American University Top Questions

There are many things that I have gotten out of my current college experience. For one, a great education. I've learned countless numbers of things that will help me be more successful than I could have imagined in the years to come. Also I have learned how to live and prosper on my own. The experience of dealing with new people, adjusting to a new environment, and keeping myself clean and healthy has been quite an adventure, but it has also been a great opportunity for me to discover more about myself and I'm glad it has gone so well thus far.

Despite being extremely expensive, it has really forced me to grow as a person. Being in Washington and being completely financially independent has given me a new prospective. Going to school with privileged people has allowed me to reconsider the value of my education. I've truly acquired the courage to fulfill my potential and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I have learned a new way to think about education, learning, and myself. College is much more of an involved experience than high school. Because teachers aren't there to babysit students, I have felt more pushed to work harder and put more of my own effort into it. I really do get more out of the money and time that I put into my education when I work harder and study longer and more effectively. Learning about topics that are interesting with a group of students who all want to be there encourages me to try harder and expand my horizons even more. I have met some really amazing people who will change the world and inspire me to make the world better as well. The teachers and students alike are passionate and interesting people who devote their lives to important causes. Also, I have been able to change my bad habits and become happier with my life at college by being more in control of my destiny. I feel like I have just begun an amazing journey that will continue for the rest of my life.

So far, attending American University has been a wonderful experience. In 2009, the school was rated by the Princeton Review as the #1 most politically active schoool in the country. As a devout Republican, this attracted me to the school; however, most politicaly active, translates into "most liberal." As a conservative Catholic from Central Florida, my first months at American were definitely a wake up call. However, soon I assimilated into the school culture, and got used to the campus climate. Soon, through rational discourse and debate , I opened my mind to diverse ideas that I had previously had not been exposed to. While possessing my conservative beliefs, I became involved in many community service projects that were often supporting causes not supported by the conservative base. I figured, that if I hold beliefs that may make others uncomfortable, that I might as well still show my support to people affected by the impact of my beliefs. While Republicans may not be traditionally supportive of the environment, I involved myself in tree plantings and environmental clean ups to show that I believe these to be worthy causes. My experience at American allowed me to open my mind to worthy causes.

My college experience has been nothing short of one of the most fulfilling journeys of my life. I entered AU as a high school graduate ready to leave home, meet new people, explore the world, and experience 'college life.' Four years later, I left AU as a college graduate who had grown immensely- academically and personally. I made friends from different political, socio-economic, and geographical backgrounds. During classroom debates, I engaged with students whose backgrounds ranged from royal families to blue-collar households. I not ony learned from my professors, who inspired and led lessons outside of the textbook, but I also learned from my peers and alumni, with whom I continue to network and foster relationships. It has been valuable to attend AU because I graduated a stronger, more mature and well-rounded adult ready to tackle the challeges of adult life and thrive in the workforce. I acquired skills that equipped me with the means to pursue my goals- working in finance, travelling the world, living and working abroad, and working towards an MBA. AU provided me with the foundation to reach my goals and be a successful individual who will make a change in society.

I have learned that you will get out of your classes what you put into it. Not every class is going to be interesting, but if you go with a good attitude, it probably won't be too bad. Work hard and you will get good grades. College is valuable to attend because it is fun and a great way to gain independence.

A letter to myself on graduation. Dear Megan, It is your last day of high school and a whole new scary world awaits you on the other side of the stage. In just three short months, you will be leaving your family and friends to move 1,000 miles away for school. The move will be difficult because you have always had people surrounding you who know how to support you. Although you often have a hard time learning to trust people, you quickly make plenty of friends and then you must decide who your true friends are. I am not going to lie, your first semester of school will be difficult. To make the transition easier, don't let yourself get lazy. When you get lazy, you become depressed and that just leads to a more difficult road. Please remember that it's ok to ask for help and although your parents are across the country, they will always be there for you and will always support you. Take care and don't forget to believe in yourself! Good luck! Megan

Don't Settle. Those two words, coming from an older and wiser version of me, could have altered my life in a monstrous way. How many graduating seniors actually know what they want to accomplish in life, to major in academically, or the type of environment they will do well in for the next four years? Not too many, and because of this, I settled. The transition into the realm of life after high school can be extremely trying and in many cases catches student's off guard. For me, I choose to attend an urban university in the heart of Boston, just 40 minutes away from my home, where I lived in surplus housing in a Holiday Inn. I toughed it out for a year in the business school, taking courses I thought would lead to success, but hated, and felt lost from day one. I had settled from fear of the unknown. You're only as good as you think you are--and being afraid to discover the person I would become resulted in a year wasted and forced an inevetable epiphany: Find a community that will enable you to grow. Don't falter and don't settle.

College doesn't mean leaving all of the comforts of home behind, you find everything you need to feel at home in college, just in different ways than you expect. Your roommates and friends become your family, your dorm your home, and campus feels just like its own community. Make sure that you get involved, you'll meet more people with similar interests to you and if you dive in right away, you'll fall in love with your school and new environment much faster. Apply to any school that feels like it may have what your looking for, because in the end the school that you never thought you would end up at is the one where you are thriving.

One of thee most important things to know when going to college is that you will be bombarded with different values, ideas and concepts, and some of these may seem strange, however it is important that you stick to your values, but welcome and listen to new ideas and concepts. College is a time for learning and, unlike in high school, a good portion of what you learn comes outside of the classroom. The friends you make, the experts and professors you talk to, and the experiences that you have will all contribute to this learning and it is essential that you pay attention to this part of college life because it introduces you to the world outside of high school and a regimine of thinking inside the box. A lot of what you experience will teach you to pay attention to details, ideas, concepts and cultures that you may not have noticed in high school, and these things are imperative to your development as an adult living in a more adult world. These experiences may be good or they may be bad, but you will always learn something from them.