Opinions on American University (top schools, to live, professionals)

[The Heartbreak Kid]

Originally Posted by nikki_dw

Awesome. I'm applying into the Public Policy program as well.


Thanks for all of your opinions.

feel free to send me a DM if you have any questions. I will be graduating in May.

[KStreetQB]

Originally Posted by nikki_dw

I have been set on applying into American University's Master's of Political Communication program .... does a degree from AU carry the same weight as one from other schools in the area?

With that degree, the most important thing is that you're in DC and taking advantage of the opportunities, or making some contacts, around town.

I don't mean that in a type A, cutthroat, social-climber way. Just take advantage of internships etc that are right down the street so you'll have someone that can vouch for your work ethic in the field when the time comes to apply for that job you really want.

As someone who hires in a related field; I really don't care if it's GW/Georgetown/Hopkins/American that's on a competetive resume; they're interchangable to me. All that matters is that you did well while you were there and did a few things in the summer/during school to further your workplace experience.

[jmusmc85]

I go to Mason also and it's a pretty good school. It's rising fast from commuter school to one of the best in Virginia in just a few short years. I would also take advantage of some of the opportunities of living in DC if you decide to come here. Many of the jobs here are not available in most parts of the country so that is a def. plus. You also get more bang for your buck if you are a Virginia resident, though as an out-of-state resident when I first started it still cost a pretty penny....

[Canuckindc]

Its a great school and extremely hard. It's also expensive especially if your a non-degree and not doing to well. I was trying to get into the Economics program which beyond challenging and could not afford it without financial aid. However, if I could afford it, I would have transferred to the Business School

[Bluefly]

Let's not be overly politically correct here. American University's a very fine institution and you shouldn't think twice about going if you want, but in a city driven by academic credentials it's not going to open doors like Georgetown or Hopkins would. Perhaps more of a wash with GW. If you can stand out while there, then that won't matter as much.

[RaisedWell]

I graduated from AU. While it may not be GW or Georgetown, it holds its own. It depends on who YOU are and not the school.

[Rochefort]

Originally Posted by Bluefly

Let's not be overly politically correct here. American University's a very fine institution and you shouldn't think twice about going if you want, but in a city driven by academic credentials it's not going to open doors like Georgetown or Hopkins would. Perhaps more of a wash with GW. If you can stand out while there, then that won't matter as much.

Bluefly is right on the spot regarding the political correctness of the responses. To be frank: D.C. is full of a lot of educated, cut-throat people. In turn, credentials from academic powerhouses like Harvard, Duke, Stanford, Yale, etc., turn the most heads and gain the most interviews the area I work. As for D.C.-Baltimore region schools, places like Georgetown and Hopkins stand out.

That being said, many employers and citizens aren't so narrowly prestige-focused. You've just got to stand-out in your background and experiences compared to other candidates, especially since so many people want to work in something politics-related. Get some good internship/work experience while you're working on your degree, even if it's unpaid; the experience and connections will help you go farther when you finally get around to securing employment.

[KStreetQB]

Originally Posted by Rochefort

That being said, many employers and citizens aren't so narrowly prestige-focused. You've just got to stand-out in your background and experiences compared to other candidates, especially since so many people want to work in something politics-related.

I agree. There certainly are industries where whether your school's program was ranked 4th or 6th matters. I don't think politically related jobs are necessarily like that. It isn't like law/med/engineering where there are firms really going after the top grads from the top programs and everyone else has to fight for their lives. Obviously employer preference can vary on that, but it isn't an institutionalized pecking order like in some industries.

In my opinion, the education at GW/American/Georgetown is geared more towards future professionals. When my girlfriend was going to a local university for her masters, her Congressional Procedure course was being taught by a former Senate Parliamentarian. Her health policy course was being taught by a Finance Committee professional staffer. Her course on lobbying and ethics was taught by a lawyer/lobbyist.

US News and World Reports puts that program somewhere in the high 30s/low 40s. The number one program being Harvard, where your professors have dedicated their lives to studying comparative constitutionalism, publishing multiple books on partisan politics in Britain during the 70's, and are all members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

I need a young professional not a young professor. My hires from Yale/Harvard have been disasterous. My hires from local Universities have really paid off. #39 has the edge on #1 on my desk.

Also, awesome forum name, Rochefort is my favorite beer.

[Moth]

Originally Posted by nikki_dw

I have been set on applying into American University's Master's of Political Communication program since it the program was created. I will be applying in a few months and, if accepted, begin in the fall of 2011 straight of out undergrad.

From where I'm standing, attending a mostly-good rural state school in south Georgia, American seems like a fantastic school with unbelievable opportunities. I was able to visit the campus and meet with the director of the program and was absolutely blown away. But I recognize that everything in Washington is driven by competition and while American may be a better school than where I'm at now, it doesn't completely hold up to a master's degree from Georgetown or George Washington (schools I will not likely be accepted to and could never afford).

So my question is, are my perceptions of D.C. universities skewed? For those of you are familiar with the perceptions in Washington, does a degree from AU carry the same weight as one from other schools in the area?

Thanks in advance!

You seem to know the score. AU is a solid school and is quite good when it comes to subjects within the political science and international relations areas. It still plays second fiddle to both GW and Georgetown, but it is in DC which gives it an advantage over many other places.

Get some snazzy clothes, perfect your drinking ability (be able to have two glasses of wine without a Jekyll/Hyde transformation, and start schmoozing.

[BigCityDreamer]

Originally Posted by Moth

You seem to know the score. AU is a solid school and is quite good when it comes to subjects within the political science and international relations areas. It still plays second fiddle to both GW and Georgetown, but it is in DC which gives it an advantage over many other places.

Get some snazzy clothes, perfect your drinking ability (be able to have two glasses of wine without a Jekyll/Hyde transformation, and start schmoozing.

That's really what I was saying. Everyone knows where these universities rank and you should choose the best program where you're admitted. Still, American has a solid reputation in the D.C. area.