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.