I find your idea that au is a level below gw just as gw is a level below gu hilarious. All of dc knows GU is greater than AU and GW by a long shot. AU and GW are on par with each other. So No GW does not have the same gap to AU as GW has with GU. And just as you have seen GW students (including yourself) choosing GW over AU, I have also met more than enough students who chose AU over GW.
If you are torn between these school I would advise you visit each. I would also advise that you stop reading these forums because opinion is an opinion and those above, including myself are biased. The school that’s best for you must be chosen by you. Choosing a school can be difficult and opinions like these can help ease that difficulty, but don’t let these opinions determine your choice. Choosing a school of another’s opinion is an avoidable mistake. good luck.