the “interdisciplinary” BA kinda makes me nervous. What do you think?</p>
<p>pushydad: Unlike somewhere like Georgetown, you’re accepted in AU as a whole then into the individual school. Because of this, once you’re in AU you can transfer between schools really easily. I initially applied to the Comm school, but half way through the summer switched to Public Affairs. Anyone who is undeclared goes into College of Arts and Science. I would definitely get that straightened out before class registration because if she knows she wants to do SIS, taking her SIS first year seminar first semester will make her class scheduling easier in the future. Don’t worry about it though, all they have to do is fill out a form and she can move from CAS to SIS realyl easily. </p>
<p>wmac131: As a personal rule of thumb, I don’t like interdisciplinary majors; whether it’s at AU or another school. I think the programs can be great, but I can’t picture myself putting that on a resume for an employer. That being said, it’s an awesome program and I have friends in it who love it. You’re going to learn a lot and have a great time if you do it. Also, most DC employers have warmed up to the idea of the CLEG typer majors so I really wouldn’t worry about it at all. I would say if you want to save the money and get out in 3 years absolutely do it BUT don’t do it for the program because if you don’t mind spending the money and another year in school I would tell you to do a Poli Sci and Comm double major with an Econ minor instead.</p>
<p>Hi, thanks for the help in advance, it’s great to have a current student to ask on CC! I am looking at American as my only “big” university besides University of Rochester as all of my other schools have less than 3,000 students and no graduate students. I live in a smallish town, but close to several medium size cities and visit both Boston and NYC somewhat frequently. I love these cities, but I have never lived a “city life” before, and my high school has less than 400 people. I enjoy living the small-town life and love the tiny size of my high school, so I know that I would enjoy a small LAC, but I also know that there is a chance I could have an even better experience at a city school such as American, especially with the opportunities of Washington DC. Perhaps none of this was true for you, but if either you or a friend came from a small town environment that they enjoyed (not looking for someone who was trying to escape the smallness- that isn’t me!), how was the adjustment, what was different for you/them, and what tips would you have for someone in this situation? AU would definitely be a step outside my comfort zone, but I think it would be a positive one, and I’m curious if anyone has experience with this. Thanks!</p>
<p>Hi! Thanks for answering our questions. I am a current senior who was just accepted into the WMP at American for the fall, and I am very strongly considering doing it. Were you (or any of your friends) WMP students? If yes, how did you/they find the program? If no, would you say that WMP students were considered “second class” at all?</p>
<p>Hey I was just accepted and there’s a high probability of me going, but upon further examination of the majors I don’t see a political science or government major? I never looked before because I assumed a school like this in DC would have one…is there some equivalent I’m missing or does AU simply not have one? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>EDIT: Found the school of public affairs just now. -_______- the political science major is for undergraduates right?</p>
<p>what’s the nightlife like?? Any chance that a freshman could go to a really fun party?</p>
<p>@jiggyjake - yes undergraduates can be political science majors.</p>
<p>EmmaWillard2013: The cool thing about AU is that it’s not RIGHT in DC. AU is actually located in the NW region of the district, so it’s in a pretty suburban area. That being said, a 10 minute metro ride and you end up in the heart of DC. Being on campus is very non-city feeling. I think it’s nothing like a small town, but it’s absolutely not like being in the middle of a city. There are people that I know who were in similar situations and love AU and others who don’t. It’s definitely a difference, but one that you might enjoy if you’re ready to step outside your comfort zone. </p>
<p>sharps: Do it! I have friends in the program and they love it. Next year all the WMP students will be on main campus instead of Tenley too, which will be cool. Be prepared to work though. The program isn’t at all “second class” and you’re going to have to put in a good amount of work but it’s a really unique program that I’ve heard awesome things about. </p>
<p>jiggyjake: I’m a Poli Sci major… so yeah… haha</p>
<p>the2013: We’re only slightly biased, but AU has by far the best night life of the DC schools. We’re a dry campus, but the “your body is not a container” law is great. If you want to stay in and do homework on a Friday night, there will be people who would love to hangout with you but if you want to go party until the sun rises that’s absolutely an option. I will tell you that Welcome Week will be the most drunk/tired/hungover/awesome week of your life. If you want it to be of course. AU has a really awesome party scene (which was one of my biggest worries as a freshman) and great frats, but if that’s not your thing no one will ever pressure you to go out and there’s always people who don’t want to party.</p>
<p>Well, so much for Casey’s career writing AU’s promotional letters to prospective parents!</p>
<p>Sent from my DROIDX using CC</p>
<p>What are the communal bathrooms like at AU? Assigned? Large? Clean? Do people change in the bathroom or in their room? Do they just walk around in bathrobes? Any answers would be great!</p>
<p>Hi. I wasn’t personally interested in Georgetown or GW, but are there a lot of AU students who didn’t get into other DC schools and are bitter about it?</p>
<p>Hi. I wasn’t personally interested in Georgetown or GW, but are there a lot of AU students who didn’t get into other DC schools and are bitter about it?</p>
<p>When you say there is a lot of work for WMP, will i find it extremely difficult to juggle the work with partying?</p>
<p>Will American help me a get good internship in a variety of interests other than politics? Also, i don’t mind politics that much but don’t want to be surrounded by it all day. Is it really true that people are obsessed with it at AU?</p>
<p>Also, i hear DC is very strict about weed. Do you know if this is true?</p>
<p>Sikorsky: Being honest, not writing a WONK campaign :)</p>
<p>historyworm95: Large-ish. 4 stalls and 4 showers usually. Doesn’t seem like a lot but I think I’ve only had to wait for a shower like once or twice during my entire time here given people’s different sleep schedule. Depends on the person. Some people change in the bathroom, others in their room. The bathrooms are single sex and once you’re not a freshman anymore the rooms have their own bathrooms.</p>
<p>Aceofspades25: Not at all. Many people here came as their first choice, some (like me) it was their second. Bunch of people didn’t even apply to the other 2. Oddly, AU is moving up quicker in the rankings than GW-- who won’t even be ranked in US News next year-- and each school has slightly different programs, some better than others. Realistically I would say AU and GW are well on their way to being “tied” if you want to look at it that way. Either way, employers generally look at AU, GW and Georgetown all exactly the same.</p>
<p>bigkrit: I don’t think so. It’s just time management. I was not good at it first semester but figured it out second semester. There are people obsessed with politics, but just as many who hate it and don’t ever want to hear anything about it. We’re also the #1 school in the country for internships so, yes. I know several freshmen interning at many non-political places like advertising agencies, CDC, NIH, things like that. DC is not strict on weed like at all. It’s not Colorado, but yet again I wouldn’t be concerned about it. From what I know, genrally the only times the cop will bring you up on weed charges is in addition to other charges, if you’re a drug dealer, or if you’re really mean to the cop. Don’t choose a school based on partying though. As long as you don’t go to somewhere like BYU, I promise there will be people who want to party as much, if not more, than you. Or if you do really want to base a school on partying, you’re probably not ready for the “real world” programs that AU will put you though. We party hard, but at the end of the day we’re all going to graduate with jobs and for most people that comes first.</p>
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<p>Touch</p>
<p>Casey C, </p>
<p>American has been my #1 choice since I toured it last Winter! I received my acceptance packet but the financial aide I am being awarded is terrible. My family’s EFC is 0001 because my parents make VERY LITTLE MONEY. By what they are offering me, I would end up graduating with $160,000 in students loans with seems ridiculous since my parents make SO LITTLE. </p>
<p>I was not awarded any merit aide (which really hit me hard). I applied test optional since they said it would not affect my chances of merit aide or honors program. My GPA is very high though 5.1W, I am 2nd in a class of 105 in a competitive Florida charter school. I have taken 7 AP classes and 8 Dual enrollment, received mostly A’s in them, with a few B’s here and there (mostly Freshman year). In My senior year mid year report I had ALL A’s and I took 5 Dual Enrollment, French, 1 AP, and Honors Math. </p>
<p>I have good extra curriculars: </p>
<p>MUN - President (junior and senior year) I’ve won 13 individual MUN awards
Intern for Senator Bill Nelson
Varsity Tennis
Key Club International - Treasurer
American Red Cross - Secretary
National Honor Society
(and many others)</p>
<p>Do you think that I can appeal my merit aide award? Because to me, it just seems crazy that AU would think I can come out owing so much, while my parents make so little! </p>
<p>If not, I am going to have to go to the University of Florida (because it is so much cheaper than AU). Although it is a good state school, I REALLY REALLY want to go to DC, it has been my life long dream!</p>
<p>Good stuff, thanks. Couple more questions though</p>
<p>Do you know if the Literature, Creative Writing, Psychology, History, and just general Liberal Arts departments are any good? I know the school is most known for PoliSci and Communications so i’m really unsure if the school is right for me academically.</p>