<p>Ryan and Mini: I visited AU yesterday and I can give you guys soundbites of what I feel about AU. GayU thing is true (there's even a facebook group for it) but it is not anywhere derogatory. In fact, I believe their GLBT resource was very active on campus and it seems like the student body were also accepting and open-minded to it. It's something AU can be proud of b/c I met kids at the GLBT center and they were genuinely nice kids. </p>
<p>Physical attractiveness: Well, I'm from Florida where lots of kids surf, have blond hair and blue eye kinda-deal and seeing AU kids was a bit more different. But then you're gonna get the same experience at every other college where most students are ambitious more towards their future than their physical appearance today. Plus, it'll only be less distraction right? :)</p>
<p>Interaction-wise: I had a really kinda nerdy host so I ended up staying indoors ALOT. I'm not gonna kids lie....kids at AU tend to be cliquish but it's something ordinary. I'm a pretty outgoing person so making friends is not as hard for me.
My question is (for those who are still AU students): Do you see AU kids hanging out with GW or GT kids? Or are kids mostly segregated and pompous about their schools?</p>
<p>AU campus is not that pretty but what made me fall in love with it was DC...
There is no other place like DC (though they can do a little work with the nasty potomotac river. Ehhhh
But I am mostly going this fall (after chewing it over FOREVER)
and yeah...that was my 3 cents.</p>
<p>I certainly do not think your son will have any problems expressing his own opinions. AU students love a debate, so the more diverse views, the more interesting the class will be.</p>
<p>The student body tends to be more liberal, but not obnoxiously so. AU is ranked one of the most politicall active campuses in the country, and you will see every group on campus campaigning/fundraising/debating their own causes. Just this past week, AU Students for Life put hundreds of flags on a section of the quad to represent the number of abortions in the US per day. It has been up all week with no complaints.</p>
<p>In my experience, the political views of professors are often pretty subtle. I even had one professor take a poll at the end of the semester to see if students could guess his party affiliation (he never told). There are, of course, others who are more outspoken which I appreciate. Economics professors tend to be conservative, and SIS professors tend to lean to the left. In any case, I never feel like I need to act a certain way or say a certain thing in order to fit in and/or receive a better grade. </p>
<p>Britty, that is reassuring. Especially that you feel you have never had to fake an opinion for your grades. That is what college and real teachers should be about...thanks. My son is planning to major in Economics and International Studies. Can you tell me if it's possible to take Econ B.S. (instead of B.A.) with another major? I'm a bit worried about an IR future, I think he should keep his graduate options open with an Econ B.S.</p>
<p>I am double majoring in International Studies and Economics (B.A.). The scheduling is challenging but not impossible. I chose to concentrate in international communications so only one or two of my Econ classes will count for both majors. As long as he doesn't plan on taking a lot of electives he should be fine. Just make sure he checks in with his advisor FREQUENTLY to make sure he is on track for both...</p>