<p>No, that doesn't count as whining!
Hope all goes well. I think your son will be very happy at AU.</p>
<p>so im thinkn bout the same thing..my idea was to go to jmu then transfer to uva after first year but if i go to american i wouldnt need to transfer..can anyone help me...i think a female teen alone n dc is really dangerous..lol</p>
<p>of course saftey is always a valuable concern, but on any college campus today you ahve to be cautious. You wont be "alone in D.C" as long as you always walk with another person/or a group of people and be aware of your surrondings, you should be fine. bacically you have to be smart, know not to go to some areas of the city and not walk alone at night. D.C will offer you opportunites beyond belief and you shouldent pass up such an amazing experience!</p>
<p>CK has done a beautiful job of answering , anj! i'm sure you realize, for starters, that AU is on "Embassy Row", one of the wealthiest and safest sections of DC. and DC is truly awesome! you will quickly learn where to go, or not. NE is to be avoided, in general. and as CK says, you won't be alone! you'll have a bunch of new friends.
anj~ i assume you're from VA, based on your post. if you like the lively, city drive of DC, you'll dry up at jmu! uva is awesome, but i don't know if you'd be guaranteed freedom from jmu as a transfer. best of luck!</p>
<p>I'll just second the above comments and add that my original view was not to look at DC schools, because I had an overall negative view of the safety of the city. Bearing in mind the above advice about traveling in the city in unknown areas alone, I have been really been impressed with the location of the school, the cleanliness and ease of mass transit, and the beauty of many areas of the city. I really would put DC, along with Boston, at the top of my list of great "college towns". The location is a huge plus for the school, for many reasons. Best of luck with your decision!</p>
<p>I can echo those sentiments. I'm originally from Boston, and wholeheartedly agree that it is the best college town on the planet. With that said, the experiences that await my son and others in DC will shape their lives. We have visited DC several times, and one of the best memories was going to the Lincoln Memorial at night and being treated to an impromptu a capella performance of God Bless America and several other patriotic tunes by a wonderfully talented young woman. The setting and the acoustics made the whole experience unforgettable. Wherever the city, one must exercise caution and common sense, but you have to go out and take advantage of whatever is out there.</p>
<p>Go Red Sox!
The Nationals maybe can't rate up there with the Sox, but they do have a nice new stadium and the students get cheap tickets - it's a fun thing to do. :)</p>
<p>I've been admitted for the fall semester but I think that's only because I applied ED and ED students aren't eligible for the WMP. This summer I spent 3 weeks on Tenley campus (where WMP students live) and met personally with Dean Brown, the Dean of Tenley and the Washington Semesters program. He said that students in the program actually have a lot of opportunities that regular freshman don't have. And a lot of these regular students sometimes ask him why the WMP students get to do all these great things while they don't. </p>
<p>The reason the program was created was because American WANTS these students to attend their university, but they simply don't have enough room for them in the fall semester. In January, a lot of upperclassmen move out for study abroad, so there is actually tons of extra space. So yes, everyone is guaranteed a room. But back to what I was saying, the admissions department definitely thinks everyone who is selected for this program will perform well at American and wants them to attend, there is just some slight shortcoming in their resume. So they provide this opportunity for them until they can make room for them. The only problem I would say is that financial aid doesn't apply until the January semester.</p>
<p>i went to the WMP preview day last week and it reassured me that my decision in choosing au was the best one. it seems as though the wmp students will have the one up on the main campus kids. You don't just sit in the class room-you go off to places like the white house, senate, Smithsonian every week and hear multiple speakers. It seems as though the wmp students become much more acclimated with the city in the first few months too. I am really excited for next year!</p>
<p>I have never felt unsafe on/ around AU's campus. AU is in a really nice, wealthy neighborhood.</p>
<p>Of course, play it safe. Be alert. Keep an eye on your valuables. Travel in groups. DC is no "small town," but a little caution and sticking to the nicer areas will go along way. </p>
<p>Most crimes reported in the police blotter in the campus newspaper are about petty theft and alcohol related issues.</p>
<p>Yes my daughter also got admitted to the WMP...here is my guess as to why they have this program.. I believe AU knows that some number of kids will drop out of the formal school after the first semester/year...what better way to replace them than to have kids 'waiting in the wing' at a membership program...and they get to charge the same tuition for the mentorship program...so in essence it is like extending the population of the freshman class.... I also felt a bit like a 2nd class citizen....it would have been better for AU to admit all the students and then ask the students if they would like to volunteer for the WMP....</p>
<p>????</p>
<p>People also get admitted spring semester because some students graduate in December. AU is a pretty big school, but even if only 100 kids graduate in December, that's still 100 spots they might be able to fill with freshman. I think spring admittance is kind of generous. Would I be happy with it? Not entirely, but hey, if you're in, you're in!</p>
<p>Bumping this thread … looking for recent info. My son was just accepted to this program and it looks like a definite possibility.</p>
<p>Would like to hear from kids in the WMP this past year… how’s the housing? the dining? the selection of electives available to these kids? Would you do it again?</p>
<p>My son got into the program also… I have some reservations, feeling like a 2nd class reject, but the program sounds great… I guess I’ll have to look into it… Any word from
students who were enrolled this year??? How did you feel in Jan.?</p>
<p>Hello, My daughter did the WMP 2 years ago. And absolutely loved it!! There is no feeling of 2nd class citizen or whatever. The college is big so no one knows who started when. They are housed in Tenley campus for 1 semester which is far better than main. The kids get closer to each other. They do Internship which gives them a head start. Only drawback is for those who are looking for FA (not available) Would my daughter do it again…without a doubt! Now she is 2nd semester Sophmore. Ask any question I will be happy to answer. I will be out today so will reply tomorrow.</p>
<p>My son has been accepted into the wmp program at American this year too. I like the idea of the kids being able to intern. Do most kids move into the main housing in January? And, I would like to hear other kids or parents talk about how they like this program. We are seriously thinking this might be the best of two worlds - college life and interning.</p>
<p>My son was accepted for Jan admission as well and is highly considering doing the Wash. Mentorship program. We are going to attend the April 10th accepted student’s day to learn more about it, but I did call the director of the program yesterday and spoke to her at great length. She told me that most of the students end up NOT wanting to move to the main campus in Jan. because they are so happy in the Tenley campus dorm and have formed strong bonds to their friends. But the option is there. While my son would have certainly preferred fall admittance, there seem to be many positives to this program and he is highly considering it. The internship experience is a huge plus and something he is very enthusiastic about. It would be great to hear from former students. I guess a lot of our questions/concerns will be answered when we visit American next month.</p>
<p>Are they <em>required</em> to move for spring semester? Or can they stay on Tenley?</p>
<p>if they wish to stay at Tenley, is it only for the 2nd semester or into the 2nd year if they opt? We’re in ct. , wondering where you are from??? Would your son beinterested in sharing his thoughts with mine?</p>
<p>Cass77: The answer to your if they will move to main in spring is- not sure. In my daughters year, my daughter got a spot on main in spring and moved but some of her friends were not moved to main campus due to lack of availability and they spent a entire year on Tenley. Some were offered a spot on main but refused because they liked it much better because its closer to Metro and shopping. So don’t know what will happen. Regarding Internship, its the best way a lot of Main kids are Jelous of WMP students that they got to do an Internship which is invaluable. I think its a great way to transition into college.Good Luck deciding!</p>