Aupolikid

I am a now second semester freshman at AU, and there are many aspects of AU that I love. But I frequented this forum many times before I went to school and witnessed many people pointing out the negatives of this school and many parents of au students who reacted in an extreme way. Without naming any names, it should be no shock to you guys that parents really don't know whats going on at school, and the people you should really listen to are those who live here. I HIGHLY doubt any GW student would waste time (or energy) to come on here and convince people to not go to American. Yes, the drug/alcohol policy is very strict and that shouldn't be the sole reason you don't go to a school, but it is a reality. You will almost never go to GW or Georgetown to party; I have friends at both and its very hard to travel to them both at night, especially drunk. As well, to people who highlight this school based on its "dry" stance should think twice. I have been witness to atleast 10 transports of passed out students and would say that probably 80% of the school drinks. In addition, you need to be prepared that you are on the lowest rung of respect in the city. AU is trying very hard to get its name out there, but it has not gotten there yet. There are a lot of wonderful things about this school; thats why I'm going here (the scholarship helped), but I'm just saying, listen to the students' warnings. They're just trying to help.

happycollegemom

listen to EVERYONE...why not? we all have experiences/knowledge to share. that's what CC is for. some "kids" don't seem to realize how much the parents actually do know... especially if we pay and have decent relations with our kids. that being said, as i've said before, all of DC is SUPPOSEDLY DRY, but that means nothing in terms of the colleges' ability to drink. i have no idea about how kids travel amongst the schools "drunk" ,but i DO know they can and do interact. for those who are inquiring, my d DOES interact and go to GW and GT and has since she was a freshman. it's more about the personality and curiosity of the student than the geography . if you fall in love with DC and the beat of all of it, then traveling around in it is a blast....some of the best people-watching happens on metro and buses. and as far as AU being the "lowest rung" well, again, that's one person's opinion. my own research on CC tells me often, (and sadly )the most irritated people at AU are those who really didn't want to go there, but took the money. their bank accounts were relieved, but then they come here to berate the school. all the DC schools...AU,GT,GW,Catholic,Howard have their own presence and should be considered on its own basis. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Aupolikid

First off, HAPPY NEW YEARS. I just want to clairify that I went to AU because I love DC, and the school is really good for politics, and yeah, the scholarship didn't hurt. But when I was getting ready for college, and reading this forum, I choose to listen to the positive comments and ignore the negative ones because a lot of parents said the negative comments weren't true. All I want freshman to be aware is, yes, listen to everything said on here. Many of the negative aspects of our school are represented here and you should prepare yourself. All of the schools in D.C. are unique and great, but unless you know people at these schools, its not an open door policy to go to them on the weekends. And while the metro is totally fun, in daylight, it can be extremely scary at night, when you're alone, especially on the bus. I'm also in the honors program. If anyone has any questions about that or anything else, give me a holler.

connies

Seems to me that most negative posts come from those who gained financially from AU and then turn their back on the school. Too bad as many others could have used the money and probably would be more appreciative and find the good in AU instead of raping the establishment!

happycollegemom

another thought for newcomers....yes, the metro , if you don't understand how it works, don't know the city, etc. can be scarey/overwhelming at night. this also depends on where you're from, and what you're used to. but the fail-safe plan are CABS!!!!! my d and her friends use them frequently at night...they are frequent and quick and safe, so you can still have fun after dark( or if your feet are tired.) i'll probably say this wrong, but the fare is the same within a certain radius, no matter where you're travelling.
on another note~ please feel free to PM me, whether a student or parent.

Stocksdale111

Cabs can be expensive. Not everyone can afford to use them as frequently as your daughter.

happycollegemom

in addition to all her classes, she has a job and has completed one paid internship at this point. no silver spoon here.

ricegal

aupolikid: My son wants to major in statistics. Are the math courses at AU really as bad as one poster says? My son will likely have a choice between UC Santa Barbara and AU and he is leaning towards AU because of the DC location (he wants to use his statistics in a govt job) and because AU is smaller and more eclectic. UCSB tends to be all Californians. Also, is it true that AU has a lot of cigarette smokers? That would drive my son crazy.

horsegirl1050

yes...a lot of people smoke here. Never indoors (per DC law and AU rules), but smokers have a presence on campus.

Stocksdale111

I'm pretty sure 90% of kids at AU believe that the math department isn't stellar. It may be different for someone wanting to work in the government. I'd check to see how good UCSB is with job placement. AU is ranked high for job placement, but after talking candidly to an adviser, they tend to be lower-level or entry-level jobs.

happycollegemom

aren't most bachelor's level graduates getting entry-level jobs? especially without more advanced degrees. it is my experience that many 4-year grads don't find work at all for a few months or more, regardless of the school, and when they do it may have nothing to do with their areas of study/interest. at our info session a few years back, the career center person said AU has a 95% (if i remember correctly) job/grad school placement rate. yes, higher than average, entry level or not.
ricegal~ AU is not a math school, as is commonly known, but since it is so political/governmental i can't imagine their math would hurt your son! ask someone in their math dept. as for UCSB, my d considered it early in her college explorations, and many thought of it as a party-hardy school. but that may be totally false for all we know. and yes, AU has a lot of smokers, but they tend to congregate at certain areas OUTDOORS, often in front of the library. not really an issue i'd think. best to your son.

connies

YOu can't even say that Harvard graduates receive higher level paying jobs. My friend graduated from Harvard and it took her quite a long time to find a job. She is now working in an entry-level position for an insurance company. Most graduates, if working for a corporation, start on the bottom rung and are placed in a talent program where they are eventually promoted. It is not all about where you graduate, but what you have to bring to the table -- prior work experience and leadership are heavily viewed by the recruiter.

horsegirl1050

Just to add, smoking really isn't an issue at all. I hate smoking and come from a community that has nearly banned smoking and it doesn't bother me here. If you do smoke, fine, and you'll find people who will join you, but I really don't even notice it anymore.

ricegal

happycollegemom: UCSB is a large university and there are serious students there as well as party-hardy (or is that party-hearty?) types.

mini

"I am a now second semester freshman at AU, and there are many aspects of AU that I love."

I'd love to know what those are.