<p>EconProf, I’m a 1995 grad of AU so I won’t bother to tell you how things were back in the old days. However, I will point you this as an example of an AU student: [American</a> Today - President Award - Patrick Sullivan](<a href=“http://veracity.univpubs.american.edu/today/vol/summer08/050908_sullivan.html]American”>http://veracity.univpubs.american.edu/today/vol/summer08/050908_sullivan.html)</p>
<p>I remember reading about this kid back in the spring and was so impressed/amazed that I made my wife (who has no connection to or interest in AU) read the story. Now, this is an exceptional student, but the story shows three things: (a) students who are academically serious do choose AU, (b) opportunities for growth, learning and enrichment abound both at AU and in the surrounding area, and (c) it’s up to individual students to take on what they can/want to do–that’s true at AU and everywhere else.</p>