<p>What is the campus vibe and surrounding area like? Is it more of a residential area or one of the nastier areas of DC? Unfortunately I have not been able to go visit campus yet and will not unless I am accepted. </p>
<p>Surrounding area is high dollar residential, but the metro gives you easy access to other areas of DC (except for Georgetown, which you’d have to reach by car or bus). </p>
<p>AU is in a lovely residential area–large houses, mature trees, very pretty campus. You can walk down Mass Ave and go past all the embassies (AU kids traditionally trick-or-treat at the embassies every Halloween). There is a free shuttle from various points on campus to the Metro station which is in the commercial area students use as a campus town–it’s at the most a ten minute walk from anywhere on campus, very safe. The Metro station is the Tenleytown station on the Red Line if you want to check it out. Once you are on Wisconsin Ave there are tons of restaurants and stores. At the Metro station, it’s also easy to get on a bus to Georgetown or to Columbia Heights, which are very happening neighborhoods with a lot of night life. Or just hop on the Metro to Adams Morgan, another fun area.</p>
<p>Beautiful, safe area (relatively, although it is a city and you always have to be careful). And easy to enjoy the rest of DC. </p>
<p>Having lived in the AU neighborhood all my life, I can also tell you that the neighborhood is one of the safest in DC, and very beautiful. However, because it is an expensive residential area, off-campus housing can be hard to afford. Good luck to you on your application; I am also applying to AU!</p>