Hey everybody, I hope y’all are doing well. It has been a rough couple of weeks but hopefully, everything will get better soon. I just got back all my college decisions and thankfully I got admitted to most of them, but now I have to choose one to attend and I am stuck. My top three choices are the University of Southern California, American University (DC) and Wesleyan University. I got most of the cost covered at all 3 so financial aid is not an issue. I am a huge political nerd and I plan on double majoring in political science and international relations with a minor in communications. I am also a huge extrovert and very social. I am not too attracted to Wesleyan because the university is kind of like a bubble and it’s just too small for me. I am questioning USC because of its reputation as just a party and football school for rich elites. I like how American is in suburban DC but you can just catch the metro to downtown DC and I like its political atmosphere and student body but its reputation and ranking are far below USC. Are there really more opportunities at USC especially with regards to politics and is the social life bearable for a middle-class gay guy from the midwest. I know it’s a stereotype but I feel like its more tailored to rich white guys. Thank you so much in advance, I appreciate any advice!! 
While I think you’re overweighing the USC stereotype, American is a great school and seems like DC would be the perfect place for a political nerd 
Also, Wesleyan students are not as insular as you may have estimated. The current mayor of Middletown is a 27 year-old recent grad. Both of Colorado’s (Colorado’s!) senior Democrats are Wesleyan grads as are Scott Gotlieb, the former Trump FDA Commissioner, Robert Allbritton, publisher of Politico magazine, as well as Max Rose, the freshman congressman from Staten Island. Wesleyan students have a long history of volunteerism in Middletown.
For the same money, I would choose USC or Wesleyan unless being in DC is really that much of a plus or you really felt at home there if you visited. American is a fine school, but you also would be competing with at least two other more selective colleges in DC (Georgetown and GW), plus Maryland and UVa and others. I am sure USC and Wesleyan have connections in DC that would assist you for internships or eventual jobs.
OP: Seems apparent to me that you want to attend American University but are seeking validation of your choice. Your reasons for selecting American University seem reasonable & fairly well thought out.
These are three different schools with respect to campus culture & location so the decision should be fairly easy if you ignore the rankings.
American is strong in all the areas you want to focus on, and it has a great location. We looked into it in some detail -my daughter liked it a lot although she didn’t end up going there, but has a friend there who loves it. USC may be higher ranked overall, but definitely not for politics and IR.
I don’t really understand the comment someone made above about competition between DC colleges. Actually, they are all part of a consortium and students can cross register for courses. If the comment was intended to be about internships, students at all of them have ample opportunity for internships. A big advantage of being in DC full time is that you can do internships year round, and not only summer.
My hesitation on AU for you would not at all be about subjects and rankings, but about the fact that AU doesn’t have a great reputation as a “social” school (although you also seem to think USC might be too much of a party school, so I’m not sure exactly what the preference is?)
Thank you everyone for your response! I am leaning towards American just because I don’t feel like I’d fit in at USC and American is a more political school. I am concerned about your comments on the social scene, is America really that lacking socially? Thank you all for your responses, it’s really helpful to me!!
You’ll find people to have fun with, but in my understanding it’s not a “party school”.
Thank you everyone for answering! I’ve been leaning towards American I just wanted to make sure I was making the right choice. One last question, does anyone know anything about the University College program at AU. I know what it’s about but do y’all think it’s something someone should consider signing up for? Thank you so much!!!