<p>What’s there to do in or near AU?</p>
<p>i'm hoping partying! haha. my friend goes to GW though and she says there are tons of clubs that she goes to and stuff off campus. and lots of shopping of course like in georgetown...ahh love georgetown haha.</p>
<p>sounds good... i have a friend going to GW and another going to georgetown, so we can party hop between schools heh heh.</p>
<p>How much does it cost to do things in DC</p>
<p>Its expensive to go into the city, but liquor and beer isn't that expensive. Thats what most kids do. Drink in the dorms, then...do something.</p>
<p>While I'm not naive and confident that drinking does, indeed occur in the dorms, please note that AU is a dry campus. Recently, several students faced disciplinary issues for getting caught rolling a keg into the dorm. So, it's not condoned, but I'm sure it occurs, as it does at any college campus. One shouldn't come to AU under the assumption that liquor in the dorms is OK. </p>
<p>This is an issue I discussed with current students, who felt that while drinking does occur at AU, it is less than at more rural schools their friends attend, largely because there is stuff to do in DC. Therefore, most kids actually leave their dorms on the weekend and head out for healthy fun.</p>
<p>so what kinds of "healthy fun"?Can you name some more? THX!</p>
<p>I doubt "most kids leave their dorms on the weekend and head out for healthy fun." A recent poll in The Eagle said 79 percent of students drink in their dorm rooms. You can drink in the dorms, and you'll only get caught if you do something stupid. Don't scream "i'm getting drunk in my room" and you won't get in trouble.</p>
<p>Healthy fun usually involves going into the city. It is very expensive going into the city, but you should know this before you get to AU. DC is a major city and it has the prices of most urban cities. There are tons of fun things to do in DC, but realize that it involves alot of money.</p>
<p>I'm sure 79% have had drinks in their rooms at various times, but it is not all they do. It looks like only one student is monitoring this thread, so if any other students are watching, can you share with these students some non-drinking-in-your-room activities? It is helpful to get more than one perspective. It does sound like 21% have managed to be at AU and not drink in their room at all! So, there must be SOMETHING to do. </p>
<p>Nonetheless, I can offer my perspective as an adult in the area and someone who is very familiar with AU: </p>
<p>For Free: Lots of museums, parks and sites that really can keep you busy for many weekends. I've lived in DC for twenty five years and have not seen them all. All Smithsonian museums are free. Air and Space, Freer Gallery, National Gallery are just a few. </p>
<p>Heathy activities:
You can bike through Rock Creek Park on Sundays-- they close the main road. You can go down to Georgetown and bike/walk up the towpath along the canal and the river. There are biking trails and parks all over the place. The part of DC that AU is nestled in close to the river-- bring your bike and explore. Of course, you can visit the fitness center, too... on a rainy day or bored evening, why not? </p>
<p>You can people watch in Georgetown and shop (or window-shop, because it is pricey shopping!) I imagine there are clubs for the under-21 set, but don't know for sure. I understand some students actually interact with students at GW and GT and attend parties at their campuses, as well. </p>
<p>There is a 9:30 Club near Howard University that is alcohol-free and hosts current artists -- a bit of a pain to get to, but I'm sure AU students do it!
You can venture beyond AU and check out ethic restaurants in Adams-Morgan and experience the different cultures present in DC. Public transit will get you where you need to go, for low cost, as in most urban areas. </p>
<p>AU and AU Clubs sponsor on-campus activies daily-- speakers, mixers, movies, networking events. You really shouldn't be bored. If you're admitted, log on to the AU Portal and check out AU Today, which appears on the home page each weekday and lists the activities that are going on. </p>
<p>If a student chooses drinking in his or her room as their main activity, they are certainly not taking advantage of all DC or AU has to offer, and you certainly don't need to spend a fortune to branch out and live a little. </p>
<p>Students: please provide the class of 2011 with examples of fun things you have done, on and off campus-- that are not "drinking in your room".</p>
<p>Those are good activities, advisormom, that should be taken advantage of. Most of those activities, however, are day-time activities. The on-campus activities usually end by 10-11 at night, leaving students with a long night ahead of them. Maybe its different because advisormom isn't a student, but from what I've witnessed/experienced, most AU kids, on the weekends, go to 1) Frats (usually if they join the frats, which is a different thread entirely) 2) Drink in the Dorms 3) Don't do anything at all 4) Go to Clubs/Concerts in DC</p>
<p>Going into DC is alot of fun and should certainly be explored. My only point is A) drinking is common and nobody should be worried about getting in trouble, unless they are reckless
B) DC Nightlife is expensive (though girls often get into clubs for free) and students should be prepared for this. DC is usually worth the price, but it is a steep price indeed.</p>
<p>I just forgot to put, there are very few, if any, bars that are open to under-21s and DC bars check IDs regularly. Going to Georgetown and GW can be fun, but it is a pain to get there via metro, so one should plan on either spending the night or knowing somebody at those universities.</p>
<p>get a metro pass and EXPLORE! get out and meet your neighbors at all the other universities. sure, anyone coming to a school in DC or NYC in particular is hopefully aware of costs, but the environment is well worth the budgeting that needs to be done! and altho no one has said this, being at AU , with it's extremely good career counseling center, makes job-hunting very do-able. a little part-time job, and there are many, will help with the more expensive fun, and there's are plenty of free- to- cheap things as well.
as far as staying in the dorms....my kid and her friends and just plain aquaintances hate being in the dorms. they'd rather be anywhere but holed up in them. and let's not forget there are things far beyond the greek scene in terms of activities, and many of these happen at night, too.</p>
<p>Personally, drinking in dorms is my last resort. It is simply not that fun and if your RA is strict, it can be fairly risky. A better option is going off-campus.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Parties
If you do some research in the beginning of the year, you will find out that there are several private party venues (frat houses and non-frat houses) around the campus. Usually every weekend at least one of these houses will be hosting a party. Most parties are usually free or at the very most take $5 cover fee. Drinking or not, it is up to you.</p></li>
<li><p>Clubbing
Clubbing can be free or expensive. Usually, if you go clubbing on Tuesdays or Thursdays, there are many clubs that offer free admissions (especially for girls for some sketchy reason). If you have to pay to get in expect $10+ for girls and $15+ for guys. Popular clubbing districts include Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, and U St.</p></li>
<li><p>Monuments and Museums
I don't think any explanation is needed. Most museums and monuments are free with the exception of Holocaust museum, spy museum, and some others.
Some monuments are located outside DC in Arlington. It is a lot more fun if you go to the monuments at night because the illumination is amazing.</p></li>
<li><p>Dining establishments
Adams Morgan provides many different types of ethnic food (Ethiopian, West African, Indian, and Middle Eastern). Cleveland Park and Bethesda offer more mainstream casual dining oppotunities. You can also find good restaurants around Chinatown and the Union Station.</p></li>
<li><p>Sports
DC is home to many major league sports teams. Redskins and Wizards tickets are rather expensive. But Nationals and DC United tickets are very affordable (around $10). I plan to go to a Nationals game sometime soon, as I've heard it is a lot of fun. I think Capitals tickets aren't bad either. If you have fiery school spirit, go watch AU basketball.</p></li>
<li><p>Concerts and Performances
AU hosts small/big concerts and performances on campus occasionally. This year, Ben Folds, Snow Patrol, Blackalicious, and Jim Gaffigan have performed on campus (perhaps more). I believe all tickets were under $10 which is very cheap for concerts. DC hosts many many concerts and performances. Some popular venues include Kennedy Center, Strathmore, GMU Patriot Center, Verizon Center, and local clubs. These events are pricy (exceed $50), but sometimes you can get some OK seats for around $25. </p></li>
<li><p>Community Service
Believe it or not, community service can be a big part of your social life. There are many on campus programs and organizations that allow you to participate in community service around the city. If you join APO or DC Reads, you will have regular opportunities to do something meaningful and have fun at the same time. AU as a school values community service strongly.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>You can definitely have fun around DC. It is a big city with many opportunities for entertainment. If you want to go out and explore, you will be entertained. Don't just sit in your room and drink. That should never be your first option.</p>
<p>I find it ironic how most of the non-alcoholic activities that Advisor Mom talks about involve pregaming in the dorms of some sort before you actually go out and do them. The drunk late night monument tour is I think a staple for every AU freshman. Most kids drink at AU, lets just be clear about that. It really isn't a big deal if it is controlled and not too detrimental to your health. It is naive to think that kids do not drink in their dorm rooms. Some stay inside after this(probably the worst idea), but most do it just so they don't have to spend money on liquor at clubs in the city. As voiced by previous posters, it is much easier to have fun in this city without spending money if you are a girl. </p>
<p>Every school you go to is going to have drinking problems("dry campus" or not). I think for the students who are not into substances, AU's drug scene is very small or at least well hidden. I think thats one benefit of this school.</p>
<p>Most kids drink at most colleges, true. It is sad that some students only drink in their rooms. My point has been that 1) be aware if caught you may get in trouble, as swmass confirmed, and 2) it isn't the only thing MOST students do, as their primary fun thing, as md6488a implied. </p>
<p>Clearly, some students do choose "drinking in their room" as their primary activity-- as at any school. This is very sad for them. </p>
<p>Future students: </p>
<p>If drinking is your thing, you can do it here. </p>
<p>If drinking isn't your thing: My child isn't a drinker, so this was an issue and why I asked current students about it. They reported to me that there is enough to do that there isn't a need to drink if you don't want to. One contrasted it to friends at other schools, where they drink more. (especially in more geographically isolated schools).</p>
<p>Okay, wait a minute -- of course every college has drinking but to say that 79% of the students don't venture out and stay in their dorms on the weekend is totally insane! Hardly do you see the dorms crammed with students on the weekend nights. As swmass points out there is tons to do. As far as clubs for under age 21, hard to find as the drinking age is 21 and it is a huge liability for the owners of the clubs. You have to be careful with fake IDs as I know one club in a college town in PA that got raided and arrests were made. Can't beat D.C. Metro is the way to go.</p>
<p>AdvisorMom & swmass: Thank you for the list of suggestions.</p>
<p>Clearly people on this thread are exaggerating my statements. According to this article, 79% of kids drink in the dorms. I never said 79% don't venture out of their dorms, many of the students drink in their dorms then go out. In fact, most of the kids I have met that never venture out of the dorms are the kids that don't drink and prefer video games or board games to going into DC.</p>
<p>People are getting caught up on the drinking aspect of AU. Future students should venture into DC as often as they can because its one of the main reasons (for some the only reason) of attending AU. Just be aware of the costs. For most, the costs are worth it. All I am saying is don't be afraid of the dry-campus policy, all that means is don't drink in the hallways.</p>