American University

[Anonymous]

Why does American University seem to be ignored in this town? Is it too close to home? AU is within an easy walk of the Big 3 and has a gorgeous campus in the best part of one of the most important cities in the world. The school is ranked #77 by USNEWS but it has some top 10 programs (international affairs). Is the price too high? Does the school offer merit scholarships to help with the high tuition? There was a time when the school was dominated by foreign students, is that still true? Can anyone comment on the social life?

[Anonymous]

It's a nice school for NY/NJ kids OP who did fairly well in high school, but not great. It's ranking of #77 makes it not worth the tremendous expenditure of money.

[Anonymous]

My cousin went there and has nothing but bad things to say about it.

[Anonymous]

I went there as they gave me lots of merit based money. In many ways I had a better expereince there than at Georgetown for grad school. I can 't comment on the current dampus life. When I was there the international population was a wonderful part of campus..not a domination..

[Anonymous]

It is an expensive, mediocre school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is an expensive, mediocre school.

Even for someone interested in foreign service?

[Anonymous]

We visited but honestly we were not that impressed, it felt a little run down and after having visited GW and Georgetown the day before, it was a bit anticlimactic.

[Anonymous]

They have a strict dry campus policy, which is a turn off to some kids (I mean think about it...your kid is likely going to drink in college...it might be beneficial for them not to be afraid to call campus security if someone gets in trouble). It depends on the student. I don't think it's a bad school, and for international studies, it has a great program. Some will sneer at the fact that it isn't ranked in the top 25, but there are a lot of good students in this country. I think it would be a great school for a B/B+ student, maybe a safety for an A- student.

[Anonymous]

Went there for my MBA and loved the place. Great professors and a beautiful campus that is in the city but still has a real campus feel. Took 2 classes at GW through the consortium and found AU profs and students to be sharper! AU's problem is GTown is a better School and GW has more money. It's in third place. BTW I got a great job because of one of my AU profs.