<p>We are visiting American University next month - taking a family trip to DC for our son who wants to major in Journalism. We’ll have half a day to spend at AU. Anything we should be sure not to miss? Thanks.</p>
<p>I would visit each building on the quad, since most of the classes will be taken there.</p>
<p>hi oregonianmom! have a nice visit. your son may not care, but the gardens are beautiful(national arboretum!) check out dorms and food options. see how easy it is to navigate the AU shuttle to Tenleytown and then the Metro to downtown Dc. and see Georgetown if there's time! have fun!</p>
<p>Visit "Steak and Egg" in Tenleytown</p>
<p>What is "Steak and Egg?"</p>
<p>A restaurant open 24 hours that students go to, its suppose to be one of the oldest "greasepits" in DC. Specialty is Steak and Eggs</p>
<p>a true 5 star restaurant, go at around 1 AM on a Saturday and you won't be disappointed.</p>
<p>Call the admissions office ahead of your visit and make sure that you can get a campus tour. Also, they may be able to help you arrange some appointments so you can see the things your son wants to see. For example, he might want to drop in and view the School of Communication's facilities, as well as the student-run TV studio. Let me know what else he's interested in besides journalism, and I may have a few more ideas for you. If you're traveling all the way across the country, you might as well maximize the value of your visit.</p>
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see how easy it is to navigate the AU shuttle to Tenleytown and then the Metro to downtown Dc.
I second this. I live three blocks from AU and the amount of time and effort it takes to go anywhere by public transportation is one of my greatest frustrations about this area. I'm sure the shuttle makes it much easier, but it's worth looking into.</p>
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Let me know what else he's interested in besides journalism, and I may have a few more ideas for you.
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<p>Thank you. He's also interested in history and political science. On this particular day, we're going to visit GW in the morning and AU in the afternoon. We'll be spending another entire day in D.C. Also another day at University of Maryland and probably that same evening in downtown D.C. And another morning at Arlington National Cemetary.</p>
<p>I recently went to an honors overnight event at AU and my host's friend insisted we go to Steak and Egg so we went even though it was like 2AM and, let me tell you, BEST GRILLED CHEESE OF MY LIFE. But maybe grilled cheese just tastes better in the wee hours of the morning.</p>
<p>After getting clarification from oregonianmom, I recommended some AU-specific things to see while visiting the campus, and I offer the same advice to anyone else who's visiting AU:</p>
<p>It's been a while since I led tours at AU, but I imagine that most things are the same--you'll see a dorm room, the quad, a classroom, the sports center, and the dining facilities. Go on the official tour, but make sure you see a few other things as well.</p>
<p>I had a business trip back to DC in October of last year and visited the campus for the first time in about 8 years. Here are things I would be sure to see:</p>
<p>The new Katzen Arts Center. It's the largest college art museum in DC. Fantastic building (I didn't get a chance to go in while I was there).</p>
<p>Go into Mary Graydon Center and see if you can visit the Terrace Dining Room. This is the cafeteria for the campus, and it might not be on your tour--you may see other dining options on your tour.</p>
<p>Check out a computer lab. I think the main one is in the library now, but I'm not sure. Check out the library while you're there.</p>
<p>Go down behind the Beeghly Chemistry Building to the plaque that overlooks the track and soccer field. It's a commemorative plaque about a commencement speech that JFK gave--and this is a very nice place from which to view the campus. If you want an even better panoramic view of the campus, go to the far sideline of the soccer field--from this point, you can see that the campus is a little bigger than it seems.</p>
<p>The biggest thing to note about AU vs. GW is the campus setting. AU's campus is nearly park-like, and even though it is located in DC, the surroundings are quite nice (just check out the homes in the Spring Valley neighborhood behind the campus!). GW's campus is more intermingled with downtown. It's a vey different feel.</p>
<p>i agree with pswillia! i got lost doing one of those crazy circles, Ward, i think outside of AU at Christmastime...it was the best thing that could have happened! i felt like i entered a fantasyland of lit homes and beauty! yes, that's the AU neighborhood!</p>
<p>^I live in the opposite direction from Spring Valley, off Cathedral Avenue. It's a lovely neighborhood--frustrating for a teenager without a car, but incredibly serene for being in the city.</p>
<p>camelia~ i guess you need to make the Metro your newbestfriend! :)</p>
<p>Oh, it is... but the closest Metro stop (Tenley) is a half-hour walk away.</p>
<p>can't you use an AU shuttle? they stop all along the way, from the school to Tenley, right?</p>
<p>oh, wait, i get it...from HOME toward downtown is the problem i guess...well it'll keep you in good shape!</p>