American University - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

American University is in the northwest quadrant of DC, which, though pretty, doesn’t necessarily reflect the fast-paced and urban environment of the city. Fear not—there’s truly something for everyone. From the downtown area that is home to every government building imaginable, to the colorful Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle, to the neighborhoods in Southeast that some choose to mistakenly avoid, the city offers clubs, culture, and politics to all those seeking excitement and willing to explore.

DC is considered one of the best college towns in the country, and there is no shortage of young people out to have a great time (or climb the social ladder in hopes of political success). At the same time, AU offers a haven from the intensity in its quiet suburban-type setting, with easy access to I-95 and quainter towns in Maryland and Virginia.

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Students Speak Out

AUKM says: American University 2014 Other

Washington, DC is awesome, and... Washington, DC is awesome, and there are so many things to do! The zoo has pandas! Walk around the mall or go to Georgetown to shop on a nice day. Also, check out Adams Morgan if you're over 21—it has a pretty cool bar scene. 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 13, 2009 Report

AUCB says: American University 2016 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

I love DC! There is so much to do,... I love DC! There is so much to do, from clubs and shopping to the Smithsonian museums and think tanks. There are constantly free conferences going on if your interested, and there are quite a few clubs that are 18 and over or easy to get into without ID. 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 12, 2009 Report

AUKZ says: American University 2016 Business

The city atmosphere is great.... The city atmosphere is great. Always visit the art galleries and listen to the speakers brought into campus by the different organizations. There are usually some free events happening around the city. Stay away from the meth dealers in DC. Georgetown and George Washington are in walking distance, and you usually see the students at various events held by the three different campuses. 12345 Local Atmosphere: February 25, 2009 Report

AUNH says: American University 2016 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities

Washington, DC is a great city. I... Washington, DC is a great city. I love it! There are tonsof things to do—visit the monuments, go to any of the hundreds of great restaurants, go to clubs, see concerts, or see the embassies. George Washington University, Georgetown, Catholic University, and University of Washington, DC (UDC)are all in the District, among others. Interaction with other college students is completely up to you. If you want to coordinate or meet people in town, it's a breeze. But, if you don't feel like hanging out with non-AU kids, you certainly don't have to. Non-AU students won't generally be bustling around the AU metro stop. 12345 Local Atmosphere: February 20, 2009 Report

AUJS says: American University 2016 Other

Washington, DC is a truly... Washington, DC is a truly extraordinary city. There are so many cultural opportunities that I scarcely know where to begin. As far as other students, DC has a lot of colleges, and the Metro makes visiting people from other schools pretty easy. 12345 Local Atmosphere: February 20, 2009 Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Washington, D.C.:
• It’s built on a swamp.
• No buildings are allowed to be built higher than the Washington Monument.
• The first election in which residents legally participated was held in 1964.
• DC itself is perfectly square, and measures 15 miles on each edge.
• It’s divided into quadrants (NE, NW, SE, SW), each with a distinct flavor.

Famous People from Wahington DC:
Dave Chapelle  — Actor, comedian
Alyson Hannigan — actress
Goldie Hawn — actress, Kate Hudson’s mom
Marvin Gaye — R&B singer
Edward Norton — actor

Local Slang:
No specific slang—DC is very much composed of residents native to other states, both northern and southern, so there’s a wide range of speech patterns here.

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