Academics
“Tucked away in a beautiful part of Northwest D.C.,” American University offers students a “campus [that] has a suburban feel.” However, being near the nation’s capital means they enjoy “the best of both worlds.” Here, classes are structured “in a way that not only encourages, but nearly expects students to undertake internships in their field of study.” Specifically, students tout the School of International Service (SIS) and the School of Public Affairs (SPA), “both [of which] are among the best in the nation and offer students opportunities to not just learn about but experience their studies.” And inside the classroom, students are greeted by professors who are “passionate about [their] subject [matter]” and who tend to have “real-world experience which is helpful for bringing the material to life.” Even better, they’re “accessible and constantly reach out and encourage students to attend events.” Finally, as one student sums it up, “So many of my classes have wound up being better than I ever could have expected, and have launched me down paths I didn’t know existed.”
Student Body
Students at American are “truly passionate about what they are learning and are interested in exploring what both D.C. and the world have to offer.” Indeed, “whenever you ask them what they are studying…they’ll light up and talk for hours on end.” Many are also “politically active,” “knowledgeable about current events,” and “convinced that they will save the world” someday. According to some, this mindset can be “pretty homogenous,” as “the AU student body tends to be rather liberal-leaning and relatively affluent.” However, another counters, “We have an incredibly diverse student body ranging from students from all across the U.S. to all across the world!” And many insist that “there is a place for everybody on campus.” What’s more, “everyone is friendly and so easy to strike up conversation with.” AU undergrads “care about each other’s successes and are there to build each other up, not tear each other down.” As this grateful individual concludes, “No other student body both supports and challenges you to be the best student one could possibly be. I could not be more proud to call myself an AU student.”
Campus Life
Undergrads at American lead busy and involved lives. Outside of class, students “fill their days with internships and extracurricular activities.” This includes anything from “Greek life [to] tutoring to [being a] tour guide,” or even singing with an a cappella group. Additionally, “there’s always one event or another happening on campus, [whether it’s] a concert, cultural event, or movie screening.” There’s a lot to do both onand off-campus. Great local options include concerts, cultural events, and movie screenings, while in nearby D.C. you’ll find undergrads “attending [a] music festival, visiting the National Mall, [or] going to a congressional hearing.” In short, “there is always something going on.” Students also love “checking out…museums [and] exploring new neighborhoods,” which often sends them strolling through “Tenleytown, shopping in Georgetown…[or] walking around the waterfront.” When the weather is nice, they also “love going [to] Rock Creek Park...or [the] farmer’s markets on Sunday.”
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