Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 08:42     Subject: American University
Anonymous wrote:I went to AU for my freshman year and it was ok. The faculty was good; better than the students. I was looking for a more rigorous school and transferred to what is now a new Ivy. I found that there was a huge difference in the quality and commitment of the students. The new Ivy was much better. I’m speaking in generalities and there are many good students at AU. However, the difference was very substantial.


Why made you commit to AU initially?
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 07:56     Subject: American University
I went to AU for my freshman year and it was ok. The faculty was good; better than the students. I was looking for a more rigorous school and transferred to what is now a new Ivy. I found that there was a huge difference in the quality and commitment of the students. The new Ivy was much better. I’m speaking in generalities and there are many good students at AU. However, the difference was very substantial.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 06:34     Subject: American University
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:No, don’t listen to this nonsense. It is a great school for IR. More neutral probably for other subjects and most people wouldn’t have a view either way.


IR and several others


Lime what?
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 22:37     Subject: American University
Anonymous wrote:No, don’t listen to this nonsense. It is a great school for IR. More neutral probably for other subjects and most people wouldn’t have a view either way.


IR and several others
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 20:54     Subject: Re:American University
DCUM would have you believe that any school that isn't an Ivy, one of about 4 liberal arts colleges, or a couple of other schools that have suddenly become popular then your kid is a loser who shouldn't even bother. It's absurd. There a so many good schools out there for all kinds of things that kids want to study. Is every school good at everything. Of course not. But should you reject a school because it's not DCUM approved. Nope.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 20:12     Subject: American University
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It is on the rise!


How so? Another concern I had was the ranking. I thought it would be at least t70-80 but it's not.



It was until recently but the USNWR methodology change moved it down. Most of the chatter about the methodology change is negative but I haven't followed it that closely. I think AU is a cute little campus in a good location, safe suburb but easy to get to downtown DC. Students seem to do well with internships and have good outcomes. It compares well to GW but not to Georgetown, at least generally. Like most other T-100 schools, lots of faculty with PhDs from Ivies (the one benefit of the oversaturation of the market with PhDs). I'd check out the program your DC is most interested in, but it's a solid school with a perfectly good reputation. Has strong academic areas and weak ones, like most other universities.

one this it does not have is a "cute" campus


Lovely? Can people be allowed to say it has a lovely campus, or no to that too?
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 10:44     Subject: American University
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I teach there but would not send my child there


I teach there and would absolutely send my child there. It's a great combination of research active faculty but small class size. There are a lot of great opportunities in that set up. My colleagues are good teachers who care about their students. My students have good outcomes in terms of hiring/grad school. It's a nice campus in a safe area. Lots of smart, passionate students.


Can you say in what school you teach at AU?


CAS STEM department.
Anonymous
Post 03/27/2026 11:19     Subject: American University
Anonymous wrote:What are the pros and cons of the Cornerstone program if any have direct experience?


Bump
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2026 21:47     Subject: American University
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I teach there but would not send my child there


I teach there and would absolutely send my child there. It's a great combination of research active faculty but small class size. There are a lot of great opportunities in that set up. My colleagues are good teachers who care about their students. My students have good outcomes in terms of hiring/grad school. It's a nice campus in a safe area. Lots of smart, passionate students.


Can you say in what school you teach at AU?
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2026 21:45     Subject: American University
What are the pros and cons of the Cornerstone program if any have direct experience?
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2026 21:46     Subject: Re:American University
Anonymous wrote:AU grad here.

AU’s SIS is second only to Columbia, and possibly Georgetown. The faculty is outstanding and D.C. offers unmatched access for internships and co-ops. SIS is with the tuition.

My fellow SIS grads routinely continued on to graduate programs (many at the Ivies). Numerous others were admitted to JHU-SAIS. Some went on to law school (my profession).

White all that said, I sadly have to agree the AU colleges outside of SIS are largely overpriced (through Kogod may be an exception).



No. Top 10 maybe. But not this.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2026 20:51     Subject: American University
AU was safety for me but I ended up there with lots of merit aid. Turns out it was perfect for me. I was not looking for a city but loved DC. Had great jobs and internships while enjoying a pretty suburban campus. Still live in EC
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2026 17:28     Subject: American University
Anonymous wrote:Here is stats on a student who got aid
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/30/1297652.page


Thanks! Very helpful.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2026 16:14     Subject: American University
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:While GW embraces its location and the opportunities in DC, my opinion is that AU is a lesser step-sibling. From the Tenleytown campus, it's a 15 minute walk just to get to metro to access the city. The school is having major enrollment and financial issues and has a reputation as a school where full pay kids that didn't get into GW (let alone Georgetown) but want to be in DC attend.


Just because it's not in an urban area ?? Do explain.


The school runs a free shuttle to the metro and busses on Mass Ave stop right at campus
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2026 16:09     Subject: Re:American University
Anonymous wrote:AU grad here.

AU’s SIS is second only to Columbia, and possibly Georgetown. The faculty is outstanding and D.C. offers unmatched access for internships and co-ops. SIS is with the tuition.

My fellow SIS grads routinely continued on to graduate programs (many at the Ivies). Numerous others were admitted to JHU-SAIS. Some went on to law school (my profession).

White all that said, I sadly have to agree the AU colleges outside of SIS are largely overpriced (through Kogod may be an exception).



Where do you get 2nd? On its own page - presumably they have found the most favorable ranking they could find - they say 8th for undergrads and 11th for PhDs.