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American University - Local Atmosphere - Local Atmosphere - College ProwlerCollege Prowler4.62

Local Atmosphere

A
Where does this grade come from?View all Local Atmosphere rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Local Atmosphere Grades:

Quick Stats

Fun Local Trivia
  1. It's built on a swamp.
  2. No buildings are allowed to be built higher than the Washington Monument.
  3. The first election in which residents legally participated was held in 1964.
  4. DC itself is perfectly square, and measures 15 miles on each edge.
  5. It's divided into quadrants (NE, NW, SE, SW), each with a distinct flavor.
Notable Natives
  • 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.
Points of Interest
  • Eastern Market
  • John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
  • Lincoln Memorial
  • National Cherry Blossom Festival
  • National Mall
  • Smithsonian Institution
  • Thomas Jefferson Memorial
  • U Street Corridor
  • United States Capitol
  • Washington National Cathedral
  • The White House

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

American University is in the Northwest quadrant of D.C., 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 the Southeast that some choose to mistakenly avoid, the city offers clubs, culture, and politics to all those seeking excitement and willing to explore.

D.C. 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 of its quiet suburban-type setting, with easy access to I-95 and quainter towns in Maryland and Virginia.

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American Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Local Atmosphere at American University

km8621a

Mathematics & Statistics '13

4.6
A

DC Is Great

There is plenty to do around the school. Just take a bus down to Georgetown and head to the Potomac to kayak, or take the metro to the Smithsonian and pick from the many museums. There is always an event going on, cheap Nationals tickets (12 dollars!) or Wizards games. There are many things to do with Nightlife, like Dupont of U street. Around AU is pretty safe but I don't advise walking alone downtown after 11PM.

May 17, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at American University

Anonymous

American University Student

1.9
C-

Nothing Much to Do

Despite being located in DC, there's not much going on at American University.

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Local Atmosphere at American University

jessanesbitt

Anthropology and Archaeology '14

4.2
A-

Lots to Do

DC is a great area for exploring, with a lot of shops, restaurants, bookstores and cultural events with all of the embassies so close.

Dec 24, 2011

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Page 1 of 11
User rating for American University - Local Atmosphere is 4.6 out of 5 based on 33 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the local atmosphere on the following topics

What is the local atmosphere like at your school?

What is the proximity to other universities? Is there much interaction?

Can you see yourself living here after graduation?

Facts

Shopping Centers
  • Crystal City Shops
  • Montgomery Mall
  • Tysons Corner Center
Major Sports Teams
  • D.C. United: MLS (soccer)
  • Washington Capitals: NHL
  • Washington Freedom: WPS (women's soccer)
  • Washington Mystics: WNBA
  • Washington Nationals: MLB
  • Washington Redskins: NFL
  • Washington Wizards: NBA
City Web Sites www.dc.gov
Distances to Nearest Major Cities
  • Baltimore: : 1 hour
  • New York City: : 4 hours
  • Philadelphia: : 3 hours

Movie TheatersWhat's This?

AMC Mazza Gallerie 7
5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington, D.C.
(888) 262-4386

Avalon Theatre
5612 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, D.C.
(202) 966-6000

Become a Contributing Author Learn more »

Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Jesse MacDonald
Hometown
Brooklyn
Major
Law & Society

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. The statistics on our site are from the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS database.
We update this information twice annually, most recently in May 2012, but it may not be the most recent information available for a particular school.
For additional information we encourage you to visit school websites or contact the schools directly.