Our Admissions Committee is interested in knowing about you, including your academic interests and life outside of the classroom. Prospective students can apply online using the Common Application or Coalition Application. In addition to submitting a completed application, there are several components the Admissions Committee requires that help us evaluate you as a candidate for admission. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Leer en español.

Application Checklist

Required

• Common Application or Coalition Application, including:

  • Extracurricular Activities

  • Application Essay

• High School Transcript(s) and Secondary School Report
• One Teacher Recommendation Letter
• A nonrefundable $75 application fee or application fee waiver

Optional

• SAT and/or ACT Scores (if not Test-Optional)
  • AU’s admissions process is test-optional. Applicants who want to include their ACT and/or SAT scores may self-report their scores on their admissions application. Applicants who self-report their scores will be required to submit official scores if admitted to AU and enroll.
  • International and US Global Nomad (US citizen) applicants graduating high school outside the US are not required to submit SAT or ACT.
• Mid-Year Report and Mid-Year Grades
• Additional Teacher or Counselor Letters of Recommendation
• AU Supplemental Short Answer
  • 2024-2025 Prompt: American University students identify as changemakers and describe themselves as passionate. Describe a belief, hobby, idea, issue, or topic about which you’re excited.
• Special Academic Program Application(s), if applicable
  • After creating the applicant portal, students can apply for a Special Academic Program to tailor their AU experience. Special Program Applications are due December 1. Application questions are available on the Special Academic Program webpage.

First-Year Student (Freshman) Application Deadlines

Application Type	Deadline	CSS Profile &  FAFSA Deadline	Notification	Deposit Deadline
Early Action	November 1	November 15	January 31	May 1
Early Decision I	November 1	November 15	December 31	January 15
Early Decision II	January 15	February 1	February 15	March 1
Regular Decision	January 15	February 15	April 1	May 1
Spring Enrollment	October 1	October 15	November 1	December 1

 

Minimum Admissions Requirements

First-year applicants who follow the U.S. educational system should have completed at least 16 college preparatory secondary school units. We require that you have 4 units in English, 3 units in academic mathematics, including the equivalent of 2 units in algebra and 1 unit of geometry, at least 2 units of laboratory science, at least 2 units of social science and 2 units of foreign language. Successful candidates for admission have usually completed a rigorous college preparatory course of study that goes beyond the minimum requirements above.

Admitted Student Profile for Fall 2024

• GPA Middle 50%: 3.63-4.17 (school reported)
• SAT Middle 50%: 1320-1450 (critical reading and mathematics)
• ACT Middle 50%: 29-33

The SAT and ACT ranges reflect the 41% of applicants who submitted test scores.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

• Your admissions application is your application for a merit scholarship. No separate scholarship application is required, except for the United Methodist Scholarship and Tuition Exchange.
• U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents should complete both the CSS Profile and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you wish to be considered for need-based financial aid. To receive full consideration for need-based financial aid, both documents must be submitted by the application deadline.

Admissions Decisions

Once you submit your application, what happens next? You will receive one of the following decisions:

 

Please Note:

• Once submitted, your application and supplemental documents become the property of American University and cannot be returned.
• Students who will be receiving any scholarship and/or financial aid award will be notified with their letter of admission.
• You will be admitted only for the semester indicated in your letter of admission. If you are unable to enroll for that semester, you may request a deferral.