<p>My S got into both American (Honors with $27K/yr merit aid) and TCNJ (Honors app and 3K/yr merit aid). So, money about the same end line and we live about an hour from TCNJ. He's not decided on what he wants to do as yet...neurosciences to international relations and has aptitudes in all areas. Would like study abroad and had applied to several smaller LACs all of which have waitlisted him. So we are trying to get some info out there from anyone who might have some insights. Have been to both places already and plan to visit again.</p>
<p>I’m also deciding between those two schools (and Smith). Personally, I’m leaning towards TCNJ at this point. Where does he want to study abroad? TCNJ only offers five languages (Spanish, French, Italian, German, Japanese) compared to fourteen languages at American. That might have some effect on your son’s choice of country. American’s international relations program is also supposed to be very well known.</p>
<p>That said, what attracts me to TCNJ is that I really feel like there’s a sense of community and that it doesn’t feel impersonal like most public schools (and the price; I got merit aid from American but not as much as your son.) When I visited TCNJ for an overnight, I talked to at least one person who got into American and picked TCNJ, but I’m sure there’s also plenty of people who made the other decision. Overall I think both are good schools.</p>
<p>Took a while to get back to you and not sure you’re still there, but just in case, my son is undecided on all fronts and doesn’t have a dedicated major yet. Went back to TCNJ last week to look again and we’re going to American next week for their freshman day. Can’t seem to get a good grip on one or the other, both seem to be good, solid schools with merits and detractions. In the end I’m sure he will do just fine wherever it is he lands. Have you made your mind up yet for certain? And have you gone, are you going to any of the freshman days? What are you considering majoring in? I do know that my son would very much like to experience a meaningful year or semester abroad and it looks like AU offers a bit more.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m still here and have yet to make up my mind. I went to TCNJ’s accepted students day a few weeks ago and I’m going to American’s freshman day on Friday. I’m thinking about majoring in political science, which is a major plus for American, but I’m not sure I’ll be sticking with that major. Based on what I saw in their freshman day, TCNJ has a fairly decent study abroad program but options are fairly limited compared to American. The political science (and international relations) departments also seemed quite small. I’m learning slightly towards American at this point, but it really depends what I think of it on Friday. I do think the transition from High School might be a bit easier for me if I go to TCNJ (closer to home, most activities are on campus whereas in American I’ve heard students go to the city a lot, competition for leadership positions probably won’t be as intense) but that’s taking into consideration that I’m a fairly shy/timid person. Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>Please let me know what you think about Freshman day tomorrow. We are going down next Fri the 24th. Last year we visited TCNJ on open house and it was crazy. This past week we went back for a second look and although I did like it I’m not sure about my son. I haven’t heard from kids who had a bad experience there, but that same statement is true for American as well. It seems as though you could more easily transfer between schools at American though if, like my son, your major is not yet set. Also I finally read the Signal school newspaper that I had picked up from TCNJ LAST April, as well as the one we just got and some female student wrote about an absolutely frightful experience she had with the study abroad assistance she got. I had my son read that because that IS something he knows he would like to consider during his college years. Finally, I know that American’s Career center is VERY well regarded, and the more I think about it, even if you plan to go on to grad school, should you want a year off and plan to work some, that could be a plus. Next week should be telling, although I hope it is no so much of a zoo like last year at TCNJ. How was the freshman acceptance day at TCNJ? We missed it.</p>
<p>Well to be honest the campus of AU is atrocious at best, especially when compared to that of TCNJ. That said, go to AU. DC has so much to offer and is a truly amazing city, and it is nice to have a campus feel while still being in the city. I feel that AU has a stronger alumni base and is much more established whereas TCNJ is more up-and -coming and may not be able to offer the internship or job placement services of AU.</p>
<p>I went to TCNJ’s accepted students day, and a good friend of mine is going to American. I thought everything was really nice at TCNJ, it has a very community-ish feel to it, from what I hear there isn’t as much spirit at American. If you want to do anything political then American is the place for you. But I dont think the study abroad programs are that different, either school you still go to basically whatever country you want and study for a semester or so.</p>
<p>TCNJ definitely is smaller so they dont have as many options as American, but people are insanely happy there for some reason. It was rated #7 happiest campus in the nation, and has a 95% freshmen retention rate. Im most likely going there next year myself</p>
<p>I ended up picking American, mainly because I like the location and the political science program much better. The fact that I felt the accepted students day at American was much better organized was a minor plus. Where did you son end up deciding to go?</p>