<p>Which would be better for international affairs- George Washington University or American University?</p>
<p>Also, which school is better (academics-wise, social life, campus, etc)? How/why?</p>
<p>I know nothing about American (and not that much about GW lol) but on almost every post/site that I've seen, GW is always ranked higher or suggested as better than American. That being said, visit both campuses and see which one you like more.</p>
<p>i'd visit the campuses if i could, but i live overseas so time/cost is an issue, especially since we don't have any school holidays until may. i doubt my mom would appreciate having to pay $2000 for a weekend trip to dc :P</p>
<p>thanks for the reply though</p>
<p>It's hard to say which school is "better" because "better" is relative to each individual student. Both schools have their advantages and quirks.</p>
<p>I won't provide you with a point-by-point line item comparison, but I will tell you about what I perceive to be GW's advantages.</p>
<p>GW's location provides students greater access to all that the city has to offer. Our neighbors in the Foggy Bottom campus include the State Department, the White House, the World Bank and IMF, the Secreariat of the OAS, the Pan-American Health Organization, the Embassy of Spain, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, the Watergate and the Kennedy Center. We're right in action of DC. Students who live in Thurston Hall occaisonally are woken up by the Presidential and Vice-Presidential motorcades. Neighbors to the Mt. Vernon campus include the German and French Embassies. </p>
<p>The location of GW adds a lot to students' "GW Experience." You can intern at any of the places mentioned above or at the various NGOs (American Red Cross) or think tanks (CSIS, Brookings). Interning allows you to see how your degree can translate into the real world setting. Interning also allows you to make connections that can further your goals (grad school, jobs, careers, etc). Over 90% of GW students complete an internship or major-related work experience before they graduate. The national average is 50-60% (double-check me on that). </p>
<p>The location and reputation also bring amazing faculty. Professors include those who dedicate their careers to research (Martha Finnemore <a href="http://www.gwu.edu/%7Eelliott/faculty/finnemore.cfm%5B/url%5D">http://www.gwu.edu/~elliott/faculty/finnemore.cfm</a>) or those who satisfied their careers in the "real world" and bring their experiences to the classroom (Amb. Skip Gnehm former ambassador to Australia, Kuwait and Japan <a href="http://www.gwu.edu/%7Eelliott/faculty/gnehm.cfm)%5B/url%5D">http://www.gwu.edu/~elliott/faculty/gnehm.cfm)</a>. Of all the schools of international affairs in the country, we're the closest to the State Department.</p>
<p>Socially, DC is an amazing place to spend 4 years of your youth. There's plenty of things to do both on and off campus. The city is your playground. Midnight walks to the monuments. Concerts in the Verizon Center and the 9:30 Club. Theatre at the Kennedy Center. Galleries, cafes and shopping in Georgetown. And right now, cherry blossoms.</p>
<p>The GW experience molds the academic, professional and social aspects of college is a convenient, exciting and face-paced campus within Washington, DC.</p>
<p>If it is any help, I got into the Elliot school at GW and SIS at American and I never once thought about going to American. To me, GW is far better. I think the academics at GW are much better, as well as the campus. When I visited American I was really bored, like nothing stood out--it was all very blah, so what? American seemed dull and depressing, whereas I really liked GW's campus. Just my two cents.</p>
<p>I applied to American as my for sure backup, from everything i've seen and heard, GWU has a far greater reputation.</p>
<p>Location is a big differentiator. As the other posters have pointed out, GW is right in Foggy Bottom, within a few minutes' walk to the White House, etc.</p>
<p>American is in DC, but not in the city part. It's in a residential setting, more like a suburb. You have to walk 5 - 10 minutes to the shuttle, so you don't walk to other places you might want to get to in DC.</p>
<p>If you like the city and the access to local restaurants / internships, places of interest, GW's location is far superior. If you want to be in DC without being in an urban environment, then American offers that.</p>
<p>Thanks guys for all your replies. They've been a great help.</p>
<p>I've decided on GWU for sure! :)</p>
<p>Awesome! You should wander over to the GWU Class of 2011 thread. I guess i'll see you there! (maybe, there are 10,000 other kids there haha)</p>
<p>GWCurrentStudent: </p>
<p>Thanks so much for the information you provided. My son has been accepted to GW and is concerned about the absence of a "campus", but is very drawn to the excitement of DC. I will pass your thoughts on to him. I presume there will still be plenty of social activity for freshman living in the dorms. What is the best dorm (comfort, location, etc.) for a freshman? Thanks for your valuable insights!</p>
<p>This years options for freshmen include: Thurston, Lafayette, Madison, Crawford, Mitchell, Strong and the Mount Vernon Campus. All the buildings offer similar accommodations (bed, dresser, desk, chair, fridge, microwave). The differences are in the location and room sizes available. Mitchell and Strong are singles buildings. There are communal bathrooms in singles buildings. On the Foggy Bottom campus, I would suggest Madison and Crawford if you want the best location. Both are very close to the library, Kogan Plaza and the Marvin Center. If you want the most social, Thurston Hall is the only way to go. With over 1,000 students in doubles, sixes and every size in between, there's endless opportunities to meet new people and have fun. Lafayette is smaller and breeds a more close-knit community. The Mount Vernon Campus breeds a campus-wide community. Somers Hall is the newest building that has freshmen options and is one of the first to be filled.</p>
<p>If I were to do it all again, I would choose Madison or Crawford for the location. The overall size of the building would probably provide a definitely social atmosphere, but small enough to know everybody on your floor.</p>
<p>Thanks! Really appreciate the tips!</p>
<p>I'm having the same question in my head - AU or GW? I haven't gotten a letter of admission from AU but I'm going to assume that I got in because I got into GW. Maybe it'll happen, maybe it won't. Where do I want to go though? </p>
<p>I'm leaning towards GW because:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>It has a Metro stop and is close to everything. If I have a break b/w classes I can walk to a monument, museum, the Mall, etc. The Metro stop is a big deal though.</p></li>
<li><p>More name recognition and respect (slightly) in the DC area. Since GW is so close to everything it seems like their name is tossed around a bit more. </p></li>
<li><p>Rankings - I know, everyone says to disregard them but they are a helpful tool - a guideline if you will. They aren't just BS. GW rates consistently higher in both in the major I'm looking at as well as overall national schools. </p></li>
<li><p>While I'm not completely thrilled with the idea of an urban campus, it is probably better than American. American's campus isn't as nice as I would like it to be. It's alright and has interesting history but the all-white buildings and patchy grass can be a little "blah." Also, the library is pretty small. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>In American's defense though, they probably have more a "community" than GW. Since I won't be living on campus that isn't a huge, huge, huge thing for me. They are cheaper and every time I've recieved anything in the mail from them it is always really friendly and really excited - unlike GW, GU, or JHU correspondence.</p>
<p>GW definitely has more resources, but American isn't a school to outlook. It's on the rise and has some WONDERFUL, respectable programs. The grad/law school is AMAZING and I'm so applying (public relations/journalism). But a setback is the campus, it's really, really small. However, there is a great community feel (better than G-Dub, imho). The kids are really friendly and helpful. I went to film festival there a couple of years ago and everyone was so nice--WAY, WAY nicer than the typical G-Dub. Socially, I must say, without a doubt, that American is better. Anyhoo, keep doing research and good luck.</p>
<p>"Also, the library is pretty small. "</p>
<p>actually gw, georgetown, american and the other schools in the dc area all share libaries as some sort of initiative, so don't let that influence your decision.</p>
<p>Hi Nate - </p>
<p>Yeah - they have a "consortium" or something like that. The only problem is that you have to wait a few days and plan your library visits around book pick-ups. That would be okay for me every once in a while but I like having most of what I need right there and not "a few days away." </p>
<p>American does have more of a community feel - everytime I've ever been there everyone is very, very nice and the correspondence is all extremely friendly. All GWU students I've met seem nice too just not as open. </p>
<p>Ah well, still deciding. It might all boil down to financial aid....</p>