Could anyone explain to me what this program is, and if anyone has been a part of it in the past. I read what it was on AU’s website, but honestly it wasn’t that informative.
My son was in the University College program during the 2014/2015 school year. It was a great experience for him. It is a learning living community experience. There are many choices of groups and for all of them, the group you pick counts toward your general education credits. You have to have so many Gen Eds in varied categories. My son was in the American Politics one. Once you pick your group, you will housed on the same floor of the dorm with your group. You will have one class with everyone in your group for example my son had American Politics with everyone from his group and he lived on the 5th Floor of Anderson with everyone from is UC. You also have a lab class or seminar class with everyone in your UC on Wednesday afternoons. Typically the Wednesday afternoon class is an outing to somewhere in DC. The American Politics UC visited the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, the Newseum, and other places. All in all it was a great experience and he made lots of friends. He did a UC that complimented his major but you don’t have to do that. As I said, all of the UCs count toward your gen ed credits. So pick a topic and explore if you want to!
Does anyone know when they post the subjects offered for the program? It would be nice to know the choices before committing.
Just be aware that sometimes they add in more seminars if demand is high. They almost always end up with students on the wait list.
Thank you @kerrycake and @NESeattleMom!
NESeattleMOM, thank you for that explanation as I, too, didn’t completely understand. My D was accepted this week and offered a UC spot. My other question was that the acceptance letter didn’t mention acceptance to any specific school at AU. She applied to International School of Service-Undeclared, but her letter just said “congratulations on your acceptance to American University.” Most other letters state the school division. Can one assume it’s the school she applied to?
@Bethechange2016 The school is listed on another paper in the packet - ‘‘Conditions and Additional Instructions’’ - it will list her school and intended major along with what session she is joining.
And DUH me. That would be School of International Service…sorry, it’s been a long haul since applying in October!
HeyItsNick, so it is! Thank you for pointing that out. I was so excited about acceptance I haven’t delved into the fine print yet. My D is currently in the air traveling back from India, so doesn’t yet know about acceptance!
@Bethechange2016 Congrats to your daughter! I am also a Class of 2020 applicant who is in the School of International Service and in the University College program. Looking forward to UC and the next four years in general! 
They generally suggest the UC to those who applied to Honors or Scholars or if they just think you might be interested in it. It isn’t for everyone. My son found it to be a great way to connect with people of similar interests. Plus, you have to take so many gen eds anyway, you might as well do it in a fun way. I believe there are social media pages and tweets about UC. They usually post all the fun things the UCs are doing. Oh that is one other thing. There are a couple of field trips that anyone in a UC can go on. My son went on one to New York City. Plus there are other fun social events.
@NESeattleMom It is different this year, though. The program is invite only now; you can’t apply for it like you use to be.
Really? That is a shame.
It says nothing about invite only and it never was invite only in the past:
Next Steps
Log on to the portal at myau.american.edu. (Note: You must create a login to access the portal; if you have not done so, see instructions in your admissions packet.)
Click on Life@AU.
Click on University College Course Selection. Select the five seminars that most interest you; we will do our best to place you in a course of your choice. (If none of your selections is available and you would like to be considered for any available place in University College, check the box indicating this option.)
We also ask that you write a brief statement (500 words or less) about interdisciplinary learning.
Submit your UC course selection online by May 1, 2016. We will email you to confirm receipt. Note: All email correspondence will go to your AU address; if you prefer to use another email address, you must forward your AU email to that address.
Placement in University College
You will receive notification of your program placement and seminar no later than May 9, 2016. Housing and Dining Programs will make residence hall assignments on the basis of your placement in University College.
@NESeattleMom http://auadmission.■■■■■■■■■■/post/141503651081/how-do-you-apply-for-the-university-college-i
The only people who can access the University College Course Selection on the Portal are those who have been placed into the program. (I know this because people have tried and we were under the assumption as you)
Never heard of that happening in years past. If you are interested and haven’t been invited, I would talk to the university about it.
I was offered a spot in the Scholars Program - I don’t think I applied for it when I completed my application. It’s hard to remember what I did and didn’t do with so many applications. Is it a pretty big extra expense with all of the field trips, etc?
University College does not cost anymore than the being a regular freshman. The Wednesday field trips are no additional cost but some of the larger ones like the day trip to New York was the cost of the bus ride but you didn’t have to go unless you were in the theater UC.
Also, I believe the scholars programs are more difficult to get into. I would ask an adviser or a current student about the pluses and minuses of both programs.
Thank you @NESeattleMom. Do you or does anyone else know about the overnight for scholars? It’s a little over a week away and I’m thinking it’s a good idea to go just to learn more about the program, but then Freshman day is a week after that, followed by Eagle Summit and then Welcome Week. Do most recommend attending all of these events?