So I just got accepted as a transfer for the spring, and wanted to know what I should expect from GW. Are the academics any more difficult from anyone’s experience, or comparable? I’m looking for something a little more rigorous, so it would be nice if it were a little more demanding. Also, is GW a substantially better school than AU? I chose to transfer largely because I thought GW would be a better school for Economics and Math, but I want to make sure that I’m not spending more money for the same outcomes. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
CONGRATULATIONS! I know you’ve wanted to attend GW for a while, so this was a very well-deserved acceptance.
As far as academic rigor between AU and GW, I can’t say as I haven’t attended class at AU. My brother-in-law, however, received a degree from there, and he constantly tells me that he feels AU is comparable to GW (I don’t believe him, lol). Honestly, I think it comes down to which degree you’re studying. Politics and IA at GW is on another level than AU, in my opinion. I’m sure AU has programs that trump GW (though I don’t know what they are.) As far as economics at GW, I think it’s a very good program, having a few friends that received econ degrees and are making a heck of a life for themselves. The math department? Well, I’ve got a lot of exposure since I hold a Physics degree, and I’ll say this: the professors are brilliant but not always the best at “teaching.” I think you’ll both learn a lot and be challenged. I scored over a 30 on the ACT math section and still found everything from Calc to Differential Equations challenging.
In the end, I think you’ll be very happy at GW based upon what you want. I wouldn’t consider GW “substantially” better than AU- that would have been Georgetown or Columbia if you had gotten into those. GW, however, will have the name recognition you desire as well as [almost] being a Top 50 school.
I can’t comment on those things, but I just thought I’d add, I was also accepted for January and I will be studying Econ and Math as well!!
I don’t think GW is necessarily better than AU, but its campus environment is very different from AU, so it all depends what the cost differential is and how you’ll pay for it.
Another vote for not much difference between the two schools, especially for IR. I think NHuffer’s comments reflect his GW boosterism. Nothing wrong with being proud of your school, it just doesn’t make you impartial in your advice. 
Where is GW a top 50 school? USNews has it at 57.
Not sure it is worth paying more for GW. Both are very good schools and it would be splitting hairs IMO.
@doschicos Haha, yes- I think it’s reasonable to expect some “boosterism” from me. As far as GW’s ranking, I said “almost” 
Since I’ve been monitoring its ranking (since 2007) it’s been consistently in the low-50s.