Colleges American University

American University www.american.edu

American University is a private institution that was founded in 1893. It’s set on a 90-acre campus located in a suburban pocket of northwest Washington, DC. The nation’s capital is a playground for the politically and socially oriented with its countless museums, restaurants, clubs and year-round events. Students at American have been rated among the most politically active in the country, and there are more than 270 student clubs and organizations on campus. The school also has a sizable Greek system, with more than 25 fraternities and sororities. All students can take advantage of the school’s cultural hubs, such as the Katzen Arts Center and Greenberg Theatre. For time away from the nation’s capital, more than 50% of undergrads study abroad. American University’s School of International Service is one of the top international affairs schools in the country.

Academics

American University has eight schools and colleges: the School of International Service, College of Arts and Sciences, Kogod School of Business, School of Communication, Professional Studies and Executive Education, School of Public Affairs, School of Education, and the Washington College of Law. It has over 160 programs, including 71 bachelor’s degrees, 87 master’s degrees, and 10 doctoral degrees, as well as JD, LLM, and SJD programs. American University is classified among R2 Doctoral Universities: High Research Activities. The University is also home to a unique program known as the Washington Semester Program, which partners with institutions around the world to bring students to AU for a semester. The student-faculty ratio at American University is 11:1, and the school has 61% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. Popular majors include International Relations, Business Administration, and Political Science.

Special Highlights

Fraternity and Sorority Life. The mission of Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) is to enhance the quality of student life at American University by empowering members of the community through advising with a developmental approach, educating with a purpose, collaborating with stakeholders, promoting academic success, empowering civic engagement and social justice, advocating for healthy lifestyles, creating lifelong connections, and advancing values-based leadership. Councils and chapters include Intercultural Greek Collective, which oversees eight culturally-based fraternities and sororities. Academic excellence and good disciplinary standing are two of the core requirements for FSL membership.

University Center. AU’s University Center is a space for students to gather, grow, and create their own communities, programs, and connections. UC exists to help forge paths outside of the classroom for our students that will help them flourish during their time at AU. In our work to achieve that, we serve as a catalyst for developing unique spaces and services, facilitate co-curricular endeavors through event scheduling, and provide developmental student jobs. The Bridge Café is a student-run coffee shop with operational support from the University Center. The light-filled space provides plenty of tables and seating areas for meeting with friends and study groups, finishing up projects, or relaxing between finals. In addition to serving as a central gathering space, the Bridge also hosts concerts and other events throughout the semester.

School Mission & Unique Qualities

At American University, our undergraduate experience centers on empowering lives of purpose, advancing knowledge through experiential learning, and partnering with our home city of Washington, DC. Our community is filled with ambitious visionaries and practitioners who use their passion to make an impact in this changing world. We are a university driven to make a difference. Strategically located in a beautiful residential district, the campus includes a main quadrangle surrounded by academic buildings, nine residential halls, a 5,000-seat arena, and an outdoor amphitheater. The campus has been designated a public garden and arboretum by the American Public Gardens Association, with many foreign and exotic plants and trees dotting the landscape. AU combines the advantages of a traditional college setting with the energy, culture, and opportunities of a global capital city.

Student Reviews…

“It is a great mix of city life while living in a suburb. The academics are top tier and the professors are incredible. Some of the classes are repetitive. Explore carefully before enrolling. There are many opportunities for internships; however, you have to seek them out yourself. To succeed at AU you must be independent and take personal accountability.”