<p>I’m a second time around CC mom, trying to assist overburdened IB junior shorten his college list. DC is a very compelling location, which gives him two choices, either AU or GW. He wants smaller class sizes, but urban/suburban campus. He likes both theoretical (life of the mind) and practical (pre-professional). Academically he’s probably a solid match for both schools, based on published stats I’ve seen.
When I look at Fiske Guide, AU & GW look eerily the same in these ways: SAT & ACT ranges. % Grad in 6 years, and % Frosh retention. Academic rating (3.5 out of 5), Social rating (3 out of 5), Quality of Living (3 out of 5).
So besides the sizes of the school student bodies, the COA and the city center/edge of city difference in feelings, what are the REAL differences? Is GW stronger in the classical liberal arts disciplines and AU more pre-professional? I would appreciate a reflective response to this “contrast and compare”, if it’s possible to get one. Thanks!</p>
<p>I am a prospective DC student, and I am leaning towards American because of what you just said. They are very much equal in many respects, but I see three ways that they are very different.</p>
<p>First of all the money issue. As it stands GW is the most expensive university in the entire nation. While money is not a deciding factor for my family it is certainly an important one when one is looking at very similar colleges.</p>
<p>Another important thing to think about is the enviornment. Recently PR has rated American University the most politicly active school in the nation. For me that has to tip the scales towards American.</p>
<p>Going hand in hand with number two is the guest speakers. Most recently Barack Obama has come to speak to American University, and so has Jimmy Carter I believe. It seems as if American has a presedence for bringing in stellar guest speakers.</p>
<p>Those to me are the main differences when one is looking at AU and GW.</p>
<p>The smaller classes, safer environment, and campus feel were some of the main things that led me to apply to AU, and not GW. </p>
<p>I was also blown away by the number of students who are able to study abroad (for credit) and complete internships. AU really encourages a "hands on" approach to learning which I really appreciate. Our abroad programs are unique in that they are led and taught by AU hired professors, so a student can complete a semester/year abroad for next to the same price of staying on campus while still getting credit. Our programs are popular with many other students who are not able to go abroad via their own schools. We have programs literally everywhere (Ghana, Argentina, S Africa, Nice, Madrid...). I will actually be in Beijing this summer doing a language program.</p>
<p>I also enjoy the fact that AU encourages their students to go out and intern. It is easy to schedule classes around a one/two day a week internship, and you can use this internship for credit. Most of my friends are on their second or third internships by junior year. I myself started at a non-profit, worked for the IRS, and am now at a consulting firm. I feel comfortable going into the "real world" knowing that I have a unique set of skills outside of the classroom that are going to give me an edge against all students who did not venture outside the classroom. AU has an awesome career center, and AU students have a fantastic reputation in DC for being ambitious, responsible, and hard-working.</p>
<p>I am not that familiar with GW programs, but I find AU to be somewhere between "liberal arts" and "pre-professional". I suppose this would depend on what you are studying. AU does have a General Education program which requires students to complete two classes in eaech of five areas (arts, sciences, etc.). I chose to use my AP credits for most of these and finished the others freshman year. I have a double major so it isn't very easy for me to take classes which are not a major requirement, however I know plenty of people who choose to take a class each semester that simply interested them (film, literature, dance, opera, psychology, etc). I suppose it all depends on your major and whether or not you care about the liberal arts balance.</p>
<p>Hope this helped...</p>
<p>Britty512 - great post! You took the words right out of my mouth!</p>
<p>I've attended both GW and AU and I have to say they both face the same type of problems (bad housing and dining, administrative nightmares, costs, etc.)</p>
<p>There are bits and pieces that are different but I'd have to say the biggest difference i've seen is that GWU is much more rigorous than AU. I've taken about the same number of classes at each school (100 to 300 levels) and by far GWU is a more difficult school, and as a result I learned a heck of alot more there. </p>
<p>Just one aspect, otherwise there isn't a ton of difference between them.</p>