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The Living Experience

Students must complete the AU Compass reservation form and all required items for the Housing & Residence Life application. All AU Compass students will live together in Leonard Hall. 

If you require special housing accommodations, please contact Housing & Residence Life by email at housing@american.edu. Exceptions to not living on the AU Compass designated floor will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The Learning Experience

Fall 2025

Our program aims to divide AU Compass students into cohorts based around interest and choose a Habits of Mind (HoM) course (3 credits) from a curated list provided by the AU Compass team. Interest cohorts can vary from year-to-year.

Students will also take 1 credit lab experience course together as a Living-Learning Community (LLC) to bring all the various HoM experiences together. During the lab experience course, students will engage in co-curriculars, connect their HoM course experiences, and receive guidance and support on exploring academic pathways at AU.

The HoM course will be with both AU Compass and non-AU Compass students, but the lab experience course will be AU Compass-only.

Spring 2026

All AU Compass students will take another one credit lab experience course together to continue conversations around their experiences in the LLC, engage in co-curriculars, and receive guidance and support on exploring academic pathways at AU.

The lab experience course will be AU Compass-only.

Steps to Make AU Compass Home

Step 1: Final sign-up deadline is March 2025. 

Step 2: Complete the Returning Student Housing Application and match with your AU Compass roommate on or after February 17, 2025. Students will then select their room on the AU Compass floor in Leonard Hall. Please be on the lookout for communications from the Housing & Residence Life team. 

Step 3: Attend an AU Compass mixer to be scheduled in the Spring 2025 semester.

Step 4: Engage with AU Compass peers, faculty, and staff throughout the summer as available.

Step 5: Move in to assigned residence hall and attend the AU Compass Fall Kickoff event in August 2025.

Step 6: Have an incredible year in the AU Compass LLC!