American University Top Questions

There is greek life on campus, but it is not as active as it is at some other campuses. Certain political groups are very active on campus, obviously, like AU Dems and AU republicans. The arts are fairly open an friendly here, as in you do not have to be studying them to participate in dance and theater performances. As with any college in a major city, there are always things you can do on the weekend despite the campus being dry.

Greek life has a huge presence on campus. Although a lot of activity forms around the men's basketball and wrestling teams, sorority and fraternity events are some of the largest. Being a member of a sorority or fraternity, while not the end-all-be-all, is a great way to make friends and to get involved in campus activities/volunteering. I met my best friends after joining Chi Omega, and it has really given me a well-rounded social life with plenty to do on weekends.

There are so many groups on campus! I'm not really sure what the most popular are because of that, but the a capella groups are much-loved, and there is a club devoted to almost every cause or cultural background. I have a friend whose life centers around the swing dance club, one who has devoted herself to the Latino-American Student Organization, one who edits the school yearbook, and one who secretly loves the AU Gamer Society. Some of the more visible groups are the AU Democrats, Women's Initiative, Queers and Allies, student government, etc. The Mission Improvable improv troupe usually performs to huge and enthusiastic crowds! There's a great fair on the quad every semester where the on-campus clubs advertise themselves, hand out fliers, and give out freebies. I've acted in plays with the AU Players and the AU Rude Mechanicals, and while audiences aren't usually huge, they tend to be enthusiastic, and most people express an interest in student theatre. The DPA (Department of Performing Arts) shows often sell out, and get quite a lot of attention. Most of the actors in student-run theatre shows aren't even theatre majors, but are very talented and dedicated. I've only been to one sporting event-- a basketball game--on campus because they usually conflict with other activities, but I know that the Blue Crew has quite a presence-- that's a group of students that wear blue body paint and blue spirit t-shirts and create a huge, happy riot at the games. Free pizza, Coke, and smoothies are often given out at these, and I've heard a lot of enthusiastic comments. Sports aren't a massive draw at AU, but there are always devoted followers. I don't drink and rarely go to parties, but I'm never at a loss for things to do. There are often performances on campus on weekend nights, and the Student Union Board shows movies in the Tavern on campus at least once a month-- this year, they showed Thor, Bridesmaids, The Princess Bride, the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Contagion, and a few others. All got pretty good turn-out. They hold other events there, too, like gaming tournaments, trivia nights, and craft events, and threw on-campus parties for welcome week, Halloween, and Christmas. Almost every weekend, my floormates hang out and watch movies, play games, dance, or just talk in the lounge. I also like to go for excursions in the city, visiting the monuments at night or going out to eat at a new and exciting place that I haven't visited-- there are always so many options. Many of my best friends do drink and love to go to nightclubs and parties, but I'm not as social. Sometimes I just like to curl up with a book and listen to Disney music. It really depends on the weekend. The AU Methodist Student Organization is a huge part of my life, and I've made some awesome friends through it. It's so welcoming, fun, and friendly, and I know some people who take part in all of their events despite not being Methodist-- a Catholic friend, a Lutheran friend, two Jewish friends, two agnostic friends, a Greek Orthodox friend, and an atheist friend all attend. They often serve free dinners after services, show movies once a month, do service projects like making dinner for the homeless or cleaning up parks, and go on exciting outings. This year we went to the Maryland Renaissance faire and picked pumpkins and apples at a local farm, among many other excursions, and we have a Christmas party coming up soon. We also have a murder mystery party each semester, with a specific theme and characters for all of us to play. I was the murder victim (and her evil twin!) at the last one! Last weekend, I went to see the new production of "Much Ado About Nothing" at the Shakespeare Theatre with two of my friends, and loved it. I also attended a benefit concert where my boyfriend's brother's band performed to raise money for a little girl with a rare form of lung cancer, had a great time singing in the choir during our weekly church service, and watched Guy Ritchie movies with some floormates. Some of my closest friends at AU are floormates from last year, including my boyfriend, who was a good friend for over a year before we started dating.(I never set out to find a boyfriend, so I can't comment much on the AU dating scene-- we just happened to find each other and fall for each other. I know a lot of girls are frustrated by the lack of available men on campus, but it's not nearly as bad as it seems. I know lots and lots of girls with boyfriends on campus, as well as many lovely single men.) Other closest friends are current floormates, theatre people, Methodist people, and former classmates, and some started off as friends of friends and became incredibly dear to me. If I'm awake at 2 AM on a Tuesday, it means it's a typical night for me! I feel like most students here stay up pretty late-- even if I was in bed at 2 AM, I would be able to hear my neighbors talking and giggling, and people running up and down the halls. I'm usually finishing up some studying, procrastinating on facebook, or watching SNL online at 2 AM, just about ready to go to bed. I can't say students leave their doors open, although usually people will knock on my door about four or five times a day to talk to me about whatever silly random thing pops into their heads! We've actually had problems with thefts in my dorm this year, especially of laptops, so people make to lock their doors all the time. This is sad to me, because it doesn't sound like the AU that I know.

The fraterities are well-known because they throw parties, but you don't have to be a part of greek life to make friends. Most people seem to make friends through their freshman floors. Residents leave their doors open, and RAs are pretty social. Athletic events aren't very popular but are fun to go to, since they almost always offer free smooties and pizza. People compain that it's hard to find straight guys on campus, but I know of a lot of couples that found each other at A. There are speakers and events every day, especially political figures. On a weekend students go to Kramer's Bookstore and museums around town.

Greek life is relatively weak, the administration is very anti-Greek. The political groups are strong due to the nature of the school.

My own involvement with student groups has centered on those which are advocating for social justice in some capacity on many different issues. There are a lot of groups at American University that deal with social justice issues, and students can usually find a group which supports their interests in this regard or which they can initiate certain efforts. The campus is very active and there are talks, lectures, and other types of events every day and there are often events which encourage students to take part in healthy lifestyles. In addition, students can expect to find career support.

Greek life seems to be very popular here as well as political clubs. I'm involved with musical groups as I am an audio production and music major. The music program here is growing and the musical ensembles sound better and better every day. There are also a number of a cappella groups that have become very popular. You will find your calling once you get here.

We arent a frat school, yet I still see a lot of people wearing frat gear. The dorms are all a pretty good place to chill out and living in a dorm has its advantages. The school spirit at our school is pretty low, the athletics are pretty much a non factor, even the basketball games are small compared to other schools. Another reason for a lack of school spirit is that AU is in a city and cities offer so much more than an urban college could offer. Kids do all sorts of things on the weekend, I know clubbing is pretty popular. The guest speakers are usually really good, and people you probably have heard of. The dating scene is aight. This is not ASU so don't expect model like girls walking around, eventually the "goggles" will kick in and you realize the girl selection isnt as bad

AU prides itself on being the most politically active school in the country. For example, after a volleyball game in September, our student leaders brought TVs to our arena so we could watch the presidential debates. Let's just say the debate brought people to the volleyball game -- not the other way around. Sports are not very popular on campus. For whatever reason, we're a Division I school. One notable exception to the popularity was when our Men's basketball team went to the NCAA Tournament for the past two years. But those are notable exceptions. At many sporting events, there is a smorgasbord of freebies -- burgers, pizza, shirts, smoothies, etc. that they have to entice you to show up. One thing you shouldn't miss are Kennedy Political Union lectures. I've seen Elizabeth Edwards, David Gregory, Helen Thomas, Newt Gingrich, Norah O'Donnell and Martin Sheen. That's just to name a few. KPU is funded by the approximately $75 student activities fee that's billed to your account. The residence halls each have cultures of their own. I have lived on both "north" and "south" sides and here's how I can sum up each dorm: South Side: -Anderson: Loud, lots of parties. Will be renovated over the next two years. -Letts: I lived there freshman year. Also pretty loud, though not as boisterous as Anderson -Centennial: Just renovated, suite-style living. Don't expect to live there as a freshman though. North Side: -Leonard: Probably the loudest of the north side dorms -- also the international dorm. But it really is the best of both worlds. You can compare it to Letts. -McDowell: Lived there sophomore year. Lots of athletes who are cliquey amongst themselves. It kind of messes with the social dynamic of the hall. -Hughes: Don't come here to party. I don't think that happens too often. It's a very studious dorm.

The DC community offers many opportunities for students to grow academically and socially. Unique to AU, we offer an involved Greek life system with the many benefits of the city's attractions. Also, home to more than 150 clubs and organizations, students at AU can get involved in a lot more than Greek life to feel a part of the bigger community.