American University Top Questions

What is the stereotype of students at your school?

Ethan

We're stereotyped to be a predominantly female, left-of-center campus.

Seth

stuck up, socially responsible

Rachel

Everyone here is at least a little bit into politics. If you weren't before you came here, you are now. Also, just about everyone here majors in international relations.

Jenna

American students are typically perceived as strongly liberal, wealthy, white East coasters. Some people assume everyone's radical due to the tendency of AU students to be politically inclined.

Jordan

Everyone is white and generally wealthy

stella

all the boys are gay, the students are ugly, the students are just kids who got rejected from georgetown, everyone is very politically active.

Lauren

I remember hearing that students at American are very politically involved and active. I also heard that there are a lot more girls than guys.

Luke

That every student is politically active and motivated. That American students like to drink. That there is a division between Democrats and Republicans. That there is a strong liberal presence (hippies).

Caitlin

There is a lot of comparisons made between American and Georgetown. Many people think that students at Georgetown are better; however, the students at American are equally as bright and talented.

Zack

The students don't party enough. Greek life at AU sucks.

Aria

As a whole, I don't think there are a lot of stereotypes about AU students. We are sort of the happy middle I like to think. We aren't the brainiacs at Georgetown, we aren't the city kids like GW. As a whole I think we're seen as affluent white kids sitting off embassy row.

Tara

I think there is a stereotype that American students are much less intelligent than their Georgetown and GW counterparts. American is the stereotypical "not my first choice" school -- some assume that most students are only here because they didn't get into their top school, or they couldn't afford to go anywhere else. American has some positive stereotypes, too, like the its reputation for being extremely political and involved.

Liz

drunk, political obsessed

Megan

everyone is politically active, all the guys are gay, there are way more girls than guys, american is just the smart kid's back up school

Morgan

All the guys are gay.

Carolina

Not as good as Georgetown or George Washington kids.

Kristen

Locally? That we are rejects from GW and Georgetown. That AU stands for Awkward University.

Ashley

that the school is too small. it has a very community-like feel instead. the majority of students are good students, involved in many on campus and off campus events, clubs, and orginizations.

Andrea

That everyone here is too liberal, that everyone is gay or Jewish, and that there is grade inflation.

Theresa

Lots more women. Lots of gays. Lots of Jews. Politically active.

Harper

First, there is a stereotype that all AU students are obsessed with politics. There is also a stereotype that we are only an international studies/political science school. The third stereotype that I can think of is that we do not care about sports.

steph

politically active, preppy, unathletic

Torry

Interested in Politics, Awkward, anti-social

Justin

*All the students on campus are very liberal. *The demographic consists of New Jersey or New York. *AU calls itself diverse but it isn't. *AU students aren't as smart as GWU or Gtown students.

Leah

American University students are most commonly stereotyped as humanities-oriented and internship-driven. Due to the lack of a well-developed math and science program, in combination with the nature of life in D.C. (fast past and professional) it’s not surprising that AU students have this reputation. The bottom line perception is that the school is less academically oriented and more internship-experience based.