GW slipped behind its Beltway rivals for the title of “Most Politically Active Students” in the annual Princeton Review ranking released Monday, but remained near the top of the list.

In the glow of the election season, the admission consulting company called GW the No. 3 most politically active school in the country – a step back in the University’s volatile history atop the rankings. AU earned the No. 1 nod, and Georgetown was dubbed the runner-up.

The University was first in the country on the same list last year and in 2009, generating buzz from administrators and admissions representatives who point to the politically savvy student body as a selling point for GW.

Princeton Review also ranked GW third in its “College City Gets High Marks” category, trailing Georgetown by two spots. GW also placed No. 13 for “Best College Dorms” jumping up two ranks from last year.

The 62 separate rankings were compiled based on 122,000 student surveys. The latest edition of the book will go on sale Tuesday.