<p>As md6488a said, general education classes are usually easy. Do expect to do some work, but you will get an A easily if you do what you are told to do. There are some exceptions of course. My philosophy class had biweekly papers and the professor graded very strictly. Not very many people from this class actually received A's. Also a friend of mine took a World Politics class in which she wrote five ten-page papers. So obviously, some gen-ed classes can be quite tough. Also, speaking from personal experience, as easy as these classes are, you still have to study some to get good grades. For one of my classes, I had two tests in which I received 98% and 82%. Guess which one I actually studied for :). So I'm planning on not skipping any more lectures in this class. But for the most part, expect easy rides.</p>
<p>I don't think I am in a position to comment much on higher level courses/major concentrations because I have not done much of those. But I know from speaking with some sophomores that the general rule is the same. It all depends on your professor. But for the most part, expect less annoying assignments and more major papers (And more interesting subjects. Intro level IR is really not much fun).</p>
<p>A double major is easy as long as your two intended majors are somewhat on the same page. As I said above, Philosophy and Internatioal Studies work out well because they are both parts of liberal arts/humanities education. However, if you want to major in Biology and International Studies, I don't even think that it is possible unless you have some inhumane amount of advanced credits. A Pre-med Biology degree at AU requires 70+ credits of natural science and an International Studies degree requires 60+ credits of social science/humanities. These hours will rarely overlap, if at all. If you want to do this, that means taking summer courses and absolutely no elective courses. </p>
<p>md6488a~ gee, didn't mean to "yell" at you :) !OF COURSE, everything you said is true...of EVERY school. my problem with some of your posts is your obvious antagonism,ie, "don't come here!" thread, which i believe even the monitors got rid of, and the one about "worst money- gouging...". yes, you're right...many kids see all these posts and will have to think for themselves, but extremely skewed insights don't help them in their tasks. and as for being , yes i'll admit the dreaded-word, a PARENT, i do have some things to offer...as the one who pays the tuition, etc, i am in the PERFECT position to know about AU's money,finances,aid packages, exhorbitant room&board (just like any other big East city school...NYC especially.) as i have a good relationship with my student, and her friends, i see a lot of the place from all their eyes.(i just don't want to know too much about the clubs, nightlife,etc. ;) )
and just a final word which i haven't seen much on in the threads...DC has incredibly exciting opportunites politically (demonstrations on the Mall for one) and culturally. best to all newcomers!</p>
<p>Collegemom, I understand your point of view and my previous post occurred after a fight with a teacher. From a parents point of view, both my parents attended American University and so did my grandfather. From what my parents have seen, and from what I have told them, they have encouraged me to think about transfering. This is not the same university that they attended back in the 1970s. From their point of view, there is less freedom, more money gouging, and less emphasis to improve the quality of life at AU. THIS IS FROM ALUMNI. AU has many qualities, the most important is DC. </p>
<p>This school, however, has a lot of quirks and the student body often loves it, or finds it miserable.</p>
<p>I am coming into AU as a transfer, is it easy for us to adapt. I have been attending an extremley large state school around 30,000 students, where a vast majority of kids from my high school went, so how is the scene for getting to know people.</p>
<p>It really depends on what type of person you are, and if you find people who you get along with. It will depend on who is on your floor, who is in your class, etc. Its just like making new friends in high school, only easier because you live with these people. It will be harder as a transfer, but there are always people to hang out with.</p>
<p>Cavallstarr87, can I guess the school you are talking about is U Maryland, College Park? If so, I was thinking about applying there then decided that a campus with a little under 3x the population of my town would be too much for me handle. I wonder, were you in the same position? And if so, was that the reason you decided to transfer? Thanks if you could answer these questions-I just wanted to make sure I made the right choice in not applying.</p>
<p>
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McDowell hosts many university college students and student athletes (there's a common accusation that this dorm smells like cat urine, although it seems unfounded).
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</p>
<p>swmass, my daughter attended the NSLC program at American U last summer and stayed in Hughes Hall. While she was there, she heard from a few people that McDowell has mildew-like odor (something to do with people over-using the air-conditioning?)throughout the year. Is this true?? The reason I'm asking is that after she heard that, she decided that if she got in to AU, she would choose Hughes & Leonard as her first two choices and one of the Southside dorms as her third choice, even though she's probably better suited to Northside. Among the Southside halls, which is <em>relatively</em> quieter? </p>
<p>Also, do most of the students at AU have desktop or laptop computers? And, in the case of laptops, do they often bring them to classes?</p>
<p>I am not quite sure if the smell of McDowell Hall is as big a deal as some people make it out to be. I know of many people who enjoy living in McDowell and do not care much about the smell. Maybe the smell does not really exist or maybe their olfactory senses have adapted :).</p>
<p>Excluding Centennial Hall (which is reserved for upper-classmen), Letts is considered somewhat calmer/quieter than Anderson. But these two dorms are physically a single building, so I don't believe the difference would be very significant.</p>
<p>Most students have laptops. Some prefer desktops for superior performance, but mostly students have laptops because they sometimes need to carry computers around. However, most students do not bring laptops to classes. Maybe at best 20% of students will actually bring laptops to classes, but most students hand-write notes and do just fine.</p>
<p>History is pretty good, math is pathetic. No student or honest adminstrator will tell you otherwise. But then again, this really isn't a school for math. Its for Poli Sci and IR. Just take one math course and be done with it. If you're looking for amazing professors and a strong program...look elsewhere. Far, far away from here.</p>
<p>As far as I know, neither is extremely stellar. I have not heard much about the history program as it does not have very big presence on campus. I've heard many not-so-great things about math and science programs.</p>
<p>As everyone already knows, there are three things that AU does very well.
IR, Polical Science, and Communication.
The rest is average or just flat out bad (especially science programs).</p>
<p>I'm not sure if its allowed or not, probably not. There's no reason to bring a car first semester, anyway. You live on campus, and you can get to the metro pretty easily.</p>
<p>I would only bring a car if you have some need to go home often. Which would be an odd thing to do.</p>
<p>Nope, no cars allowed for freshman. Therefore, I definitely will only be going home on LONG breaks. Aka: only summer and Christmas. Flying is way too expensive!</p>
<p>cars are allowed only with a large pricetag! (something like around $1,000) for the year. besides, you'll probably stay in DC for the summer, once you settle in, for jobs and internships.</p>
<p>more like 1000 dollars per semester to park a car. I wouldn't say the math department is "pathetic" - no that is reserved for the hard sciences and REAL economics. Anyway I agree with most of the things that MD has said and I believe im in a similar situation as he is. I hate going to a school where people have nothing to be excited about. My friend at Emory showed me around campus over break and its safe to say I am jealous(as I am when I go to almost every other school I visit).</p>
<p>Hey connie, whats up? My transfer apps have not been evaluated yet and I am only a freshman. Please stop asking questions that I have already answered.</p>