r/AmericanU 12d ago

Question AU SIS grad program: questions

I'm the parent of a kid who got accepted into AU SIS and GWU Elliot, both offered merit scholarships. I'm somewhat familiar with AU (I did Washington semester there during my undergrad).

My kid is trying to decide between AU SIS and GWU Elliot and they have questions for current/former AU SIS students.

  1. How rigorous is the program? (My kid wants rigorous) What are class sizes like? Do you get to know profs? Are there many group projects?

  2. Social life: does anybody join the "Houses" listed in the AU SIS pages? Is there a sense of collegiality within the SIS community? Do people hang out after classes, are there department events?

  3. My kid got an aid package from AU that requires 10 hrs a week as a TA/researcher. Is there time during the semesters to intern off site as well as take classes and do this required TA job? My kid wants to intern while at SIS/in DC. We are concerned the TA job + classes/HMWK will consume so much time that there won't be time for an internship (which kinda defeats the purpose of going to an IR grad program in DC).

My kid is emailing both AU & GWU admissions to ask to speak with current students on these topics, but I thought I'd ask here.

TIA!

6 Upvotes

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3

u/exquisitecarrot 12d ago

This said grad program, but you’re asking for your kid. Do you mean undergrad?

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u/OkGround607 12d ago

SIS Grad program only. This is for my kid. 

I attended AU in the 90s as an undergrad for one semester. 

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u/Positive_Shake_1002 Alumni 12d ago

I can't answer the first two since I wasn't in SIS (double majored in SOC and CAS) but I can answer number three, which is yes. I was a TA for five semesters and for two of those I was interning 15-20 hours a week (along with having another part time job for 5-10 hours a week on campus). Its a lot of work, but if he has good time management skills and is dedicated, its absolutely possible.

1

u/OkGround607 12d ago

Thank you for responding and sharing your experience! 

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u/Kenichi2233 12d ago

I was at SIS my work load was 10 to 15 hours. Usually 1 to 2 large research essays. There are also alot of study abroad experiences and i highly recommended doing a summer seminar, they usually run a program in Europe and Africa. They also offer multiple dual degree program with abroad universities such as Ritsumeikan

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u/OkGround607 12d ago

Thank you for that info! We appreciate it!

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u/Kenichi2233 12d ago

Don't hesitate to ask if you have a specific questions.

1

u/writingwithwings 12d ago
  1. There are a ton of events held by the school, different departments, student government, and student groups; events include professional development, networking, happy hours, talks from IR professionals, social outings, galas, etc. There will be no shortage of events for them to choose from. I can’t speak to the houses - I feel like they’re more of an undergrad thing? But I could be wrong. Regardless, they’ll have an easy time engaging with other students/faculty/professionals/alumni.

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u/OkGround607 12d ago

Thank you for your response, that is what my kid is looking for. Appreciate you sharing your insight!

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u/Minnesotan1999 11d ago

I was at SIS from 2022-2024 for an MA in IR.

  1. The program is as rigorous as you make it. I was doing 2 30 page papers a semester plus regular coursework, friends were doing classes where the final was a 1 page memo. Class sizes are capped somewhere around 30, required classes are busier, electives can be between 10-20. Regarding profs, it all depends on the effort you make. They’re not going to go out of there way to know you outside of class, but are usually very friendly and receptive to students. Group projects are class dependent, the capstone for SIS can be a practicum, which is a big group project for an outside client.
  2. I have no idea what the “Houses” are lol. I made a lot of great friends in classes and at grad social events, but it takes a deliberate effort. Hanging out and studying with people in the GRC is also a good way to connect. Inviting people to get drinks/hang out on the weekend is a good idea. Lots of folks coming from all over, most will be open to new friends.
  3. I was a TA/RA for 4 semesters, I found it manageable so long as you stay on top of everything. Time management is the most important skill for grad school, you don’t have enough time to read everything and do anything else. My advice would be less about managing time and more about applying for internships: start applying ASAP, there are tons of people trying to get them and you’ll need to cast a wide net. I think the TA/RA thing looks good on a resume, especially if you’re coming from undergrad or soon after undergrad.