American University Top Questions

What is your overall opinion of this school?

Danielle

The school contains the most driven and passionate people I have ever met. Sometimes this can be intimidating and overwhelming because you never know who you'll offend.

Lara

I love American University. Everyone is so friendly and involved in the school and the community as a whole. The environment is one of encouragement and that is very important to me as a student because I feel that students need to compete but also raise up one another. American University is the perfect size school! Campus is not too big or small and class sizes are very practical. The best part about it is the professors who are really involved with their students.

Radhika

In spite of the pretentious "saving the world types," which includes me, natch, I really do love AU. I do credit my time at AU for giving me a clearer path to a career choice and helping me focus my interests. AU is expensive -- the tuition, the cost of living, on-campus food, everything. That comes with living in a tony area of an East Coast city and attending a private university. Take advantage if they give you scholarships/financial aid. DC is a fantastic, diverse, complex, gorgeous city with loads of opportunities. Get to know all of it, even the parts with (gasp) black people. Caution: AU is filled with SWPL types who pride themselves on their "tolerance" but clutch their bags in the Metro when they see a homeless person. That being said, both the city and this school are internship central, and the "right" internship is kind of a status symbol among students, regardless of what you actually do during said internship. We do have an excellent Career Center. There are plenty of networking opportunities, but it's up to you to take advantage of them. This is not the school for you if you want to tailgate at the games and such. There are sororities and fraternities, if that's your thing. It's not really my cup of tea, personally.

Heather

Overall, I have a very positive opinion of AU. The best thing about the school is how much it prepares you to be in the real world and how much the other students around you push you to be ambitious and get out of the classroom and into the city. I believe the school size is just right, however, recently AU has been accepting more and more students, so I believe that in the near future it could become a little too big. Another amazing aspect of AU is its location in Washington, D.C. As the nations capital, there are so many wonderful opportunities for internships and other experiences outside the classroom that will make your resume more appealing than another students. Washington is also a great college town that is thriving with young people who are also driven for success. AU's campus is in a great location because it is very close to downtown but still has a wonderful campus to sit and relax. The quad in the center of campus is one of my favorite places to hang out. However, I would have to say the one aspect that makes me dislike the school a bit is the administration. AU is very expensive, and the financial aid office can sometimes be less than helpful. There have been quite a few controversies involving the President and his salary compared with what he has actually done for the school. Yet each controversy at AU is a unique experience because the students are very involved and not passive at all. As a side note, the dining hall really sucks too, but there are other options nearby to get food that are great.

Andrew

The school is in a good location in D.C. because it is not loud and right in the heart of the city, but if I did want to go to the heart of the city, it is only about a half hour away on the AU shuttle and metro. If I could change one thing about the university overall, it would be to add a lot more housing because not all juniors are guaranteed housing, and I do not think that is fair. Upperclassman have a very slim chance of getting housing.

Christine

Although American University may not be the social, partying mecca of Washington, DC (as some misinformed frat guys seem to think), an AU education is definitely an asset for the future. AU students and professors are extremely motivated and innovative. It is the type of school where you should try to remember everyone (from your finance professor to that quiet girl who sat next to you in World Politics) because everyone is destined for greatness. Chances are that quiet girl will create the next big I-gadget. Comparatively, AU has a small campus and some may complain it feels like high school, but AU's location in Washington, DC definitely supplements the small campus feeling. Washington, DC is a great city and most students get internships around the city, gaining the chance to explore different parts of the city. The most recent controversies on campus have been surrounding the quick-selling tickets to the Founder's Day Ball at the Library of Congress and President Bill Clinton's visit. AU does not have much school pride when it comes to athletics. An AU student could probably name the past three AU student government presidents faster than one of the current AU men's basketball team members.

Jade

I like AU for many reasons and there are also a number of things I would change. I think the location and convenience of getting into the city is great and provides students with a plethora of internships that other schools don't offer. It is also awesome to be in a city with some of the most socially engaged people in the country. I also like that AU has a campus feel that some city schools don't have. And the abroad program is great, everyone should go abroad! As for things I wish we could do differently. I wish that we had a football team and a greater sense of school pride because there isn't a lot of support for AU athletics. And though I love the fact that AU is kinda small, sometimes it is frustrating because you can't go anywhere without knowing someone. It also is not a college town, so if you are looking for the state school vibe, AU is not the place. But overall, I think I've gotten a great education here.

Rachel

The best thing about American University (AU) is the endless amounts of opportunities to get involved. Although very liberal, AU has groups for just about anything you can think of. American as a whole is a very politically active university. Being in the nation's capital just makes opportunities to stay involved even more prevalent. AU is the perfect balance between a small and large school. What first attracted me to AU was the fact that it has a small school feel, but is located in a very active city. That being said, I wouldn't necessarily say AU is located in a "college town." DC as a whole is kind of the university's college town. Most DC residents know about American University and are kind/respectful of the students. In the end, I think American University is a great school, but it really comes down to what you make of your college experience. Compared to smaller liberal arts colleges that I visited, AU has a much different feel. It's just big enough that you can't really "know everyone," and you always tend to wonder where everyone was hiding when the warm weather hits and there's suddenly a maze of students on the quad.With that said, the school is also small enough to stay involved. Clubs tend to be fairly reasonable in size and class sizes are small as well. This makes it easy to stay involved and to meet people if you take the initiative to do so. AU is also top-rated for the amount of students involved in internships, so it's very easy to stay busy if one has the drive/will to do so.

Jenna

Plain and simple, I love American. I applied as an early decision student and still think that the day I was accepted was one of the best days ever. American has a great campus feel, while also having a perfect location. It's rare to find a great city school that also has a traditional college campus like AU does. I knew when I picked a school that I wanted a medium sized university so that I would not have huge classes and that is something AU definitely offers. My largest class was around 50 people and most of my classes are no bigger than 30. It offers a unique experience to get to know professors and other students well. All of my teachers have been really helpful. One example is when I took a theory class for Sociology and I was completely lost. I went to my professor for help multiple times during her office hours and she really helped me understand the material. I wound up getting an A in the class! Besides the academics, AU has so much to offer both on and off campus. There are so many clubs and organizations to get involved in, or students can volunteer out in the city. Washington D.C. has the perfect mix of fun, free things to do on weekends and great opportunities to help the students prepare for their futures.

Miranda

The School is very cutting-edge and up-to-date with resources and infrastructure. However, sometimes it takes a long time for them to change and remodel new buildings so that students can see the value of their tuition dollars at work. The school needs to get a larger donor base and endowment to help alleviate the burden of attending this institution.

Alexander

"Location, location, location" - that's really the best thing about American University, its location in Washington, D.C. It offers the best of both worlds, as it resides in a clearly pretty and suburban section of the district yet is only a twenty-minute metro ride from the center of the city, and with access to dozens of opportunities in the capital, AU certainly has a great advantage for practically any major. What drives it apart from other D.C. institutions like Georgetown and George Washington, other than its suburban locale is the fact that it has very campus-like feel to it and is perfectly sized. It is not so small that it'd be unable to offer you the best resources for academics, but it also isn't so large that it'd make you feel tiny compared to the rest of the school.

Kayla

I really enjoy being at AU. The people here are great- they truly care about what they are studying, instead of just getting wrapped up in grades. Sometimes I wish the school was a bit more well rounded, but the sciences are improving here. This school is constantly getting better. Also, I can't really ask for a better area. Living in NW DC has been great. I do think the tuition should be lower. It does not have the prestige Georgetown has and yet we're paying almost as much, which is a little weird. The money has made out campus look quite nice, but more of it needs to go towards dorming. The population is outgrowing the space here.

Kayla

I really enjoy being at AU. The people here are great- they truly care about what they are studying, instead of just getting wrapped up in grades. Sometimes I wish the school was a bit more well rounded, but the sciences are improving here. This school is constantly getting better. Also, I can't really ask for a better area. Living in NW DC has been great.

Megan

I absolutely love AU. I was never one of those kids that was excited about going to college-- in fact, I dreaded it right up to the day I left home. I never liked the idea of the typical college experience, with the hordes of students, giant lecture classes, football-obsessed mania, and more interest in partying than academics. From the very first day of orientation, I knew I had picked the right place, and what I had dreaded for so many years became even more enjoyable and enriching than anything I'd experienced before. The best thing about life at AU is definitely the location. It's possible to find just about anything in DC, and you can live here for years without ever feeling at a loss for something to do. There's just so much to explore, and so many educational opportunities as well-- no wonder we're #1 in the nation for internships. I usually take the metro into the city at least twice a week. Plus, DC is really good about providing discounts to college students. There are always deals online for free or inexpensive food and the Smithsonian museums are free. I love seeing Shakespeare Theatre Company shows, which provide $15 student tickets for shows that normally cost above $50, and many other local theatres have similar deals. Because most other students here are so curious and eager to explore, I always have people to join me in my adventures. The metro's pretty easy to navigate, too. If I could change anything, it would be the way the administration sometimes seems to ignore the students' wishes in their quest for improving the school. Lately, AU's been advertising with the so-called 'WONK' campaign, which has been hugely unpopular among students. I personally don't feel too strongly about 'WONK,' although I have heard that it was really expensive. A lot of my friends say they feel like the school doesn't care about them when they keep on promoting 'WONK' despite the student outcry. Still, AU takes very good care of its students in other ways. I've never felt like just a number. My other biggest problem is one that they're remedying as best they can-- there often isn't space for events or classes. That's because they're renovating and expanding, so I know that'll be fixed sooner or later. I have actually loved every class I've taken at AU. All of my professors have been knowledgeable, engaging, helpful, down-to-earth, and generally cool. The classes have been small, the workload challenging but not overwhelming, and even the Gen-Ed classes turned out to be really positive experiences. The University College program lets freshmen take special seminars and do activities and trips together, and mine was on the Nature of Evil. As disturbing as the subject matter was, the professor was brilliant, we had some fantastic opportunities (including touring the Crime and Punishment Museum and visiting the Supreme Court), and I made some of my best friends there. The campus is really nice. It has a distinctive look to it that's especially gorgeous in spring and fall (I toured in the winter, when it was gray and dreary, and wasn't too impressed with the appearance until I came back to move in). I like the small size of it, because it makes it easy to journey from class to class or from dorms to the dining hall. It's compact but never seems cramped. The school's really the perfect size, because you do tend to run into the same people, but there are always new faces, even in a smallish department like Literature. Because AU doesn't have a football team, we don't have as much overt 'school spirit' as many other schools, and most students consider displays of 'AU pride' to be cheesy and unnecessary. That said, there's a lot of support at many other events. Basketball and volleyball games are pretty popular, and so are a capella groups and student plays. I believe literally anyone will be able to find a niche at a school like AU. Even though most students have strong personal opinions, they are usually open-minded and appreciate that college is a time to experiment with new ideas and question their own views. A huge chunk of the population studies abroad at some point-- I'm planning on going to London next year-- and there are clubs on campus for basically anything that could interest anyone. My family can't believe how busy I keep, since I perform with the Rude Mechanicals (a student-run Shakespeare troupe) and improv team, participate in all kinds of events with the wonderful United Methodist student organization, help out with some Queers & Allies events, volunteer as a classroom assistant at a preschool, contribute to the literary magazine, and still have time for both schoolwork and a social life. Fraternities and sororities are visible, but it's very easy to be extremely involved without joining one. I don't see AU as fitting the normal cookie-cutter college mold, and I love that about it, but there are all kinds of people here, from every walk of life.

Amara

American's Career Center offers a highly comprehensive job and internship placement service. My freshman year, I met with a Career Center adviser who literally sat with me for about one hour and helped me reformat and change some of the language in my, then existing, resume. In addition the Career Center also has a small library that has books on various topics from the finding government jobs in international relations to office etiquette. I would definitely rank AU's Career Center among the top in the region. While AU has an excellent Career Center with numerous opportunities for internships and co-ops, many students do complain about the lack of need-based (and even merit-based) financial aid that the school offers. I've a few friends that actually had to leave the school and transfer to a local state school because they did not receive enough funding to stay at American.

Julia

I'm really happy with my experience as a student at AU, though I think a lot could be improved within the administration. AU is a well-known school and carries a prestigious reputation, but I don't think classes always live up to that reputation. Most of my professors have been amazing experts in their fields, but I've had a few classes that seem frustrating and irrelevent. However, the location in Northwest DC is unbeatable, and AU's class schedule is set so you can easily have a 3-day internship or part-time job. Since there's no football team, there's not much school pride. Students complain about the cafeteria and the dorms a lot, but realistically, we have very new buildings and the food is ranked the most vegetarian-friendly in the country.. so I think we're doing alright.

Paula

American University is a great school for a lot of reasons. It has a top notch international studies school as well as very highly renowned communication and public affairs programs. The student population is small (around 6,000 undergraduates), and the professor to student ratio allows for a lot of personalized attention. Socially, AU is interesting. It's a mix of political nerds and greek life. If someone wants a traditional college experience where frats and sororities rule, and everyone's lives revolve around football, AU is definitely not the school for that person. However, I have really enjoyed American University. The quality of education is very high, and it will be a definite advantage to have it listed on a resume.

John

Good for political science and international affairs, OK school of communications, ok business school, everything else crap. Rich kids who aren't necessarily smart combined with some smart kid who are poor and needed the fin aid. Most bureaucratic school ever.

Maha

American University has a great reputation and many different departments at American consistently rank highly. However, American University is a private school, so it has a much different atmosphere than a public school, naturally. The classes are often much smaller at private schools such as American and there is often greater access to instructors. On the flip side, though, there tends to be a lot more limitations in terms of the breadth of classes offered and the diversity of the student body.

Gabriela

I love the location of AU. If you want to be in a bubble and not leave campus at all, you can, but if you are the adventurous kind and want to explore the beautiful city that is Washington, DC, you are just minutes away.

Eric

The school itself is ok. The kids are ok, the professors are ok, the location is ok. The school has enough to keep you satisfied as far as overall experience, but there isnt one element where you go "wow, thats cool"

Mary

I love American University. I truly believe I am getting an education worthy of the money being paid for it. And there is no beating the classroom that is Washington, DC. But no university is perfect, and AU is no exception. Dealing with Student Accounts or the registrar can be a headache, though I think the housing situation is maybe the worst. On-campus housing is only guaranteed through sophomore years, and after that it is a lottery system for a limited number of spaces. And while I love living off campus, doing so is not always the best financial move for students. Its my experience that students love complaining about AU, but will still tell you they would make the choice if it could be re-done. Its not perfect, but we love it.

Ethan

I have no regrets about attending American University. Washington, D.C. is an amazing place to go to college and I wouldn't think about going to college any place else. While the campus is relatively small and confined (unlike nearby George Washington University), I view this as an advantage. Our administration is pretty transparent and eager to hear from students. Almost all administrators are happy to meet with students privately, provided you schedule an appointment ahead of time. I would definitely recommend getting involved with some extracurricular activities as early as possible. Since AU is unfortunately prone to cliques, it's a great way to keep yourself busy and to meet people. There is something for everyone here and I've met many friends through my two main ones: ATV, our student TV station and The Eagle, our student newspaper. If you want to party seven nights a week, I recommend looking elsewhere. While AU students do party, most party in moderation (usually three nights a week max) and care about their work.

Seth

Location, location, location. AU is in the heart of our nation's capital, but its location lends itself well to a collegiate atmosphere.

Rachel

American is the best of both worlds. You get the opportunities of the nation's capital along with the close knit community of a small campus. I see people I know every time I walk to class (which is never more than a seven minute walk). We don't have a football team, which is a problem for a lot of people. But hey, at least we are undefeated. The other teams are also decent, so there is a fair amount of school spirit in terms of athletic support. The dining options when you have a meal plan are very limited. There's only one dining hall, and most of the other options cost money instead of taking a meal swipe.

Jenna

American's size is perfect. As a part of DC, American is connected to a larger community, with a number of other schools in the area and plenty of access to the city. The small campus is great, and the fact that it is distinct and not integrated into the city make it easier to feel a part of the school. I like that I can go anywhere on campus and be guaranteed to see a few folks I know and a good number of those I don't. The Davenport Lounge Cafe (the "Dav") is the best place to hang out, catch up with people, and do softcore work-- plus it's the cheapest coffee on campus. The library is terrible; it has limited work space, a lot of disruption, and decent-but-not-outstanding resources. American's rep is on the rise, I've heard, but a lot of people have just never heard of it. The administration is difficult to navigate, but they're pretty responsive to direct communication. They genuinely want to work with and help students, and President Kerwin genuinely seems to dig AU (hopefully more than the fact that it's apparently really easy to embezzle funds). Student Activities has a form for everything, likely including the anticipated number of toilet flushes at your next club's event. School pride is nearly non-existent; a lot of students are here because of financial aid, and I'm pretty sure athletes are the only ones that care about sports. We don't even have a football team, but if we did, Bender Arena would still the most action during Obama rallies.

Jordan

American has great career/internships opportunities. I would change the look of our campus. The school size is just right. No one has ever heard of American University. I spend most of my time in the Residence Halls. Definitely not a college town. The former administration was poor, but the new one is very helpful and understanding. Controversy = former president embezzled money from the school. Some school pride. We are perfectly normal. I will always remember the awesome Founder's Day Ball at the Italian Embassy.

stella

the best thing about american is its wide range of majors, but the people are not that friendly, it seems like once people find friends they give up looking. some people here are very disrespectful and very rude to the cleaning staff and their RA's. i think its a good size school its not too big but not so small that you can't avoid people you dont like. going to parties is difficult because they took frat row away, which was a horrible decision on the schools part. I like being in dc, the school doesn;t have alot of on campus activities that you would actually want to go to but that is okay becasue we are in a big city and people should go out and be independent of their school and find a good time.the administration is okay, i think they spend money on really stupid stuff when they should be making my tuiton less they get plasma screen tvs all over the school for NO REASON.

Lauren

The best thing about American is the location. Washington, DC provides students with so many oppurtunities, from internships to interesting events to museums and fun stuff to do on the weekend. I really like the size of the school. It's not too overwhelming, but not too small. Sometimes I wish American had more school spirit. People do go to games, but the majority don't. There is not a lot of talk about our sports teams either. I wouldn't be able to tell you how any of our teams are doing at any given time. I most frequently hear students compain about the dining hall. Most of the time, it sucks.

Luke

The best thing about American is its location in D.C. and the distinguished professors. The one thing I would change is the allocation of financial aid. I feel that the school is just right for me, though are larger classes the largest class that I have been in for my freshman year has been 40 students. This enables a very personal relationship with other students and professors. The first reaction is "I have never heard of it" and to those that have heard of it they are generally impressed by it. Washington DC is definitely a college town. American's administration is pretty good, though I question what they spend money on at times. Biggest recent controversy would have to be when the AU Shuttle driver unionization. I would say school pride is on par, there are those who wear everything American and those who don't. What is unusual about American is the amount of political awareness. One experience I will always remember is getting onto the local AU shuttle late at night and everyone on it was drunk and singing. Most frequent complaints would probably be about the food.

Caitlin

The best thing about American is the opportunities that are available to students. I am a freshman and I already have an internship with a congressman. Although American is located in D.C., it is in a residential neighborhood. President Neil Kerwin is doing great things for the school, such as the construction of the new SIS building and the renovation of Kogod. The most frequent student complaints are about the dining hall, which really does need a makeover.

Zack

I enjoy the diversity at American. The size of the school is perfect. Most people I've talked to from my home area don't know about American. I think American is trying to milk my family for all it's worth, especially with the JAMS program. I mean, what the hell? I'm already doing stuff ordered by the court anyway. The biggest recent controversy on campus was how Leonard's RHA was using money for bullcrap like Sleeping Beauty balet tickets and the Vagina Monologues. I will always remember dorm parties and getting busted by the police. Many students complain about the food at AU. I always complain about the high costs at the Eagle's Nest. Seriously, AU, why are you doing this to us? I spend most of my time on campus in my dorm. That's where the fun is.

Eric

It is a great size school, 5000 undergads. It is close enough to the metro that you can hope into D.C. in like 20 minutes, but far enough away that it is a safe neighborhood. There isn't much school pride, unfortunately. The library sucks, and their is a tone of beurocracy, but they are trying to change that.

Aria

I think the best thing about AU is that almost anyone can find a place to fit in here. The school isn't dominated by one religion, sport, club or anything else so there's no presure to not be yourself. There's really not much about AU I'd change besides the Housing and Dining program. The food's fine and the rooms are nice, but the rules and regulations Housing and Dining implement especially as a Freshman are really annoying I think the size of the school is just right, big enough that you for the most part can avoid people you don't want to see, and small enough that you never feel like you're friendless on campus. It's also possible to make it from one end of campus to the other in ten minutes if you powerwalk which makes it really easy to get to class on time, even if you oversleep. In DC AU is a well known and well liked school. It's not incredibly prestiegous but it's a good school and people know that. Back home however I have the problem of people going American University? Is that like National University? (which is a school that advertises in San Diego) On campus, outside my room and classes, I spend most of my time in the Tavern, which is an area that has food and tables which is still called the tavern even though AU is a dry campus and thus has no alcohol sold on it. They put on small shows and other events there. Like just last night the Residence Hall Assosiation (RHA) had a Karaoke night there that all my friends went to. DC isn't exactly a college town as it already has the whole capital of the united states and the seat of federal government thing going for it, but there are half a dozen colleges around DC that I can think of off the top of my head, so it is a very college friendly town. Certain offices in the AU administration are wonderful, such as their career center, that being said, most of the administration is annoying and slow, they've been known to loose forms and not reply to emails. You can get things done perfectly well, but you need to follow up on all emails sometimes by calling or going to the offices so they can't ignore you. Often times you end up beating your head against the wall when dealing with Health Services or Housing and Dining. As a whole, DC and AU are both highly democratic. There is a College Republicans group, but College Democrats has about 3 times the membership. That being said, the most well know recent controversy was when College Republicans invited Carl Rove to talk and the coalition for social justice (a bunch of socially left groups) lay down in front of Rove's car as a protest. Public Safety came, Police came it was a big deal. School pride is almost non-excistant at AU. There is the Blue Crew which is basically the pep club, but in my experience people love being at AU but don't feel the need to paint themselves in school colors at games or wear school sweatshirts everywhere. AU doesn't have any classes that start before 8:30 which is very much appresiated by the student population The most frequent student complaint I hear is how the food at our dining hall (TDR) gets miraculously better on preview days/parent days. If they can make better food why don't they do that all the time?

Steven

Perhaps the best part about American is its political activism. Ted, Caroline, and Patrick Kennedy all endorsed Barack Obama at a rally at American in our arena. The line started forming the night before and stretched all the way down through campus and down to the Law School a half mile away. I was lucky enough to be able to stand 20 feet from the podium and hear all 4 politicians give great speeches. It is an experience I will never forget. We've also had Ron Paul, Jimmy Carter, NBC White House Correspondant David Gregory, numerous Congressmen and women, Senators, Elizabeth Edwards, and more I'm sure I'm forgetting all speak on campus. I don't think there is a better city than Washington DC to study politics, and American does it right. On top of that, DC is a great city with so much to do on a given day. When friends and family visit and want me to play "tour guide," there is never a shortage of things for them to see. That being said, perhaps the one thing I would change is school spirit, especially when it comes to sports. We don't have a football team, which stinks, and attendance at men's basketball games usually top out at about 1500 on a given night. Other sports like soccer, field hockey, and even women's basketball have sparse attendance and often it feels like the only people watching are athlete's families.

lindsay

DC is the most amazing place to live, ever. period. you want to be here.

Tara

I love American's size. I think it's just right -- small enough to see friendly faces on the way to class, but big enough to avoid getting claustrophobic. Most people in my home state of PA hadn't heard of American, and I had to specify that it was in DC. Others, though, were familiar with the DC area and impressed to hear that I was going to AU. I love American's location, and I think most students on campus take full advantage of all of the opportunities in DC -- just a short metro ride away. I'm off campus a lot, and I'm most excited about beginning to search for internships in the city. Because AU isn't big into sports, I think there is less school pride than on other campuses. However, students are definitely proud of their school, and we have somewhat of a rivalry with Georgetown and GW that makes us stick up for AU. Frequent student complaints center around bureaucracy, which can be frustrating here. It can be hard to get things done in Student Accounts, Housing and Dining, or the Office of the Registrar because there are so many hoops yo jump through. I had an annoying, complicated experience earlier this semester, trying to blue-card into a class after the class that I was in got unexpectedly cancelled.

Liz

AU needs more international openness. We say we are diverse, but we're not. The International Students keep too themselves, we aren't integrated, regardless of what we plug. The school is a nice size, but sadly people have never heard of the school. When you say "I go to American," they say, "That's nice, which school in America?". "what college town?" AU is way better under Kerwin, I wish there was a student on the faculty Senate.

Megan

The best thing about American is that everything is close on campus. I would change the dining options with the meal plan. The school size is just right, I spend most of my time in the dorms. DC is a college town. There is not alot of school pride.

Kristen

American has all the benefits of an amazing city with all feelings of safety. There is a lot of red tape, but also ways to get around it. Get in good with professors and the faculty and they will take care of you.

Ashley

i wish we had more school spirit. just right. people are always excited when they learn it is in washington, dc. in my dorm, or friends'dorms, floor lounges. its definitly a city inhabited by college students. the most recent controversy was when a group of students rioted when Karl Rove spoke on campus to the College Republicans. there isn't a lot of school pride. its the only university in the actual city of dc to have an actual campus. i'll always remember being dropped off by my parents. the most frequent complains are about the lack of organization within the various AU offices, which they administration is in the process of fixing. also tdr, or the terrace dining room, no one likes the food even though the dining program has gotten good reviews multiple times in the past

Andrea

The best thing about American is the availability of internships. One thing I would change is the drinking policy. The school is just the right size. When I tell people I go to American they are either impressed, or not sure where the school is. When I'm on campus I spend most of my time in my dorm or at Davenports. Not really a college town, but DC has plenty to offer - plenty of free things to offer. The AU administration does a lot to make sure their students are happy. The most recent controversy on campus - not really sure - we do have a fire alarm problem though There is a lot of school pride - three words - AU Blue Crew The only unusual thing are the WWII chemicals under the presidents house. One experience I will always remember is finding out that all of my Arab friends from the Middle East were royalty, though they didn't act like it. Frequent complaint - TDR!

Theresa

Best thing: the political nature of the school Thing I'd change: the price - it's almost as much as Georgetown for a less prestigious name and less prestigious professors The size: just right for me personally but it depends on your preference Reaction: they know or pretend to know half the time. Once they hear it is in D.C., they suddenly seem to assume that I am always on the Hill and know the day to days of Congress. And that I'm really smart. Spend time: the Quad or in the dorms College town: definitely Administration: unhelpful and still suffering from the last president's financial scandal. Most administrations are disliked by students, but the financial situation is pretty ridiculous. Recent controversy on campus: the last president School pride: as already addressed, not about sports - more so about rallies, speakers, and other events that are either political or community oriented

Harper

The best thing about American is our emphasis on service. We don't just want students to have the best GPA or memorize facts--AU teaches students to actually give back to the community or world. I would change the size of our meal plan. As of now, there are three places--the Terrace Dining Room, the Tavern, and the Block Express on our meal plan while we clearly have many other eating establishments on campus. They should all count towards meal plan points. The school is also the perfect size. I can walk from one end of campus to the other in about 10 minutes, which is a good amount of exercise, but not too much! People react in either two ways when I say that I go to American: the first is "Oh wow, that's a great school. I hear their international studies program is one of the best." The second reaction, because of a misunderstanding, and I kid you not, is: "Wait, ok, I get that you go to an American university, but which one?" Washington D.C. is by far the greatest college town in the U.S.! First, it is our nation's capital and is full of history and prominence. The internship opportunities are incredible. The city is only 10 miles in diameter, and there are about 8 universities within range, so you can travel to different universities for different events and take classes at the other universities. What's unusual about American is that it is the birthplace of the Army Corps of Engineers. We have WWI remnants! Eisenhower also helped to create and promote AU's School of International Service. Eisenhower was huge on foreign policy and wanted an institution that would promote international affairs. One experience I will always remember is when Barack Obama chose AU to not only speak at, but to also receive his endorsement from Ted Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy (he didn't choose GW or Georgetown!).

steph

the students i want more things to be open late at night for food and for people under 21 just right not too positively -- often its a "oh where's that?" or like wow you should have gone somewhere better. the davenport lounge, my hall in the dorm, my room college town :) YAY tenley the honors administration rocks and makes a huge effort to help you. as for the whole school, i don't even have a clue controversy? none. exciting event: OBAMARAMA! no school spirit. everyone is in sis volunteering at marvin gaye park for the freshman service experience and finding a heroin needle in the grass. not enough night life, dry campus, TDR

Torry

The customer service at American is amazing. The administration and everyone else who runs things around here know what they are talking about and want to help you do whatever it is you are trying to do.

Justin

The best thing about AU is the community. The school is big enough so that you can't know everyone, but small enough that you build small communities and end up knowing quite a bit of the student body. The added bonus is that we are located in the safest and most affluent part of DC, but it is easy enough to hop on the metro and explore what DC has to offer...including parties at other schools or historic sites downtown. On campus, I would say I spend most my time in Ward for class, Mary Graydon Center for food, and the library during finals time. It all happens in waves, depending on priority. I have never been in a place where administration cared more for its students than AU. AU's faculty and staff commit tons of time and energy to making sure we are happy. In Kogod, staff work with our student clubs in order to make sure our events go off without any major snags. The campus has a multicultural office that makes sure the underrepresented our represented. We also have an office that gears to the concerns of gay,lesbian, and transgendered students. Not to mention, AU goes through consistent upgrades to insure we are competitive with our neighboring schools. I will always remember when Barack Obama came to campus and ignited the crowd with excitement. Or when Ari Fleischer spoke my freshman year, and took a picture with me when he walked to his reception. Most people at AU complain that we have too much work to do, but who doesn't? Last biggest controversy on campus was probably our president being asked to step down, but that was a year ago.

Leah

In my experience, AU has been a wonderful place to attend university. The location of the school is amazing, with shuttles to the metro from which any part of the city is readily accessible. The size of the student population is ideal, there are enough students to still discover new friends in different classes but not so many that finding familiar faces proves difficult. There is always something to be doing in DC and the (free!) venues available to students (like the Smithsonians) are a wonderful resource.