<p>“I still say, their name recognition and prestige are regional. Outside of their region, not so much so”</p>
<p>I agree.
We are from SoCal and I hear about Pepperdine, USD, LMU a fair amount (all So Cal schools). Never heard about American until I came on cc. Never heard (or at least registered in my brain) about F&M and Bentley until NOW. Never heard about Elon or TCU until friends of D were applying there, yet still I would have to google it now to find out where they are located. </p>
<p>American is much better than when my mother went there in the early 70s. My younger son liked it a lot and much better than GW which he didn’t apply to. He was a little uncomfortable with the Jesuit vibe of Georgetown, though he would definitely have considered it had he gotten in. It’s good in Business, tops in International Studies, a great place for Government/Poli Sci. And if you are interested in interning during the school year they make it easy. I’ve known a number of strong students who chose it over higher rated places because of their merit scholarships.</p>
<p>We looked at American when D was applying two years ago and also preferred it to GWU. We liked the campus, location, facilities, and programs. The students seemed happy and engaged. My D did apply there and got nice merit. She felt she could have been happy there.</p>
<p>D also visited Elon with my DH during a southern tour. Her comment was that everyone “wanted to major in Communication.” She didn’t feel it was very intellectually oriented in comparison to other schools she visited (Agnes Scott, Emory, Davidson, Richmond,W&M ), but I know many local people who like it very much. It’s been successful at serving its population and increasing its profile. It has a lovely campus and a nice quality of life. </p>
<p>I think AU may actually be better regarded nationally than locally. It is a good school but flies under the radar due to the other local schools and the constant waves of DC newcomers from “prestige” schools all over the country. Washington can be a great college town, so if you have the ability to visit before you decide, that would be worthwhile. </p>
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<p>People who don’t know the difference between “elicit” and “illicit” are in no position to snipe about prestige. Unless it’s an iPhone problem.</p>
<p>My illicit iPhone software elicits a lot of spelling errors. </p>
<p>Thanks, again, everyone. So very helpful. I will monitor some hoped for additional comments, and then give you my assessment not of a college choice, but of the whole situation I’ve come to feel. By the way, my son has taken Mandarin and Spanish for years, loves Asia, history, and all things global, geography, so that may add to American University, if we thought he could get a job for that. </p>
<p>My 2 cents, in no particular order - American, Elon, Pepperdine. I have heard great things about TCU, as well. My child looked at/applied to several of the colleges on your list. I agree that you need to narrow it down on other factors such as setting, size, religious affiliation. Good luck, and let us know what they choose! </p>
<p>I don’t know too much about the west coast schools. I think of F&M as the academically strongest of the bunch. It has a reputation as a school where the students have to work very hard. It seems somewhat of an outlier from your list in this regard from the other schools.</p>
<p>Elon is up-and-coming, and getting more and more known, and the students who attend it really love it. It was one of my D’s top choices, but she ended up selecting another school. Even though I’m very positive about the school, I don’t think I would call Elon prestigious. </p>
<p>American is probably better known than F&M or Elon, but again not particularly prestigious. In my area (NJ), I think it is relatively well known as the 3rd best school in DC, for kids who want to go to school in DC but can’t get into Georgetown or GW.</p>
<p>I agree that F&M is likely a cut above academically, especially for non-vocational majors. </p>
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<p>Of course he can get a job using those skills and interests! In business, in the State Department or other govt area, with an NGO, all kinds of things!</p>
<p>Frankly, the kids I’ve known that were happiest at Elon were bros, if you know what I mean, and a girl who is into fashion/marketing. Your kid sounds as if he has a different focus. Although earlier I said Elon might be his best fit, I’m now swinging towards American, given this new info. (If he wants to continue developing his skill in Mandarin, assuming that he is not fully fluent already, be sure to check the language departments!)</p>
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<p>American University works but what about the west coast schools? Loyola has Asian Studies and Spanish majors; Pepperdine has majors in International Business, International Studies and it looks like Asian programs. </p>
<p>Me just walking around talking to various parents/co-workers, I would say that American is the most well-known (respected) on that list. </p>