NEU vs American University

Emily2007
Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:59:01 +0000

Academically, I think AU is going to be a stronger program. I think the courses will be slightly more rigorous, and while NU has a good polisci faculty, I would think American might have an edge in that also. If you had asked me this two years ago, I’d have told you to go to American and never look back, because as a freshman I essentially left my social studies major because it wasn’t challenging or very well structured. Now things really seem to have changed–faculty is better, standards are higher, and the students are at a totally different level than my year.

I still think that American will have a more solid academic setting for a poli sci major, and possibly more connections, but you’re right that co-op is going to be a huge advantage and give you lots of opportunities. Right now I have a friend co-oping in Ireland working for the parliament, and two other friends spending the semester in DC working with the DIA… so the opportunities are definitely there.

Once you graduate, an American poli sci degree is probably going to look a little better, but I think any college grad looking for a job will tell you that work experience trumps the name of the school you went to (usually, but obviously not the rule).

For opportunities, I think NU = AU. Just because AU doesn’t have co-op doesn’t mean you can’t get some solid internships done, there will be great opportunities at American. For academics, I still have to give AU the vote, but that’s also just opinion, and my opinion is only right about 99.32% of the time.

I think both are going to be solid choices. You get DC or Boston. Both are stupidly expensive to live in, but offer sweet city life and lots of opportunities. American is substantially smaller, which you should consider. You also want to consider other factors, like housing, price, clubs/organizations you’re interested in, facilities… blah blah, whatever you crazy kids care about these days. Either way I think you’ll get a decent poli sci education.