<p>Hi, I plan on studying political science/government in politics. I was accepted into the honors program at UMD but not AU. I want to take advantage of being in or near DC but I want to have a good college experience as well. I'm really indecisive right now, so please help!</p>
<p>my girlfriend attends AU right now and is completing her second year. she HATES it, with a passion. She is looking to transfer now and regrets not doing it earlier.<br>
Anyway, shes like the small school setting, the classes and DC but hates the people. She says that AU is high school all over again and nobody has really grown up. She says everyone is in a frat or sorority and if your not in one everyone will treat you like <strong><em>. She says all the guys are obnoxious *</em></strong>**s, the girls are all catty and jappy and nobody will ever treat with you respect. Everybody is incredibly rich and likes to flaunt their money and status. I've visited her school many times and can definitely vouch for her on this. In fact, many people that go there do not like it and end up transferring.
I go to a state school myself and definitely recommend UMD. The people at public state schools tend to be very diverse, middle class, smart, fun and down to earth.<br>
Judging by my girlfriends experience, the academics at AU are not challenging and you will probably find UMD harder. But, overrall, Maryland should be a much better experience for you. It has a great reputation, diverse student body and more to do.</p>
<p>Hope this helps. I don't even go there, but i would DEFINITELY recommend maryland.</p>
<p>Political science rankings by gourman report: Post number 40 in this thread
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=2158674&highlight=political#post2158674%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=2158674&highlight=political#post2158674</a></p>
<p>UMCP comes in at like 33. AU is not listed in the top 50 or whatever was posted.</p>
<p>NRC data on political science
<a href="http://www.jajnsn.com/vanguarduniversities/politicalsci.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.jajnsn.com/vanguarduniversities/politicalsci.html</a></p>
<p>Maryland at 29
American tied at 59</p>
<p>Overall Rankings by US News
Maryland 55
AU 85</p>
<p>PEer assessment ranking by US news
Maryland 3.7
AU 2.9</p>
<p>Others around 3.7 ranking- PSU(3.8) NYU(3.8) UCSB(3.6) UCirvine(3.7) Indiana(3.7)</p>
<p>Others around 2.9 ranking- Marquette(2.9) Howard(2.9) Clark(2.9) st.louis university(2.9)</p>
<p>Quality of students
UMCP 1180-1370 SATs- Honor student SATs will be much different. I haven't seen anyone under a 1320 get in. </p>
<p>AU 1150-1350 SATs</p>
<p>Price
Tuition
UMCP instate- 7,821
UMCP OOS- 20,145
AU- 29,673</p>
<p>Room/board
UMCP- 8,075
AU- 11,240</p>
<p>AU was my top choice....until I did an overnight. I found the students to all be psuedo-hipsters with a sense of cultural elitism. No one stays on campus - it's just a place they go to school. Really it seems like there's no sense of community.</p>
<p>thanks for the help everyone....I've decided on Maryland</p>
<p>of course, I looked at info other that what's in this thread as well, but it all helps</p>
<p>Eckie mentioned that they've never seen someone with under a 1320 get into Honors...I got a 1310 and they let me in.</p>
<p>However, I did have an 800 on the US History SAT II, I think that may have helped....</p>