<p>So I was recently accepted to AU and I am trying to madly fill out forms since a lot of things seem to be due tomorrow. I’m surprised I haven’t heard more people talking about the University College program! I’ve read everything there is to read about it on the AU website but I want to hear about it from someone who has experience with it. It sounds like a great way to get to know other students with similar interests and also make connections around D.C. but I just want to make sure I know what I’m signing up for before I send in these forms. Any information anyone can tell me about their UC experience/ their opinion of the program would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! </p>
<p>@hannah232430 , unfortunately you missed the UC overnight last week. DD and I went and it was very well attended. The UC program looks amazing and the kids at the overnight felt the same pretty much. It sounds completely worth doing as a great way to meet other kids, get to know some profs and also your way around DC, as well as learning something different. The kids in the program now, or who had taken it, were at the overnight and all were very enthusiastic!</p>
<p>My D was in the PPP (theatre) UC her freshman year and was the program assistant for the same UC during her sophomore year. It was an invaluable experience for her in terms of making friends and getting involved in activities. She is still best friends and roommates with several of the kids from her UC as a graduating senior. However, this could also be due to the specificity of the program. She is a Musical Theater major, and most of the kids in the UC were also theatre majors so they continued to have classes and performances together for the next 3 years. I can’t vouch for the long term benefits of a more general program (say one focused on politics or liberal arts). BUT, I do think the UCs are great for making an instant circle of friends for your freshman year and helping you get involved, regardless the focus of the UC. </p>
<p>My son has joined for all of the reasons noted above. Seems like a win win to me. Good luck!</p>
<p>My daughter (a prospective MT-psychology double major) also did the overnight last week. In fact, we met myjanda and her daughter there! Anyway, she had a great experience and is even more excited to go to AU after spending time with the UC kids. </p>
<p>Thanks everyone!</p>
<p>UC is a great program! I encourage you to sign up if you havent done so already. To the parents, I encourage you to join a great, new FB group as well- American University Parent to Parent Connection (NOT American U Parents). If you have any difficulty finding it in SEARCH, send me a private message.</p>
<p>As a former UCer- it was an amazing opportunity. I was initially concerned that you would only end up being friends with the kids in your UC- this couldn’t be further from the reality. Because UC kids have to do a Welcome Week program with their UC, you bond very quickly. This meant that while my non-UC friends were in that tough first week rut, where you get a little homesick, and miss your friends, my UC had already gotten close. Plus, having an older student (Program Associate) live on the floor with you and run your program gave you a built in mentor. I got my first Congressional internship through my PA, and my UC professor has written my letters of recommendation. It’s such a unique experience, but doesn’t detract at all from your overarching freshman year experience. </p>