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Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ - Joining University College (UC)
Am I eligible for UC?
UC is for first-year students who live on campus and are not participating in another Living-Learning Community. Students from all schools and majors are eligible.
Is there an extra program fee?
No! There is no extra financial commitment for participating in UC. Note that some optional co-curricular activities may ask a small fee for participation.
Are all students accepted into UC?
Space is limited in UC based on housing, and individual seminars are limited to 19 students. To secure a space in the community, please submit your course preferences early to UC via your Â鶹ÊÓƵ portal. Once capacity is reached and/or the deadline is passed, students will be placed on the waitlist and accepted on a first-come first-served basis.
I missed the UC deadline. Can I still join?
Please email universitycollege@american.edu to find out if space is still available.
FAQ - UC Seminar & Housing Placement
When will I know my UC seminar placement and housing assignment?
We will notify you of your seminar placement and housing area by the end of the day on Friday, May 10, 2024. Room and roommate assignments will be sent out by Housing & Residence Life later
How is seminar placement determined?
When you submit the UC reservation form, you will provide your first choice seminar and two alternate seminars. Please note that you will only be able to choose a seminar that has available seats. We will plan to place you in your first choice seminar. However, if any changes are necessary, the UC office will contact you before moving you to one of your alternate choices.
After completing the reservation form, you will receive a submission confirmation email from the UC team. UC program staff will send official seminar placement confirmations by the end of the day on Friday, May 10, 2024
Can I change my seminar after receiving my placement?
Seminar change requests are accepted for the following reasons:
- Disability accommodations, with documentation from the Academic Support and Access Center
- Academic scheduling requirements, with documentation from the student's academic advisor
Requests will be approved on a case-by-case basis pending seminar availability. To request a change for academic or accommodation reasons, please email universitycollege@american.edu to discuss your options.
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Can I select my own roommate?
You must live with students in your housing cohort based on your seminar placement. Within that group of students and following Housing & Residence Life policies, you are allowed to select a roommate. You will be given opportunities to connect and talk with students in your cohort, in the hopes that you find your roommate on your own. However, some students do choose to be randomly assigned within their cohort.
I'm also an Â鶹ÊÓƵ Cornerstone student. How does that affect housing?
Students of Â鶹ÊÓƵ Cornerstone are also University College students. Â鶹ÊÓƵ Cornerstone students are a part of a UC cohort and will be housed with that cohort. Cohort placement is determined by your chosen Complex Problems seminar. Not all members of your UC cohort will be inÌýÂ鶹ÊÓƵ Cornerstone. We will connect students after the deadline with others in their cohort. If you'd like to be with another Â鶹ÊÓƵ Cornerstone student in your cohort, you can match with them during the roommate matching process.
FAQ - UC on Campus
When do UC students move in?
UC students will move in on August 18, 2024. Students participating in Venture to Volunteer will move in a few days ahead of their LLC peers.Ìý
Where will UC students will be housed?
Based on cohort placement, UC students will be housed in a first-year residence hall. Anderson Hall will house Cohorts D, E and F. Letts Hall will house Cohorts A and C. Hughes Hall will house B and G.Ìý
Can I live in a different residence hall than the rest of UC?
All UC students can expect to live together on specific floors of first-year residence halls. If you require special housing accommodations, please contact Housing & Residence Life by email at housing@american.edu. Exceptions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
What are the expectations for UC students?
- Actively participate in Complex Problems seminar.
- Positively interact with peers, staff, and faculty. Ìý
- Attend co-curriculars hosted in both the Fall and Spring semesters. Ìý
- Maintain in good academic and social standing with Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Ìý
- Reside in the LLC community throughout the entire academic year. Ìý
- Attend semester kickoff experiences.Ìý
- Attend summer engagement opportunities as available.Ìý
Can UC students participate in other campus activities?
Yes! UC students are encouraged to participate in student organizations, university athletics, community service projects, and other campus engagement opportunities. Fun fact: by the end of the Fall 2023 semester, approximately 85 percent of UC students were already engaged in extracurricular activities outside of UC!
Can I participate in UC and another special program on campus?
You cannot participate in both UC and any of the following programs:
- Â鶹ÊÓƵ Honors
- Frederick Douglass Distinguished Scholars (FDDS)
- Community-Based Research Scholars (CBRS)
- Lincoln Scholars
- AnyÌýprogram that requires a specific Complex Problems seminar and/or requires students to live together on campus
Starting in Academic Year 2023-2024, students can participate in the Lincoln Scholars Program in addition to UC. However, students may not participate in Cornerstone if participating in the Lincoln Scholars program.
What events/programming are offered through UC?
Every year, students canÌýattend our Ice Cream Social during Welcome Week. At the end of the Fall semester, students can also attend our Winter Wonderland themed event. Outside of those two signature events,Ìýwe have offered the following programming in previous years:
- New York CityÌýday trip
- Washington Nationals game
- Â鶹ÊÓƵ women's basketball game
- Flashback Friday movie night
- Stories to Remember: Faculty Lecture Series
- End of year block party
Will I meet students who are not in UC?
Though your residence hall floor will house only UC students, the south side of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ campus is home to most first-year residential students, creating a diverse and inclusive atmosphere. To maintain your full-time status, you will also register for three or more courses which will include students from the entire Â鶹ÊÓƵ undergraduate population.
How does UC contribute to my future at Â鶹ÊÓƵ?
Research and previous student experiences tell us that students who participate in a Living-Learning Community have better connections to their campus, stronger relationships with classmates and faculty members, and higher grades throughout college. In UC, you will complete an Â鶹ÊÓƵ Core requirement in your first semester. Additionally, you can remain engaged with UC by applying for a Program Leader student staff position as an upperclassman.
Can I join Black Affinity Housing and still be a part of UC?
Yes! Students who reserve their spot in University College can live in Black Affinity Housing (Roper Hall). This opportunity is available on a first come, first served basis.ÌýÌý
How does joining Black Affinity Housing change my UC experience?
Not at all! It will actually add to your Â鶹ÊÓƵ experience. Black Affinity Housing will require students to live in specific housing (Roper Hall) that is separate from University College. However, students in Black Affinity Housing can expect to be housed with and near other students who opted into Black Affinity Housing and University College. Ìý
How do I sign up for Black Affinity Housing?
After completing the University College Reservation Form, please notify our staff about your interest in Black Affinity HousingÌýby providing your name and Â鶹ÊÓƵ ID number via e-mail (universitycollege@american.edu). Our team will work with the Housing & Residence Life Team to ensure your placement. Please note this opportunity is available on a first come, first served basis.Ìý
FAQ - UC and Cornerstone
What is the connection between University College and Â鶹ÊÓƵ Cornerstone?
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Cornerstone Program isÌýa part of the University College Living-Learning Community. Cornerstone is an enriching opportunityÌýto jump start yourÌýprofessional career or international education. Cornerstone students choose to pursue a credited internship in D.C. or study abroad experience in Madrid (SIS Scholars) in the Fall semester or GreeceÌýduring the Spring semester. Cornerstone students live and learn together in the first-year residence halls and participate in special programming that fosters a shared experience.
If you have submitted your reservation form to University College and are interested in joining the Cornerstone program, or if you would just like to learn more about the program, please email us at aucornerstone@american.edu.Ìý
What are the program options in Â鶹ÊÓƵ Cornerstone?
Students get to choose between the D.C. internship program, a study abroad program in Madrid during their Fall semester (for SIS Scholars only), or a study abroad program in Greece during their Spring semester. All three programs are a year long.ÌýIn addition to dedicated faculty and advisors, and special programming, Â鶹ÊÓƵ Cornerstone is the only opportunity for first-year students to intern or study abroad.Ìý
To learn more about each program and the benefits, click here for Cornerstone's website.
Can all UC students join Â鶹ÊÓƵ Cornerstone?
University College students will receive an invite to join Cornerstone if our team in Â鶹ÊÓƵ Admissions think they're a good fit for the program. Â鶹ÊÓƵ Cornerstone accepts up to 190 students. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
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If you're interested in joining the program but have not gotten an invite,Ìýor if you have other questions, email us at aucornerstone@american.edu.
More questions?
Connect with us at universitycollege@american.edu.
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