<p>I'm a transfer student from a community college in California. My GPA is a 3.23, If I'm not mistaken I believe the average admitted transfer student had a GPA of 3.24 in 2004 at American University</p>
<p>Who would recommend GW or UCLA over American?</p>
<p>My main question is do I have a chance at the School of International Studies or should I just try for The School of Public Affairs (Political Science)?</p>
<p>Activities & Volunteer work:
Volunteered Abroad teaching English in China -(For one summer)
Shasta County Youth P.E.E.R Court
Environmental Camp Counselor
Volunteer regularly at the Democratic Headquarters
National Scholars Honor Society
Precinct worker-2004 to present elections
Youth Group teacher-(Teaching World Religions)</p>
<p>P.S- How does American compare to UCLA or GW?</p>
<p>Have you been to these schools? I have toured all three when my son was a freshman. GW is in the city, very urban campus split into two parts of the city. Many feel that it does not have enough of a campus feel. Very impressive in terms of the students I met while there. Very expensive school and we didn't get any FA offer.
American is in the suburbs. Very campus feel but also a bit of a "middle of nowhere" feel. You have to take the DC Metro then get a shuttle bus to get to the campus. Think rural/residential. I did not get the feeling that the academics were as up to par as GW. UCLA is a great school, obviously in a city environment. Still feels like a campus and Westwood surrounding is very nice with lots to do, shopping etc. I highly recommend going out to DC to look at GW and American. Academically, no question, American is not at the same level.</p>
<p>This may be out of character (I'm a USC student) but if you can get in, UCLA generally is more prestigious than either of those schools.</p>
<p>Other than that, I can't really comment as I don't know which school would be a better fit for you.</p>
<p>Not to mention that UCLA is cheaper by about $25,000. ...sfgiants, I hope USC doesn't find out about your post...lol. We toured USC then UCLA. At UCLA we went into an arena where a sports team was practicing. I dared one of the guys in the group to yell "go Bruins" but nobody would take me up on the offer.</p>
<p>Sorry, posted too fast, of course I meant at UCLA to yell "go Trojans".</p>
<p>Money is no issue for me.</p>
<p>I realize UCLA has more prestige?but what about American? My major is either political science or International studies. And from what I?ve heard American?s School of International Studies surpasses both schools? Is that necessarily true?</p>
<p>American IS in the city, it's just in a different area than GW. GW is closer to the downtown area that has most tourist stuff, since it's close to the White House, Mall, museums. They're both in the NW though. </p>
<p>GW is split now like someone said, and first year students are housed on another campus they bought. They have to be bussed to the main area. Maybe something to keep in mind, some don't like the idea. That campus is not as urban as the main campus. The main campus is very urban and right in the middle of things. However I wouldn't exactly call American rural, I mean compared to GW it's not the same, but it is still in DC.</p>
<p>Any relation to Beavis?</p>
<p>But seriously, you can't go wrong at American if your program is SIS. Recommend you visit both American U and GWU if your interested in the DC schools. For a UCLA perspective, you might want to look up UCLAri, a CC moderator.</p>
<p>Good luck with the transfer!</p>
<p>,...btw, I've never heard American referred to as being in the "middle of nowhere". We're talking DC, not Lewisburg, PA or Chestertown, MD.</p>