<p>Why are you comparing AU to GW and Georgetown? Why not University of Pacific (a school with an excellent IR department?) Or Lewis & Clark? Or Denver (where Condi Rice went to school) and Santa Clara - business schools with great international focus? Or Kalamazoo College, with its extraordinary study abroad programs? All of these schools have smaller endowments (except Santa Clara, I think.) I don't get the point. My d. didn't compare AU to Georgetown - she found Georgetown distinctly unattractive to her, and it was never part of our discussions. She did visit GW thrice, and came away knowing it wasn't the school for her. But she gave serious thought to Santa Clara, and to Denver. </p>
<p>My only problem with his comments were not that he was negative (or positive), but that he was (is) wrong. He doesn't know the first thing about how faculty are hired, or why. And I am indeed sorry that he is unhappy with American, and sincerely hope that he has found the school of his dreams.</p>
<p>I am female and I was talking about adjuncts. Sorry about the confusion. I compare AU GTown and GW because many kids at these schools go here in large part because of their locations.</p>
<p>Thanks to all who responded. I didn't mean to start an acrimonious discussion about which of these three DC schools is the best. For me and my son, the best college is the one that is the best fit for him. Seeing as he spent all of 15 minutes on the Georgetown campus before asking to leave, that school isn't a good fit, regardless of its reputation, academics, endowment, etc. When it turned out that he liked AU more than GW, it was all about how AU would work for him. My son is satisfied with what he saw at AU and we will return for second visit to confirm his initial opinions.</p>