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.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2026 15:53     Subject: American University
Here is stats on a student who got aid
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/30/1297652.page
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2026 15:17     Subject: American University
Anonymous wrote:For students who were awarded $35k merit, what test score (if any) was submitted?

Thanks (parent of an interested HS junior)


BUMP
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2026 22:48     Subject: Re:American University
Anonymous wrote:It used to be much better in ranking and irl. It’s really gone downhill. I think it would be ok, but they don’t offer much merit or anything so better places come out cheaper.


Undergrad level or are you talking about graduate programs and degrees?
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2026 18:18     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).



All are the same price. So a student will get what they pay for if in SIS?
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2026 13:33     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.


Fewer major adjunct / guest lecturers, lower quality internships and relationships, fewer DC-focused, lesser reputation among employers, genuinely lower profile.
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2026 12:36     Subject: Re:American University
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).

Anonymous
Post 02/19/2026 11:59     Subject: American University
Anonymous wrote:For students who were awarded $35k merit, what test score (if any) was submitted?

Thanks (parent of an interested HS junior)


ACT 34
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2026 11:43     Subject: American University
Anonymous wrote:For students who were awarded $35k merit, what test score (if any) was submitted?

Thanks (parent of an interested HS junior)


For our DC who received $36K, DC had 1510 SAT.
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2026 11:00     Subject: American University
Anonymous wrote:For students who were awarded $35k merit, what test score (if any) was submitted?

Thanks (parent of an interested HS junior)


Are they test "blind" or TO?
Anonymous
Post 02/14/2026 18:08     Subject: American University
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.