<p>Hey!
I was wondering how hard is it to double major? I really want to do both Political Science and Public Relations and I’m not sure if that would be too much
I appreciate your time!</p>
<p>Fabulous326: The Kosher dinning options are slightly limited but earlier today, AU released their new dinning plan (after an 8 month review of the dinning programs) and one of their main points of improvement for next year is to add more Kosher options. We consistently are ranked one of the best vegan/vegetarian dinning options in the country. Dorm wise there are other and nicer dorms available. Off campus housing is generally economically priced and not far from campus at all too.</p>
<p>pushydad: Last year the essay played a big role. Besides that, it’s just a numbers game. I feel like it’s done more first come first servet than anything. Maybe send the UC office an email? The professors don’t really have any say in the class rosters though. </p>
<p>Ahhapok: Super easy. If you’re in the School of Communications, you’re required to either double major or minor in something non-SOC too. Not too much at all.</p>
<p>What is the parking situation like at AU? I have read that parking is fairly easy since the campus is in a residential neighborhood, yet I also read that parking is awful.
I see that parking passes are around $1,000/year, which is obviously outrageous, but I LOVE driving and would love to have my car with me. I have friends in Maryland and other surrounding states, and I would enjoy the freedom to leave on weekends, etc. However, I really do not want to be burdened with a car or having to be concerned and stressed over parking/security/tickets, etc. Any thoughts?? </p>
<p>I am not well-traveled in public transit and having a personal car is as natural as walking for me. Btw- I am a sophomore transfer so I would be allowed to have a car.
Thanks =)</p>
<p>Having your car to get away from AU is only half the question, though. You also have to consider this: when you get where you’re going, where are you going to park?</p>
<p>I don’t know where your friends are in Maryland, but parking in DC or its close-in suburbs in MD or VA is usually difficult, expensive or both. Unless you’re leaving the Metro area, Metro is a much better way for one person to get around. You’d be much wiser to expand your comfort zone than to keep a car in DC–especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area. </p>
<p>Sent from my DROIDX using CC</p>
<p>One of my D’s friends keeps a car at AU and seems content with the situation–of course, she ends up being the go-to person every time someone needs to buy groceries, since dragging a bunch of bags from the supermarket is a challenge on foot or on public transportation. But given the parking issue and the very heavy DC traffic, I’d take the excellent and easy-to-navigate DC public transportation system any day–I guess you could say I’m a big fan. The Metro (subway) stations and trains are models of cleanliness and clarity and the bus system is the best I’ve experienced. There’s an online subway/bus trip planner that’s easy to use and accurate. The “Next Bus” smartphone app tells you in real time exactly when your bus will arrive at your stop. Compared to using public transportation in NYC, with which I’m most familiar, it’s a marvel. (And I’m not even including in that evaluation the time D lost her Metro pass and school ID on a train–they were turned in by some nice passenger and the Metro folks went to the trouble to locate and contact her–imagine that happening in NYC?)</p>
<p>I agree with the others that the DC’s Metro system is extremely convenient and reliable. AU also has those Zip cars on campus that give you instant access to rent a car: [url=<a href=“http://www.american.edu/finance/publicsafety/parking/zipcar.cfm]Zipcar[/url”>http://www.american.edu/finance/publicsafety/parking/zipcar.cfm]Zipcar[/url</a>]</p>
<p>x5xist: I know a few people with cars here but I don’t necessarily see a reason for it. We have Zipcar and Car2Go right on campus. Zipcar is rented by the hour or day and Car2Go is 38 cents a minute, with a maximum of like $13 an hour. The metro and buses are great too.</p>
<p>Wondering if D and I should make the trek to Washington for Eagle Summit, or if Welcome Week will cover the nuts and bolts…</p>
<p>When my d was entering AU (3 yrs ago), Eagle Summit was when they registered for classes and met their advisor. If that is still the case, I’d advise at least sending your D - classes fill up quickly for freshmen.</p>
<p>For the Classes of 2015 and 2016, registration was online in early June, IIRC, and not at Eagle Summit. They do have a make-up Eagle Summit session during Welcome Week for those who were unable to attend during the summer. However, I think that participating in those sessions might preclude doing some of the other Welcome Week actitivies, like the Freshman Service Experience–not sure–check old schedules online.</p>
<p>We actually did fly our daughter home for a session in July (we are local but she was out of town all summer). I’m trying to remember why we decided that was preferable to doing the Welcome Week session…</p>
<p>I found the presentations for the parents during Eagle Summit to be very informative, helpful, and sensitive to the concerns of parents. I was glad I went.</p>
<p>Wondering if D and I should make the trek to Washington for Eagle Summit, or if Welcome Week will cover the nuts and bolts…</p>
<p>Sorry didn’t mean for the repeat posting…think I have some server issue here with Verizon…</p>
<p>I could send my D alone by train, if its worth her taking time off of work. I am not worried about the high school to college transition other than the nuts and bolts…she is very independent, if sometimes a bit of a space shot. If we go together we will drive, and I can stay at a dorm as well, not exactly my idea of a vacation…I really dont want to have it all repeated August 18…the part that matters that is.</p>
<p>In my opinion, Eagle Summit is a must (for both parents and students). Very informative, very thorough, and a great opportunity for the incoming freshmen to make friends well before move-in day. From what I heard, the make-up Eagle Summit in August was not nearly as worthwhile, and it does take away from the full effect of Welcome Week.</p>
<p>Hello! I’m going to be a commuter as a freshman (sucks I know) and I was just wondering if you know any commuters and how they deal with it? I believe 1% of freshmen live off campus…:0 So I was wondering what would be the right way to make friends (should I go to welcome week even though most of the events are late at night and I would have to take the metro) where does one hang out during downtime and etc. Thanks! Also would you say it is easy to get a years worth of credit while studying abroad? As when I visited and everything everyone kept talking about how studying abroad for a semester is more common than a year, but I would really like to study abroad for a year! Thanks and sorry this is so long.</p>
<p>Sadie2 - I am from California and did not care too much for Eagle Summit. My parents are very uninvolved with my education so they trusted me in making my decision to not go to orientation (plus, they didn’t care to know more about AU to want to come). </p>
<p>You mentioned that your daughter would have to leave work and I think it’s a bit unnecessary to do that for Eagle Summit. Freshman can register by themselves based on the information that their academic advisers send them during the summer (which I did) and if you have any problems you can ask this forum! Plus, you definitely will be making two trips to AU and you will likely get bored. Haha.</p>
<p>If you choose to not go to orientation, I discourage you in sending your daughter to makeup orientation. I chose to do the Welcome Week makeup orientation during the first week and it was a complete waste of time as LR4150 said. Students did not want to listen because they wanted to be outside doing welcome week activities or making new friends.</p>
<p>rimthegreen - </p>
<p>Commuting
I served on AU Student Government’s International, Transfer, and Commuter committee. Unfortunately, the truth is that commuters do have it rough at AU. Of the 5 or so commuter friends that I know from Annandale-ish VA/Columbia MD/further away they seem to have lives outside of AU because they were originally from the DMV area. I don’t know how to advise you on making friends but I think you should definitely attend Welcome Week activities and put yourself out there. People hang out on the quad on nice spring days/eat on campus/go to parties basically (you know AU’s campus is pretty small right? Haha). By the way, there is a Commuter Lounge in the East Quad Building (EQB) specifically made for commuter students, but it has recently just become another study area (unfortunately). </p>
<p>Here is the Facebook group of commuters that has 49 members. Perhaps you can introduce yourself: <a href=“https://www.facebook.com/groups/441660765849154/[/url]”>https://www.facebook.com/groups/441660765849154/</a></p>
<p>Studying Abroad
Although most students study abroad for only one semester, it is completely possible to study abroad for one full academic year. AU has partnership/exchange programs with world renowned universities and 58% of students study abroad during their time here. </p>
<p>However, most students do not study abroad for one full year mainly for two reasons: (1) They choose not to because they want to see their friends/return to AU and (2) academically, it’s not possible or it is simply wasted time. Let me elaborate on #2. Some students who are double majoring or can only fit a major & minor into their academic program cannot fit two semesters abroad into their 4-year graduation plan. Also, you will not likely find classes abroad that will fit into your academic program and count for credits at AU. For example, I am taking 3 of my SIS area specialization courses abroad but I could not find any other courses that apply to my major thus I am just taking 2 random, fun classes (and this is a good outcome). Many programs mandate that students take certain courses at AU. It is very circumstantial and based on what program you choose as well. For example, I am going to South Korea and one school offers business classes that can be applied to AU and another school might have programs that apply to SIS students. </p>
<p>So yes, it is possible to study abroad for one year but (A) you’ll likely be wasting one semester just having fun/taking courses that don’t apply to you and (B) you won’t see your AU friends for one year! </p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Thank you it really does!</p>
<p>Any international transfers out there?</p>
<p>Anyone having trouble registering for the eagles summit? I’m an international transfer, so when i click on the link on my new transfer student checklist to register for the eagle summit, it only gives me one option and that’s to register for the one day orientation w no welcome week program. Was it like this for previous years as well??</p>
<p>Help anyone?</p>
<p>Is this the transfer transitions orientation that we have to attend that will also automatically register us for the International Orientation from 17August?</p>
<p>Rimthegreen:</p>
<p>I thought I would provide another perspective on the study abroad question that you asked. I think the ability to study abroad for a year (and the overall value of the classes you plan to take while abroad) varies on both your major (majors, minors, etc.) and the city that you choose to study abroad in.</p>
<p>In the interest of full disclosure, I am studying abroad for this entire upcoming academic year and will still be able to graduate on time (I am actually graduating a full year early). That said, I also am a Public Health major (which is 47 credits for the major) without any minors or additional majors and am choosing to study abroad in two programs that are specifically public health related, so all the classes that I am taking while abroad will count for my major as electives and actually be relevant to my interests as a public health major and for my overall career aspirations in international health.</p>
<p>Obviously, there are downsides to studying abroad for a year, including being away from friends and organizations that I joined and was involved with on campus. However, I think it is a little unfair to say that spending a year abroad equates to one semester being composed of worthless classes. If you look for programs that have classes that relate to your major (like I said, I am taking a huge chunk of my electives abroad as well as a core course for my major), then I think it is worthwhile to consider spending a full year abroad. </p>
<p>The overall value of study abroad is what you make of it. I am going to be getting experience in fieldwork for my major that I would not have had the opportunity to really do at AU. However, had I been going to Europe for a year, I probably would not find it as worthwhile because while taking courses on European politics or Italian art would be fun, they would not help me in the long-term to achieve my professional goals.</p>
<p>Hope that helps! Just wanted to offer another side of the “study abroad for a semester or a year” debate!</p>
<p>Thank you so much ebrincka! That gives me hope! :)</p>