Washington Mentorship Program

Colleges and Universities A-Z American University
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<p>Honestly, I’ve let this all sit with me and am actually kind of glad I got offered it. It is kind of cool to be doing an internship right away, and I think the experiance will be great. I’m not sure if I’m going to American or not but I’m definately considering it. American is a great school and I think good things can come out of this. I’m trying not to look at it so negatively 1) because I really want to be in the DC area 2) because American is a good school so getting in one way or another was a blessing.</p>

<p>AlohaTM your comments were really helpful. Do you know how many classes can be taken on main campus during the WMP?</p>

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<p>newenglandie27, the WMP students can take only one class on main campus because Tuesdays and Wednesdays (all day) are reserved for the internship and they have to take three classes on Tenley. So schedule-wise, it is difficult to take any more classes.</p>

<p>Glad my comments were helpful. We found this thread really helpful when my D had to decide last year.</p>

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<p>It is what it is. There are schools (Mount Holyoke immediately comes to mind) that offer a large number of applicants spring admission because they know more students are away on study abroad in the spring, as well as there being some students who leave after a first semester. So AU does the same, except has created a program whereby students can get AU credits, acclimatize to DC, experience their first internship, without waiting for spring. It comes at a price, and folks are welcome to decline it and simply begin spring semester if they choose. AND transfer in credits from elsewhere.</p>

<p>It’s a free country. It’s just another available option.</p>

44

<p>I got waitlisted at AU. Is a WMP offer above or below those that were waitlisted?</p>

<p>AU was my first choice, so if it is the latter, I would be totally stoked about joining this program (assuming I’d have the opportunity to do so).</p>

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<p>Matth94: Sorry, but I think it’s above being waitlisted. Hope you get off the waitlist!</p>

<p>I got this offer on Friday. I was initially kind of annoyed, to tell you the truth. The big envelope was deceiving. This was a target school for me. I have a 2090 but very low grades, probably around a 3.0 or less.
However, I really started thinking about it and being offered WMP has actually made me reconsider American. I had actually decided in November after visiting that I would probably never go there, but being allowed to intern your first year of college is an amazing opportunity. Seeing as networking and hands on experience is practically the only reason I would go to American, this made the school much more attractive to me. So, congrats to whomever decided this was a good strategy to get money, because you’re right: it is.
Also, thanks to all the moms out there who post on college confidential, but it would be nice to here from a real student. Also, it it really that hard to type out ‘daughter’?</p>

<p>Lastly, does anyone know if you can still do the four-year B.A.-M.A. in Political Science if you do WMP?</p>

46

<p>can someone who was in the wmp explain how it was like to transfer to the main campus in the spring semester, when the program was over? any thoughts/experiences you would like to share?</p>

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<p>I agree it’s a tease to send out those big envelopes. I saw the mail and assumed it was an acceptance for my daughter. I texted her and asked her if I could open it, and added, “It must be an acceptance because it’s a big fat enevelope.” Live and learn.</p>

<p>It’s a mug’s game to figure out these admissions decisions. My daughter applied SAT-optional, but has a very strong resume otherwise. I wonder if they gave priority to applicants who submitted and had strong SATs, which if true, means that it’s sort of SAT-optional. </p>

<p>I’ll admit she considered American a safety, which is partly born out by the fact that she has been admitted to several other schools ranked significantly higher–and with significant financial aid. And I don’t mean any disrespect. We have cousin who was a top high school student, with 700 SATs who attends and loves American.</p>

<p>I wonder if the attraction of school in DC accounts for some of the competitiveness for admission to American.</p>

48

<p>I was pretty freaked out about getting admitted into this program at AU, more so because of what Ive read here. But being the good HS student that I am I decided I couldn’t just trust one source of information (OPVL? IB ppl will get that). So I did some research and talked to some of my friends at AU. Turns out this is a really cool program. The best description of this program I got from a student that did WMP last year. Here it is:</p>

<p>"In terms of academics, the Mentorship program does not set you back at all when compared to students not enrolled in the program. You take 15 credits during the semester, which is the regular courseload for a freshman, or really any undergraduate student. </p>

<p>In terms of meshing with other AU students, it is not nearly as large a separation as you may be concerned about. While there is an initial separation, there are many different ways for you to know other students on main campus. For example, I am involved with the Residence Hall Association, which as the second largest student organization on campus, works to represent the interests of on campus residents, Tenley residents included. Through RHA, I have met many people who live on main campus who are my friends. You can also get involved with clubs such as AU Democrats or College Republicans, and even the South Asian Student Association, all of which offer you opportunities to get to know kids on main campus. There are also club sports you can do such as Frisbee or InnerTube Water Polo, both also offer opportunities for you to get involved. In addition, you will take at least one, and probably two of your classes on main campus, offering you another opportunity to know people on main. So while you will have to put yourself out there to get to know kids on main, you are in a similar situation as if you were getting to know someone who doesn’t live in your residence hall, you have to put a bit of effort into it. </p>

<p>In terms of the program itself, the reason it exists in the form that it does is that the Trustees at American do not like the idea of having freshman students receiving internships. I do not know why. So, to get around this stigma, the university created the Mentorship program, and calls an internship a “Mentored Field Practicum”. Is it helpful? Yes. By getting an internship so early on, it sets you up for further success at the University and especially in DC, because as you may know, DC runs on interns, and having this experience now will benefit you and give you a leg up over other members of your class when it comes time for you to apply to your next internship, as you have already had this experience . Is it Presitigous? Yes. Not everyone gets this opportunity, and it is something to be proud of that it is being offered to you, I know I was."</p>

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<p>My daughter is graduating from AU this may. She was one of the WMP student back in fall 2008. It has been the best opportunity for her where is did an amazing paid internship. She was involved in a few clubs on campus . She went to study abroad to Rome one semester. She totally graduating with total of 4 internship and she already has a job offer but she might be taking a few months off.
WMP students are not behind at all they come off with 15 dredits. They are not considered second hand students in main campus. The transition is seamless into main. Infact Tenley campus is larger where they are house for WMP semester.
Overall its all positive except there is absolutely no aid and you are paying full price for that semester. If you can afford it I highly recommend it!
Ask me if you have any questions</p>

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<p>Question for the people that have done WMP: How in the heck did you afford it? I’m at the lower end of the middle class, my dad just started making any real money in the last year, nothing has really been put aside for college. Short of putting myself into $200k worth of debt for an undergrad degree… So how did you do it? xD</p>

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<p>To Actor123: I was a WMP student this past fall semester and can safely say this program is the best thing AU hase to offer.</p>

<p>1) was it worth it? Absolutely. Not only did I get multiple internship offers, but I turned my internship into an extremely well paying job. I also made extremely good connections and learned to network
2) did you find your classmates bright (or 2nd class indeed) Most of my classmates were extremely bright. Quite a few turned down top-notch schools and Ivy Leagues (such as Georgetown, Cornell, and Barnard) to be a part of the program. For example, while I did WMP, I was immediately accepted into the Honors Program after officially becoming an AU student. AU does not solely look at high school grades to determine placement in the WMP program. If you have a well built resume and good grades, but specifically say that you applied to AU for internship opportunities, they may very well put you in WMP.
3) did you like Tenley? I loved it. I have a very large room, am minutes away from the metro, have a gorgeous walk on my way to classes, and have easy access to Tenleytown. Rooms on Tenley are considerably larger. Plus, Tenley generally has a much friendlier team of desk receptionists and good RAs. I chose to stay on Tenley for the spring semester and am very sorry that I will have to leave.
4) did you spend much time at the main campus? It all depends if you are active and get involved on Main Campus. Making friends on Main was easy, but you have to make an effort to find clubs and activities to join.
5) were WMP classes up to standard of main campus classes? They were better. We received the same information as students taking the courses on Main Campus except one day a week of classes was dedicated to site visits and guest speakers. We toured and listened to a lecture at the Chinese Embassy, listened to Edwin Meese, and were even visited (on Tenley campus) by Howard Dean.
6) what’s the housing situation with Juniors and Seniors? Most juniors and seniors live off campus in apartment complexes such as the Berks, the Avalon, and other buildings in the Tenleytown area. </p>

<p>To everyone upset over the letter: I cannot express how sorry I am that AU chooses to inform students of this amazing program by sending such a horrid letter. When I read it last spring, I actually cried. If you choose this program, you will not be a second class citizen. Many of my friends on Main Campus are very jealous of WMP students and say that had they had the option to apply to the program separately, they would have.</p>

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<p>seniorgirl94: I was fortunate enough to receive sizable scholarships outside of AU, generous grandparents, and a college fund started by my parents before I was born. It’s only the spring semester that financial aid is unavailable. It will be there for you every semester afterwards as long as you apply for it. I wish you the best of luck! I know of a few students who spent their fall semester at state college and then attended AU in the spring without financial aid.</p>

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<p>“I wonder if the attraction of school in DC accounts for some of the competitiveness for admission to American.”</p>

<p>I should hope so! It has the highest rate of in-term internships of any college in the U.S., and that would be impossible outside of DC.</p>

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<p>I’m officially enrolled in WMP and AU for Spring…hopefully I’m in for an incredible experience.</p>

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<p>Hi Nina,</p>

<p>Thank you for your input. My son is going to preview day on the 21st. Fairly certain he will enroll and accept…</p>

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<p>That’s great! I hope it’ll all work out great for him!</p>

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<p>Directorgirl and all others who weighed in on WMP and AU, THANK YOU! Your thoughts and opinions are helpful. It is particularly good to hear from those like Directorgirl who has gone through the program. My daughter is still working on making a choice (narrowed to 5 now) and AU is still in the mix. It has its pros and cons. My view on WMP has improved, yet it is expensive. We will make another visit and I’m certain that will help her make a decision. Thank you again.</p>

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<p>My daughter has been offered the WMP. We were hoping for some merit aid from AU, but there was no mention of this in her offer. While I know they provide no financial assistance for the fall WMP semester, would merit aid would be out of the question for the rest of her time at AU? Should I assume if they wanted her badly enough to offer merit aid, they would have accepted her for regular fall enrollment?
I’m curious whether there’s been any mention of either merit- or need-based aid in any of these WMP invitations that other posters have received. Thanks for everyone’s input on this thread!</p>

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<p>My guess is that if your daughter was not offered merit aid now, it is unlikely she will get merit aid in the Spring. But you can always call or email the Financial Aid office. They are pretty responsive.</p>

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Upon my acceptance to AU, I was actually excited to be part of the program. After all, an internship in DC as a freshman sounds pretty appealing. I’m in the WMP now, and I’m honestly quite disappointed.
While the professors are nice, and the skills they teach when it comes to interviews are valuable, I really don’t believe being in the program is necessary to learning internship/application skills. You only get to take one elective class. This has been pretty depressing for me, not being able to take classes I’m actualy interested in. And the financial situation is completely unfair.
I’m slowly starting to realize that AU may not be for me. I try every day to be optimistic–and I do love DC. I try to tell myself to give the school a better chance. And granted, my worries may stem from the fact that I’m in the program and not taking the classes I want, but I’m still not very excited about being at the school anymore.
My ideal situation would be to transfer to Northwestern, my dream school…I didn’t apply my senior year due to fear of rejection, and I’ve regretted it deeply. My stats look pretty good…but I worry that because of the WMP, my classes won’t be able to transfer. Which makes them all the more useless.

Anyone looking at the WMP, keep this in mind.