<p>I’m a high school senior applying to AU, and I’m really interested in the Global Scholars program since I’m planning on majoring in IR and I’d love the opportunity to get everything done a bit early (I’d really be looking into the 4 year BA/MA program since that just sounds super awesome) but I had a few concerns, so I’d love it if anyone could answer some questions for me:</p>
<ol>
<li>If I apply and get in but decide the program’s not right for me, would I be able to just enter AU as a normal SIS freshman?</li>
<li>How much does this impact study abroad? The website said it’s still possible (which is good because it’s super important to me to go abroad for at least a semester, preferably a year), but does it decrease your options?</li>
<li>How much does it hurt your flexibility when it comes to courses? Is it still possible to take electives?</li>
<li>Is there a difference in price? Would completing the degree in 3 years (which I believe includes summer classes) cost as much as 3 years of university or 4? Would financial aid factor in the cost of summer classes?</li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks for any answers you might have, I really appreciate it :)</p>
<p>Have you read the “FAQ’s” page on the Global Scholars section of the AU website? I think you’ll find answers there to some of your questions. (It also has contact info for the program):</p>
<p>For the rest, I think you’d do best calling or emailing the Global Scholars folks–it would be great if someone who reads this forum also happens to be a Global Scholar, but the odds of that are small.</p>
<p>Thanks, I just realized the site does basically answer my financial aid question. I’m hoping I can find someone who’s done this (or knows someone who has) because I’m mainly curious about how much flexibility you lose, especially when it comes to study abroad (the website was helpful but a little vague). I think I’m mainly just wondering how different it is than the normal 4 year program.</p>
<p>Hey I’m in the Global Scholars program at AU. You’re paying for 4 years of school since you are still doing 8 semesters of school. They are just condensed into 3 years because your extra 2 semesters are during the summers. If you come in with a lot of AP classes there is a lot more flexibility with your course load, however it is still manageable without any entering credits. You can study abroad whenever you like as well.</p>
<p>Thanks so much! I’m still a little confused though- let’s say for example your family’s EFC is $25K, and the tuition is $75K or whatever instead of $50K because of the extra semester. Would you have to pay more than $25K for the year even though the evaluation forms show that your family can’t pay that much?</p>