<p>Which is best, George Washington U. or American U.? D is accepted at both (Arts and Sciences at GW; Communications at AU). She is uncertain about major but interested in communications (not at all sure this will pan out; would like to be able to explore options). I am concerned GW classes may be large and a bit impersonal. But GW seems to have a better reputation academically and good internships. She likes the more urban setting of GW. Would she get more personal attention and opportunities at AU? Thanks for any insights...</p>
<p>GW’s classes are definitely not “large and impersonal.” Popular intro courses such as econ and sociology have sections that are over 100 students, but these also include a discussion section with around 20 students, and you can often avoid large lectures all together by taking the class on the vern or at an unpopular time. Upper-level classes are usually much smaller- most of mine are between 20 and 40 students. Professors always teach the classes, not TAs, and they all have office hours for students to visit and get any extra attention that they need. And GW in my opinion has far superior internship opportunities to AU; we are much closer to downtown DC and the metro is right on campus, and the reduced commute really helps make balancing work/classes easier.</p>
<p>My daughter is a GW sophomore and I’ve been really impressed by the fact that classes are not at all large and impersonal. Aside from a few lecture-hall style classes, my d has had lots of contact with her professors and finds them immensely accessible. If money isn’t an issue, I think GW is a much better school in terms of reputation and calibre of students. Just an opinion and a biased one at that. But that’s my impression, for what it’s worth.</p>
<p>I hope we get more responses to this. I love both schools, but I’m currently favoring GWU.</p>
<p>GW is the best, such a great environment, close to everything, amazing teachers.</p>
<p>if you can go back to previous threads- it may have been an AU thread- there was a student that attended GW and then had to transfer to AU (international relations major) for financial reasons. She was quite clear. Academics were much stronger at GW. The level of the students were higher at GW. All in all she enjoyed both schools but was giving her opinion based on her experiences at both (some AU students were not happy with her).</p>