<p>I’ve been doing a lot of research on AU and, while at Barnes and Noble earlier, I looked over a couple of books evaluating colleges. I can’t remember all the titles but in at least two of them I read student comments like, “I wish I had pushed myself harder while at AU. It was just too easy.” And, “The professors at AU are hit and miss. I almost never had to study because it was so easy to do well.” </p>
<p>These comments are kind of disturbing. I’m looking for a great international relations program (pref. in DC) and American is of course on my list of potential colleges. I am however looking for a challenge. I want to push myself and feel like I might not get an A if I wait until the last minute to do everything. </p>
<p>Are these comments completely out of line or is AU too easy? Do these comments apply to the SIS program? Knowing the answer to these questions will help me determine where to go if I’m accepted into all the schools I apply to. </p>
<p>if you really want an opinion, i'll give it. (sorry for the defensiveness! this is because of the kids on CC, not the school!) my d. is in SIS. it was and remains her first choice. she got in to many others, with more money, but chose AU...i wish the active, smart, focused kids CURRENTLY IN TH SCHOOL WOULD WRITE HERE! but as i said on the "IR" site, they don't have time!</p>
<p>AU has extremely high academics. their gen ed classes aren't necessarily easy, just not taught by the BIG WIGS like in the major classes, or more advanced. but that's true in all schools. unlike many schools, AU has very small classes, no TAs, and professores who go way out of their way to connect with students.
in most research, AU and GW are identical, tho AU's academics and overall quality of life are better. it's on Embassy Row, in an afflkuent, "green" part of DC. externships, internships, jobs abound. contact with the real DC people is all around, in their professors, or those they connect with thru the above noted. they have something like a 90% job after graduation rate, i think. smart? the only kids that get scholarships are in the 700s on SATs, etc. hope this helps. AU is the new up-and-comer on the block(as GW was a few years ago) and this must be a sociological phenomenon that it has to be raked over the coals in the process! hope this helps! good luck to you!</p>
<p>This is from a person who actually attends AU.</p>
<p>Intro level courses are generally easy. However, if you don't plan on doing any work, don't expect automatic A's. By saying 'easy' I mean that if you put in some effort to keep up with workload and do assignments on time you will get the grades you want. It does not take a genius to do well at AU.</p>
<p>Obviously, some classes are harder than others. My philosophy class last semester was very challenging and the professor required high-level performances from her students. On the other hand, some classes are absurdly easy and almost seem pointless.</p>
<p>Also, it is not true that TA's don't teach classes. My statistics instructor is a grad student, not a professor. Also TA's teach all science lab classes. But for the most classes, expect a real professor.</p>
<p>swmass seems to have it right, and I have generally experienced the same thing. Again, I would listen to people that go to AU as we actually know the truth. </p>
<p>I will be honest and say that I have had some difficult classes(Chinese) and of course some pointless gen eds. It is a concern, but you can get into good classes if you do a little research. I would also advise you look into AU's geneds before you enroll here and make sure you feel comfortable with their offerings. </p>
<p>As for collegemom's assertion that people who "do well" don't have anytime to post, I think thats completely ridiculous. Sure, this site doesn't concern most people - but I guarantee none of us that do post on here have 2.7 GPA's(which do exist here). We just have a general interest in trying to help other students. I think at the very least this proves that we have an interest in the discussion about our school. In addition, I know many people who are "overextended" and very "active" here and still strongly dislike the school itself.</p>