Can anyone tell me about life at American university? I’m thinking of adding it to my list as an option that may give me a decent amount of merit aid (as I am above average numbers wise) and what I’ve been reading about it has me intrigued!
I love that it’s in DC, size is perfect, but I have some questions
-I know it has some strong programs and some weak ones, I’m thinking of majoring in psychology or business. What are these programs like at AU?
-what is the social scene like? I’m not a huge partied but I’d like to have some options for fun
-is Greek life dominating of the campus? (Im not really interested in Greek life)
-are the people friendly? Is there a sense of community across the student body? Will I have trouble making friends if I’m a pretty easy person to get along with?
Thanks so much!
I am a freshman who just started at AU so I’ll answer the questions to the best of my ability but do take note of my lack of time here.
- SIS is the main school here, without a doubt. But Kogod, the business school, has a sizable student body and has distinguished professors and their building is very nice. In the last year that I have spent researching, than picking AU and moving in, I have never heard anything bad about Kogod other than their students are the AU version of Slytherin but that is used more as a joke than any actual complaint. Kogod students are very goal-oriented which gives them that reputation.
I know nothing about the psychology program, to be honest. I don’t even know any freshman in that program.
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Parties can be found. There were multiple fraternity parties during this last weekend and some small dorm parties thrown in rooms being super quiet. AU Housing is very strict about on campus drinking and smoking although there are no consequences if you come back to campus drunk - ‘‘the body is not an open container’’ (AU’s fav quote this week)
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No, greek life is not very sizable here. They throw parties, however. But there were not any like limiting factors to these parties and the frat guys seem nice. One particular banned frat, EI, is considered a bad frat but you get multiple warnings about them and they are not recognized by the University.
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People are overly friendly. Very welcoming. As long as you do not cause yourself to be ostracized because you are rude or something like that, you will easily find friends.
Let me know if you have any more questions and good luck on your college application season!
If you really want to go to American U. Apply ED. If you have better than a 31 on the ACT or 1450 on the SAT…dont apply RD because they know you have options and will put you on the waitlist…HEED THE WARNING!!!
@sse13000 - sorry I’m just seeing this now so it may be way too late for you, certainly for ED… My daughter is a junior at AU and very happy! She is a psychology major who is really enjoying her classes and finds them challenging and interesting. She recently decided to minor in marketing which is a popular choice at AU. She is in a sorority and while she finds it often takes up a bit more time than she wishes, she is still very glad she joined. Greek life doesn’t dominate like many southern schools, I think about 30% or so join sororities and a bit fewer join fraternities, but since there are no greek houses, kids live in dorms or off campus all 4 years and so far my daughter has never lived with anyone in a sorority so finds the kids really mix.
Due to the proximity of DC, kids go in all the time, not only on the weekend but sometimes even after classes and there are many fun events they can participate in - like trick or treating at the embassies and also embassy balls, plus all the museums etc in the city. Campus very close to Tenleytown, Friendship Heights and Bethesda with great restaurants and shopping.
The campus has many clubs and is somewhat political but I don’t think that someone who isn’t political or who is on the conservative side would be unhappy, though I’m guessing the majority of kids are pretty liberal.
Hopefully this isn’t coming too late for you and good luck with your college applications.