American University
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Major: Finance
Minor: None
Student Self Identifies as: South Asian Heterosexual Male
Summary
I’m in the South Asian Student Association, and I’m in Greek life.
Background
Gender Identity: Male
Race/Ethnicity: South Asian
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
High School Experience: Public high school in San Diego, CA with a graduating class of about 500 students. There was a culture of going to college.
First-Generation College Student: No
Major: Finance
Minor: None
Extracurricular Activities: I’m in the South Asian Student Association, and I’m in Greek life.
Did any of your extracurricular activities have a particularly big impact on your experience?
Greek life has because of forging new friendships. It’s not the easiest to make friends as a transfer student, so Greek life was a way to make friends.
Academic Experience
Can you describe the weekly coursework for your major?
There are a few exams and homework, and there are no essays. The exams make up the bulk of the final grade.
Is there anything you feel your major’s department does especially well or poorly?
The business school is very good at taking care of their students. They always have time for you, you never have to wait more than a day or two to get in with a professor or a counselor. Overall, the teaching is very good.
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
Everyone in the business school is ambitious, but because the business school is so different than the rest of American, we band together. You’ll realize you can make friends easily in the business school because you’ll be taking classes with the same people basically all four years. Most students go to American for International Relations or the Political Science program, because they are marketed the most. The business school is quite good as well. [In Fall 2019, there were 1,132 students in the business school making up about 15% of the undergraduate population.]
How accessible are your professors?
They are quite accessible. I haven’t had a professor that hasn’t emailed me back within 36 hours, and getting in with an advisor in the business school has never taken me more than two or three days.
What has been your favorite part of American academically?
The study sessions that I do outside of class. That’s where I learn the most, and that’s where I’ve made some of my closest friends.
How was transitioning academically as a transfer college student? Are there systems in place that help you transition?
It helped a lot that there are a lot of transfer students. They treat it like any other student and you’re not cut out of things. For example, registration times are the same. The social part was the most difficult. [In Fall 2019, there were 409 transfer students.]
Why did you pick your major? Are you happy with your choice?
I changed my major many times. I started in International Relations, and then went to Political Science. I started taking an Economics course and I found that I liked that. Both of my parents are in business, so they encouraged me to go after business. Once I was in the business school, I transferred into the Finance major.
Reasons to Attend
1) The education is world-class. I’ve never taken a class that I haven’t come out of it loving my professor and the subject.
2) It is small enough to where you’ll feel a community and not a giant city.
3) It has a very good mix of suburb and city. You’re in the suburbs when you want to be, but if you want to be in the city, it’s just a 30-40-minute metro or bus ride away.
4) If you’re not from Washington D.C. you could live there.
5) If you’re in the business school, you’ll never feel that you’re being overlooked.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) The population is very introverted, which is why it has a weak social scene. Sometimes people struggle to make friends.
2) People are very ambitious, so if you don’t like a fast pace or don’t want to hear about people talking about their careers a lot.
3) The food situation is very important to freshmen. The cafeteria is not good and not bad. It’s okay. [See The Eagle article, “Fall semester ushers in a new wave of on-campus foods.”]
Around Campus
Where have you lived on and around campus?
Transferred in Fall 2020 as a junior
Junior: McDowell Hall with one roommate
Senior: Nebraska Hall with one roommate
How was transitioning from your hometown in San Diego to Washington, D.C. in terms of location?
It was a big transition. I was used to Southern California, but American University has a lot of students from California. You learn to adapt, but the time difference is something to think about. It got colder, but that is something I knew would happen.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
It’s very safe. It’s a small campus and I’ve never had any safety issues. The campus police will come to you anywhere within five minutes.
Social Opportunities
What kind of nightlife or weekend activities do you participate in at American?
For me, I go into the city to get dinner or meet a friend, or to go to a museum. I’ve never been much of a partier.
What have been some of your favorite times at American?
Some of my favorite events have been Greek life parties held in someone’s apartment. Another one is going to see the monuments in D.C. after dark when it’s not crowded. There is a very fun bar and happy hour scene. D.C. also has quite a few concert venues that have bigger artists, so you might see a more famous artist at a smaller venue.
How happy are you with the weekend options at American? Is there anything you would change if you could?
I am happy with the weekend activities. I do think if you’re an American student you should not plan on staying on campus over the weekend. That should be your time to spend in the city. As far as weekends go, if you look for something in D.C., you’ll find it.
What is the impact of Greek life on nightlife at American?
American has a very prominent Greek life. About [20%] of all students are affiliated in some way or another, and it has had a big impact because you make a good amount of friends in a similar position as you. Worst case scenario, if you’re in Greek life, you can meet up with someone on a Friday or Saturday night if nothing is going on.
Campus Culture
How did you meet your closest friends?
Through being on the same dorm floor, as well as through Greek life.
How would you describe the overall social scene?
I’d describe it as weak. You have to really look for events on campus. One reason I joined Greek life was for a means to an end. There are very few events on campus. it’s very sleepy and people often split up and go into the city on weekends or at night, so the campus is very quiet.
To what extent do you feel people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
They mix very well. It’s a diverse population and there has never been a problem with mixing.
[The undergraduate population is about 7% Black, 53% White, 7% Asian, and 12% Hispanic.]
To what extent do people in Greek life and not in Greek life mix socially?
They mix just fine. If Greek life was a smaller portion of the population, I bet it wouldn’t. Because it’s [20%], chances are at least a few people you meet daily are in Greek life.
How would you describe the South Asian community on campus? How strong is it?
It’s prominent. The South Asian Student Association does their best to hold a few events a semester, and incorporates some type of community among them.
How would you describe the student body?
They are open, friendly, very progressive, ambitious, but also quite inclusive.
How do you like the size of American in terms of undergraduate enrollment? How has that impacted your experience? [American has about 8,300 undergraduate students.]
I like the size. It allows there to be a good-sized population and you never feel alone. At the same time, your class sizes are still capped at 30 students. [The average class has 22 students.]
Careers
What have you used the career office for? How helpful have they been?
I just started using the business school’s career office, and I’ve used them to clean up and fix my resume and LinkedIn account. When the time comes, they will help me find a job from the list of companies I give them.
Have you learned any computer programs or computer languages that will be helpful professionally?
I’ve learned Excel, PowerPoint, and StatCrunch.
Advice for Prospective Freshmen
What is something you wish you knew about American before you entered as a transfer?
I wish I knew how much I’d have to create my own social scene.
What is something a prospective transfer student may want to know?
Start talking to your advisors early. Utilize every resource you have, and know you’re not the only transfer at the school.
What is something a prospective student may miss on a visit that’s worth checking out?
They might miss the Katzen Arts Center, which is my favorite place to do work.