D2 is a junior who would like to major in biology, genetics, maybe athletic training, or something like those, and she would like to be in a pre-physical therapy program if the school has one. She would like to be in a school that has school spirit and that supports athletics; she is an athlete. (From what we’ve found about AU so far, this may be the deal breaker. If they don’t have a rah-rah environment surrounding sports, that may be ok with her, but she’d like to at least be able to be in the stands with a group of other enthusiastic supporters of some sport.) She’s conservative/independent but willing to be in a liberal setting. Also, she’d like Greek life to not dominate, and she’d like a cooperative, not ultra competitive, environment among the students.
Do you think it sounds like American might be a place for D? She really likes the coach and the environment of the team she’s interested in, but the academics and overall environment of the school are more important to her. She’d like to be at a school that she would enjoy with or without the sport.
The science department is not a focus of the University (although I’ve heard rumors that they are changing that but not in the near term) - the main focuses of this school are the School of International Service and the School of Public Affairs. I have spoken to a science major here, however, who told me that they have solid professors who come from Ivy League institutions and he told me that he feels like he’s better positioned here to get more focus by professors than what he would get at a larger science school.
On athletics, there is a small athletics support scene here but it is very small. I have been here for two months now and have only attended one sport event and that was because we were given free food and shirts to attend. While I am only one person, I can say with all honesty that I am not aware of anyone except athletes themselves that attend the games on a regular basis.
The school is very liberal with a solid conservative minority presence in the form of the College Republicans or Young Americans for Liberty. But if she openly speaks about her opinions, she should expect questions and perhaps hostility depending on the person.
Fraternity wise, this school has a fraternity scene but it does not dominate. In my experince, I have not experienced the typical portrayal of fraternities with all of them being very opening. Part of that probably has to do with the fact that the frat brothers being very different from other institutions with a good number of liberal homosexual fraternity brothers in almost all the fraternities. It’s a very open and liberal school which extends into the social fabric of the University.
@myloves, my daughter is currently a junior at AU and loves it and there is definitely more than one type of student at the school. BUT, from what I’ve seen over the past two years, I’d strongly recommend AU for someone who really likes the city but wants an actual campus, and/or someone who has an international or political bend, who isn’t much into school athletics (though there are definitely many teams on campus and some do very well, and since my daughter isn’t an athlete, I am not an authority there by any means). Greek isn’t overwhelming and there aren’t greek houses but many kids do get involved in Greek life. As heyitsnick said above, it isn’t really known for sciences though my daughter is a very happy psychology major.
I am a big AU fan and for the right person it is a wonderful school, but based on how you describe your daughter, her interests and wants in a college, I’m thinking there may be better choices for her to be honest…