There didn’t seem to be a more appropriate place to visit colleges for this President’s Day weekend than Washington DC . Washington DC abounds with college opportunities including: American University, Georgetown University, Howard University, George Washington University, and Catholic University. On this weekend, we were able to spend a day at American and George Washington. Both campuses offer incredible access to city life, research and internship opportunities, and attractive campus environments. While each university goes at length to describe their unique attributes, the College Sage walked away with more similarities than differences. For students seeking a college experience with a city vibe, Washington offers a breadth of great options.
American University
You can feel the friendly atmosphere at American University from the minute you sign up for a campus tour. Eager to personalize and confirm your experience, American admissions team is outgoing in their willingness to make your visit as informational and complete as possible. On this gorgeous day to tour the Tenleytown neighborhood campus, about 15 minutes by cab from the National Mall, the quad was streaming with smiling faces and lively students. Students are given a UPass which enables them to take all metro DC transportation methods free of charge so the Northwest location of this campus won’t impede on “using the city as a lab.”
Of the three universities we visited, American is the easiest to gain acceptance to. A little known secret may be that 85% of Early Decision students are accepted (versus 25% for Regular Decision students)! American wants students who want to be there. American is also test optional – a big help for those students who don’t test well on standardized tests. For those who do submit scores, note that American super scores the SAT but not the ACT. Admissions representatives are also happy to entertain questions from applicants. So if you’re considering American, do reach out to your state admissions representative and start a dialogue.
American seems a great fit for students who don’t yet know what they want to study. Unlike Georgetown and George Washington where you apply directly to a college within the University, at American you apply to the university overall. Students have time to investigate the many colleges within American before declaring their major. The university is also in the midst of revamping their core curriculum with a new focus on requiring three key courses during the freshman year: a course on adapting to college and using its resources, a course on diversity, inclusion and what it means to be part of a community, and a complex problems course. Approximately 1,700 freshmen take the same core courses, capped at 19 students each. While American is perhaps best known for its School of International Studies, it also has a business, education, and communications school as well as the Arts and Sciences catch all.
Facilities wise, American offers a traditional campus feel for it’s 7,000 undergraduates. The school opened its East Campus last year that houses three new dorms for sophomore students, a business incubator lab, and a technology center that houses its physics and math programs. Approximately 90% of students participate in at least one internship opportunity during their time at American while the average is three internships per student. About 70% of students go abroad. Overall the College Sage liked the breadth of majors, the friendly atmosphere, and the relative attainability of getting to be an American student.
George Washington University
If you’re looking to graduate under the National Monument, play Frisbee on the National Mall, attend free performances at the Kennedy Center, and intern during college then George Washington is your place! Number one in the US for student internships, GW sees 90% of its 10,000 undergraduate students participate in an internship while in college and the school works hard to connect its students with 15,000 internship opportunities. GW has three campuses with the bulk of students on its in-town campus near Capitol Hill. While it is an urban campus, the GW buildings are gathered sufficiently close together that it does have a true “campus” feel. For those who prefer the traditional campus feel, it’s Mt Vernon campus offers housing to about one-third of freshmen and other living-learning communities within a quick shuttle away.
Admission standards are a little bit tougher than at American University. GW is also test-optional, but those who apply with standardized tests are generally accepted within the 30-33 range. About half of the students are within the college of arts and sciences. For science-oriented students, the GW hospital affords great opportunities for volunteering, research, and internships. Also well known is GW’s Elliott School of International Affairs literally across the street from the State Department where it won’t be unusual to have a current or former diplomat as a professor. The business school is also interesting in it’s strengths in international business, event, hospitality and sports management concentration, and business analytics amongst others.
George Washington is keen on making its students leaders after college. As a result, they invest in career advisors for all students to help them make the most of GW resources and course selections. Additionally, creating an environment of service is important to the culture. All freshmen participate in the Freshman Day of Service with the hope that students carry on this practice throughout their time at GW and in their lives after. Research, internships, and service are hallmarks of the university culture. That culture combined with many upgraded facilities in recent years from new student community spaces and a new large dorm, make GW a fitting candidate for strong students looking for a vibrant experience in the heart of the nation’s capital near the Capitol.
