<p>I currently go to a mediocre school here in Florida. Actually, I really like the school but its not ranked. Its cheap and I've already made my life here in my home town. I've got a job and an amazing place in one of the best parts of town. my life is pretty sweet right now. </p>
<p>but I've always wanted to go to school in Washington DC. </p>
<p>I recently applied to American, GW and Georgetown. </p>
<p>American was my safety school. I was fairly certain I had a 70% chance of getting in. I just got the notice today that I've been accepted. Still waiting on GW which is iffy. and Georgetown is a big reach. I may not get into either GW or GTown. Anyway...</p>
<p>considering the cost and that I will be uprooting my nice safe life here... I am having second thoughts about American. I'd like to be convinced otherwise. If you please, make your best arguments for attending American University. I don't want to pass up an amazing chance because of lack of knowledge and fear of the unknown. </p>
<p>Things my school have going for it:
- Great Weather
- HUGE (I like that, but AU is not so small as to be undesirable)
- 6,000 a year
- comfortable</p>
<p>Things I have against my school:
- mediocre professors. I don't know anyone who is a leader in their field at my school
- mediocre students. I constantly feel like I'm the smartest student in the class
- Not ranked. its well known and becoming respected locally... but nationally still has no cred
- Feels more like community college</p>
<p>Is the location the only reason you had to apply to American? There must be othe reasons. Make a pro and con list specifically for American, one that doesn’t consider your current school.</p>
<p>Do you plan on continuing your education past undergrad? If so, do you need good, personal teacher rec’s for the program you want? Do you want a job in D.C. after graduation? Do you want good connections to get that job? Are there job prospects in your field to pay for the tuition difference, or do you have sufficient aid? American would be much better if you answered yes to any of these.</p>
<p>The money is a big issue. If you are going to any type of grad school/professional school, I think, unless money is not object to you, you would be better off finishing off in florida, getting highest gpa you can and spending time money on review class for GRE/LSAT whatever. </p>
<p>Even if your proffs are nobodies, they can write reccomendations for you.</p>
<p>You also need to find out more about upper-level coursework at your current university. The introductory courses may be very different from the advanced courses.</p>
<p>I was in your situation last year and transferred to AU. About half of the professors I’ve had here think very highly of themselves and assign a lot of extra work to make their classes seem really difficult. Don’t get me wrong, some professors are really good. I’m just trying to show you the other side of the spectrum. Sometimes I miss the mediocre professors. On the other side for students, a lot of students here are Ivy league rejects so they think they’re God’s gift to the world. That personality type is more common than the not smart students.</p>
<p>Based on your reasons, if I were you I’d consider staying at your school in Florida. I know AU looks good but it’s partly what you do with your degree than where you get it from. Unless you go to like Harvard. As you move up in your program, professors and classes tend to get better. Don’t just transfer because it’s DC. Look closely at the school, not the city.</p>
<p>In support of going to American, it is a good school with plenty of opportunities. If you plan on using all the resources available to you by going to school in DC, then I’d say go for it. Advisors and the career center are really hands on so if you’re interested in getting internships and job placement stuff, this is a good school to consider. Also being in DC, American is really political. If you aren’t into politics then you may feel out of the loop here. I’m not into politics so sometimes I feel overwhelmed by it.</p>
<p>I love politics. Thats why I want to go to school in DC. I hear that AU is super lefty and I’m just right of Ronald Reagan. I thrive in places where I am the minority.</p>
<p>yesterday I was watching a TV show on the history of the KKK. Featured was a professor from AU Julian Bond. though I disagree with much of his politics, I do want to learn from people like him who actually are leaders of their field. </p>
<p>I do worry about the “Ivy League Rejects” as you put it. then again, maybe I’m one of them? I am also applying to George Washington and Georgetown.</p>
<p>Saying AU is super lefty is a major understatement. You’re definitely in the minority if you’re conservative. Lefty friends of mine have for sure looked down upon me for admitting my political stance. Most professors I’ve encountered are on the left. Some push it on you and some don’t. If you can deal with it or intelligently defend your view, you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>By Ivy League rejects I mean those who were turned down by Harvard, Yale, and Columbia. Lots of people who applied to GW and Georgetown go here though. As long as you aren’t up on a high horse about it, you don’t fall into that category. There are plenty of people who aren’t like that though. So I wouldn’t worry about it.</p>