American University Top Questions

Everyone is pretty open to making friends in the first month, but after that social groups are set and there aren't really anymore opportunities to meet people. Parties are common, but hard to get to. You have to be chosen by frat brothers as someone who deserves to get a ride. The frat houses are scattered randomly throughout the neighborhood, so if you don't have a ride it's impossible to get there-or back to the dorms. There's not much to do that doesn't involve drinking, with the exception of going to a restaurant. Basically if you're not hungry, there's really nothing to do. DC shuts down early, so unless you make plans early, it's hard to find anything.

College Dems and Women's Initiative are insanely popular, but most large organizations are full of fair-weather members. College Republicans definitely holds its own despite the left-leaning of the student body, and they bring a lot of big names to campus. The Community Action and Social Justice Coalition (CASJ) is a group of 20-ish clubs that range from environmental initiatives and drug policy reform to Food not Bombs and worker's rights. Collectively, CASJ has a lot of members, which is no surprise considering the most popular academic fields at AU. SUB, KPU, and Student Government host a lot of moderately enjoyable on-campus events (including free movies like Superbad), but generally non-club, on-campus events are lame. The Residence Hall Association likes to tempt folks with free food, but their events are kitschy and more often than not not worth the time (which is saying something when they're in your building). Athletic events are under-publicized, and few people know or care about sports, though the Blue Crew tries its darndest to make itself heard. With an obvious majority of women and a healthy gay population, men aren't in the greatest supply, but dating is common. There are a number of parties (Greek, non-Greek) off campus every weekend night, and there's always something to do in DC if you go to the more lively neighborhoods (Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Chinatown, U-Street). Theater, music and art are available but a little less popular, though some plays and features like the Vagina Monologues are big hits. Tuesday nights are big going-out nights because most people have few or no classes on Wednesdays with the luxury of sleeping in. Partying is pretty heavy for a small, private school early in the year, but people settle in after a few weeks (and a few hospital transports). Greek life is either a) all-consuming (for those involved) or b) an absurd and ridiculous ritual (for those observing). For non-drinkers, the dorms are always hopping, there are a decent number of decently fun on-campus activities, and there are things (dancing, monuments, restaurants, adventures) to be experienced in DC. Sober fun just requires a little more energy and a little more creativity. AU is a dry campus, so drunkenness is slightly less visible, but you can do anything you want as long as you're smart.

Sororities and Fraternities are the most prevalent, but so are political organizations (especially College Dems). So many open doors! Tons of Guest Speakers (Barack Obama and the Kennedy family).

its pretty popular to be in a sorority or frat but not nessesary. some kids leave their doors open but that is not really an invitation for anyone to go in. athletic events are only semi popular and speakers are not to popular theather is pretty popular because all other theater in dc SUCKS. the dating scene is not easy to break into, you have to be friends/kinda know the person first. if you are awak on tuesday night you are either out b/c you dont have class on wednesday or goofy around in your room with your roomie or a few friends, or pulling an all nighter. some people party all the time but only if you have friends is frats or can get alcohol becasue its hard to party, you have to get rides to the frat houses.

Student Government organizations like Women's Initiative are very popular. Ecosense is also pretty popular. There are tons of clubs to get involved with. People tend to make friends with the people they live with, especially for freshman. That is definitely what I did. The social scene really varies. Some people go to frat parties, some go downtown, some hang out in the dorms, some even do homework.

Frats and politically active groups are extremely popular. The debate society does parlimentary debate across the north east against other schools ranked in American's category. Including every Ivy League in the nation as well as other tier 1 schools. Some students leave their doors open, anti social people don't. Atheltic events are not very popular. Guest Speakers are huge! Theater not very popular. Many people meet in class/ at parties and live on the floor. I met my closest friends because we all shared a same interest for politics and could talk to each other very easily. If I am awake at 2 am I am either on the internet or doing homework. D.C. Has many traditions that happen every year. People party every night if you know the right people. Frats and sororities are only important to those who want to party. Last weekend I stayed in on friday and watched a movie. Saturday went shopping in Georgetown. Sunday took pictures at the National Cathedral and went to the White House at night. You can go out to clubs and hookah bars and things of that nature. Off campus you can do whatever you would like.

Greek life isn't a big deal. There is usually always something to do.

I'm somewhat involved in Beta Omega Beta. It's a good crew. We do stuff. Students leave their doors open sometimes. I went to a theater performance and it was kinda crappy, but then again, I'm creeped out by theater kids. At 2am on Tuesday, I am talked in the lounge or someone's room. Fraternities/sororities are important to only certain groups of people (i.e. the ones who like to drink). People party a LOT here, especially on the weekend. I definitely don't want to say what I did last weekend. I go to concerts during the month, so that's what I'm doing this Saturday night. Athletic events are not very popular.

The two sides of AU have very different atmospheres. Southside holds more students and for the most part Greek Life. It's busy, loud, and has an affinity for parties. Northside is more quiet, and better for people who have early classes. As long as I'm on the floor I leave my door open, but if I'm going out of the dorm the door is locked which is pretty standard. Their hasn't been a problem with theft in my experience, but there have been some reported problems so there's no need to tempt fate. The dating scene for women is pretty dismal. as a 66-33 ratio there aren't nearly enough men to go around. We have what we call the law of thirds with men-a third are gay, a third are taken and the last third are jerks. Being in DC however, there's a lot of chances to get off campus. When it comes to meeting people, I'd just sugest talking to people. People are really friendly. There are enough events that you meet plently of people. Last weekend I went salsaing. And there are plenty of things to do rather than drink, and while a lot of parties do have alcohol in my experience there's been no pressure to drink (as long as you stay away from frat parties) people just find ways to have fun, intoxicatedly or not.

Being a politically active campus, the most popular groups are College Republicans and College Democrats, and with it being an election year, Students for (Insert Candidate Here) are popular as well. In general the Kennedy Political Union is very popular with students as it gives them a chance to meet the politicians that KPU brings in. On the whole, students are very friendly and will often leave their doors open if they are inside doing work. Making friends was easier than I thought, and if you are friendly, it finding your group of friends should be easy. We only have about 7 or 8 fraternities and sororities each, so Greek Life is not big on campus, and you can definitely have a social life without going Greek. American is not by any means a big party school- we are a dry campus, even if you are 21 and living on campus. Generally there is one or two parties per weekend night, but because we are dry, all parties are off campus which can make it a hassle to get to sometimes. If frat parties aren't your thing, there are a multitude of dance clubs, movie theaters, and plenty of options to do within DC that are student-friendly.

tuesdays are club nights!

Political groups are very popular on campus. I'm involved in both AU Students for Barack Obama and OneVoice (a group committed to a two-state solution in Israel). During the first months of school, almost everyone on my floor left their doors open, which is how we really got to know each other. Almost all of my close friends live on my hall. A lot of people began dating in the first couple months, and again, that often happens within floors because that's who you know best. Athletic events are not extremely popular, but speakers are. My whole floor will line up early in the morning to get the chance to hear a prominent speaker. I'm never up at 2 am anymore! But if I am, I'm in one of my friends' rooms, talking and hanging out and maybe watching a movie. Dorm life revolves around those kinds of activities. If students want to get out and drink, frats and sororities become pretty important because that's where the parties are. It's definitely not a huge party campus though, and sometimes there are weekends when frats don't throw parties at all. Instead of a frat, you can always go into DC for dancing, food, or monument touring.

political clubs are active on campus as well as greek life. Doors are not usually open in the dorms. Athletics are not that popular, but greek organizations go often. The dating scene is awful. there are not many guys and the ones you find are not worth dating. 2 am on a tuesday, you are coming back from going out to a bar. Traditions: welcome week, founders day, greek week. People party pretty often. Sororities and frats are active but not necessary. I am involved and it's great for a social life. otherwise, campus can be kinda dead on the weekends. Lasr weekend, I went to a mixer with a frat and my sorority and went to hooters with my sorority. On a Sat, you can go into the city or out with friends. I like to go downtown and shop or go to the national mall. I party off campus.

It's hella hard to get to frat parties.

Greek Life organizations are extremely popular. Depends, my freshmen year everyone left their doors open. This year no one on my floor does. It is slightly sad since I was used to such an open and friendly atmosphere. Athletics is not that big except maybe basketball LOTS AND LOTS of great speakers...Barack Obama, special performances by groups like OK GO and stuff like that. I give AU a 10 on guest speakers. -My closest friends I met randomly...some in class, some in my sorority, some on my floor. Tuesday night is going out night since most people dont have classes on Wednesdays. Last weekend I went clubbing Friday and to a frat party on Saturday. Fun weekend! Saturday night: movies, go to the monuments, go shopping in Georgetown or the malls. A lot of fun things that dont involve drinking. Off campus: enjoy DC. Great city.

Doors are open. Friends come from your floor or classes or through friends. The ratio of males to females sometimes sucks, but I've found an awesome one! We study and watch West Wing and Family Guy late into the night. Parties are fun. House parties are the best. Speakers are awesome; again the city is a great resource for this. The city is awesome!

AU Dems are popular. there are athletic events, many high profile guest speakers. the dating scene is difficult, too many girls, not enough men. 2am on a tuesday doing homework or studying. not everyone drinks only if they want to

Most popluar groups are AU College Democrats or Republicans, as well as Women's Initiative I am involved in the AU debate Society, and we travel the East Coast debating other schools Students do not leave their doors open Athletic events are popular, as are guest speakers, and Theater is hit or miss I can't speak about the dating scene I've been taken since I got here I meet my closest friends two ways: Half by living with them on the same floor, the other by pure luck I am playing Guitar Hero or studying if I am up that late Founders Day and Artemis Ward week happen each year People party often Greek life is small but very noticeable Last weekend I hung out at my friends apartment, cooked and played rock band, and the next day I went to the movies, went to the book store, went back to my friends apartment and watched another movie On a Saturday night you can go to the movies, go see an exhibit at the mall, walk around Dupont circle, or do something student government offers When I'm off campus I'm at a friends apartment

College Democrats and Republicans are very popular. All of the Division 1 sports are equally as popular, while the club sports get less attention. Students in dorms at the beginning of the year will keep their doors open in order to meet their floor/hall. However, as the year goes on, it is less frequent. Guest Speakers are extremely popular, with at least a few occurring each day. Sports events are next, which do attract a good crowd. Theater productions are popular, but not so much as the other two. I met my closest friends right across the hall from me in my dorm because at the beginning of the year we kept our doors open. Greek life consists of about 22{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students, so it is there if you want it, but not a necessity and you certainly won't be pressured into one. Last weekend, I went to the movies in Chinatown and shopped on Friday. Saturday, I ate at a downtown cafe and went to the Smithsonian Natural History museum. Sunday, I had a meeting for a group project, went to a review session for Microeconomics, and did homework. I do not drink, and about 26{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of AU students never touch a drink, so each activity I do is without drinking. You can go monument hopping, museum hopping, shopping in Friendship Heights or Pentagon City, explore Georgetown, go to the Capital, go to a movie, go to the National Zoo, go to the National Archives, get a bite to eat with friends, and even go to a Frat party and not drink on a Saturday night. I only touched on a couple of activities--you will never be bored in this city!

APO service fraternity (co-ed) equestrian team -- rides in MD, competes with regional schools doors are always open athletic events, not so much. guest speakers, especially politicians draw a crowd. theater, if that's what you are into there are a lot of couples my closest friends: my roommate, my hallmates, my boyfriend is across the hall, but i met and got to know him (and my other best friend) during the freshman service experience. i met my our best friend at a frat party because of an interesting tapestry. through the equestrian team, i met a whole different type of person, but they rock too. hanging out with my friends i dont know! as much as we can. they're big, but no one likes them went out for thai food for a friends birthday, then on a metro adventure. homework. frat party. radio show. anything you want.. being drunk is never a requirement bars, clubs, food, wandering, movies, everything.