American U Forum

[gdane]

Its nice to see that not everyone on here is a jerkoff. Thanks for the warm wishes everyone.

To the poster before me, DC is just like any other major city. It has its nice areas and its bad areas. I went to visit a friend for new years and she told me that the best place to live is the western part of DC, SW or NW. The cost of living is high, but if you can find a roommate(s) then it shouldnt be too bad. I liked it a lot, hence why Im really hoping I can get off this waitlist.

[jjinva]

To be honest...there aren't many "bad" areas in DC proper anymore. Heck, even a few select areas across the Anacostia aren't automatic deathwishes anymore. Not that you would want to commute from there. However, as more and more gentrification has happened, many students get mugged since the criminals know they are easy targets, even in upper NW.

This coming from someone BORN in DC and raised either in DC or 5 miles from it (Arlington).

Remember, if you want to go to AU, the Maryland state line is right there. Cheaper housing in MD if you want, nice part of MD too, not College Park

[smartblonde87]

Smartblonde, if you get into American that gives me more of a reason to go. I LOVE blondes! Haha!

In all seriousness, Im hoping I can get off the waitlist. Im not sure how it works though. At first, is it strictly a numbers decision or will they go with those people that they feel really want to go? In other words, will they accept the 165 that didnt send in a LOCI or will they accept the 155 (not my actual score, just an example) that sent in a few?

Will they accept people from the top down or will it be a mixed bag? This is what scares me since I know that a lot of WL people have much better numbers than me. We'll see...

LOL well, I'm in the same boat as you. Side note: have you sent in more than one LOCI? Is that recommended?

[globallawyer]

To be honest...there aren't many "bad" areas in DC proper anymore. Heck, even a few select areas across the Anacostia aren't automatic deathwishes anymore. Not that you would want to commute from there. However, as more and more gentrification has happened, many students get mugged since the criminals know they are easy targets, even in upper NW.

This coming from someone BORN in DC and raised either in DC or 5 miles from it (Arlington).

Remember, if you want to go to AU, the Maryland state line is right there. Cheaper housing in MD if you want, nice part of MD too, not College Park

I've noticed that it's a bit cheaper to live in Columbia Heights, but I've also heard that the area can be a bit on the shady side. Would you happen to know anything about this area in terms of safety?

[gdane]

I've sent in 2 LOCI's since Feb. 5th, one a month. Im not sure I can send another one though simply because I've run out of things to say. haha. They have my final grades, I dont have a new LSAT score and I dont have any exciting and relevant news. My next plan was to visit and try to personally meet with either my admissions counselor (Overman) or the Dean. Whether or not this is possible I dont know, but if I do visit it wont be until the end of April. After they've made cuts...

[jjinva]

To be honest...there aren't many "bad" areas in DC proper anymore. Heck, even a few select areas across the Anacostia aren't automatic deathwishes anymore. Not that you would want to commute from there. However, as more and more gentrification has happened, many students get mugged since the criminals know they are easy targets, even in upper NW.

This coming from someone BORN in DC and raised either in DC or 5 miles from it (Arlington).

Remember, if you want to go to AU, the Maryland state line is right there. Cheaper housing in MD if you want, nice part of MD too, not College Park

I've noticed that it's a bit cheaper to live in Columbia Heights, but I've also heard that the area can be a bit on the shady side. Would you happen to know anything about this area in terms of safety?

I wouldn't have a problem living in Columbia Heights at all. Its one of those areas that just 8-10 years ago I wouldn't have liked, but now its fine to me. Yes, there is crime, but its mostly gang stuff. MS-13 and other "latin" gangs are around there, up around Mt. Pleasant and into Adams Morgan, but they stay to themselves, the crime is against each other. Like NYC or Chicago, anywhere in DC, even GTown and Dupont, has the occasional mugging, so be smart and Columbia Heights would be fine. Its still NW DC, its not like Benning Road or anything.

[kaydish21]

I thought I was YP'ed when I first saw the WL email and now I am sure of it after looking at LSN.
169, 3.6, good PI softs. Ah well, I guess its in their rights.

[quickquestionthanks]

WL'd today. App received 2/2.
3.2/162. Selective UG, URM, pretty unique PS.

Nothing in my application said I was interested in DC or American specifically, so I don't hold it against them. Probably won't accept the spot. Just thought it might be nice to have a DC option. Good luck to everyone!

[Langfall]

To be honest...there aren't many "bad" areas in DC proper anymore. Heck, even a few select areas across the Anacostia aren't automatic deathwishes anymore. Not that you would want to commute from there. However, as more and more gentrification has happened, many students get mugged since the criminals know they are easy targets, even in upper NW.

This coming from someone BORN in DC and raised either in DC or 5 miles from it (Arlington).

Remember, if you want to go to AU, the Maryland state line is right there. Cheaper housing in MD if you want, nice part of MD too, not College Park

I've noticed that it's a bit cheaper to live in Columbia Heights, but I've also heard that the area can be a bit on the shady side. Would you happen to know anything about this area in terms of safety?

I wouldn't have a problem living in Columbia Heights at all. Its one of those areas that just 8-10 years ago I wouldn't have liked, but now its fine to me. Yes, there is crime, but its mostly gang stuff. MS-13 and other "latin" gangs are around there, up around Mt. Pleasant and into Adams Morgan, but they stay to themselves, the crime is against each other. Like NYC or Chicago, anywhere in DC, even GTown and Dupont, has the occasional mugging, so be smart and Columbia Heights would be fine. Its still NW DC, its not like Benning Road or anything.

Ive been talking with some friends that live in the area about moving there. They said Columbia Heights is a great area since a lot of young professionals have taken to the area but you may have a problem getting from CH to AU transportation wise. I was also looking at Silver Springs in MD which is much cheaper than most places around DC but transportation again may be the issue. Seems like a trade-off. Granted Ive yet to visit the area and see for myself.

[keemos]

withdrew today too expensive for me

[Bailarina08]

Does anyone have any idea how deep the waitlist is?

[haleydee]

globallawyer

columbia heights is a great place to live as long as you stay within a couple of blocks from the metro..its a very up and coming area, but if you venture off too far--- bad news...

and to the previous poster, columbia heights and silvers spring are no problem with transportation to AU as long as you live close to the metro..silver spring you just stay on the red line the whole time, and from CH just hop onto the red line from the green/yellow..the transportation system in dc is very simple and easy

[quickquestionthanks]

Does anyone have any idea how deep the waitlist is?

I don't have any inside info, but it looks like its pretty deep. The LawSchoolnumbers board has yellow all over it. I was a borderline candidate and they WL'd me. I kind of expected rejection after reading on here all the people with much better stats who got WL'd. Seems like its a soft rejection for many. They also YP WL'd a friend of mine (176) a couple weeks ago.

[umichgrad]

To the poster who mentioned Silver Spring, be aware that it is all the way on the other end of the Red Line. The commute time just to the Tenley metro is ~30 minutes, not to mention +15-20 waiting for the AU shuttle to the law school.

Columbia Heights, while still an "up and coming" neighborhood, does have a bus that runs directly to WCL, commute time roughly 25-30 minutes if you live very close to the bus stop. There is a similar bus from P St. in Dupont Circle.

There are other nice neighborhoods farther up the red line, and cheaper than Dupont. These are Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, and Van Ness (eh). Woodley and Cleveland are off Connecticut, and they are near the zoo. Commute time to Tenley metro from these is ~15 minutes.

[snowpeach06]

Am I crazy to think that they are going to accept those of us with a 161/162 before all the YP candidates? If that is the case, I mean, hopefully we can get off. I'm visiting this weekend. Was waitlisted a few months ago, but wanted to visit before I wrote my LOCI. When I called the office they said they don't start re-considering applicants before April anyway.

Before, I was worried about the tuition at American. But, I will have free housing with a friend who is going to GW, and the more I think about it, the 50k or so in debt might be worth it, since I know I love DC. And it's a hell of a lot better than Buffalo NY.

[snowpeach06]

Also, do you think I should allude to personal factors making me want to go to American in my LOCI? Seems like, oftentimes personal factors are more important to a person than the school. And like it would make my reasoning stronger. Or, it could just insult the school that they are not the only reason.

[gdane]

As someone that really wants to get off the waitlist, I envy you for being able to visit this weekend. I wont get to go until the end of April and by that time it might be too late...

You should definitely write about whatever personal factors influence your decision to go to AU. Whether its because you like DC or you can live with a friend, thats all good. I think the school wants to know that you are committed to them and that you will be happy being at AU for 3 years (or 4).

Please do share the details of your trip. Like I said, I plan to visit at the end of April, but I would love to go now if I could. I'd love to know what I can expect on my visit and so forth.

Have a good trip!

[Langfall]

To the poster who mentioned Silver Spring, be aware that it is all the way on the other end of the Red Line. The commute time just to the Tenley metro is ~30 minutes, not to mention +15-20 waiting for the AU shuttle to the law school.

Columbia Heights, while still an "up and coming" neighborhood, does have a bus that runs directly to WCL, commute time roughly 25-30 minutes if you live very close to the bus stop. There is a similar bus from P St. in Dupont Circle.

There are other nice neighborhoods farther up the red line, and cheaper than Dupont. These are Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, and Van Ness (eh). Woodley and Cleveland are off Connecticut, and they are near the zoo. Commute time to Tenley metro from these is ~15 minutes.

Ahh good to know, thanks. Ive done some preliminary searching and alot of this places still seem quite pricey. 1300/month for a 1 bedroom. I now cringe even at the mere thought of what a studio goes for in midtown Manhattan.

[smartblonde87]

To be honest...there aren't many "bad" areas in DC proper anymore. Heck, even a few select areas across the Anacostia aren't automatic deathwishes anymore. Not that you would want to commute from there. However, as more and more gentrification has happened, many students get mugged since the criminals know they are easy targets, even in upper NW.

This coming from someone BORN in DC and raised either in DC or 5 miles from it (Arlington).

Remember, if you want to go to AU, the Maryland state line is right there. Cheaper housing in MD if you want, nice part of MD too, not College Park

I've noticed that it's a bit cheaper to live in Columbia Heights, but I've also heard that the area can be a bit on the shady side. Would you happen to know anything about this area in terms of safety?

I live
I wouldn't have a problem living in Columbia Heights at all. Its one of those areas that just 8-10 years ago I wouldn't have liked, but now its fine to me. Yes, there is crime, but its mostly gang stuff. MS-13 and other "latin" gangs are around there, up around Mt. Pleasant and into Adams Morgan, but they stay to themselves, the crime is against each other. Like NYC or Chicago, anywhere in DC, even GTown and Dupont, has the occasional mugging, so be smart and Columbia Heights would be fine. Its still NW DC, its not like Benning Road or anything.

Ive been talking with some friends that live in the area about moving there. They said Columbia Heights is a great area since a lot of young professionals have taken to the area but you may have a problem getting from CH to AU transportation wise. I was also looking at Silver Springs in MD which is much cheaper than most places around DC but transportation again may be the issue. Seems like a trade-off. Granted Ive yet to visit the area and see for myself.

I lived in Arlington, VA until May of last year, and that was a great place. It felt super safe with the courthouse right around the corner. It's also pretty central on the metro system so you don't need a car.

[umichgrad]

To the poster who mentioned Silver Spring, be aware that it is all the way on the other end of the Red Line. The commute time just to the Tenley metro is ~30 minutes, not to mention +15-20 waiting for the AU shuttle to the law school.

Columbia Heights, while still an "up and coming" neighborhood, does have a bus that runs directly to WCL, commute time roughly 25-30 minutes if you live very close to the bus stop. There is a similar bus from P St. in Dupont Circle.

There are other nice neighborhoods farther up the red line, and cheaper than Dupont. These are Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, and Van Ness (eh). Woodley and Cleveland are off Connecticut, and they are near the zoo. Commute time to Tenley metro from these is ~15 minutes.

Ahh good to know, thanks. Ive done some preliminary searching and alot of this places still seem quite pricey. 1300/month for a 1 bedroom. I now cringe even at the mere thought of what a studio goes for in midtown Manhattan.

Oh wow, if you find a 1-br for 1300, snap it up. Most studios and efficiencies go for about that, with the average 1-br somewhere around 1600-1800.

[Scarletlady]

Admitted to the PT program, recieved a voicemail.

[haleydee]

waitlisted to FT...sooo whoever doesn't want to go withdraw please

[pamplemousse]

waitlisted to FT...sooo whoever doesn't want to go withdraw please

+1

I wish I could go visit and write my LOCI based on that, but that just seems financially not possible right now. UGHHHHHHH

[joonhp]

Waitlisted via email~ more suspense...oh the joy!

[set88]

Am I crazy to think that they are going to accept those of us with a 161/162 before all the YP candidates? If that is the case, I mean, hopefully we can get off. I'm visiting this weekend. Was waitlisted a few months ago, but wanted to visit before I wrote my LOCI. When I called the office they said they don't start re-considering applicants before April anyway.

Before, I was worried about the tuition at American. But, I will have free housing with a friend who is going to GW, and the more I think about it, the 50k or so in debt might be worth it, since I know I love DC. And it's a hell of a lot better than Buffalo NY.

I don't know if anyone answered this, but I was going to say, I'd guess that it's probably going to be based on how much interest those higher YP number people show. Many probably won't. Besides, the 161/162 seems to be what American wants or the YP people would've been admitted in the first place. So I'd say you stand a good chance.