George Washington U vs American

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ward 3 (where AU is located) is part of Washington DC. It’s not a separate suburb, which some seem to be suggesting. It’s a residential area in the city. Suburbs by definition are districts outside of a city.

You sure? I've always understood a suburb to be a residential area on the outskirts of a city, regardless of which side of some arbitrary municipal boundary it falls on. Many (such as Friendship Heights, right next to AU Park, or Chevy Chase, right next to that) fall on both sides of such boundaries. Does Chevy Chase cease to be a suburb when you cross Western Avenue? If so, your formalistic definition is totally divorced from the practical reality of the people living there (on both sides of the municipal line).

Yes, I’m sure. If you live inside Washington DC, then you’re not in a suburb. Those areas certainly have a more residential feel but are still in the city by definition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ward 3 (where AU is located) is part of Washington DC. It’s not a separate suburb, which some seem to be suggesting. It’s a residential area in the city. Suburbs by definition are districts outside of a city.

You sure? I've always understood a suburb to be a residential area on the outskirts of a city, regardless of which side of some arbitrary municipal boundary it falls on. Many (such as Friendship Heights, right next to AU Park, or Chevy Chase, right next to that) fall on both sides of such boundaries. Does Chevy Chase cease to be a suburb when you cross Western Avenue? If so, your formalistic definition is totally divorced from the practical reality of the people living there (on both sides of the municipal line).

Yes, I’m sure. If you live inside Washington DC, then you’re not in a suburb. Those areas certainly have a more residential feel but are still in the city by definition.

Upper Caucasia in Washington has walk scores lower than many suburbs. The neighborhoods there absolutely ARE suburbs. They weren’t even part of the city’s original historical plan.

[Anonymous]

GWU over American every time. American is on the way down.

[Anonymous]

DCUM, where people don’t know the difference between residential and suburban.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a parent of a college freshman. My husband went to Georgetown for grad school and we lived in DC suburbs for 8 years. We are Pitt undergrads.

I agree with the upthread characterizations of GW vs. AU. They both used to be more hometown schools for DMV kids...but provide access into the DC job market. There are many professions where that applies...pre-law, politics, and int'l relations among them.

I don't think either school stands out from the pack of good options. unless Washington is a preferred locale for college or post-college jobs. That might be the case, but it seems your search is still broad.

I would recommend that you also look at Pitt (similar to GW in many ways) and Syracuse while you are looking at GW and American. Simply because I think they check some similar boxes.

Broadly speaking, there is also some DCUM crossover with the University of Rochester and this type of school.

I'm sure American offers a good education but it is currently having some financial issues. That precedes the issues the Trump Administration has caused with all the big R1 universities.

How on earth are Pitt and GWU "similar in many ways?" Cut me a break.

Why don't you tell me why they are not? The main difference is the DC location and DC job market. If your goal does not involve living in DC after graduation, and does not involve one of the fields (such as international relations) where it makes sense to go to school in a capital city, these are very similar schools. I've lived in both Pittsburgh and suburban Maryland. I've known multiple people who have cross-shopped these schools. My maid of honor went to Pitt and her sister to GW. My cousin's child looked at Pitt but decided on GW. And I've known people from outside DC who have come to take a look at DC schools and often decided against. Because DC isn't particularly relevant to their life plans. It happens. We lived there and left. It still is a fun place to visit with many smart people.

There. You may take your break now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a parent of a college freshman. My husband went to Georgetown for grad school and we lived in DC suburbs for 8 years. We are Pitt undergrads.

I agree with the upthread characterizations of GW vs. AU. They both used to be more hometown schools for DMV kids...but provide access into the DC job market. There are many professions where that applies...pre-law, politics, and int'l relations among them.

I don't think either school stands out from the pack of good options. unless Washington is a preferred locale for college or post-college jobs. That might be the case, but it seems your search is still broad.

I would recommend that you also look at Pitt (similar to GW in many ways) and Syracuse while you are looking at GW and American. Simply because I think they check some similar boxes.

Broadly speaking, there is also some DCUM crossover with the University of Rochester and this type of school.

I'm sure American offers a good education but it is currently having some financial issues. That precedes the issues the Trump Administration has caused with all the big R1 universities.

This is what Standard and Poors said about Syracuse University last month, as it changed SU's bonk outlook to "negative":

"The revision to negative outlook reflects the sizable growth in debt and weaker financial
resource ratios especially relative to pro forma debt. Further deterioration of resources may
result in a lower rating. The revision also reflects our view of the weaker demand metrics when
compared with rating category medians and similarly rated peers."

PP. I've been reading the Syracuse news too, and I'm sure OP is hearing about it too. I actually think it's a good opportunity to get a good price break next year. I didn't mention this but I feel it sounds similar to what I heard about AU on DCUM during the immediately past app cycle. Failure to enroll enough students due to failure to understand demand and price.

There are demand issues at some schools. I believe AU is impacted. So if AU is worth considering so is Syracuse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ward 3 (where AU is located) is part of Washington DC. It’s not a separate suburb, which some seem to be suggesting. It’s a residential area in the city. Suburbs by definition are districts outside of a city.

You sure? I've always understood a suburb to be a residential area on the outskirts of a city, regardless of which side of some arbitrary municipal boundary it falls on. Many (such as Friendship Heights, right next to AU Park, or Chevy Chase, right next to that) fall on both sides of such boundaries. Does Chevy Chase cease to be a suburb when you cross Western Avenue? If so, your formalistic definition is totally divorced from the practical reality of the people living there (on both sides of the municipal line).

Yes, I’m sure. If you live inside Washington DC, then you’re not in a suburb. Those areas certainly have a more residential feel but are still in the city by definition.

You sound like an army of one with a house in the 'burbs (but a DC zip code) roaring that you live in THE CITY

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Similar kids, different preferences: GW is urban, AU is suburban.

I'd add to clarify that AU is suburban but a quick metro ride to urban so

Worlds apart in feel day in, day out. Source: live adjacent to AU’s campus, work adjacent to GWU’s

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ward 3 (where AU is located) is part of Washington DC. It’s not a separate suburb, which some seem to be suggesting. It’s a residential area in the city. Suburbs by definition are districts outside of a city.

You sure? I've always understood a suburb to be a residential area on the outskirts of a city, regardless of which side of some arbitrary municipal boundary it falls on. Many (such as Friendship Heights, right next to AU Park, or Chevy Chase, right next to that) fall on both sides of such boundaries. Does Chevy Chase cease to be a suburb when you cross Western Avenue? If so, your formalistic definition is totally divorced from the practical reality of the people living there (on both sides of the municipal line).

Yes, I’m sure. If you live inside Washington DC, then you’re not in a suburb. Those areas certainly have a more residential feel but are still in the city by definition.

You sound like an army of one with a house in the 'burbs (but a DC zip code) roaring that you live in THE CITY

I’m a different poster but you sound like one of the kids that posts here regularly given your extremely limited perspective of the DC area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ward 3 (where AU is located) is part of Washington DC. It’s not a separate suburb, which some seem to be suggesting. It’s a residential area in the city. Suburbs by definition are districts outside of a city.

You sure? I've always understood a suburb to be a residential area on the outskirts of a city, regardless of which side of some arbitrary municipal boundary it falls on. Many (such as Friendship Heights, right next to AU Park, or Chevy Chase, right next to that) fall on both sides of such boundaries. Does Chevy Chase cease to be a suburb when you cross Western Avenue? If so, your formalistic definition is totally divorced from the practical reality of the people living there (on both sides of the municipal line).

Yes, I’m sure. If you live inside Washington DC, then you’re not in a suburb. Those areas certainly have a more residential feel but are still in the city by definition.

You sound like an army of one with a house in the 'burbs (but a DC zip code) roaring that you live in THE CITY

I’m in Alexandria, a suburb of Washington DC. My friends and colleagues who live in DC proper would never refer to their neighborhoods as suburbs.

[Anonymous]

I would pick American.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ward 3 (where AU is located) is part of Washington DC. It’s not a separate suburb, which some seem to be suggesting. It’s a residential area in the city. Suburbs by definition are districts outside of a city.

You sure? I've always understood a suburb to be a residential area on the outskirts of a city, regardless of which side of some arbitrary municipal boundary it falls on. Many (such as Friendship Heights, right next to AU Park, or Chevy Chase, right next to that) fall on both sides of such boundaries. Does Chevy Chase cease to be a suburb when you cross Western Avenue? If so, your formalistic definition is totally divorced from the practical reality of the people living there (on both sides of the municipal line).

Yes, I’m sure. If you live inside Washington DC, then you’re not in a suburb. Those areas certainly have a more residential feel but are still in the city by definition.

Upper Caucasia in Washington has walk scores lower than many suburbs. The neighborhoods there absolutely ARE suburbs. They weren’t even part of the city’s original historical plan.

Oh my geez. AU is not in a suburb of DC. It does have a suburban feel and is more suburban than GW's Foggy Bottom DC campus. AU is within city boundaries tucked away in the northwest part, 2 min car ride to border with Maryland, 5 min car ride to metro train station (15 minutes walk/shuttle) where there are a few restaurants, grocery stores etc..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the past GW has had the reputation of being for wealthy kids and having a large Jewish and international student population. It is also recognized as a feeder school for Capitol Hill. Our DC area private sends GW one or two students a year.

Our school sends kids to AU, but less reliably. I think an NYC private school kid would feel comfortable at either.

I get the impression that the schools are quite different. That being said, I think there is a fair amount of overlap because of the size of the student body, location and acceptance rate.

GW buildings are mixed into the city (Foggy Bottom) whereas AU has a more traditional campus.

A major benefit of coming to DC is the nice weather (relative to the other areas you are looking at)!

You should definitely come for a visit!

The nice weather compared to Philly?!

I’m PP. I guess you failed reading comprehension. They are from NY and are also looking at colleges up to Moston Boston. But here’s a cookie for posting some snark.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCUM, where people don’t know the difference between residential and suburban.

I’m glad you like Upper NW but it’s the suburbs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM, where people don’t know the difference between residential and suburban.

I’m glad you like Upper NW but it’s the suburbs.

No, that’s stupid.